The Casino Gaming Act 2010, having been passed by both Houses of Parliament in March, has been sent to King’s House for the Governor General’s signature.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Senator Arthur Williams outlined the next steps to be taken, which include the establishment of the Casino Gaming Commission and appropriate regulatory framework.
“Now that the law has been passed, the ministerial order is imminent,” Williams said.
He said that the major challenge is to ensure that the casinos are run according to regulations.
“In this regard, apart from the main legislation, detailed regulations have to be promulgated,” he said.
He urged Jamaicans not to lose sight of what he said will be the economic benefits that can accrue from this landmark development.
“Casino gaming will expand our tourism product, increase earnings, generate employment and increase tax revenues,” Williams said.
To facilitate the Commission's functions, government is seeking to amend the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1975, under which the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission currently regulates and controls the operations of betting and gaming and the conduct of lotteries in Jamaica.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Nassau betting on casino next to coliseum
Nassau County officials are rolling the dice on a bid to lure a Shinnecock Indian casino to a site next to the Nassau Coliseum, county and tribal officials said yesterday.
County Executive Ed Mangano said a casino and hotel would be in addition to a proposed $3.8 billion complex of offices, stores and entertainment venues that New York Islanders owner Charles Wang wants to build at the 150-acre Hempstead property.
"Serious consideration must be given to this economic development opportunity that would create jobs, expand the tax base, build a new Nassau Coliseum and retain the Islanders," Mangano said.
But sources familiar with the talks say they are at a very preliminary stage, and that the coliseum site is among five or six sites in Suffolk and Nassau counties that the Southampton-based Shinnecock are considering.
"I think Suffolk and Nassau are realizing that if we get bumped out of Long Island, they are going to lose a lot of money," said Lance Gumbs, a tribal trustee.
The Shinnecock have also considered a possible casino location upstate.
The Shinnecock would have to negotiate a revenue-sharing plan with the state. It would also need several federal approvals.
Mangano said that if those approvals were done this year, construction could begin in 2011.
County Executive Ed Mangano said a casino and hotel would be in addition to a proposed $3.8 billion complex of offices, stores and entertainment venues that New York Islanders owner Charles Wang wants to build at the 150-acre Hempstead property.
"Serious consideration must be given to this economic development opportunity that would create jobs, expand the tax base, build a new Nassau Coliseum and retain the Islanders," Mangano said.
But sources familiar with the talks say they are at a very preliminary stage, and that the coliseum site is among five or six sites in Suffolk and Nassau counties that the Southampton-based Shinnecock are considering.
"I think Suffolk and Nassau are realizing that if we get bumped out of Long Island, they are going to lose a lot of money," said Lance Gumbs, a tribal trustee.
The Shinnecock have also considered a possible casino location upstate.
The Shinnecock would have to negotiate a revenue-sharing plan with the state. It would also need several federal approvals.
Mangano said that if those approvals were done this year, construction could begin in 2011.
Blackjack here to stay in Immokalee
Blackjack is here to stay at the Seminole Casinos.
Governor Charlie Crist signed Senate Bill 622 with the Seminole Tribe, legalizing certain types of gambling. The agreement allows Vegas style slots, blackjack and other table games.
The deal means job security for Immokalee Casino employees, plus is also opens up the opportunity for expansion of the casino.
The state also gets a large payout from the Seminoles.
"One billion dollars over the next five years come to Florida and our children, and our schools, and our most vulnerable and education. And that is a wonderful thing," Crist said to a group at the Hollywood Seminole Casino.
The bill still has to be approved by the U.S. Department of Interiors, which is expected in June.
The deal also allows some casinos to have card betting 24 hours a day and higher limits.
Governor Charlie Crist signed Senate Bill 622 with the Seminole Tribe, legalizing certain types of gambling. The agreement allows Vegas style slots, blackjack and other table games.
The deal means job security for Immokalee Casino employees, plus is also opens up the opportunity for expansion of the casino.
The state also gets a large payout from the Seminoles.
"One billion dollars over the next five years come to Florida and our children, and our schools, and our most vulnerable and education. And that is a wonderful thing," Crist said to a group at the Hollywood Seminole Casino.
The bill still has to be approved by the U.S. Department of Interiors, which is expected in June.
The deal also allows some casinos to have card betting 24 hours a day and higher limits.
Delaware investors seek high stakes casino
A group of Delaware investors is banking on the idea of turning an empty building into an exclusive casino.
Delaware Development Associates has its eyes on an old bank in the heart of downtown Wilmington.
They are pitching the notion of turning the vacant structure into "The Bank," a members-only gambling club, which would be the first in the First State, to General Assembly.
The investors say they are ready to give $20-million to see this come to fruition. As for the club itself, an annual membership fee would run between $10,000 and $20,000 and membership would be capped below 5,000.
"It's really just table games, it's really catering to a very different cliental that otherwise wouldn't come to Delaware," Karle Agne of Delaware Development Associates said.
Members would be able to take part in table games and sports betting, but slot machines are not allowed; "The Bank" is described as being a place for high rollers - a setting where the elite meet.
"From New York to the Washington suburbs is the greatest concentration of wealth in this country. Delaware is right in the middle of that. We're right on the Acela line, we're easily accessible from all these locations. It's really bringing these folks together in a place where they can be comfortable," Agne said.
State Representative (D) John Viola of Newark is a backer of the plan. He says it represents a win-win proposition for the city and the state.
"It would generate revenue for the state, a million dollars limited license fee to start with, [and] about $2-million a year in corporate taxes," Representative Viola said.
Viola leads a house faction that opposes other pushes to create new gambling venues in Delaware. One of those prospects calls for full-fledged casinos in both Wilmington and Sussex County.
All the bids are on the table as the legislature heads into a critical decision making period. One sure bet in all of this is, come spring, there will be some big winners and big losers in this high stake game.
Delaware Development Associates has its eyes on an old bank in the heart of downtown Wilmington.
They are pitching the notion of turning the vacant structure into "The Bank," a members-only gambling club, which would be the first in the First State, to General Assembly.
The investors say they are ready to give $20-million to see this come to fruition. As for the club itself, an annual membership fee would run between $10,000 and $20,000 and membership would be capped below 5,000.
"It's really just table games, it's really catering to a very different cliental that otherwise wouldn't come to Delaware," Karle Agne of Delaware Development Associates said.
Members would be able to take part in table games and sports betting, but slot machines are not allowed; "The Bank" is described as being a place for high rollers - a setting where the elite meet.
"From New York to the Washington suburbs is the greatest concentration of wealth in this country. Delaware is right in the middle of that. We're right on the Acela line, we're easily accessible from all these locations. It's really bringing these folks together in a place where they can be comfortable," Agne said.
State Representative (D) John Viola of Newark is a backer of the plan. He says it represents a win-win proposition for the city and the state.
"It would generate revenue for the state, a million dollars limited license fee to start with, [and] about $2-million a year in corporate taxes," Representative Viola said.
Viola leads a house faction that opposes other pushes to create new gambling venues in Delaware. One of those prospects calls for full-fledged casinos in both Wilmington and Sussex County.
All the bids are on the table as the legislature heads into a critical decision making period. One sure bet in all of this is, come spring, there will be some big winners and big losers in this high stake game.
Mother Day Bonus for Online Casino Slot Machines
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Macau Gambling Revenue Continues To Break Records In April
The Macau casino gambling industry has long passed Las Vegas as the gaming capital of the world. By the looks of the latest revenue figures for the month of April, it does not appear that Macau is going to be giving up that title anytime soon.
For April, revenue at Macau casinos was $1.76 billion. That was a one month record for Macau, with the previous record being set back in January. The increase in revenue for April was 70% higher than the same period a year ago.
Last year in April, Macau casinos were dealing with visa restrictions imposed by the Chinese government. Residents of the mainland were limited in how many times they could visit Macau, and it made a big difference in the overall revenue.
"Macau has undoubtedly become the biggest gaming destination in the world, and it will be interesting to see whether they can keep that up as the government attempts to limit the gaming options," said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz. "The government and the existing casinos seem to agree that more is not always better."
Las Vegas Sands is already working on an expansion project that was in the works before the government decided to step in and stop all future growth. The Macau government is allowing Sands and other developers to complete their projects that have already been approved.
While Macau casinos are thriving, Las Vegas casinos are still trying to recover from the economic recession. In the past, the gaming industry has been somewhat immune to any form of a recession, but this time around, Atlantic City and Las Vegas were ravaged by the economic woes of the US.
For April, revenue at Macau casinos was $1.76 billion. That was a one month record for Macau, with the previous record being set back in January. The increase in revenue for April was 70% higher than the same period a year ago.
Last year in April, Macau casinos were dealing with visa restrictions imposed by the Chinese government. Residents of the mainland were limited in how many times they could visit Macau, and it made a big difference in the overall revenue.
"Macau has undoubtedly become the biggest gaming destination in the world, and it will be interesting to see whether they can keep that up as the government attempts to limit the gaming options," said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz. "The government and the existing casinos seem to agree that more is not always better."
Las Vegas Sands is already working on an expansion project that was in the works before the government decided to step in and stop all future growth. The Macau government is allowing Sands and other developers to complete their projects that have already been approved.
While Macau casinos are thriving, Las Vegas casinos are still trying to recover from the economic recession. In the past, the gaming industry has been somewhat immune to any form of a recession, but this time around, Atlantic City and Las Vegas were ravaged by the economic woes of the US.
Missouri Casino Gaming License Drawing Much Interest
Pinnacle Entertainment will be giving back their casino license for the President Casino in St. Louis, Missouri, and already there has been major interest in obtaining the license. Over a dozen developers or cities have already expressed interest in obtaining the license.
The President Casino has been watching their revenue decrease over the past several years. New casinos have opened in St. Louis, and the competition, combined with an aging riverboat, have caused attendance to drop off drastically recently.
Pinnacle had planned to battle the Missouri Gaming Commission in court for the right to keep the President open, but changed their minds earlier this month. The company agreed to give the license back and close the casino in exchange for the Commission dropping fees associated with fines accumulated from the President Casino.
The city of St. Louis has already expressed that they would like to keep the license in the city. The state will give St. Louis the opportunity to do so, but they also will seek applications from other cities in the state.
Pinnacle has other casino interests in St. Louis, namely the new Lumiere Place that has recently opened. The company has said that they may seek the license that comes open from the President Casino closure, but they have made no definitive plans to do so.
Missouri currently has thirteen gaming licenses that are allowed under state law. Twelve of the thirteen are in use, and the President license will come open after July 1st. The Gaming Commission has asked all interested parties to submit letters stating their interest, and thirteen groups have already replied.
The President Casino has been watching their revenue decrease over the past several years. New casinos have opened in St. Louis, and the competition, combined with an aging riverboat, have caused attendance to drop off drastically recently.
Pinnacle had planned to battle the Missouri Gaming Commission in court for the right to keep the President open, but changed their minds earlier this month. The company agreed to give the license back and close the casino in exchange for the Commission dropping fees associated with fines accumulated from the President Casino.
The city of St. Louis has already expressed that they would like to keep the license in the city. The state will give St. Louis the opportunity to do so, but they also will seek applications from other cities in the state.
Pinnacle has other casino interests in St. Louis, namely the new Lumiere Place that has recently opened. The company has said that they may seek the license that comes open from the President Casino closure, but they have made no definitive plans to do so.
Missouri currently has thirteen gaming licenses that are allowed under state law. Twelve of the thirteen are in use, and the President license will come open after July 1st. The Gaming Commission has asked all interested parties to submit letters stating their interest, and thirteen groups have already replied.
3 companies tell gaming commission of interest in Cape casino
Three development companies have told the Missouri Gaming Commission they are interested in obtaining a gambling license for Cape Girardeau, the commission announced Tuesday.
Eight other companies have said they are interested in the license, but four of them did not name where they want to put casino if they get the license that will become available July 1. Missouri law imposes a limit of 13 casinos statewide, and the lone available license is up for grabs because the President Casino in St. Louis must close.
Four localities -- Cape Girardeau, Sugar Creek, Mo., Louisiana, Mo., and St. Louis -- sent letters of interest, making a total of 15 letters to the commission.
Dream Big LLC, a partnership of local businessmen David Knight and Jim Riley, answered the commission's call for expressions of interest in obtaining the license. Knight and Riley have put together real estate holdings on North Main Street and in 2008 unsuccessfully fought the law that imposed the license limit.
Another company is St. Louis Capital Partners LLC, an Alton, Ill.-based firm formed by former officers of Argosy Gaming Co., one of the early players in riverboat casino development in Illinois and Missouri, said Joe Uram, one of three principals in the company. Argosy was purchased by Penn National Gaming in 2005.
The third company expressing interest in Cape Girardeau is called Unbridled Entertainment, with M. Shawn Cox named as the contact person. No company by that name has been organized in Missouri, and LeAnn McCarthy, spokeswoman for the commission, said all she knows about the company is that it gave a Mason, Ohio, address.
City manager Scott Meyer said he had been contacted by a representative of Unbridled Entertainment and said the company has gambling interests elsewhere.
Commission staff will meet May 18 with all the interested parties at an open meeting for a discussion of the license application process. The staff will be interested to know how long it will take casino companies to prepare applications, with the commission itself considering a timetable at its May 27 meeting, McCarthy said.
Cape Girardeau is an attractive market because it is underserved, Uram said. A casino in Cape Girardeau could draw customers from a large portion of southwestern Illinois, he said.
"We like the opportunity to attract out-of-state dollars," Uram said. "Casino gambling is an industry with voluntary taxation, so Illinois taxpayers volunteering to pay money to the state of Missouri is an attractive feature, whether it is in Cape Girardeau or St. Louis or St. Louis County."
Uram was chief financial officer for Argosy. Other members of St. Louis Capital Partners LLC are Tom Long and Jeff Roberts, both former top officials with Argosy. All have held top-level Missouri gaming licenses.
Cape Girardeau has been approached by all three of the companies that expressed interest, Meyer said. He said he intends to meet with leaders of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce and Cape Girardeau Area Magnet to begin developing a list of requirements a casino operator should meet to win endorsement from the city.
The level of interest in Cape Girardeau is encouraging, Meyer said. "That to me says that at least the people in the know believe that Cape is a good location."
The process for selecting a casino partner for the city will be conducted openly, Meyer said.
"We'll probably have an initial meeting asking them to tell us what their vision is, why they are the right match, and anybody who wants to can come and participate in it," he said.
Any company chosen will have to be an asset to the city, not a liability or a drain, Meyer said. Infrastructure upgrades to prepare a property for a casino will need to be underwritten by the casino, he said, and the right company will want to be a part of, not change, the city's vision in the Comprehensive Plan and the DREAM Initiative master plan.
"We are not looking to turn the community into something we are not now," Meyer said.
Eight other companies have said they are interested in the license, but four of them did not name where they want to put casino if they get the license that will become available July 1. Missouri law imposes a limit of 13 casinos statewide, and the lone available license is up for grabs because the President Casino in St. Louis must close.
Four localities -- Cape Girardeau, Sugar Creek, Mo., Louisiana, Mo., and St. Louis -- sent letters of interest, making a total of 15 letters to the commission.
Dream Big LLC, a partnership of local businessmen David Knight and Jim Riley, answered the commission's call for expressions of interest in obtaining the license. Knight and Riley have put together real estate holdings on North Main Street and in 2008 unsuccessfully fought the law that imposed the license limit.
Another company is St. Louis Capital Partners LLC, an Alton, Ill.-based firm formed by former officers of Argosy Gaming Co., one of the early players in riverboat casino development in Illinois and Missouri, said Joe Uram, one of three principals in the company. Argosy was purchased by Penn National Gaming in 2005.
The third company expressing interest in Cape Girardeau is called Unbridled Entertainment, with M. Shawn Cox named as the contact person. No company by that name has been organized in Missouri, and LeAnn McCarthy, spokeswoman for the commission, said all she knows about the company is that it gave a Mason, Ohio, address.
City manager Scott Meyer said he had been contacted by a representative of Unbridled Entertainment and said the company has gambling interests elsewhere.
Commission staff will meet May 18 with all the interested parties at an open meeting for a discussion of the license application process. The staff will be interested to know how long it will take casino companies to prepare applications, with the commission itself considering a timetable at its May 27 meeting, McCarthy said.
Cape Girardeau is an attractive market because it is underserved, Uram said. A casino in Cape Girardeau could draw customers from a large portion of southwestern Illinois, he said.
"We like the opportunity to attract out-of-state dollars," Uram said. "Casino gambling is an industry with voluntary taxation, so Illinois taxpayers volunteering to pay money to the state of Missouri is an attractive feature, whether it is in Cape Girardeau or St. Louis or St. Louis County."
Uram was chief financial officer for Argosy. Other members of St. Louis Capital Partners LLC are Tom Long and Jeff Roberts, both former top officials with Argosy. All have held top-level Missouri gaming licenses.
Cape Girardeau has been approached by all three of the companies that expressed interest, Meyer said. He said he intends to meet with leaders of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce and Cape Girardeau Area Magnet to begin developing a list of requirements a casino operator should meet to win endorsement from the city.
The level of interest in Cape Girardeau is encouraging, Meyer said. "That to me says that at least the people in the know believe that Cape is a good location."
The process for selecting a casino partner for the city will be conducted openly, Meyer said.
"We'll probably have an initial meeting asking them to tell us what their vision is, why they are the right match, and anybody who wants to can come and participate in it," he said.
Any company chosen will have to be an asset to the city, not a liability or a drain, Meyer said. Infrastructure upgrades to prepare a property for a casino will need to be underwritten by the casino, he said, and the right company will want to be a part of, not change, the city's vision in the Comprehensive Plan and the DREAM Initiative master plan.
"We are not looking to turn the community into something we are not now," Meyer said.
Rolling the Casino Dice
Although four communities are seeking new gambling licenses, the proposal to build the Diamond Jo Fort Dodge casino dominated Tuesday's meeting of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
A parade of 44 people told the state officials how they believe the casino would create more jobs, more entertainment options, more tax revenue and more money for nonprofit groups if a license for it is approved.
''It's about the jobs and making Fort Dodge a destination spot,'' said Cheryl O'Hern, the local manager of Frontier Communications.
In her remarks to the commission, Karen Wood, of Fort Dodge, described the proposed casino as a beacon ''that will help tell the world where our city is located.''
Many of the people who stepped to the podium wore blue shirts bearing the slogan ''Webster County is All In.'' Hundreds of other people wearing the same shirts filled rows of chairs in a large meeting room at the Stoney Creek Inn & Conference Center. Casino advocates said 230 supporters of the Diamond Jo Fort Dodge were on hand.
Opponents of the casino had their say as well. One of them, Blair Conley, of Fort Dodge, mocked the casino advocates' slogan.
''Gambling is sin, we're not all in,'' he said.
Conley described gambling as a ''systematic structure to take wealth from the unwary and give it to those who didn't work for it and don't deserve it.''
The Fort Dodge proposal was also attacked by supporters of the Wild Rose Emmetsburg casino, who believe a new gaming establishment in northern Iowa will steal some of that casino's business.
Tom Timmons, a vice president of Wild Rose Emmetsburg, said his casino would lose 21 percent of its revenue to a Fort Dodge competitor.
''It would turn us upside down,'' he said.
State Rep. Marcella Frevert, D-Emmetsburg, spoke against issuing a license for the Fort Dodge project.
''Please do not vote to diminish and cannibalize one community for the sake of another,'' she said.
Altogether, 14 people spoke against the Fort Dodge project.
Although they were heavily out-numbered by casino backers, many of the opponents of the plan went to the podium first. Bob Wood, of Fort Dodge, was the first supporter of the plan to speak to the commission.
''I'm here to turn the tide,'' he said, as casino backers cheered.
''A casino for Webster County presents exactly the kind of boost our citizens need,'' Wood said.
Tim Burns, of Fort Dodge, tried to refute the complaints of Emmetsburg casino backers.
''Emmetsburg didn't protest our last casino attempt and they have no grounds to oppose this attempt,'' he said.
City Manager David Fierke; City Engineer Chad Schaeffer; Dennis Plautz, director of business affairs and community growth; Lori Branderhorst, director of parks, recreation and forestry; and Rhonda Chambers, director of aviation at Fort Dodge Regional Airport, all spoke in favor of the casino. Acting Police Chief Doug Utley and Acting Fire Chief Woody Wolfe attended the meeting in uniform, but did not address the commission.
Councilwoman Margy Halverson-Collins was the only elected official to speak in favor of the Fort Dodge casino.
Letters of support from state Sen. Daryl Beall, D-Fort Dodge, and state Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge, were read.
The controversy over donations made by casino backers Steve Daniel, Jim Kesterson and Merrill Leffler Jr. to the re-election campaign of Gov. Chet Culver was mentioned briefly by some opponents of the plan. There was no in-depth discussion of that matter during the daylong meeting.
Casino proposals from Lyon County, Ottumwa and Tama did not generate as much discussion as the Fort Dodge plan did. There were no public comments on the Lyon County plan.
The commission members took no action on any of the proposals during a meeting that began at 9:30 a.m. and ended at 6:30 p.m. Commission members are scheduled to make decisions on issuing new casino licenses on May 13.
A parade of 44 people told the state officials how they believe the casino would create more jobs, more entertainment options, more tax revenue and more money for nonprofit groups if a license for it is approved.
''It's about the jobs and making Fort Dodge a destination spot,'' said Cheryl O'Hern, the local manager of Frontier Communications.
In her remarks to the commission, Karen Wood, of Fort Dodge, described the proposed casino as a beacon ''that will help tell the world where our city is located.''
Many of the people who stepped to the podium wore blue shirts bearing the slogan ''Webster County is All In.'' Hundreds of other people wearing the same shirts filled rows of chairs in a large meeting room at the Stoney Creek Inn & Conference Center. Casino advocates said 230 supporters of the Diamond Jo Fort Dodge were on hand.
Opponents of the casino had their say as well. One of them, Blair Conley, of Fort Dodge, mocked the casino advocates' slogan.
''Gambling is sin, we're not all in,'' he said.
Conley described gambling as a ''systematic structure to take wealth from the unwary and give it to those who didn't work for it and don't deserve it.''
The Fort Dodge proposal was also attacked by supporters of the Wild Rose Emmetsburg casino, who believe a new gaming establishment in northern Iowa will steal some of that casino's business.
Tom Timmons, a vice president of Wild Rose Emmetsburg, said his casino would lose 21 percent of its revenue to a Fort Dodge competitor.
''It would turn us upside down,'' he said.
State Rep. Marcella Frevert, D-Emmetsburg, spoke against issuing a license for the Fort Dodge project.
''Please do not vote to diminish and cannibalize one community for the sake of another,'' she said.
Altogether, 14 people spoke against the Fort Dodge project.
Although they were heavily out-numbered by casino backers, many of the opponents of the plan went to the podium first. Bob Wood, of Fort Dodge, was the first supporter of the plan to speak to the commission.
''I'm here to turn the tide,'' he said, as casino backers cheered.
''A casino for Webster County presents exactly the kind of boost our citizens need,'' Wood said.
Tim Burns, of Fort Dodge, tried to refute the complaints of Emmetsburg casino backers.
''Emmetsburg didn't protest our last casino attempt and they have no grounds to oppose this attempt,'' he said.
City Manager David Fierke; City Engineer Chad Schaeffer; Dennis Plautz, director of business affairs and community growth; Lori Branderhorst, director of parks, recreation and forestry; and Rhonda Chambers, director of aviation at Fort Dodge Regional Airport, all spoke in favor of the casino. Acting Police Chief Doug Utley and Acting Fire Chief Woody Wolfe attended the meeting in uniform, but did not address the commission.
Councilwoman Margy Halverson-Collins was the only elected official to speak in favor of the Fort Dodge casino.
Letters of support from state Sen. Daryl Beall, D-Fort Dodge, and state Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge, were read.
The controversy over donations made by casino backers Steve Daniel, Jim Kesterson and Merrill Leffler Jr. to the re-election campaign of Gov. Chet Culver was mentioned briefly by some opponents of the plan. There was no in-depth discussion of that matter during the daylong meeting.
Casino proposals from Lyon County, Ottumwa and Tama did not generate as much discussion as the Fort Dodge plan did. There were no public comments on the Lyon County plan.
The commission members took no action on any of the proposals during a meeting that began at 9:30 a.m. and ended at 6:30 p.m. Commission members are scheduled to make decisions on issuing new casino licenses on May 13.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
China Continues Internet Casino Persecution
Like some other, suposedly more liberal, counties, China is grappling with ways to prevent its residents from gambling at Internet casinos. Unlike those other nations, China has virtually no restriction on government actions, allowing it extreme measures to dissuade online casino play.
An announcement by the Chinese government today emphasized the plan to block hostile Internet influences operating outside its borders. Among the types of online sites targeted by the Chinese are gambling, pornography, and fradulent operations, and also political and informative sites and even search engines such as Google.
Google said last month it would no longer cooperate with Chinese censorship, and relocated its Chinese search engine to Hong Kong.
"We will strengthen the blocking of harmful information from outside China to prevent harmful information from being disseminated in China and withstand online penetration by overseas hostile forces," said the head of the governmental Information Office.
The government has enacted a law requiring Internet service providers to report users discussing state secrets. The category of state secrets is so broadly defined that virtually any issue desired can be linked to security.
Online gambling operators have received lengthy prison sentences, while three protesters posting articles about a pregnant woman who died in police custody were imprisoned for slander.
An announcement by the Chinese government today emphasized the plan to block hostile Internet influences operating outside its borders. Among the types of online sites targeted by the Chinese are gambling, pornography, and fradulent operations, and also political and informative sites and even search engines such as Google.
Google said last month it would no longer cooperate with Chinese censorship, and relocated its Chinese search engine to Hong Kong.
"We will strengthen the blocking of harmful information from outside China to prevent harmful information from being disseminated in China and withstand online penetration by overseas hostile forces," said the head of the governmental Information Office.
The government has enacted a law requiring Internet service providers to report users discussing state secrets. The category of state secrets is so broadly defined that virtually any issue desired can be linked to security.
Online gambling operators have received lengthy prison sentences, while three protesters posting articles about a pregnant woman who died in police custody were imprisoned for slander.
Casino Gambling Begins In New Brunswick Today
On Tuesday, another Canadian province will open their doors to casino gambling for the first time. Casino New Brunswick will open with the intention of providing entertainment for customers, while bringing in millions of dollars in revenue.
The government is hoping that the casino becomes a big success. Early estimates are that the casino could generate $25 million annually. That would be beneficial for both the casino developer, Sonco Gaming New Brunswick, Ltd., and the government.
Casino New Brunswick took $90 million and several years to develop. The casino will be home to 500 slot machines and twenty-two table games. A poker room with eight poker tables will also be available to customers. Government officials are excited about the possibilities.
"We think it's going to help to bring some business to New Brunswick, to the Moncton region certainly, and create 400 jobs," said Marc Belliveau, spokesman for the Department of Finance, as reported by The Canadian Press, "so the spin-offs associated with this kind of gaming center are very, very positive for the province."
While the revenue will be great, some government officials believe that the social ills will also be many. The concern is that the casino will lead more people down the path of gambling addiction. Increased crime is also a possibility, according to several casino opponents.
Casinos have become commonplace in Canada. With the opening of the New Brunswick casino today, only Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador are left without casino gambling. Several provinces are also looking into the possibility of regulating online gambling.
The government is hoping that the casino becomes a big success. Early estimates are that the casino could generate $25 million annually. That would be beneficial for both the casino developer, Sonco Gaming New Brunswick, Ltd., and the government.
Casino New Brunswick took $90 million and several years to develop. The casino will be home to 500 slot machines and twenty-two table games. A poker room with eight poker tables will also be available to customers. Government officials are excited about the possibilities.
"We think it's going to help to bring some business to New Brunswick, to the Moncton region certainly, and create 400 jobs," said Marc Belliveau, spokesman for the Department of Finance, as reported by The Canadian Press, "so the spin-offs associated with this kind of gaming center are very, very positive for the province."
While the revenue will be great, some government officials believe that the social ills will also be many. The concern is that the casino will lead more people down the path of gambling addiction. Increased crime is also a possibility, according to several casino opponents.
Casinos have become commonplace in Canada. With the opening of the New Brunswick casino today, only Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador are left without casino gambling. Several provinces are also looking into the possibility of regulating online gambling.
Macau Casino Gives Wynn Resorts a Solid Quarter
It's been a tough year for the live casino industry in the United States, but it looks like casino mogul Steve Wynn has found a new country to build his Wynn empire.
The Wynn Resorts Ltd quarter numbers have been better than expected, and analysts believe it's their new casino industry in Macau, China that has been a big part of the impressive numbers.
"The Macau numbers were well above expectations, even given very bad win rates," said Sanford Bernstein analyst Janet Brashear. "Las Vegas looks like it's sort of hanging in there — it wasn't as terrible as it could have been."
Macau had a 31.6 percent growth in the last year. The growth of the casino industry has been so impressive in China that Wynn is planning to move his entire casino base to Macau, to start a new Chinese Vegas.
Wynn has two resorts in Macau, the Wynn Macau and the Encore extension, the latter opened last week to a spectacular fireworks show.
Could this mean the end of significant growth in Sin City?
John L. Smith, a columnist with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, essentially said that Wynn is abandoning the city that build his empire. "Las Vegas, which has given Wynn everything he has ever asked, is struggling," he wrote. "Unlike Wynn, most locals can't cut and run."
Wynn has told analysts that he was unlikely to invest much anymore in casinos in the U.S., with the possible exception of Massachusetts if that state expands gambling.
Fortunately for us, the online casino industry is alive and well, and won't be going anywhere in the near future.
The Wynn Resorts Ltd quarter numbers have been better than expected, and analysts believe it's their new casino industry in Macau, China that has been a big part of the impressive numbers.
"The Macau numbers were well above expectations, even given very bad win rates," said Sanford Bernstein analyst Janet Brashear. "Las Vegas looks like it's sort of hanging in there — it wasn't as terrible as it could have been."
Macau had a 31.6 percent growth in the last year. The growth of the casino industry has been so impressive in China that Wynn is planning to move his entire casino base to Macau, to start a new Chinese Vegas.
Wynn has two resorts in Macau, the Wynn Macau and the Encore extension, the latter opened last week to a spectacular fireworks show.
Could this mean the end of significant growth in Sin City?
John L. Smith, a columnist with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, essentially said that Wynn is abandoning the city that build his empire. "Las Vegas, which has given Wynn everything he has ever asked, is struggling," he wrote. "Unlike Wynn, most locals can't cut and run."
Wynn has told analysts that he was unlikely to invest much anymore in casinos in the U.S., with the possible exception of Massachusetts if that state expands gambling.
Fortunately for us, the online casino industry is alive and well, and won't be going anywhere in the near future.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Mosely's Gambling Not Enough to Beat Mayweather at MGM Casino
Sugar Shane Mosely surprised Floyd Mayweather by gambling on coming after him early, but once Mayweather adjusted, the heavily anticipated boxing match became one-sided. Observers at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas saw Mayweather recover quickly from a second-round stunner to dominate the rest of the fight.
Mosely entered the bout considered number three in the mythical world pound-for-pound championship, behind Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, in no certain order. After its conclusion, Saturday night's match left no doubt as to the gap between Mosely and Mayweather.
Mayweather appeared dazed in the second round as a Mosely right caught him square, leaving him smiling but moving slowly and flat-footed. But Mosely was unable to finish the champ before the bell, and Mayweather began meeting his opponent's charges by standing his ground, flicking his head and waist just enough to slip the first punches and repeatedly scoring with counters.
Some had thought Mosely's speed would neutralize Mayweather's legendary defense, but it was Mayweather's power and ability to hurt Mosely that seemed most unexpected. At the end, Mosely looked close to done, but Mayweather never has a problem taking home a decision, so he allowed the judges to assert his victory, finding him better in eleven of the twelve rounds.
Gambling had been suprisingly brisk on Mosely, as many continue to question Mayweather's brilliance because he doesn't deliver knockouts. Despite a 40-0 record going in, Mayweather was only -380 just before the fight, unusually low odds for a man mentioned among the best ever.
"It's a contact sport, and you're going to get hit," Mayweather said in talking about the second round. "But when you get hit, you suck it up and keep on fighting."
Talk at the casino after the fight among viewers was frequently about hopes that soon they'd be gambling on Mayweather-Pacquiao, the final test of the greatest at any weight.
Mosely entered the bout considered number three in the mythical world pound-for-pound championship, behind Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, in no certain order. After its conclusion, Saturday night's match left no doubt as to the gap between Mosely and Mayweather.
Mayweather appeared dazed in the second round as a Mosely right caught him square, leaving him smiling but moving slowly and flat-footed. But Mosely was unable to finish the champ before the bell, and Mayweather began meeting his opponent's charges by standing his ground, flicking his head and waist just enough to slip the first punches and repeatedly scoring with counters.
Some had thought Mosely's speed would neutralize Mayweather's legendary defense, but it was Mayweather's power and ability to hurt Mosely that seemed most unexpected. At the end, Mosely looked close to done, but Mayweather never has a problem taking home a decision, so he allowed the judges to assert his victory, finding him better in eleven of the twelve rounds.
Gambling had been suprisingly brisk on Mosely, as many continue to question Mayweather's brilliance because he doesn't deliver knockouts. Despite a 40-0 record going in, Mayweather was only -380 just before the fight, unusually low odds for a man mentioned among the best ever.
"It's a contact sport, and you're going to get hit," Mayweather said in talking about the second round. "But when you get hit, you suck it up and keep on fighting."
Talk at the casino after the fight among viewers was frequently about hopes that soon they'd be gambling on Mayweather-Pacquiao, the final test of the greatest at any weight.
‘Casino Jack’ Opens This Weekend
I caught Alex Gibney’s documentary, Casino Jack and the United States of Money, when it premiered at Sundance in January. It finally begins its theatrical release this weekend, and comes at a Gibney-centric time in Manhattan. He directed two feature films, and one chapter of another, that all premiered at the recent Tribeca Film Festival. Casino Jack did not screen at Tribeca this year, but you’d be forgiven if you assumed it had.
Gibney’s first documentary released since his Oscar-winning Taxi to the Dark Side, this is a gripping and entertaining spiritual cousin to his breakthrough film, Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room. A historical look at lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s career as a powerful manipulator, Casino Jack allows the audience to examine the greed-based influence of the Reagan era, and the shady deals that took place when some influential men become inspired to perpetuate financial corruption within the U.S. government. Whether you consider yourself a “conservative,” a “liberal,” or neither, I feel it’s hard not to be riveted by this account of how Abramoff helped ruin the system. Like all of Gibney’s documentaries, this one is a dense and comprehensive, but it also rewards the viewer. Casino Jack opens in many cities between this weekend and the end of June.
Gibney’s first documentary released since his Oscar-winning Taxi to the Dark Side, this is a gripping and entertaining spiritual cousin to his breakthrough film, Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room. A historical look at lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s career as a powerful manipulator, Casino Jack allows the audience to examine the greed-based influence of the Reagan era, and the shady deals that took place when some influential men become inspired to perpetuate financial corruption within the U.S. government. Whether you consider yourself a “conservative,” a “liberal,” or neither, I feel it’s hard not to be riveted by this account of how Abramoff helped ruin the system. Like all of Gibney’s documentaries, this one is a dense and comprehensive, but it also rewards the viewer. Casino Jack opens in many cities between this weekend and the end of June.
Mixed support in Ohio for Columbus casino issue
A state ballot issue that seeks to move the location of a planned casino in Columbus is drawing mixed support among Ohioans.
Don Davies, a restaurateur in northwest Ohio, said he’ll vote for state Issue 2 on Tuesday. But Tammy Rexroad, a school board member in Newscomerstown about 100 miles east of Columbus, said she’s leaning "no" because of her unhappiness with gambling in general.
"I’m a Christian. I don’t believe in gambling in Ohio or any other state," Rexroad said.
Issue 2 would change the location of the Columbus casino from a downtown neighborhood to a former auto parts factory on the city’s west side.
The casino was among four that Ohio voters approved last November for Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman wants the city’s casino project out of downtown because it would clash with the district’s family oriented theme. The district is home to the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team and the city’s new minor league baseball stadium.
Davies, who lives in Van Wert, about 120 miles northwest of Columbus near the Indiana state line, said he has only a vague idea of the debate over the casino location. He’ll vote yes, he said, because the overall concept of the casino is something that Ohioans have already approved.
Proponents, including developer Penn National Gaming Inc., say the simplicity of the ballot issue — it changes only the address of one casino — should make it palatable to voters everywhere.
The issue has no organized opposition, but the Ohio Roundtable, which has traditionally opposed expanded gambling, is encouraging voters to turn down Issue 2 because the group sees it as a special favor to Columbus business interests.
Mike Holtsberry, a registered Republican in Van Wert who lost his job when his plumbing and heating business closed in August, said he doesn’t know much about the measure. He voted against the 2009 casino issue, but he’s in favor of this year’s proposal.
"The casino is going to be built somewhere," he said.
John McVay, 61, a retired information-technology manager from Van Wert, voted for the four casinos last year but doesn’t think its fair for Columbus to get a do-over.
"We ain’t voting for the dang thing again," McVay said. "We voted for it once, and we’re not going to do it again. We’re finished with this thing. Good Lord, people."
Battle Creek casino antes up a healthcare facility for its workers
A health clinic for workers at the Firekeepers Casino will open May 1, 2010, according to the Kalamazoo Gazette.
1,500 workers will benefit from the new health facility.
1,500 workers will benefit from the new health facility.
Firekeepers Casino opened a year ago and is owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, the Kalamazoo Gazette said.
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