The protracted legal battle between Governor Steve Beshear and the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA) over the attempted seizure of 140 domain names has finally reached the Kentucky Supreme Court.
This week, the Kentucky court will review the state’s appeal of a lower court ruling that an old statute forbidding gambling devices had not been intended to include domain names, as suggested by iMEGA representative attorney Jon L. Fleischaker. (Gambling Online Magazine)
Although Kentucky’s culture is generally considered to be Southern, it is unique and also influenced by the Midwest and Southern Appalachia. The state is known for bourbon and whiskey distiling, tobacco, horse racing, and gambling.
The biggest day in horse racing, the Kentucky Derby, is preceded by the two-week Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville. Louisville also plays host to the Kentucky State Fair, the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, and Southern gospel’s annual highlight, the National Quartet Convention. Owensboro, Kentucky’s third largest city, gives credence to its nickname of “Barbecue Capital of the World” by hosting the annual International Bar-B-Q Festival. Bowling Green, Kentucky’s fifth largest city and home to the only assembly plant in the world that manufactures the Chevrolet Corvette, opened the National Corvette Museum in 1994. (Wikipedia)
PC World – Kentucky May Kill Online Gambling Permanently
The state of Kentucky’s attempt to block resident’s access to 141 online gambling sites has proceeded to the next level, as a Franklin County Circuit Court …
Kentucky Judge Rules: Forfeit Gambling Domains | WebProNews
In essence, the Judge has ruled that the domains related to online gambling operations will be seized by the State of Kentucky unless the sites somehow …
Kentucky Threatens to Forfeit Gambling Domains
Supporters of online gambling on Friday lashed out at a Kentucky circuit court ruling ordering owners of 141 domain names to appear at a hearing next month …
KY judge gives gambling sites 30 days to block users | ZDNet …
Richard Koman delivers news and analysis on IT and enterprise computing in city, state & federal government.
Kentucky Court Affirms Seizure of 141 Gambling Domain Names & the …
Judge Thomas Wingate’s Ruling today in the matter of the Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. 141 Internet Domain Names has dismissed all objection – Domain Name …
Poker News – Kentucky judge rules against gambling domains …
In the Kentucky domain name seizure case, the court ruled against the domain name defendants and in favor of the state on virtually every issue.
Opinion and Order in Kentucky Online Gambling Domain Case (In Its …
Edward Leyden, President of The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association, on Thursday declared “We are going to fight like Hell”.
Judge upholds move to stop Internet gambling sites – State …
Dozens of Internet gambling sites have 30 days to block Kentucky users or their domain names will be transferred to the state, a Franklin Circuit judge …
MediaPost Publications – Kentucky Court Says Gambling Sites Must …
Kentucky Court Says Gambling Sites Must Restrict Access – 10/17/2008.
Ky. judge allows gambling Web site case to proceed – Forbes.com
A Franklin County Circuit Court judge refused Thursday to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to block access to more than 140 online casinos in Kentucky.
Decision in the Kentucky Gambling Domain Seizure Case
boogster
… against the state of Kentucky’s initiative and ruled that the owners of the websites — other than those sites that are used only for advertising or information and not gambling — start blocking access to Kentucky residents. … Kentucky Gambling Decision to be Released Thursday
The governor is not claiming to protect the citizens of the commonwealth from ‘the evils of gambling.’ Instead, he is trying to have them all to himself. That is because Gov. Steve Beshear is a big supporter of gambling in Kentucky, …
kentucky gambling decision to be released today
trujm
instead, he is trying to have them all to himself. that is because gov. steve beshear is a big supporter of gambling in kentucky, and he wants to keep the money. so why not use his and the kentucky courts’ power to take out the … Computer Glitch Defers Kentucky Gambling Domain Ruling
The future of 141 online gambling domains was left in the hands of Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate yesterday, but late in the day, the word came down from the judge’s office that the ruling would have to wait until Thursday, …
Kentucky judge rules against gambling domains
18, the Commonwealth presented evidence that computers located in Kentucky were, “through the use of domain names,” able to access gambling Web sites over the Internet offering online slot machines, roulette and poker. … Timeline Unclear for Wednesday Release of Kentucky Gambling Verdict
Dan Cypra
The verdict in the case that pits the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky against 141 internet gambling domain names is scheduled to be released on Wednesday. However, how and when the decision will be …
kentucky gambling verdict to be released today
EmmaMav
the kentucky gambling verdict is a ruling that will decide whether if several poker websites will be quarantined and not used in governor steve beshear’s state, kentucky, or if the websites will be permitted there. it has been anxiously … Ruling Expected Soon in Kentucky Gambling Domain Case
A decision is expected to be passed down shortly by Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate in the ongoing gambling domain name saga. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear wants 141 of the most popular online gambling domain names …
Kentucky Gambling Domain Decision Delayed
It looks like the judge in charge of the online gambling domain seizure case in Kentucky will render his decision late. More… Kentucky Circuit Court Dismisses Objections to Seizure of Gambling …
Fate89
Last month, the Commonwealth of Kentucky seized a number of gambling domain names because the â€oedomains were being used in connection with illegal gambling activity.†The names included widely popular online destinations such as …
Video: Are We Witnessing the Death of Online Gambling (Tension is continuing to build as Kentucky moves forward with its action against illegal gambling websites. As we have reported, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear ordered a seizure of 141 gambling domain names. A hearing took place last week in which many motions were filed. [WebProNews, 10/03/08])
Get real on web gambling
Kansas City Star, MO
Rick’s Gambling & Tourism column in today’s Star Business Weekly looks at the US’s untenable position in the worldwide on-line gambling industry. …
State cracks down on Net gambling
Kentucky.com, KY
By Jack Brammer FRANKFORT — Kentucky is commandeering 141 domain names of Internet gambling sites in a novel legal move to crack down on the unregulated …
Ky. governor seeking to block online gambling
Forbes, NY
By JOE BIESK 09.23.08, 7:39 AM ET Kentucky’s pro-gambling governor is looking to make sure all bets are off for more than 140 online gambling Web sites that … Online gambling takes its toll
Aftenposten, Norway
Top community officials are among those who unwittingly lent large sums of money to finance a Norwegian bishop’s son’s gambling debts. …
Casino gambling, poker table revenue up in FL
CBS 4, FL
But the stakes weren’t as high for other kinds of gambling. Racing at horse and dog tracks and other sports wagering declined 43 percent, to $159 million. Gambling case fallout remains as Donaghy reports to prison
USA Today
The league has determined that for the first time in major professional US sports, a referee will walk into prison a convicted felon on a gambling charge …
Former gambling site worker cops to ID theft
Register, UK
The former employee of an internet-based gambling website has admitted he used his position in the company’s credit department to steal the identities of … Arizona gambling feels economic pinch, report shows
East Valley Tribune, AZ
“Gambling is a form of recreation,” she said. Morago compared it to people making decisions whether to go to a movie, go out to dinner or even “go shopping …
Gambling grows to unexpected levels in Poland
Puls Biznesu, Poland
Last year, the Poles spent more on gambling than on beer, vodka and medical services. If the upward trend continues the gambling market will be worth as … Unexpectedly, Las Vegas hit by US downturn
Reuters
And while free rooms and room discounts have kept hotels relatively full — occupancy is down just 1 percent in the year to July — gambling revenue is down …
Online Sports Gambling
Ken
The best sites to find Online Sports Gambling, a leading online casino gambling guide. Includes online casino reviews and recommendations, online casino directory, best payouts and bonuses, blackjack strategy and tips, … BetOnSports.com Gambling Site Worker Pleads Guilty After Stealing …
CyberInsecure
An employee of the offshore Internet gambling website BetOnSports.com has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his role in a large Internet-based identity theft ring. BetOnSports PLC does not exist since July 2006 and the Antigua …
Kentucky Seizes Gambling Domains
MHB
The seizure was taken after the Commonwealth found that the “domains were being used in connection with illegal gambling activity”. The domains seized include:. fulltiltpoker.com. indiancasino.com. bet21.com. allslots.com. bodoglife.com … Kentucks Seizes 141 Gambling Domain Names
Chad Kettner
There were a number of popular gambling sites listed for seizure including PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, BodogLife.com, GoldenPalace.com, Bet21.com, DoylesRoom.com and also Rick Schwartz’ IndianCasino.com. …
KY governor after online gambling domains
maconlinepoker
To be very frank and honest, this is not a good news at all for online gambling industry. US Kentucky state governor, Steve Beshear is trying all his efforts to crack down online gambling industry and in oder to boost offline local … NBA Ref Starts Prison Term for Gambling
The NBA referee who admitted gambling on basketball begins his 15-month federal prison sentence today, reports USA Today . The conviction of referee Tim Donaghy, 41, has rocked the NBA, even though officials determined he didn’t bet on …
Bingo Betting
gamblingguide
online gambling has typically been a mans world (sorry for the huge generalisation but this is a blog after all). Perhaps the influx of Bingo sites will even that up slightly. Certainly Bingo seems to be a more social than playing a … Judge Tosses Gambling Attorney’s $20 Million Lawsuit Against Casinos
Law.com – Newswire
A federal judge has dismissed a $20 million racketeering lawsuit against seven casinos by a former New York City attorney who said they had a duty to stop her from gambling. The judge wrote that Arelia Margarita Taveras failed to …
Responsible Gaming – Psychology of a Gambler
To be honest, gambling gets a bad rap, especially when you consider that it’s one of the prime driving forces of humanity. Nobody has ever gotten rich by playing it safe, and if you have a stock portfolio, you’ve bet your money that … Seniors Doubt Study’s Finding of Gambling Problems
Wholesale Bingo Supplies Blog – Bingo Bob
But a new gambling study published in the journal Psychology and Aging suggests not all senior citizens have Fava’s self-control. It concludes the elderly are more likely to develop gambling problems than younger people. …
Video: NFL Football Best Bet of the Week with Odds from Gamblers Television
US gambling revenue dropped 15% in May. In Las Vegas, the percentage is 16.4%. As for Atlantic City, the casinos gambling revenue down 11% in June, comparing with the same month of the last year (a single casino shows an increase in revenue, Harrah’s Resort Casino). In Illinois, gambling revenue was down more than 20 percent in June compared to June 2007.
The analyst Robin Farley of UBS wrote in a report that “the decline in Strip revenues is worse than the period immediately following Sept. 11, 2001 and except for January 2002 is the worst monthly performance in more than 10 years…The weakness in gaming revenues was not confined exclusively to the Strip as the Las Vegas locals market declined 19.5% in May, bringing year to date revenues down 8.7%.”
Sands, Wynn, Boyd… everything is sliding.
“The decline appears to be accelerating,” said Nick Danna, an analyst with Stern Agee & Leach.
Jim Murren, president of MGM Mirage, says that this drop is a temporarily situation, an usual cycle.
For Atlantic City, the most important decline is for Trump Marina Casino, 23%.
For the casino games, the reports say that table games and slot machines fell down almost the same in Las Vegas, but slots declined more in Atlantic City.
I am not a specialist, but I think that there are some important factors, external to the gambling industry, that influence it. And one of the most important, if not the most important, is the economic crisis. Including the petrol price, unemployment, the real estate crisis, as well as the reduction in flights as airlines cut back their services.
A second factor is the tourist market, influenced also by the economic crisis but not only. The restrictions implemented last years by US for the external tourists is, maybe, more important for the tourist market than the crisis.
And, to not forget the smoking ban, that will decrease even more the gambling revenue.
The crisis in US gambling industry will be increased by the casino and hotel investments started by the operators, for which it will not be possible to make the payments to the banks (for ex., Tropicana Entertainment defaulting on $2.7bn debts).
In fact, when you start an isolationist policy, including for the online gambling market, you have to take into consideration the secondary effects that can become major effects, in time.
On the campaign’s national website, Obama ask for donation between $5 and $2300 in exchange of a chance for every donor to be chosen as one of the 10 supporters to meet Barack backstage in Denver.
Tom Barrett, head of the Minnesota Gambling Control Board, consider that this is an illegal raffle and a violation of the of Minnesota gambling laws.
Nick Kimball, a spokesman for the Obama campaign in Minnesota, says that “we are not conducting a raffle of any kind“.
As far as I can see, there is no more such offer on the Donation section of Barack Obama web site.
The House Financial Services Committee voted down a bill, H.R. 5767, that would have prevented federal agencies from issuing rules implementing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Lawmakers failed to agree on setting a clear definition of illegal Internet gambling.
Alabama Republican Rep. Spencer Bachus says that “Today’s vote was a victory for young people because illegal Internet gambling brings the casino into their bedrooms and dorm rooms, sometimes with tragic consequences.”
But the tie vote, 32-32, meant the legislation failed under committee rules. The original bill proposed by Rep. Barney Frank and Rep. Ron Paul was defeated in a voice vote.
“The financial institutions are in the position of being told not process bets, but it’s not clear what is legal and what is illegal,” said Rep. Barney Frank, the committee’s chairman.
Rep. Peter King says that this “was a banking issue, not a gambling issue” and that the banking industry shouldn’t be in the position of determining what is legal and illegal.
“The PPA is surprised that the Financial Services Committee today failed to clarify what constitutes ‘unlawful Internet gambling’ under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA),” said Alfonse D’Amato, chairman of the Poker Players Alliance.
Boulder Highway is a 17 mile divided roadway in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, Nevada, USA. It begins at Foothills Drive at the southeastern edge of the city of Henderson. It runs northwest through that city, and the towns of Whitney and Winchester. The Boulder Highway name ends at the Las Vegas city limit at Sahara Avenue. The highway continues northwest as Fremont Street for another mile, ending at the five points intersection of Fremont, Charleston Boulevard and Eastern Avenues. Fremont continues as an undivided road until it intersects with Las Vegas Boulevard, where it ends at the Fremont Street Experience pedestrian mall.
Originally, Boulder Highway began where U.S. Highway 93 and U.S. Highway 95 merge, east of Railroad Pass and west of Boulder City (about US-93 Milepost 11). This old section is also know as the Boulder Strip
It is signed as Nevada State Route 582. It was formerly known as US-93/US-95 before the completion of the Oran K. Gragson Expressway now designated Interstate 515, which also carries the 93/95 designation.
The section of Boulder Highway between Tropicana Avenue and Sahara Avenue is known as the “Boulder Strip”, in reference to the famous Las Vegas Strip to the west. The Boulder Strip contains Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Boulder Station, and several smaller casinos and motels.
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.
A new MGM Grand casino will open at Foxwoods this weekend. The festivities will be overshadowed by the United Auto Workers that will protest against unfair tipping policy and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe’s refusal to bargain, trying to negotiate a union contract.
A new way the tips are distributed among dealers is going to decrease their earnings.
“We’re glad we could reach an agreement on this event that works for everyone. We’re glad to be there, we protected our first amendment rights, and we are confident we will get our message out,” said Director of UAW Region 9a, Bob Madore.
The Union will try to make aware the casino customers of the unfair labor practices, many dealers joining the protest.
The opening will have as guests many celebrities, such as Michael Douglas and his wife, Catherine Zeta Jones, and Jamie Lynn Sigler.
Charles Wade Barkley (born February 20, 1963) is an American retired professional basketball player. Nicknamed “Sir Charles,” for his aggressive and outspoken demeanor, and “The Round Mound of Rebound,” for his unusual build and talent as a player, Barkley established himself as one of the National Basketball Association’s most dominating power forwards. He was selected to both the All-NBA First Team and All-NBA Second Team five times and once named to the All-NBA Third Team. He earned eleven NBA All-Star Game appearances and was named the All-Star MVP in 1991. In 1993, he was voted the league’s Most Valuable Player and during the NBA’s 50th anniversary, named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. He competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic games and won two gold medals as a member of the United States’ Dream Team. In 2006, Barkley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. (Wikipedia)
Barkley is known for his compulsive gambling. In an interview with ESPN’s Trey Wingo, he revealed that he lost approximately $10 million through gambling. In addition, he also admitted to losing $2.5 million “in a six hour period” while playing blackjack. Although Barkley openly admits to his problem, he claims it is not serious since he can afford to support the habit. When approached by fellow TNT analyst Ernie Johnson about the issue, Barkley replied, “It’s not a problem. If you’re a drug addict or an alcoholic, those are problems. I gamble for too much money. As long as I can continue to do it I don’t think it’s a problem. Do I think it’s a bad habit? Yes, I think it’s a bad habit. Am I going to continue to do it? Yes, I’m going to continue to do it.”
Despite suffering big losses, Barkley also claims to have won on several occasions. During a trip to Las Vegas, he claims to have won $700,000 from playing blackjack and betting on the Indianapolis Colts to defeat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. He went on to state, however, “No matter how much I win it ain’t a lot. It’s only a lot when I lose. And you always lose. I think it’s fun, I think it’s exciting. I’m gonna continue to do it but I have to get to a point where I don’t try to break the casino ’cause you never can.” In May 2008, the Wynn Las Vegas casino filed a civil complaint against Barkley, alleging that he had failed to pay a $400,000 debt stemming from October 2007. Barkley responded by taking blame for letting time lapse on the repayment of the debt and promising to pay it back.
Basketball: Barkley plans to pay up
Ottawa Citizen, Canada
Hall of Fame basketball player Charles Barkley told a radio station he will repay the $400000 US he owes the Wynn Las Vegas casino for gambling debts. …
Charles Barkley faces gambling debt case
The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A prosecutor says retired NBA star Charles Barkley will face felony charges if he fails to repay a $400000 gambling debt to a Las Vegas …
Business Glance
Salt Lake Tribune, United States
Hall of Fame basketball player Charles Barkley told an Alabama radio station he will repay the $400000 he owes Wynn Resorts Ltd. for gambling debts. ..
Barkley says he will pay $400000 to Wynn Las Vegas
Sportsnet.ca, Canada
t’s a good bet that Charles Barkley will pay back the $400000 he admits he owes Wynn Las Vegas LLC. But the Hall of Famer and TNT NBA analyst disputes some …
Charles Barkley’s Gambling Debt Raises 10 Questions
Bleacher Report, CA
by Greg Adams (Scribe) To be fair, in the article, it is noted that Barkley can make restitution to avoid felony bad check charges. Yowsers. $400K? …
Sports Watch
KFOR, OK
LAS VEGAS (AP) – A prosecutor says retired NBA star Charles Barkley will face felony charges if he fails to repay a $400000 gambling debt to a Las Vegas …
Celebrity Gossip Round-Up
CKFR, Canada
The Wynn Las Vegas resort has filed suit against former NBA star Charles Barkley, claiming he owes the casino $400000 in gambling markers. …
Sports Buzz
Kansas City Star, MO
A day after being sued for failing to repay four $100000 casino markers, former NBA star Charles Barkley acknowledged he owed the $400000 gambling debt. …
Sox set to fatten up on home cooking — if they hit
Chicago Tribune, United States
Charles Barkley owes $400000 dating to markers the Wynn Hotel extended to him last October. Barkley previously said he has a gambling problem. …
Sports Buzz
The Birmingham News – al.com, AL
Charles Barkley has a right to spend his money as he wishes. If he wants to gamble and lose $400000 in a Las Vegas casino in a two-day span, …
Basketball briefs News & Observer
Sports Briefs
Windsor Star, Canada
BARKLEY SUED The Wynn Las Vegas casino has sued former NBA star Charles Barkley, saying he owes US$400000 in gambling debts, the Las Vegas Sun reported …
Bob Ford: Pimlico stirs memories of triumph and tragedy Philadelphia Inquirer
Off the wire
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, AR
Former NBA star Charles Barkley, 45, now a basketball analyst for Turner Network Television, acknowledged he owes a $ 400, 000 gambling debt to a Las Vegas …
Basketball: Casino sues Barkley
Ottawa Citizen, Canada
The Wynn Las Vegas casino has sued former NBA star Charles Barkley, saying he owes $400000 US in gambling debts, the Las Vegas Sun reported yesterday. …
Lee Rousso, the Washington State Director of the Poker Players Alliance, filed a lawsuit on July 1, 2007, seeking to have UIGEA declared unconstitutional, considering that the new law discriminated against interstate businesses and, thus, violated the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. He said that UIGEA was supported by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, whose district contains the state’s casinos and card rooms.
On May 16, 2008, State Court Judge Mary Roberts rejected the complaint, considering that there is no prove that the state law unfairly protected gaming interests inside the state at the expense of interests outside the state, and that the state’s historically strict prohibition on gambling influenced her ruling.
“The state loves gambling, it’s a gigantic business. It’s just the state protecting its turf.” , said Lee Rousso. “We are going to win this battle. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday soon.”
Poker News says that Washington state Gambling Commission spokeswoman Susan Arland disagrees. She said the law is meant to protect the public from the risk of playing on unregulated sites. “You don’t know who’s behind that screen. You don’t know if the games are fair or honest. You don’t know if you get paid your winnings.”
During July 29-30, 2008, will take place the conference Next Generation in Gambling (NGG) (Exploring multi-channel delivery of games to customers while complying with federal and state laws in Canada, United States and Latin America).
The event will target the casino, racing, and lottery companies working in North American jurisdictions, focusing to expand delivery channels while staying in compliance with the law, developing multi-channel strategies to bring gaming products directly to consumers is a logical next step.
The topics will cover technological information via the dedicated technology track, marketing tips, thought-provoking keynotes, and panel discussions from professional speakers like Hon. Alfonse D’Amato (Chairman and Chief Executive, Poker Players Alliance), Chris Collins (Linden Lab), Shawn Kreloff (CEO, Sona Mobile).
Source: Clarion Gaming – The Next Generation in Gambling
An already tested method to defeat the online gambling companies started to act again, after Bodog.
1st Technology made a complaint against several companies including Digital Gaming Solutions SA, Costa Rica International Sports, Action Poker Gaming Enterprises and SBG Global; two Norwegian companies: Playsafe Holding AS and eCom Enterprises; and Digital Gaming Network, Ltd., which is based in Curacao, for the inftingement of a US patent. The result could be the confiscation of the domain names and default judgements.
Gambling 911 tells us that the complaint, filed in a Missouri Supreme Court, is considering the U.S. Patent No. 5,564,001, titled “Method and System for Interactively Transmitting Information Over A Network Which Requires Reduced Bandwidth”.
What is interesting is that this kind of action is taken against companies that are not under the jurisdiction of the US. But, in order to be able to fight against the online gambling, it is used an intermediate for the complaint and the fact that many international institutions that are implied in the domain name and Internet regulation are based within US, so they are considered as being under the US jurisdiction.
I do not know if this US patent it is a legal and enough argument against the online gambling companies. But why they didn’t act before the UIGEA, when US was accepting the online gambling?
And more than this, it seems to me that during the last years the US patents grown in a such manner that soon there will be very few activities on Internet that will no infringe a patent or another (in an insurance related web site, I was forced some time ago to change the metatag “farm insurance” because it is patented by an US company).
And they have even the power and the tools to impose their own rules, as long as the most important specific institutions are under the US jurisdiction.
So, it seems that the Internet is no more a “worldwide, publicly accessible series of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol”, but a patent where we are accepted temporarily, as long as we do not bother the owner.
Airbus is in discussion with more clients interested to use the world’s biggest passenger plane, Airbus superjumbo A380, into a flying casino.
David Velupillai, marketing director for Airbus’s executive and private aviation division, said a fully-fitted casino could be delivered as early as 2012.
The gambling “is clearly a growing business in Asia and what this interest reflects is what is happening in Macau and Singapore. The idea of a flying casino has been mentioned before but it’s now looking a lot more concrete,” said the head of Airbus’ Executive and Private Aviation Division, Francois Chazelle.
The most important destination for the future casinos will be Asia, especially Macau.
Las Vegas Sands Corp., a hotel, gaming, and resort development company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada and owning The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, the Sands Expo and Convention Center, and Venetian Macao Limited, a developer of multiple casino hotel resort properties in The People’s Republic of China’s Special Administrative Region of Macao, hopes to launch VIP charter flights between Hong Kong and Las Vegas featuring baccarat tables in Lockheed Martin planes, in accordance with a South China Morning Post
Interesting change, isn’t it? It seems that starting with this year, Las Vegas will be no more the capital of the gambling world. The Sin City is growing old.
In accordance with Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, casinos in Macau took in gross gambling revenue of $10.4 billion in 2007, up 47 percent from about $7.05 billion the year before. Four new casinos opened on Macau last year. At the end of December, Macau had 4,375 gaming tables and 13,267 slot machines in 28 casinos, up from 2,762 tables and 6,546 slots in 24 casinos a year before.
Minimum bets in the Chinese territory usually set at US$12.85, compared with a less than US$1 in some Vegas locations, allow Macau to take in far more per customer and per table than Las Vegas, says Asian Times.
“Macau has built properties based on Las Vegas’s 30 years of experience, but the Chinese market doesn’t have any experience with the Vegas product,” Andy Nazarechuk, dean of the University of Nevada Las Vegas-Singapore’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, said. “Once they learn, there will be money to be made.”
Las Vegas is growing much more slowly, and it is not entirely its fault. It is the US general policy about gambling that makes the US gambling to slow down every year. Including the policy for online gambling. At a first glance, UIGEA helped Las Vegas and the other US land casinos.
The true is, the US gambling industry lost its way during the last years, and now it tries to find it again. I am not talking about the companies, that expanded their activity in all the world, but about the US internal gambling market. The development of the Indian casinos is part of this process.
Las Vegas, billed as The Entertainment Capital of the World, is famous for massive and lavish casino resorts, the unrestricted availability of alcoholic beverages (as is true throughout Nevada), and adult entertainment. Once officially referred to as Sin City, this image made Las Vegas a popular setting for films and television programs. The major attractions in Las Vegas are the hotels. The most famous hotels line Las Vegas Boulevard South, also known as the Las Vegas Strip. Many of these hotels carry thousands of rooms and are featured on various themes. There are, of course, large casino areas in these hotels as well. There are many hotel casinos in the city’s downtown area as well, which was the original focal point of the city’s gaming industry in its early days. Several large hotels and casinos are also located somewhat off the Strip but adjacent to it, as well as in the county around the city. (Wikipedia)
Californians energized by unprecedented primary election
San Francisco Chronicle, USA
Propositions 94-97 are referendums that would repeal the gambling compacts with a no vote. Those measures have attracted by far the most spending of any of …
Gambling interests funded ad campaign
Louisville Courier-Journal, KY
Beshear said during the campaign that he would prefer that elections be held without the influence of 527 organizations, according to Cauley. …
Let’s make gambling an election issue
Covers, Canada
They dug up some old quotes from Obama where he expressed some pretty strongly negative opinions about gambling in general. From 2003. …
Democrats fail to confront Bush ‘crimes’
San Francisco Chronicle, USA
In addition, the ads in favor state that expanded gambling helps Indians help themselves and these four tribes would share revenues with other less …
Gambling and elections
Politics on the Hudson, NY
By the end of September, Clinton had collected $60000 from the gambling industry nationwide, more than any other Democratic candidate in the running. …
2008 US Elections Betting
Gambling911.com, FL
The 2004 US Presidential elections were the most bet on nonsporting event ever recorded with millions of dollars bet and some online gambling establishments …
Senate Republicans unveil road funding plan
Marshalltown Times Republican, IA
The Republican plan would take $90 million from the state’s gambling revenues to put in to the Road Use Tax Fund. It also would require any money remaining …
Former congressional assistant challenges Boland for state seat
Quad City Times, IA
While Boland has some reservations about gambling, he thinks using gaming revenues is a better option for providing education funding than raising income …
Commentary: Presidential primaries and caucuses
Helium, MA
Huckabee talked about being an opponent of gambling yet he was seen gambling in a casino in the Iowan city of Burlington. Huckabee went on a comic and …
National & New Jersey political news, local talk & election results
The Star-Ledger – NJ.com, NJ
(AP) — Gambling and prostitution are nothing here — Michelle Obama committed the real local sin by mispronouncing the name of the state. …
Online poker: Where do the candidates stand?
PokerListings.com
Though the candidate himself has made no statements during the campaign regarding online gambling, the Mormon Church is opposed to gambling in all forms. …
Presidential candidates, from a poker perspective
Niagara Falls Review, Canada
It has been almost two years since the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The legislation blocked financial institutions from …
Casino operator spends more than $1 million in Ky. governor race
Kentucky.com, KY
Yung also made a maximum $1000 campaign contribution to Beshear during the election campaign. He also contributed $10000 to help pay for Beshear’s inaugural …
Online Poker Players Could Swing Election in Favor of Hillary …
Gambling911.com, FL
Both Democratic contenders have expressed support of a study to determine whether regulating online gambling would be feasible in the US. …
Our Views: A busy year for elections
TheAdvocate, LA
presidential primary election, coupled with the much-debated proposition in East Baton Rouge authorizing a third riverboat casino. …
US Politicians Stand On Internet Gambling
Online-Casinos.com, Denmark
February 5th is an important day in the run-up to a crucial US election, and voters have an obligation to make their preferences known.
Casino Operator Helps Governor Get Elected in Kentucky
Online Casino Advisory, Canada
William Yung is a well known casino operator around the United States. He is the head of Columbia Sussex, which owns and operates casinos in all areas of …
Will a Presidential Candidate’s Stance on Internet Gambling Sway …
Poker King
This is an important election in terms of Internet gambling in the United States. The UIGEA was snuck into the SAFE Port ACT, and instead the folding, …
Election 2008: Indian gaming and the candidates
Tahlequah Daily Press, OK
“The US Department of Justice, the NIGC, and the Indian gaming arm of the Bureau of Indian Affairs are all involved in a ‘discussion’ about whose …
2008 Election Endorsements
The Santa Barbara Independent, CA
If California is going to allow legalized gambling, we question the wisdom of assigning de facto monopolies to any outside interests. …
Press Release
Regulating Internet Gambling Would Generate Billions in New Revenue for Critical Government Programs
Congressman McDermott Urges Congress to Support Internet Gambling Legislation
(Washington, D.C. – January 31, 2008) A new tax revenue analysis announced by Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) estimates that regulating Internet gambling would generate between $8.7 billion to $42.8 billion in federal revenues over its first ten years. The findings of the analysis, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers, were provided to all Members of Congress by McDermott earlier this week.
“Before us is a tremendous opportunity to protect consumers and recoup billions of dollars that should be collected by the Internal Revenue Service,” said Representative McDermott. “These are revenues that are desperately needed, given that we are at war and face difficulty financing the nation’s priorities.”
Representative McDermott introduced the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act (H.R. 2607), which would tax regulated Internet gambling.
“To be clear, these are not mostly new taxes – the bulk of the revenues generated would come from taxes required under existing law,” said McDermott. “This is simply a framework to collect taxes on existing activity that is currently unregulated, unsupervised, and underground.”
The current approach, prohibiting Internet gambling through the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), has proved to be a failure. Notwithstanding the UIGEA prohibition, millions of Americans are still able to gamble online. In addition, proposed rules by the Treasury Department to implement the current prohibitions have been severely criticized by many parties, including the American Bankers Association, Credit Union National Association, Financial Services Roundtable, and other leading financial services companies and groups.
“Instead of this ineffective attempt to prevent adults from gambling over the Internet, we need a more sensible approach to protect consumers and ensure that revenues that now flow offshore stay here in the U.S. and are therefore subject to taxation,” added McDermott. “A new, safer, more sensible approach is needed to regulate Internet gambling and protect consumers.”
McDermott’s legislation functions as a companion bill to the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2046), legislation introduced by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) which would establish a licensing and enforcement framework for regulated Internet gambling in the U.S. The legislation would allow States to retain full control over the regulation of Internet gambling within their borders, applying additional taxes, protections and limitations as determined necessary and appropriate.
”By prohibiting a popular, recreational activity that many millions enjoy in the comfort of their own homes, the U.S. is forfeiting billions of dollars in revenue needed for critical government programs,” said Jeffrey Sandman, spokesman for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. “It is time for Congress to regulate and tax Internet gambling to ensure security controls are in place to protect consumers and capture billions in revenue.”
To read the McDermott letter, please visit: http://www.safeandsecureig.org/media/mcdermottfinanceltr.pdf
To read the PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis, please visit: http://www.safeandsecureig.org/media/taxestimate.pdf
About Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative
The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative promotes the freedom of individuals to gamble online with the proper safeguards to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of financial transactions. For more information on the Initiative, please visit www.safeandsecureig.org. The Web site provides a means by which individuals can register support for regulated Internet gambling with their elected representatives.
Betting Big on Nevada
TIME
To many Washington wags, the very notion evokes images of show girls arguing with croupiers about the finer points of Hillary Clinton’s healthcare policy …
Clinton Wagers on Gambling
AOL News Newsbloggers, VA
By David Knowles From the LA Times comes a fascinating piece about how Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama view the issue of gambling. Hillary has taken an …
Clinton camp appears in top form rolling into today’s Nevada vote
Seattle Post Intelligencer
Did she have a reservation about Hillary Clinton? “Nepotism,” Tarrant replied. Nevada was once a mining and gambling mecca that welcomed Mafia figures and …
Do US Democrats Support Gambling?
Online-Casinos.com, Denmark
… and the positions on gambling taken by the leading Democrat contenders started to get confusing this week as Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama traded …
Clinton and Obama seek to break deadlock in Nevada
Guardian Unlimited, UK
After Barack Obama’s win in Iowa, and Hillary Clinton’s in New Hampshire, today’s caucuses are seen as a potential tie breaker. A win today could provide …
Democrats dominate in Nevada
Financial Times, UK
Opinion polls have been volatile but generally point to a tight race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The struggling economy, housing and education …
Obama V Clinton At The Casino
Anorak.co.uk (satire), UK
Hillary Rodham Clinton sees the good in the gaming industry. “There’sa fundamental question here,” said the Rev. Tom Grey, executive director of the …
Will a Presidential Candidate’s Stance on Internet Gambling Sway …
Poker King
If you considered yourself a Republican and made your living playing online poker, would you vote for Hillary Clinton over someone like Mitt Romney if they …
Why not court the vote in casinos?
San Francisco Chronicle, USA
During the past week, Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have appeared in the following Nevada locations: Two Mexican …
Gambling and elections
Politics on the Hudson, NY
As Democrats prepare to caucus Saturday in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada, Hillary Clinton leads the Democratic pack in funds raised from the casino …
Clinton, Obama Proclaim Admiration and Love for Gambling, Casinos
Online Casino Advisory, Canada
In their struggle for the Democratic Presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have collectively uncovered an obvious truth politicians find …
Californians set to vote on massive expansion of Indian casinos
Christian Science Monitor, MA
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) that casino expansion will boost revenue for a state saddled with a $14 billion budget deficit. In last week’s budget speech, …
Return to sender…
The Sacramento Bee’s Capital Alert, CA
Embarrassed by the “misplacing” of four California Indian casino compacts that resulted in the deals being approved without being reviewed, federal Interior …
CREW/Media Matters letter to CNN on Ralph Reed
Media Matters for America, DC
Mr. Reed secretly used his connections and his consulting firm, Century Strategies, to further the goals of Mr. Abramoff’s Indian casino clients, …
Casinos bring hard-hitting entertainment to region
Press-Enterprise, CA
The 23-story hotel/casino, which opened in 2004, is planning an HBO-televised boxing match in 2009. San Manuel Indian Casino in Highland will kick off its …
News Minute: Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press
WOI, IA
(AP) – An American Indian tribe is considering building a casino near the Nebraska-Iowa border after a national commission authorized gambling on part of …
Ponca Tribe mulling Carter Lake casino
Hays Daily News, KS
(AP) — An American Indian tribe is considering building a casino near the Nebraska-Iowa border after a national commission authorized gambling on part of …
Tribe’s Middleboro casino plan may hit roadblock
Halifax-Plympton Reporter, MA
The tribe, which is seeking the federal go-ahead to open a casino in Middleboro, may suffer setbacks due to the stance being taken by the Bureau of Indian …
CREW and Media Matters Ask CNN to Exclude Ralph Reed from ”The …
Ad-Hoc-News (Pressemitteilung), Germany
… Century Strategies, to further the goals of Abramoff?s Indian casino clients, while publicly professing he would never take money derived from gambling. …
The great casino debate on Beacon Hill
Wicked Local Plympton, MA
And the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian tribe is well on its way to getting federal approvals to build a casino in Middleboro. While other states allow commercial …
Judge reviews tribe’s complaint
Beloit Daily News, WI
… off-reservation casino in Beloit and would probably have received a denial letter to take land into trust with the 22 other Indian tribes earlier this …
Two Ohio University athletes with local ties accused in gambling ring
The Plain Dealer – cleveland.com, OH
Two Ohio University students, Andrew Shisila, 22, from Mentor, and Brent Decoster, 22, from Westlake, are charged with breaking Ohio’s gambling laws. …
Two students charged with running gambling operation
Lancaster Eagle Gazette, OH
… a first-degree misdemeanor count of gambling, a violation of Ohio Revised Code 2915.02(a)1. Shisila is a pitcher on the Ohio University baseball team. …
Gambling Investigation Underway at Ohio Univ.
WSAZ-TV, WV
WOUB is reporting that the Ohio University Police Department is investigating illegal gambling allegations against members of the Ohio University baseball …
Amputee loses Olympic bid
GoErie.com, PA
Ohio pitcher, former player accused of gambling: An Ohio University pitcher and a former baseball player were charged with taking bets on professional …
SPORTS BRIEFS
Kentucky.com, KY
OHIO U. PITCHER, EX-PLAYER ACCUSED IN GAMBLING CASE An Ohio University pitcher and a former baseball player were charged with taking bets on professional …
Golfer commits to Ga. Tech
News & Observer, NC
Andrew Shisila, 22, of Mentor, Ohio, and Brent Decoster, 22, of Westlake, Ohio, face misdemeanor gambling charges in Athens Municipal Court. …
Ohio University pitcher and former player accused of gambling
The Canadian Press
ATHENS, Ohio – An Ohio University pitcher and a former baseball player were charged Monday with taking bets on professional sports, and two other players …
It seems that it is very hard to make predictions on gambling, this year even more difficult than the other years, and online gambling much more difficult than the classical gambling.
008 will be a very good year for the land casinos. Las Vegas has some big problems that will allow to other entertainment centers to compete successfully with the Sin City.
After several years of standby, Atlantic City will know in 2008 a new development period by building new casinos and improving the old ones.
But Macau will be the star of this year, with the most new projects for casinos, hotels and entertainment resorts. Cotai Strip will be the new center of the gambling world.
The Europeans will have their own Las Vegas too, soon. Gran Scala in Spain is a very ambitious project. This year we will see if it is a certitude for the next years, or just a chimera.
And, to not forget Russia! Russia made no major step till now, but it is very close to invest a lot of money. And, what about the Arabian gambling? Do you bet on the development of a very powerful casino entertainment center in Dubai? The partnership with MGM Mirage is just the beginning. I know about the Islamic rules, but I bet on it.
For me, a big surprise for this year is Harrah’s Entertainment. No big new projects and, at the end of the last year, the bomb (in fact, expected since a year ago): new owners for the casino and hotel resort chain of the world’s largest provider of branded casino entertainment. The surprise is even bigger taking into consideration the successful act of online gambling ban (see UIGEA). So, my prediction is that MGM Mirage will become soon #1 in the casino entertainment industry.
As for online gambling, very bad news, unfortunately. After UIGEA in US, Canada intends to ban the online gambling too, Germany already announced the interdiction for online gambling as well as for advertising the web/based gambling. There are signs that Italy will be soon with Germany on the same part of the barricade and, from the East European countries, Romania has a draft law to ban online gambling and any other related activity since two years ago, so it is possible to discuss it very soon. In this situation, and after the agreement with US, the European Commission it is possible to change its rules about online gambling even this year. I see UK the only country of the European Union that will allow the online gambling in the near future.
It is very interesting how United States, after deciding to ban the online gambling, and by means of the media, it is very close to change the mentality and principles of the whole world about online gambling. Most of the people considered online gambling a way of entertainment as any other, two years ago. Now, the same people are very convicted that they always was against online gambling and online casinos.
A special situation for online poker. If the online poker associations from US will earn the battle to allow this game on Internet (and it is a very powerful lobby for this), all the other countries, including Germany and Canada, will say that they never banned the online poker and will make an exception from the rules. But this will not happen, anyway, this year.
But we will see a spectacular increase of the skill games.
In fact, in the United States the future of the online gambling will be decided during and after the elections stated for this year, 2008. So, when you will vote, take into consideration your own option for online gambling, too.
(These predictions are based on my own experience, do not include any other considerations, I do not claim to be in accordance with the future events, I am not implied in the gambling industry except as a publisher, and I do not advice you to use it)
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