Donald Trump Promises to Double Down on Tax-Free Tips for Casino Resorts During Las Vegas Visit

Circa Las Vegas is preparing to host a major political event as it welcomes President Donald Trump back to Southern Nevada. Circa Las Vegas is preparing to host a major political event as it welcomes President Donald Trump back to Southern Nevada for the first time since his 2024 election victory. As one of the premier destination casino resorts in the region, the venue provides a high-profile backdrop for the 47th commander-in-chief to return to the Silver State he helped turn red.

Donald Trump campaigns in Las Vegas ahead of the Nevada Primary and Caucus on Jan. 27, 2024. Trump will return to Southern Nevada for the first time as the 47th president tonight, Jan. 24, 2025. (Image: Shutterstock)

The President’s Visit to Circa Resort & Casino

Trump departed the White House Friday morning for Andrews Air Force Base where he traveled to hurricane-ravaged western North Carolina. After meeting with families affected by September’s Category 4 Hurricane Helene, Air Force One will depart Asheville Regional Airport for Los Angeles International where the president will tour the Pacific Palisades and other neighborhoods impacted by the wildfires.

From there, the former casino tycoon will fly to Harry Reid International and spend the night at his Trump International Hotel, which his real estate empire jointly owns with billionaire Phil Ruffin. On Saturday, Trump will head downtown to Circa Resort & Casino, Fremont Street’s marquee property that opened in late 2020.

The Campaign Pledge

Trump will hold a rally at Circa where he’s expected to double down on his campaign pledge to lift federal taxes on tips. Trump said previously he’s going to Las Vegas to thank Nevadans for delivering him the state’s six Electoral College votes.

Nevada is a key swing state, as voters there have correctly predicted the outcome of 11 of the previous 12 presidential elections. The lone exception was in 2016 when Trump upset Hillary Clinton.

The Culinary Union and Trump’s Pledge

As expected, the Culinary Union campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris (after initially supporting President Joe Biden’s reelection until he dropped out) and urged its approximately 60K members in Las Vegas and Reno to vote blue. That was no surprise, as the casino and hospitality trade group hasn’t endorsed a Republican presidential candidate in decades.

Despite being told to vote for Harris, many union members voted for Trump. Last June, the 45th and now 47th president pledged during a Las Vegas rally that he would instruct the IRS to stop considering tips as taxable income if elected.

The Pledge Resonated with Hospitality Workers

The pledge resonated with many hospitality and gaming workers, prompting Harris to copy the campaign statement the following month with her own guarantee that gratuities would no longer be subject to federal taxes.

Harris has no imagination,” Trump said after hearing that Harris would also cancel the tax on tips. “She played ‘copycat.’”

Trump’s Performance in Nevada

Trump was the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004 to win over 50% of the Nevada vote. In Clark County, home to Las Vegas, Trump won 47.8% of the vote to Harris’ 50.4%. Trump’s performance, however, was 3.5% better than in 2020, and 5.8% stronger than he fared in 2016.

Circa Host Derek Stevens

Trump holding his Saturday rally at Circa comes as a bit of a surprise, as he has many billionaire casino friends in town with lavish properties. Along with his and Ruffin’s Trump International, Trump is close with Tilman Fertitta, who owns the Golden Nugget downtown and has been tapped by Trump to become the US ambassador to Italy.

Circa is owned by downtown visionary Derek Stevens, whose empire also includes The D and Golden Gate. Stevens isn’t nearly as political as Ruffin or Fertitta. Stevens did donate $6,600 to US Rep. Dina Titus’ (D-Las Vegas, Henderson) reelection campaign, but also gave $3K to Republican candidate Drew Johnson’s unsuccessful 2024 bid to unseat Rep. Susie Lee (D-Las Vegas) from Congress.

Conclusion

In conclusion, President Donald Trump’s return to Las Vegas marks a significant moment in his presidential campaign. With his pledge to lift federal taxes on tips, Trump aims to win over the hearts of Nevada’s hospitality workers and voters alike. As we look ahead to the 2024 election, one thing is clear: only time will tell if Trump can deliver on this promise.

Key Facts About Tax-Free Tips

• Tips are currently considered taxable income under federal law.
• The Culinary Union has urged its members to vote for candidates who support lifting the tax on tips.
• President Donald Trump has pledged to instruct the IRS to stop considering tips as taxable income if elected.
• Nevada is a key swing state in presidential elections, with voters correctly predicting the outcome of 11 of the previous 12 elections.

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As local officials evaluate the massive economic shifts facing Centre County, a new study has been commissioned to measure the potential influence of a major development near Penn State University. As local officials evaluate the massive economic shifts facing Centre County, a new study has been commissioned to measure the potential influence of a major development near Penn State University. The investigation aims to determine exactly how the introduction of a high-stakes commercial casino at the Nittany Mall will transform the local landscape, assessing whether a $100 million gaming facility will serve as a primary engine for growth in Pennsylvania’s College Township.

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The Rise of a New Casino in State College

The many fans who drive to tailgate and attend Penn State football games on Saturdays during the fall and winter will have a new amenity nearby in the coming years, as a casino will open at the Nittany Mall. College Township is fielding an impact study on the ramifications of becoming a host to a casino.

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A History of Casino Development in Pennsylvania

During the lengthy legal challenge of allowing Pennsylvania businessman and former PSU trustee Ira Lubert to transform the former Macy’s department store at the shopping mall just miles from the university campus, the College Township Council didn’t commission its own independent, third-party study on how casino gaming might change the community.

In 2021, Lubert’s company, SC Gaming OpCo hired Econsult Solutions, a Philadelphia-based economic, planning, and public policy consultancy, to render such a forecast.

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The Request for Proposal is Underway

Four years later, the township is moving forward with its review. The request for proposal went out weeks ago, with bids due Friday. The council will soon determine the winner and expect the report sometime this fall.

The findings will have no bearing on Lubert’s project, which is amid early construction. Fencing has gone up around the former Macy’s anchor store and all state and local permits have been secured.

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What’s at Stake?

Casino Study is for Planning Purposes

Lubert, who donated $10 million to the $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions football program, secured the rights to open a commercial casino in Centre County through a September 2020 auction round held by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).

Lubert’s little more than $10 million bid outbid an undisclosed offer from Baltimore-based Cordish Companies.

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The Econsult Report: A Net Positive Impact

Cordish sued the PGCB on grounds that it wrongly allowed Lubert to bid as a consortium with investors unqualified to participate. In the case that ran several years, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court resolved the litigation last summer when it sided with the PGCB in determining that Lubert maintained 100% control of SC Gaming OpCo at the time of bidding.

The Econsult report found that a casino at the Nittany Mall would have a “net positive impact on College Township tourism, helping to revitalize the Nittany Mall and attract other retail and hospitality operators to the area.”

The study concluded that crime would increase only minimally, with an additional 6.2 calls for police each month, or a 1.7% increase in non-traffic related police calls for the State College Police Department.

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Critics Weigh In

Critics of the casino — and there are many in State College — say the study was biased. They believe a casino so close to the state’s largest university will deliver increased rates of problem gambling, substance abuse, financial distress, broken relationships, college dropouts, and suicide.

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The Township’s Response

College Township believes its own study will better provide insights into the casino’s true impact. Township Manager Adam Brumbaugh said this week that the local government will use the findings to determine how to best offset negative consequences.

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A Shift in Plans

Lubert had hoped to open his casino at the Nittany Mall, with Bally’s running the place. Soon after winning the gaming license, Lubert, who was an early investor in the Valley Forge Casino Resort, and who retains a 3% stake in Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, the latter of which qualified him to bid in September 2020, announced Bally’s as his partner.

Bally’s announced its exit from the project in September. Facing financing concerns for its nearly $2 billion investment in Chicago, the casino operator said it was focusing its energies elsewhere.

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A New Direction

Lubert wasn’t fazed. He said he has the “resources and capability to independently develop and operate” the casino “without reliance on a third party.”

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The Impact of Casinos in Pennsylvania

1. Casinos can generate significant revenue for local governments through taxes and licensing fees.
2. Casino development can create jobs and stimulate economic growth in surrounding areas.
3. Casinos can attract new businesses and residents to an area, boosting local economies.
4. However, casinos have also been linked to increased crime rates, substance abuse, and financial distress.

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The Future of the Nittany Mall Casino

The future of the casino remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: College Township is taking a proactive approach to understanding the potential impact of this new amenity on their community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the opening of a new casino in State College raises several questions about its impact on the local community. While some argue that it will bring economic benefits, others believe it may exacerbate existing social issues.

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Virginia Skill Game Bill Faces Long Odds as Gov. Youngkin Pledges Veto on Slot Machines

Virginia Skill Game Bill Faces Long Odds as Gov. Youngkin Pledges Veto on Slot Machines. As legislators in Richmond debate the future of gaming, new legislation has been introduced to the General Assembly to establish a formal regulatory framework for controversial skill-based devices. This move aims to provide a legal footing for machines that mirror the mechanics of traditional slot machines, finally bringing these popular electronic games under a structured and supervised legal umbrella in Virginia.

Skill games in Virginia have been powered down since October 2023. Legislation in 2025 to turn the controversial gaming machines back on faces long odds. (Image: NBC10)

The Current State of Skill Games in Virginia

Virginia Sen. Christie Craig (R-Chesapeake) is the chief patron of House Bill 1323. The Virginia Gaming Commerce Regulation Act would establish regulations governing the gray games and provide penalties for noncompliant operations.

Craig says skill games should return to help the many small businesses throughout the commonwealth that had housed the machines until the Virginia Supreme Court in October 2023 overturned a circuit court judge’s injunction that had allowed the Queen of Virginia devices to remain operating after lawmakers banned the machines effective July 1, 2021.

The Proposed Legislation

This is a long time coming. This bill is about gaming and regulation. We want [skill games] taxed, regulated, and enforced,” said Craig.

On Wednesday, HB1323 passed the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee on a 9-6 vote. It has since moved to the Finance and Appropriations Committee.

The Proposed Regulations

Craig’s bill recommends allowing Virginia truck stops, businesses holding licenses from the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority, and Virginia Lottery retailers to place skill games inside their premises.

Truck stops and ABC establishments would be permitted to house up to seven electronic gaming devices. Lottery retailers would be permitted three. Truck stops would need to pay the state an annual fee of $2,500 for the skill gaming privileges. Lottery vendors and ABC facilities would pay an annual fee of $1,000. Each gaming machine would require a flat monthly tax of $1,200. The state would still see how much money is being bet on the devices, as Craig’s statute would require host locations to submit a monthly wagering report for each terminal.

Consumer Protections

The manufacturers and distributors of the electronic terminals would pay a $250K annual license and be on the hook to ensure that the games have consumer protections such as fair play and a maximum wager of $5. Each machine must be independently tested, meaning no manufacturer, operator, distributor, or host location would be permitted to have any ownership interest in any independent testing laboratory.

Problem Gambling Prevention

HB1323 would also require host locations to train employees to detect problem gambling and age verification. Craig wants to ban anyone under 21 from playing.

The bill would also prohibit excessive ATM fees. At least one sign would need to be posted “in a conspicuous location at the entrance of any gaming area” informing customers that only those aged 21 and older may play. The sign must also display a toll-free problem gambling number approved by the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling.

Long Odds for Passage

Craig’s bill likely won’t see much support in the Senate chamber should it clear the Finance and Appropriations Committee. With 2025 being a short session running only 30 days, lawmakers are unwilling to spend much time on legislation facing uphill battles.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed skill gaming legislation last year after the General Assembly reached a compromise on returning the games to small businesses. In 2025, Youngkin has doubled down on his anti-skill gaming position.

Alternative Regulation Proposal

Youngkin does support forming a state gaming commission to regulate casinos, sports betting, parimutuel wagering, and historical horse racing machines. Sen. Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania) has filed legislation to do just that.

Reeves’ Senate Bill 1287 has passed the General Laws and Technology Committee and is being reviewed in the Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Conclusion

The Skill Game Bill is facing long odds of passage, but it remains a crucial step towards regulating the controversial gaming machines in Virginia. As the debate continues, it’s essential to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of such legislation and how it might impact small businesses and consumers alike. With the current political climate favoring anti-skill gaming sentiments, it’s uncertain whether the bill will ultimately prevail.

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Crime and Justice Near Las Vegas Casinos: Caesars Palace Murderers Sentenced to At Least 10 Years in Prison

The shocking violence that occurred within the walls of one of the worlds most famous Las Vegas casinos has finally reached a legal conclusion. The shocking violence that occurred within the walls of one of the worlds most famous Las Vegas casinos has finally reached a legal conclusion. The duo who robbed and fatally shot a man in a guest room at Caesars Palace were sentenced on Thursday, ensuring that the dark side of the nightlife scene will face justice as both will spend at least a decade behind bars.

The Perpetrators: Erika Covington and Arionna Taylor

Under a plea bargain, Erika Covington, 21, and Arionna Taylor, 22, were given the sentence by Clark County District Court Judge Tierra Jones for the May 15, 2023 murder.

The minimum they will serve in prison is 10 years. The maximum is 25 years.

How the Crime Unfolded

The incident began when Altamirano-Solano met the two women in the hotel’s valet area. A short time later, at about 2:30 a.m., the trio went up to room 535.

Minutes later, Covington and Taylor ran out of the room and into a hallway carrying Altamirano-Solano’s bag. Eight hours later, a housekeeper found the victim’s lifeless body in the guest room.

The Investigation and Conviction

Altamirano-Solano died from a single gunshot to the left chest, according to an autopsy released by the Clark County coroner’s office. The death was ruled a homicide. Authorities later matched a bullet casing found in the hotel room to a bullet found during a Las Vegas South Pecos Road domestic violence incident, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Taylor was a victim in that incident.

Covington and Taylor were identified by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers as suspects in the case. The suspects were identified through photos on Taylor’s Instagram account, hotel surveillance video, and the casing.

They told officers they didn’t remember the night’s events, according to Las Vegas TV station KSNV. Later, they were booked on several charges, including murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit murder, and conspiracy to commit robbery. Since then, they were held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center.

The Victim’s Family Speaks Out

It wasn’t enough just taking his belongings, they had to kill him,” Altamirano-Solano’s father, Victor Altamirano, told the judge on Thursday. “I ask for justice for my son.”

Nelly Altamirano, the victim’s mother, also spoke to the judge, but via a remote camera.

“The pain that I felt was so deep,” Nelly Altamirano said. “I felt like I just lost my life. I had so many questions. Why? Why my son?”

The Sentencing and Conclusion

Covington offered a brief statement before the judge announced her sentence.

I would like to send my condolences to Brian’s family,” Covington, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS. “I deeply, genuinely apologize for the grief and the pain that’s been brought to you guys’ family.”

Key Facts and Statistics

Here are some key facts and statistics related to the case:

• Bryan Altamirano-Solano was 25 years old.
• Erika Covington and Arionna Taylor were both sentenced to at least 10 years in prison.
• The maximum sentence is 25 years.
• Taylor was a victim in a previous domestic violence incident.

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