The owners of Guam’s Greyhound Park have submitted new plans for expanded gambling at the track, the third such proposal in two years. This proposal, however, goes much further than previous calls to allow the installation of slot machines and proposes a full portfolio of casino games including card games, dice, roulette, baccarat and video versions of those games, plus traditional slot machines.
Irish Casino Report Nears Publication
04 Apr, 2008
Ireland’s Justice Minister Brian Lenihan has announced the creation of a dedicated cross party parliamentary committee to formulate new gambling legislation and establish a new regulator, however claims that Finance Minister Brian Cowen has already “given the nod” to bookmakers who wish to install fixed odds betting terminals in their shops have been denied. The committee is now set to consider the report by the Casino Review Committee, which is due to published within the next two weeks.
Casino Legislation Fails In Kentucky
31 Mar, 2008
Kentucky state Governor Steve Beshear has finally admitted that there is no chance that legislation to legalize casinos will be passed in the current legislative session. The horseracing state is the second to reject new gambling proposals this month, and the issue must now wait until 2010 for further consideration.
Maryland Court Of Appeal Upholds Slots Referendum
14 Mar, 2008
The Maryland court of appeal has rejected a Republican lawsuit that would have scrapped a referendum on licensing up to 15,000 slot machines in the state. The Republicans had argued that technical and procedural irregularities meant that the vote enabling the referendum in the General Assembly last year should be invalidated.
UEFA Scales Back Betting Corruption Probe
28 Feb, 2008
European football’s governing body UEFA has met with representatives of the European gambling industry in order to improve its monitoring of betting patterns as it battles against match fixing and corruption in its competitions. Meanwhile, it has emerged that of the 15 matches the governing body reported to Europol as being suspicious only one game is still being investigated.
Speculation Grows Over Irish Machine Exemptions
21 Feb, 2008
As a shake-up of Ireland’s gaming laws draws nearer, speculation is centred on exactly which aspects of gambling will be covered by the new legislation, with heavy bets being placed on the possible outcomes for the slot machine sector.
Facing Extinction, UK Amusement Industry Begs For Regulatory Reprieve
07 Feb, 2008
Representatives from the UK amusement arcade sector lobbied Parliament this week, calling for a review of the 2005 Gambling Act. The amusement trades association BACTA claims that the effects of the Act, combined with the smoking ban, threaten the very existence of the industry and put 26,000 jobs in jeopardy.
Irish Bookies Ink GamCare Deal Ahead Of Reform Debate
28 Jan, 2008
The Irish Bookmakers Association, which represents the operators of 750 of the Republic’s 1,100 off course betting shops, has signed an agreement with the charity GamCare to provide counselling for people who suffer from gambling addiction. Their strategic move comes as the Irish gambling industry prepares for a landmark debate over the reform of gambling legislation.
IOC Softens Gambling Stance For 2012 Games
24 Jan, 2008
The International Olympic Committee has agreed to soften its stance on gambling, opening the way for bookmakers to take bets on the London 2012 games and surround the event with marketing campaigns. Tough controls on gambling by participants are expected to remain however.
Kentucky Task Force Considers Gambling Options
16 Jan, 2008
Kentucky lawmakers have been hearing representations from the gambling and horseracing industries as they consider which proposals they will put to the electorate when there is a vote on expanded gambling in the state. The worsening budget crisis in the state may also shape the outcome of their deliberations.