Ex-Sands China CEO Steven Jacobs‘ wrongful-termination case will still proceed under the gavel of Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez. The Nevada Supreme Court, in an unpublished opinion, reaffirmed 
Gonzalez’s standing in the case and also ordered Las Vegas Sands to pony up the $250,000 it owes to charity, a penalty incurred after it was found hiding evidence from Clark County District Court. Although it has not formally gone to trial yet, Sands has been losing one preliminary bout after another. This prompted it to scapegoat Judge Gonzalez, writing to the Supremes that its courtroom losses “continue to evidence this jurist’s bias and hostility toward defendants and further calls into question her ability to preside over this case as an impartial judicial officer.”
What remains unresolved is the issue of jurisdiction. Sands wants the case remanded to Macao, where it expects more-favorable legal treatment. Jacobs’ lawyers want it heard in Las Vegas, since that is Adelson Central … and because that’s where the smuggled evidence went.
* At least Adelson has successful hotels. As if failing SLS Las Vegas didn’t have enough problems, the Sam Nazarian brainchild (orphan?) has been dropped from Hilton Worldwide‘s 
Curio collection, cutting it out of the HHonors loyalty program. Since one seriously doubts the hotel’s ability to market itself either as a standalone or part of the relatively untested SLS brand but all existing reservations from here on out will become the province of an unspecified “new hotel operator.” SLS Las Vegas President Scott Kreeger is having enough trouble drumming up customers, so one wonders how he’ll cope with this latest blow. More and more, SLS LV looks like a speedy vehicle to Chapter 11.
* Add Indiana to the states that will be debating whether or not to regulate daily fantasy sports. State Rep. Alan Morrison (R) wants to introduce a regulation/taxation bill next year, contending, “We’ve 
got an existing gaming industry here that has to play by our rules. For another entity to come in and play by a separate set of rules isn’t fair.” Existing DFS sites aren’t thrilled by Morrison’s proposal to couple them with Hoosier State casinos: You’ve have to go to the casino Web site, log on and then be able to play DFS. Morrison, who tried and failed to get sports betting legalized last session, also faces colleagues who are wearied from a drawn-out fight with Gov. Mike Pence (R) over revising the state’s casino laws. Still, if the new year’s budget looks too big to balance, lawmakers may have more ardor for Morrison’s bill.
* “As long as the [Seminole] Tribe is influencing the gaming landscape, there will never be room for us,” one of Sheldon Adelson‘s lackeys whined, as Las Vegas Sands quit Florida. Right now the Seminoles have their hands full with a suit from the state, 
which wants the federal government to shut down the Seminoles’ blackjack games. Although the Seminoles’ grace period ended Oct. 29, it is continuing to deal, in defiance of the state, resting its argument on the fact that private-sector casinos continue to offer electronic blackjack. The Seminoles claim that the state wants more money — a lot more money — than is shared under the expired compact. The longer they go without blackjack, the greater the economic pressure they’ll feel to capitulate to Gov. Rick Scott (R).
Meanwhile, the Seminoles are playing to the court of public opinion, airing a TV ad called “Get It Done.” In a bizarre twist of logic, the tribe argues that the consequences of not renewing Seminole gambling will be … expanded gambling. The tribe has also signed up the Floridian Partners lobbying firm, fresh from representing — get this — Las Vegas Sands. Politics makes very odd bedfellows indeed.
