The Isle of Man is a highly regulated gaming jurisdiction with a world class online gaming sector, a casino, betting offices, controlled machines, and lotteries. In line with its recent inclusion on the UK’s ‘white list’, the government has recently proposed new controls on gambling duty which is currently up for consultation until June 20, 2008.

To gain a true understanding of Macau’s present and emerging regulatory framework, operators need to understand how a small island which was the first jurisdiction to legalise casino gambling in 1847, has created an environment that generates revenues surpassing even the Las Vegas Strip. With news of a freeze in new casino developments and licenses, along with visa restrictions, this updated report, provides the latest statistics and developments in addition to an in-depth analysis of the principal law, 16/2001.

One cannot look at the future of gaming in Singapore without consideration of the two multi billion dollar integrated resorts that are due to commence operation at the end of this decade. Despite a history of strict control, gambling in Singapore also consists of a healthy racing industry along with lottery, sports betting and fruit machines in private clubs.

The Vietnamese gaming industry is evolving at a rapid pace. Gambling has recently been legalized and a small number of casinos cater to foreign tourists and expats. A deregulation effort has commenced with amendments to strict regulations on businesses which operate slot machines. At least two large gambling resorts are expected to be completed in the next decade.

Cambodia, having suffered for decades, is beginning to emerge as a stable, competitive and attractive player in the region. A new casino administration law is said to be in the works however gambling operators remain subject to other laws.

The Iemma government has taken steps to liberalise the gaming market in the state of late, however in a reaction to public criticism the government has recently decided to lower the cap on pokies from 104,000 to 99,000. In addition a new regulatory authority will soon replace the Casino Control Authority, the Liquor and Licensing Court and the Liquor Adminstration Board.

The global gambling industry views Nevada as arguably the most highly developed and well regulated gaming jurisdiction. If current reform proposals gain popular support later this year, gambling taxation rates are likely to increase. An online gambling habits study was also released recently which revealed an unusually low appetite for remote gambling among Nevadans.

With gross commercial casino revenues of US$948m in 2007 and a population of just 3.2m, Panama is the second largest gambling jurisdiction in Latin America after Argentina. Currently, there are over 50 licensed gambling facilities in Panama, including 15 land-based casinos. While some observers suggest the market is close to saturation, investment continues to grow.

Romania in the past has recorded phenomenal growth rates of up to 40 per cent in the gambling sector. Presently, a new gambling law is in draft form, which moots the banning of internet gambling. An industry body forecasts the impact of the proposed regulatory regime will reduce the number of gambling organisers by 50 per cent, however, an extension of the market for medium sized organisers is also expected.

Financial spread betting has become a popular choice among investors for its “taxation free” status in the UK and Ireland. However, investors have to be aware that winnings generated by these operations may be taxable when they are resident in other jurisdictions.

Pachinko, which tenuously circumvents the general prohibition on gambling in Japan has grown to become the largest industry in the world's second largest economy. With regulatory change dictating that all old machines needing to be replaced by September 2007, revenues for both pachinko and pachislot operators will be watched carefully, to determine the public acceptance of the new machines.

New legislation due to come into force in January 2009 means that Estonia is on the verge of completing a much anticipated modernisation of its gambling regulatory regime. The new law, notified to the European Commission last week, radically increases the capital and machine capacity requirements of existing operators, whilst remote gambling is also to be regulated for the first time. This exclusive analysis summarises the key provisions of the draft law, and provides a sneak preview of what Estonia’s new gambling regime will look like.

The Gaming Act of 1995 was introduced four years after Slovenia gained its independence. There are currently 13 casinos, 41 gaming halls and two lotteries. Recently Slovenia placed new regulations on technical standards for gaming devices before the European Commission - these have now come into operation.