« Year 2004 Summary

Gambling legislation introduced - 28 February 2004
Legislation to bring casino gambling to Kentucky was introduced Friday in both chambers of the General Assembly. Two ranking lawmakers immediately expressed doubts about its odds. The legislation envisions nine casinos -- five controlled by the state's horse tracks and four independent casinos elsewhere in the state. S - read more »

Call for new gaming board, 11th casino license - 28 February 2004
After denouncing a recent Illinois Gaming Board decision to exclude two south suburban Chicago casino contenders from the final round for the state's 10th casino license, some lawmakers are drafting legislation to both revamp the five-member board and create an 11th casino license."There's no place in the entire state - read more »

Casino job fair runs overtime - 28 February 2004
Casino officials expected to process another 2,500 people Friday, the second day of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's job fair.Thursday, the first day of the fair, ended very late with the last of 2,500 applicants processed at 3:30 a.m. The final count at the end of Day One was 717 new hires, and company official - read more »

Washoe board cuts property values for Reno casinos - 28 February 2004
Property values for the Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus Reno casinos were slashed another $34 million Friday, bringing the total taxable value cuts to $107 million for downtown Reno hotel-casinos for the coming year.For the Reno Redevelopment Agency, the reductions translate into a cut of almost 50 percen - read more »

Clark's casino plan faces tough odds - 28 February 2004
House Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark's proposal to allow slot machines, blackjack tables and other gambling at nine casinos in the state, including some racetracks, faces plenty of battles in the General Assembly's final six weeks. The biggest hurdle, however, could come from Churchill Downs. Clark's plan calls for an unl - read more »

Poor sales for Rock Cafe goods hits Rank - 28 February 2004
Leisure group Rank said poor merchandise sales at its Hard Rock Cafe chain led the brand to deliver "disappointing" financial results.The group, which also owns the Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casino chains, said this had offset a recent upturn in food and drink sales at the chain.Hard Rock's operating profits were down - read more »

Gambling is a winner for Hilton - 26 February 2004
Hotels group Hilton is now making more money from its Ladbrokes gambling operation than its luxury hospitality business after a 'depressed' year from corporate business travel hit earnings. Operating profits at Hilton's betting and gaming unit surged 43% to £214.1m for the year to 31 December, up from £149.3m the year - read more »

La Cruise Casino Passengers Rescued During Rough Weather - 26 February 2004
Simply put, it was a nasty, dreary Wednesday. That didn't stop some from deciding to take a gamble on a gambling cruise and brave the rough weather. The problem was, the weather got too rough.The La Cruise Casino boat that was supposed to be back at its dock Wednesday afternoon ended up spending an addition five hours - read more »

Ehrlich shoring up slots support - 26 February 2004
With the Maryland Senate scheduled to begin this morning what promises to be a contentious debate on slots legislation, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and his top advisers are working furiously to win support from his fellow Republicans for the centerpiece of his solution to the state's fiscal crisis. The governor said he - read more »

Country Club Hills loses casino bid - 26 February 2004
They won't be rolling dice on the water in Country Club Hills anytime soon.The Illinois Gaming Board snubbed the United Southland casino coalition Wednesday, picking developers in three north suburbs as finalists for the state's 10th riverboat gambling license.The board and its staff declined to offer any explanation f - read more »

Gambler Ban List Raising Some Questions - 26 February 2004
Virginia Ormanian burned through most of her retirement savings playing slot machines in Detroit casinos last year -- something she should not have been allowed to do. The 49-year-old gambling addict had voluntarily banned herself in August 2002 from the casinos through a state program that was supposed to keep her out - read more »

Slot-Machine Casino Proposed for Compton - 26 February 2004
A state assemblyman has proposed that a group of Indians be allowed to open a 4,000-slot machine casino in Compton, even though the federal government has not officially recognized the band.Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally (D-Compton) introduced such legislation four days after receiving a $1,000 donation from the lawyer rep - read more »

Hotel, casino to offer thousands of jobs - 25 February 2004
While the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino inches closer to its scheduled April opening, Hollywood tribal leaders are looking to hire thousands of South Florida workers to help run the place.The tribe is hoping to fill some 3,000 jobs that will be offered at a three-day job fair starting Thursday. Positions will range - read more »

Lawmakers threatened over stance on gaming bill - 25 February 2004
A second member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives claimed Tuesday he was threatened over his opposition to a gaming bill pending in the House. Rep. Bill Mitchell, D-Lindsay, said he received a call from an individual Tuesday morning before he left for work at the State Capitol. “They said they would see to it th - read more »

Casino going next to the dogs - 25 February 2004
Birmingham's fast-growing gambling industry could be boosted by a new casino alongside the city's Perry Barr dog track.Track operator Wembley - in the process of being taken over by Las Vegas-based casinos giant MGM Mirage - said yesterday that Perry Barr had “strong demographics” for a casino operation.The company, wh - read more »

Hopkins-De La Hoya fight on the cards - 24 February 2004
The proposed middleweight title fight Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya has moved a step closer.De La Hoya has already agreed to fight German Felix Sturn on June 5 and Hopkins has all but signed a contract ensuring a clash with Robert Allen on the same night.If the pair win, they will then meet in September for what - read more »

Online gambling may soon be banned - 24 February 2004
Thousands of people in the online gambling industry would lose their jobs if the new National Gambling Bill is enacted, says attorney Reinhardt Buys.The National Gambling Bill, effectively banning Internet gambling and the advertising of online casinos, is soon to replace the 1996 National Gambling Act.The bill would i - read more »

BIA staff swell ranks of tribe now pushing for casino gambling - 24 February 2004
A once-tiny, nearly destitute American Indian tribe is pushing hard to build a $100 million casino - but it's not traditional tribal members gunning for riches. Hundreds of people have been newly added to the Ione Band of Miwok Indians' membership rolls, which were opened up by regional Bureau of Indian Affairs officia - read more »

Businessman faces fight to run casino cruises from beach town - 24 February 2004
An Upstate businessman who wants to operate gambling cruises-to-nowhere from the docks of this sleepy Colleton County beach town faces a fight from town officials.Wallace Cheves of Greenville has requested a business license to operate the cruises with the vision of the Palmetto Princess catering to Charleston, Hilton - read more »

Gambling-bill changes proposed - 24 February 2004
Gambling opponents worked to forge a coalition Monday in the Iowa House, while legislative leaders moved forward with a backup plan to solve the state's casino tax problem in case the gambling bill is defeated.Rep. Danny Carroll, a Grinnell Republican, and Rep. Ed Fallon, a Des Moines Democrat, are expected to be key o - read more »

Report: $60 million to be used to build new Atlantic City hotels - 23 February 2004
Casino executives will get $60 million in the next state budget to continue hotel construction, according to a newspaper report. The Press of Atlantic City reported that the money will come from incentives built into last year's $90 million casino tax increase. Parking tax money now will become available to the Casino - read more »

Moneymaker has lived up to his name - 23 February 2004
You are reading these poker stories because of a guy named Chris Moneymaker.If you started playing Texas Hold'em in the past year and dreamed of cashing in big, he probably is your hero.If you have no interest in the game and are miffed that poker is filling hours upon hours of television, and will be even angrier late - read more »

Southland casino takes in 9 more towns - 23 February 2004
Nine communities initially left out of the Country Club Hills casino plan will share in the potential revenue, albeit in smaller shares than the original 18.The United Southland coalition last week announced a second tier of revenue sharing that would include East Hazel Crest, Lynwood, Markham, Merrionette Park, Park F - read more »

Pyramid casino looks far away - 23 February 2004
Legislation for casino gambling in Shelby County has picked up some powerful lobbying clout, but lawmakers say it faces an uphill battle to pass this year - the first step for a statewide referendum in 2006. The resolution sets in motion the deliberately slow process of amending the Tennessee Constitution by a statewid - read more »

Hispanics want in on slots deals - 23 February 2004
A leader of Hispanic Republicans in Maryland says he doubts that black lawmakers legally can broker a deal to secure ownership of two proposed slot-machine emporiums, but adds that Hispanics also might be interested in casino ownership. "There would be a question mark in my mind as to whether or not minority owners - read more »

Casino deal hinges on mining OK - 23 February 2004
The $92 million relocation of Jumer's Casino Rock Island appears to be without controversy on at least one front: the city's role in helping pay for the move.A 24-page development agreement between Rock Island Boatworks and the City of Rock Island details the financial incentives that have been negotiated between city - read more »

Gambling law debate will begin this week - 23 February 2004
A long-anticipated debate on the state's gambling laws is set to begin Thursday in the Iowa House, but few are willing to predict how it might end.Communities that are pinning economic development hopes on bringing in a riverboat casino are waging an eleventh-hour lobbying effort to convince lawmakers to approve new li - read more »

Tabcorp Ups Bid in Australian Gambling - 23 February 2004
Tabcorp Holdings Ltd, Australia's largest gaming group, increased its offer for rival Tab Ltd to A$2.03 billion ($1.56 billion) on Monday, but failed to top a competing bid that has hit a regulatory hurdle.Queensland-based UNiTAB Ltd's rival bid is worth A$2.1 billion, but Tabcorp's offer has won crucial backing from t - read more »

Bureau of Indian Affairs staff swell ranks of tribe now pushing for casino gambling - 23 February 2004
A once-tiny, nearly destitute American Indian tribe is pushing hard to build a $100 million casino -- but it's not traditional tribal members gunning for riches.Hundreds of people have been newly added to the Ione Band of Miwok Indians' membership rolls, which were opened up by regional Bureau of Indian Affairs officia - read more »

Bill taps casino revenue - 22 February 2004
After a battle that divided Missouri universities, two Columbia lawmakers are hoping to change the subject.Rep. Chuck Graham and Rep. Jeff Harris, both Democrats, this week introduced a bill that aims to provide new money to all public universities by tapping casinos and people who work in Missouri but live in other st - read more »

Plymouth Council Approves Casino Project Despite Public Outcry - 22 February 2004
Tempers overflowed in the normally sleepy Mother Lode village of Plymouth Friday night, as citizens angrily called on the city council to reject a proposed Indian casino.At issue was an effort by the Ione Miwok band to purchase 200 acres on the south edge of the Amador County town as a site for a casino. Although a vot - read more »

Gambling blacklists prove to be a dicey proposition for casinos, players - 22 February 2004
Virginia Ormanian burned through most of her retirement savings playing slot machines in Detroit casinos last year. The 49-year-old Wyandotte, Mich., woman received cash advances on her credit cards and cashed checks at the casinos. Once she won $8,000 playing slots, and the casino paid her after filling out the necess - read more »

Japan parliament to consider bill expanding wagering opportunities - 22 February 2004
Wagering on horse racing in Japan would be available at all betting booths nationwide under a bill expected to be considered during the current session of the Japanese National Diet, the nation's parliament. Betting on races hosted by the Japan Racing Association and on local races is currently only allowed when the gr - read more »

Tracks Seek Fast Action on Gambling - 22 February 2004
Voters in Hancock and Ohio counties could be faced with the question of legalizing table gambling as early as May if the West Virginia Legislature passes Senate Bill 548. However, the bill, introduced Tuesday by Sen. Andy McKenzie, R-Ohio, does not call for county commissioners to decide when a local option referendum - read more »

Controversial Screenwriter Completes Final Draft of Sports Gambling Film, Seeks Major Production Partnership - 19 February 2004
New York, NY - First Flight Out Films, Inc. has announced today that screenwriter Mark Lugo has completed final drafts of his debut film, Sportsbook. The script, which is completely about sports gambling in America, shows how offshore sports bookies go offshore to keep it legal. Lugo who visited Costa Rica, which is - read more »

Casino will pay out despite jackpot glitch - 19 February 2004
Grandwest Casino will honour jackpot payouts totalling R355 970 to six punters following Monday's computer glitch on some of the casino's slot machines.This decision followed an investigation by the casino into the malfunction, after the punters complained about being refused payment when the slot machines showed that - read more »

Gambling bill heads for House floor - 19 February 2004
A bill that would allow five more casino licenses in Iowa sparked criticism Wednesday on several fronts, including those who oppose gambling expansion and others who feared a negative impact on Des Moines and Polk County."This is going in the wrong direction," said Rep. Ed Fallon, a Des Moines Democrat. "This is not a - read more »

Tax plans could put casinos off locating in UK - 19 February 2004
The Treasury could wreck the Government's wider efforts to attract online casinos to the UK, despite the warm welcome given to the Gambling Bill. Rumours have been circulating around the gambling industry that the Government will introduce a 15% tax on gross profits for online casinos, as is already the case for bingo - read more »

Ho-Chunk not giving up casino quest - 19 February 2004
The Ho-Chunk Nation's search for a site for its fourth Wisconsin casino will go on even though voters resoundingly rejected the tribe's plan to build the facility in Madison, tribal officials said Wednesday.The tribe has a list of other communities where the casino plan could go next, Ho-Chunk business director Jim Web - read more »

Panel aims to expand slots plan - 19 February 2004
A Senate committee moved last night toward expanding Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s slots proposal to include a racetrack near Ocean City and a third nontrack location, while cutting the share of revenues for the owners of slots facilities.As part of the legislation, the committee proposed adding $98 million in aid to lo - read more »

House Revenue takes a gamble on lottery bill - 19 February 2004
In a narrow vote, lawmakers chose to take a chance and support a bill that would allow the state to get into the lottery game.The House Revenue Committee voted 5-4 to pass House Bill 20 to the full House for debate."This is not about gambling in the state of Wyoming," said Rep. Dave Edwards, R-Douglas. "We already have - read more »

Seeing Green At The Mohegan Sun - 18 February 2004
Despite the fact that their casino compound might seem like a glutton for energy consumption, the Mohegan Indians say they are going to extremes to give back to Mother Earth. The tribe planted 100 acres of trees in Costa Rica to offset carbon dioxide emitted by two huge fuel cells used to partially power their Uncasvil - read more »

SunCruz bidder raises offer to $36.1 million, may get deal soon - 18 February 2004
The top bidder for the assets of SunCruz Casinos has sweetened its offer, which could be accepted Friday at a bankruptcy hearing in West Palm Beach.The court-appointed trustee for SunCruz had planned an auction this week, but a judge agreed to drop the auction to get the higher bid.Ocean Cruise Casinos and Vessel Casin - read more »

Time to decide on gambling - 18 February 2004
We have deep and abiding prob lems with Gov. Ed Rendell's plans to legalize more gambling in Pennsylvania to fund much-needed property-tax relief. We also have deep and abiding faith in majority rule and effective governance. The governor's gaming-expansion proposal has been in play, in one form or another, for about a - read more »

Laughlin still catches solid share of casino action - 17 February 2004
Casinos in Laughlin won $552.1 million from gamblers in 2003, about as much as they did in 2002, according to data just released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.That was a gain of 0.2 percent in the amount left after payouts, before taxes and expenses.Laughlin's average growth in annual gambling revenue the past 10 - read more »

Coalition pushes Detroit to rebid casino licenses - 17 February 2004
The Community Coalition, which led a failed attempt in the late 1990s to get a casino license for Detroit businessman Don Barden, plans to try again to get the city to rebid its casino licenses. The group hopes to collect enough signatures by June 30 to put the matter on the November ballot. Though petition language wo - read more »

High-stakes casino vote finally here - 17 February 2004
After six weeks of hearing the pros and cons of a casino in Madison, Dane County voters will decide today if they want DeJope Bingo Hall to become a casino. With a Democratic primary on the same ballot, along with two suburban school referendums and several primaries, Dane County Clerk Joe Parisi predicts a 40 percent - read more »

Rendell touts tax cuts with gambling plan - 17 February 2004
Kicking off a series of events designed to rally support for his proposal to legalize slot-machine gambling, Gov. Rendell joined a half-dozen city and suburban officials yesterday to tout local tax reductions that are part of the legislation.Appearing at the Independence Blue Cross Building in Center City, Rendell said - read more »

Talk of new Conn. casino sparks traffic worry - 16 February 2004
The odds of drawing a royal flush during a hand of poker are about 1 in 650,000. The likelihood of Connecticut's hosting another Indian casino seems a bit better - a possibility that has many officials in the Nutmeg State cringing and local residents peering anxiously over the border. The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, ba - read more »

BLM wants casino to cash out - 16 February 2004
On a wish list that includes ranches, creeks, canyons and basins, it sticks out like a tourist. It's the Hacienda Hotel and Casino on U.S. Highway 93 near Boulder City, and it's on the Bureau of Land Management's proposed list of environmentally sensitive lands that could be purchased by the government later this year. - read more »

Hard Rock International strikes a new note - 16 February 2004
Hard Rock Cafe International, the Orlando-based global pioneer of the theme-restaurant business, is moving closer to remaking its image as a hotel-casino brand.The company's two high-profile Florida gambling venues -- ventures with the Seminole Tribe -- are opening soon, and ground has broken on a Las Vegas-style casin - read more »

Locations of casinos up for vote - 16 February 2004
The City Commission will vote Tuesday on whether to extend temporary rules on where casinos can be located in Great Falls. But it's a pretty safe bet you won't find a new casino in your neighborhood anytime soon, unless someone sells an existing liquor license to be used in a new location. A business needs a state liqu - read more »

Legislators begin revamp of lottery law - 16 February 2004
A new type of lottery fever is spreading in the state Capitol. The Tennessee Lottery has been running for less than a month, but lawmakers of all persuasions - from avid supporters to consistent opponents - are looking to make changes. More than 150 bills related to the lottery have been introduced since the General As - read more »

Casino Aztar riverboat business up - 14 February 2004
Business at the Casino Aztar riverboat at Evansville was up more than 8 percent last year, parent company Aztar Corp. reported. Casino Aztar generated $126 million in revenue up from $116.3 million in 2002. Operating income jumped 25 percent to $30.2 million, an operating-profit margin of 24 percent. Hotel occupancy wa - read more »

DeJope casino would cost state $3 million plus annually - 14 February 2004
The state would lose about $40 million by 2016 if Dane County voters allow the Ho-Chunk Nation to transform a Madison bingo hall into a casino, according to a state memo released Friday.The Ho-Chunk has agreed to pay the city of Madison and Dane County $91 million from 2004 through 2016 if voters approve a referendum T - read more »

State of Washington considers bill - 14 February 2004
Washington horseplayers could bet by phone or over the Internet under a bill passed Friday by the state Senate.Senate Bill 6481 is aimed at helping the state's struggling racing industry, essentially by legalizing wagers that are currently being made illegally over the Internet. Neither tracks nor the state make any mo - read more »

Assembly speaker rips Ho-Chunk casino agreement - 14 February 2004
In the frenzied final days before the casino referendum vote, opponents were stepping up their attacks. State Assembly Speaker John Gard, R-Peshtigo, zeroed in on the $7 million a year that the Ho-Chunk Nation would pay Madison and Dane County if a casino is established. Gard said Friday that county voters were being " - read more »

Gaming bill's time is short - 14 February 2004
Time is running out for House speaker pro tempore Larry Clark to file a measure to let Kentucky voters decide whether to amend the state constitution and to allow expanded gambling at horse tracks and free-standing casinos. "If it don't happen within the next week, I don't think the legislative schedule will let us mak - read more »

Gambling ship may shuffle its plans - 14 February 2004
Since the concept of a gambling ship was pitched to city officials more than a year ago, Titan Cruise Lines has planned to hold twice daily excursions from the Port of St. Petersburg.That might be changing.The company is now exploring ways to satisfy a demand for more frequent trips into international waters, where gam - read more »

Country singer to sing at casino - 13 February 2004
Army paratrooper turned country singer, Craig Morgan, will sing his Top 10 single, "Almost Home," and other tunes at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Sac & Fox Casino.Morgan, who entertained his fellow solders during Operation Just Cause, the U.S. military operation to remove Panama's Manuel Noriega from power, recentl - read more »

Police raid home of betting millionaire - 13 February 2004
POLICE have raided the home of a self-made millionaire on the instructions of the Financial Services Authority.Last Thursday they carried out a search warrant obtained by the FSA at the home of former cabbie Kevin Foster, 48, of Seed Road, Doddington, near Sittingbourne, who claimed he was being treated "like an intern - read more »

Five more casinos possible for state - 13 February 2004
The stage was set Thursday for a high-stakes legislative debate on gambling with the unveiling of a bill that would allow five additional casino licenses in Iowa but would not allow a new casino in counties that have one.A draft of House Study Bill 122 was released to a room packed with reporters, television cameras, l - read more »

Gamblers soon can bet $200 at minicasinos - 13 February 2004
The Washington State Gambling Commission voted Thursday to double the maximum bet at minicasinos to $200. The move was applauded by minicasinos owners, who had sought the change, but it rankled some powerful state lawmakers and might have touched off a turf war between the commission and the Legislature."They're usurpi - read more »

World Renowned Poker Player Signs Endorsement Agreement with New Brand of Clothing Rooted in Poker - 12 February 2004
Men the Master, one of the world's most renowned poker players and winner of six World Series of Poker gold bracelets, has signed an endorsement contract with All In Fashion LLC, a new brand of clothing rooted in poker that is being introduced into select stores across the nation this fall. The announcement was made b - read more »

Casinos Win $9.63 Billion In 2003, Up Slightly - 12 February 2004
Nevada casinos won $9.63 billion from gamblers in 2003 - up slightly from 2002 totals as the state's tourism-dependent economy continues its slow recovery from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The win reported Wednesday by the state Gaming Control Board is what was left in casino coffers from $139 billion bet dur - read more »

Bar and casino plans roll into Central station - 12 February 2004
A large casino, bar, nightclub and restaurant complex could be built under one of Scotland's largest and most historic railway stations, it emerged yesterday.Developers may convert the space below Glasgow Central station, which was used by a car and van rental firm and a car park company, into a huge entertainment venu - read more »

Casino operator settles Missouri suit - 12 February 2004
Station Casinos Inc. will pay $38 million to settle a lawsuit that claimed the company used improper contacts between its lawyer and a Missouri Gaming Commission official to obtain its Missouri gaming license in 1997.The lawsuit focused on $500,000 in bonus payments made to the company's now-disbarred lawyer in Missour - read more »

SkyCity captures Mirage - 12 February 2004
KIWI gaming group SkyCity Entertainment unveiled a second big Australian play yesterday by agreeing to pay US operator MGM Mirage $195 million for its Darwin casino and hotel.The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, marks a further consolidation of Australia' gambling sector following Tabcorp's acquisition of Jupiter - read more »

Ontario looks at new casinos as cash-strapped Liberals try to raise revenue - 12 February 2004
Ontario's cash-strapped Liberal government is looking at potential areas for new casinos in the province, but won't introduce video lottery terminals, Economic Development Minister Joe Cordiano said Wednesday. "It's an important industry, no doubt about it," said Cordiano, the minister responsible for Ontario's Lotter - read more »

Hopi Tribal Council ponders vote on gaming - 12 February 2004
The Hopi Tribe has tentatively scheduled a gaming referendum for May 19. The Hopi voters rejected a gaming referendum in 1995, but there have been many changes in the state's gambling laws since then. There are also changes pending in the Hopi economy. At this point, the Hopi Tribe is the only tribe in Arizona that has - read more »

Ehrlich optimistic on his slots proposal - 12 February 2004
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. said Wednesday that his plan to legalize slot machine gambling would generate almost $900 million a year for the state within four years, providing nearly 70 percent of the money needed to pay for a landmark public schools funding plan."It's not the entire answer, but it's a significant part - read more »

Tribe and Plymouth at Odds Over Plans for New Casino - 10 February 2004
A landless Indian tribe in Amador County has been looking for a home, and it found one in the small town of Plymouth. It might not be a problem except the Ione Band of Miwok Indians wants to build a very big casino there.Many people in Plymouth don't want a casino in their town. "The location is inappropriate," said El - read more »

Coast Casinos Merges With Boyd Gaming - 10 February 2004
A billion dollar merger is in the works here in Southern Nevada. Boyd Gaming is acquiring Coast Casinos. It will make the company the largest "locals" gaming company. Everyone wants to control the locals market, or at least have a piece of it. Experts say part of the reason this merger happened is because the locals ma - read more »

Experts debate effects of local casino - 10 February 2004
As the Feb. 17 Wisconsin primary draws near, controversy continues to surround a proposed casino in Madison. Adding to the debate, some experts say having a gambling facility so close to the University of Wisconsin campus could cause problems among students. "When you have a gambling facility so close to a student base - read more »

Casino foes seek law against lobbying by tribes - 10 February 2004
Foes of casino gambling in Connecticut promised Monday to seek federal legislation that would check the role of lobbying in Washington by Indian tribes seeking recognition. At a forum in Danbury, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Jeff Benedict, president of the Connecticut Alliance Against Casino Expansion, - read more »

From casinos to cruises, senior citizens are hard to keep up with - 09 February 2004
They file into buses in the wee hours of the morning. Sometimes they don't return for days, weeks even.They're seniors on the go. But where?Hopping buses, planes and cruise ships, their main goal is to share some quality time with their peers, whether on a quick jaunt to Atlantic City or a two-week Caribbean cruise. If - read more »

Erie lawmakers back slots bill - 09 February 2004
Gov. Ed Rendell's latest push for slots legislation is playing well among most state legislators who represent Erie County.Erie, Summit Township or a dark horse candidate, McKean Township, would get the gambling rights as part of a planned horse racing track that would create about 800 jobs.Rendell has sought a vote th - read more »

Bid for casino land hinges on murky records - 09 February 2004
An Oklahoma-based Indian tribe's bid for 315 acres in Pennsylvania to operate a gambling facility will turn on how a federal court interprets the murky legal practices and record-keeping of 18th century land transactions.The Delaware Nation of Anadarko, Okla., filed suit last month, claiming ancestral ties to a parcel - read more »

House gaming chair meets with casino execs in Vegas - 08 February 2004
Rep. Bobby Moak, D-Bogue Chitto, chairman of the new House Gaming Committee, traveled to Las Vegas this week to meet with CEOs of several casino companies with holdings in Mississippi.Moak, who traveled there with state Gaming Commission officials, said one of the main reasons for the trip was to encourage the Las Vega - read more »

Time running out for Kentucky gambling amendment - 08 February 2004
More than a month into the Kentucky General Assembly, gambling has taken a back seat to Gov. Ernie Fletcher's proposed budget. A measure to let Kentucky voters decide whether to amend the state constitution and place slot machines at racetracks has not been discussed by the House committee to which it was assigned. Mea - read more »

Rolling the dice on slots - 08 February 2004
Penn National Gaming, headquartered in Wyomissing, owns and runs casinos, racetracks and off-track betting facilities in seven states, including the Downs at Pocono on Route 115 in Plains Township.If the state legislature approves Gov. Edward Rendell's plan to legalize slot machine gambling, the company hopes to expand - read more »

Lure of gambling money has proven hard to resist - 08 February 2004
As more and more state governments struggle with a still-sluggish economy, some are casting an envious eye on an industry that is more profitable than ever: Indian gambling.Gov. Tim Pawlenty has put out the first feelers on recasting the deal struck between Minnesota and its tribes in 1989. Other states are on the same - read more »

Lawmakers divided on casinos - 08 February 2004
Gambling expansion advocates face an uphill battle trying to win the support of the Iowa Legislature, a Des Moines Register survey of state lawmakers shows.Two-thirds of the Legislature took part in the survey last week. Forty-seven percent of survey respondents opposed having the state grant more casino licenses vs. 4 - read more »

Isle of Capris ups ante for proposed casino - 08 February 2004
Isle of Capris Casinos Inc. has beefed up by 80 percent the size of its proposed south St. Louis County gambling complex and is offering millions of extra dollars for civic projects, hoping to be tapped as the winning bidder.The company, whose project now includes a $5 million water park, has also doubled to $10 millio - read more »

Residents say Danbury casino is a winner - 07 February 2004
Have you heard about the Danbury casino? The Hole in the Wall Hotel has 10 blackjack tables, 320 slot machines and a trailer park in the woods out back. Don't forget to check out the $2 shrimp cocktails in the "Loose Change Cafe.”"We have about 320 full-time employees. Economically, it's a positive in an area that's tr - read more »

Casino foes eye racino issue - 07 February 2004
For the Maine Harness Racing Commission , this week brought a number of new issues to the forefront, chief among them a request for legal standing from a statewide anti-gambling group.This and other issues related to a proposed racino in Bangor have added to the panel's already complicated task.At issue is the fate of - read more »

Casino's high-roller activity a 'shambles' - 07 February 2004
The ability to prevent fraud, money-laundering and tax evasion in Crown Casino's high-roller gambling operations was in doubt because of the casino's failure to follow proper procedures, the Federal Court has said.In a decision late last month by the full court, justices Ronald Sackville, Bradley Selway and Bruce Lande - read more »

Study shows which new casinos would be economically viable - 07 February 2004
A study conducted by a trio of leading Iowa economists found that three of the six proposed Iowa casinos have the best potential to be economically viable, while the rest might have a more difficult time attracting crowds.Economist Harvey Siegelman said casinos in Waterloo, Northwood and Fort Dodge would have the best - read more »

Casino on cards for dog track - 06 February 2004
Greyhound fans could soon be rubbing shoulders with megabucks gamblers following the sale of Wimbledon Stadium to one of America's biggest casino operators.Owners Wembley plc are selling the site to MGM Mirage for £270million.The US gaming corporation now reportedly plans to build a giant casino, slot machine emporium - read more »

US set to roll the dice with Ginepri at casino - 06 February 2004
Legendary 17th century leader Chief Uncas of the Mohegan tribe clearly had vision as he led his people to settle on the banks of the Thames River in the wilds of Connecticut, where one day they would prosper in the aleatory arts. Where roebuck once roamed, roulette balls now roll and tennis balls will bounce over the - read more »

UK Casino industry enters land grab phase.... - 06 February 2004
It is envisaged that the UK's new gambling law, when it is finally passed, will recognise two categories of casino: · small (with a total table gaming area, and excluding other gambling facilities such as betting, bingo and gaming machines) of between 5000 and 10,000 sq feet); and · large (above 10000 sq feet). In a re - read more »

D'Iberville casino plan OK'd at last - 06 February 2004
Plans for a casino in D'Iberville, after nearly a decade of wrangling with environmental and other issues, cleared a final governmental hurdle on Thursday, with Secretary of State Eric Clark announcing he and developers had reached a lease agreement on public tidelands the project will occupy."I'm pleased to report tha - read more »

Gaming Board unveils 7 casino proposals - 06 February 2004
State gambling regulators on Thursday unveiled seven wide-ranging bids for Illinois' last available casino license, with proposals for Rosemont, Waukegan and DesPlaines heading up the pack.Penn National Gaming led the bidding at $506 million to build a casino in Rosemont that eventually would be state-owned.Owners of E - read more »

Gambling comment tough to interpret - 06 February 2004
Demanding a "better deal for Minnesotans," Gov. Tim Pawlenty called Thursday for changing the monopoly the state's Indian tribes now have on casino gambling.Pawlenty's brief comments about gambling in his State of the State speech were intended to signal that he wants to significantly modify the 15-year-old relationshi - read more »

Illinois governor wants to consider Penn National’s casino proposal - 04 February 2004
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich told participants at an education rally on Monday that, with the "proper safeguards," a state-owned casino in Rosemont could be good for the state.Penn National Gaming Inc., the Pennsylvania-based company that owns Penn National Race Course and Charles Town Races, proposed to build a $ - read more »

Closed Casino: Castaways Likely Finished - 04 February 2004
The Castaways is unlikely to reopen, Las Vegas casino industry executives predicted on Monday after the 49-year-old hotel-casino was sold to Vestin Mortgage, the property's biggest creditor. Vestin was the lone bidder in Monday morning's foreclosure auction held in the lobby of Vestin's El Camino Avenue offices, winnin - read more »

Gambling foes say casinos' contributions come at a price - 04 February 2004
Groups that redistribute millions of dollars of Iowa's casino profits to charities and nonprofit groups are touting the contributions they make to local communities, but opponents of expanding the gambling industry say that charity is coming at a price.By law, groups that hold gaming licenses are required to dole out t - read more »

Work to begin on Catskills racino - 04 February 2004
Construction is expected to begin this week at one of the New York race tracks that will offer video lottery terminals.The Monticello Raceway in Sullivan County will be renovated to house 1,800 of the slot-machine-like gambling devices. The name of the facility will changed to Mighty M Gaming at Monticello.The $24 mill - read more »

Judge: Dispute over gambling money in SoCal tribe outside federal jurisdiction - 03 February 2004
Members of a Southern California tribe fighting an attempt to remove them from the tribe's ranks failed to win a temporary restraining order from a federal judge.U.S. District Judge Robert Timlin issued a seven-page ruling Monday saying the federal courts had no jurisdiction over the restraining order request, part of - read more »

Legislators get earful on gambling - 03 February 2004
Iowans wanting a new casino in their area argued passionately Monday night that an expansion of gambling would be good for economic development, but several compulsive gamblers told a different story."My estranged husband is a compulsive gambler and our estrangement is a direct result of his gambling," said Stacey Crow - read more »

MGM MIRAGE and The British Land Company PLC to Construct Major Mixed-Use Development Alongside Meadowhall Shopping Centre, Sheffield - 03 February 2004
MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGG), the most respected U.S.-based gaming and entertainment company, and The British Land Company PLC, today announced their intention to develop a leisure and entertainment complex, with a projected cost of between 200 million British pounds sterling (approximately $364 million U.S. dollars) and 250 - read more »

Others watch closely as first 'racino' opens - 02 February 2004
With a handful of dollars and a whir of 7s, jackpots and cherries, the state's big gamble on video lottery terminals began last week in a disorienting maze of 1,323 flashing machines.Gov. George Pataki and the Legislature hope the Saratoga Raceway "racino" and similar operations at seven other tracks and eight other pr - read more »

Governor proposes state-owned casinos - 02 February 2004
Kansas could own and operate up to five "world-class, destination casinos," and video lottery terminals could sprout throughout the state, under a gambling initiative outlined Friday by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.No state investment would be involved in the casinos, which would be built by private developers and run by a p - read more »

London's top members' clubs - 02 February 2004
Here are London's top ten members' clubs - if you can afford them: White's. 37 St James's Street SW1. Tel: 020 7493 6671. The oldest of London's gentlemen's clubs, it was founded in 1693. Prince William is interested in joining. Boodle's. 24 St James's Street SW1. Tel: 020 7930 7166. Ian Fleming was a member of William - read more »

South African Indian wins bid to build casino in Sikkim - 02 February 2004
A leading South African Indian businessman here has won a bid to build a casino complex in India's Sikkim state.Vivian Reddy, whose main Indian business partner is former cricketer Kapil Dev, was elated at the news that he and the Indian Royal Orchard Hotel Group have won the right to build a world-class 400-room hotel - read more »

Ameristar St. Charles' 2003 profit doubles - 02 February 2004
Ameristar's St. Charles casino saw a 57 percent jump in operating profit in the fourth quarter, reaching nearly $15 million. Revenue was nearly $65 million, up 10.5 percent from the same quarter last year. For the fiscal year, the St. Charles casino saw its operating profit more than double, reaching $61.3 million, up - read more »

NFL's letters may spell trouble for casino parties - 02 February 2004
About half a dozen hotel-casinos in Las Vegas either canceled or changed their Super Bowl parties after receiving cease-and-desist letters from the National Football League warning them that their big-screen broadcasts of the game violate federal copyright laws.The letters created uncertainty about the future of admiss - read more »

Rhode Island State Senator to Propose Fee for Gaming License Transfers - 02 February 2004
State Sen. John A. Celona said yesterday he planned to introduce legislation that would net the state a whopping $49 million from the sale of Lincoln Park's parent company.Celona, the North Providence Democrat whose district includes Lincoln Park, wants to impose a fee for the transfer of a gaming license if a gambling - read more »

Action slow on first Manitoba Sunday gambling day - 02 February 2004
The Super Bowl seemed to trump gambling on the first Sunday video lottery terminals were legally lit up in hotels and bars across Manitoba.By Sunday evening, hotel and bar managers reported VLT action was relatively slow.A bartender at the Norwood Hotel says if the Super Bowl wasn't on, there would be more people at th - read more »

Kyl after Net gambling ban - 02 February 2004
U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., said he will try again to usher Internet gambling restrictions through the Senate, even though it is an election year."My plan is to try to get it up for a vote," Kyl, the chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He said he did not know when a vo - read more »

Tribes' gambling payout to state dips in third round - 02 February 2004
Arizona's gaming tribes paid the state $6.7 million in January in the third round of quarterly payments since revenue sharing started in April.The state's 15 tribes with 22 casinos have shared about $22.7 million with the Arizona Department of Gaming in the first nine months of revenue sharing. The money is distributed - read more »

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