Vegas casino group looking at UK market
Harrah's Entertainment is rumoured to be looking at a proposal to buy the UK's Stanley Leisure and London Clubs International. According to sources cited in the UK's Sunday Times newspaper, chief executive Gary Loveman has compiled a detailed appraisal of both companies, which are in the final stages of a £634 million merger.
Consortium given Tote sale deadline
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has warned the racing consortium wanting to buy the Tote that it must secure the funds by the end of the month or risk losing out to another buyer. The consortium, which comprises the Racecourse Holdings Trust, Arena Leisure and Northern Racing, said that it had been in ongoing talks with the Racecourse Owners Association over funding to support the proposed £400 million bid.
Bwin threatens legal action after license revoked
Bwin called the German state government of Saxony's withdrawal of its gambling license a 'political assault' and threatened to sue the German state for estimated losses of euros500 million. The betting company has also filed a legal complaint against the state for announcing the withdrawal to the media without informing the company first.
Gaming standards authority releases complaints figures
eCOGRA received 265 complaints to its offices in the first half of 2006, of which 83 were not eCOGRA-accredited and therefore outside its authority, and 35 were 'non-specific' rants and statements that could not be followed up. The other 147 were intensively investigated according to the body, and 31 per cent were resolved in favour of the player.
Gamestec plan national 'Deal' tournament
Amusement machine operator Gamestec has announced plans for a national Deal Or No Deal tournament across its Gamesnet terminals, based on the hit TV series of the same name. Gamestec successfully rolled out the Deal Or No Deal machines across its estate earlier this year, prompting the organisation of the competition.
Tattersall's outlines lottery license plan
Australian lottery operator Tattersall's has identified 'financial control' as the most important factor in running the UK's National Lottery and said that its hopes of winning the license rests with its financial efficiency and not in its longevity or size. The gaming giant boasts a net margin of 3 per cent, one of the lowest in the industry.
AIM listing for Probability
Mobile casino and bingo operator Probability is to go-ahead with its AIM listing and will begin trading this week according to reports in the Sunday Times newspaper. The firm is also expected to announce that it had raised £4.1 million of new money, and will have a reported market value of £14 million.
Vegas revenue down for June
Nevada's State Gaming Control Board reported that casino gaming revenue on the Las Vegas Strip fell by 7.1 per cent to $454.8 million in June compared with the same period last year. The Board blamed the jump in gasoline prices and said that it may be speeding the expected slowdown of Nevada tourism.
'Racino' plans submitted
Wolverhampton's Dunstall Park racecourse has submitted plans to the city council for a new £12 million casino development that would see the existing facilities trebled in size. If granted, the project, dubbed 'racino', would be the first casino site in the country to take bets on horseracing.
EELEX announce exhibitor increase
The Unicum Group has reported a 2.5 per cent increase in exhibitors at EELEX 2006, taking the total number of stands to 158 featuring products from over 200 companies. The Eastern European Leisure Exhibition will take place across September 27-29 at the Crocus Expo Centre in Moscow, Russia.
Terror scare will affect tourist economy
VisitBritain has warned that the recent disruption to the travel industry caused by the terror alerts could have a significant impact on the tourism industry. A spokesperson for the organisation said that it was too early to tell what the long term economic effect will be of the disruptions, but assured the industry that the UK's visitor economy had been very resilient in the wake of previous terrorist incidents.
Blackpool warned about proliferation of casinos
Blackpool's Development Control Committee has been urged to refuse two applications by the Noble Organisation to convert the former Palace nightclub into a three-storey gaming venue. A report submitted to the committee objected on the grounds that the development could encourage the proliferation of smaller casinos and would question the robustness of the council's policy stance.
Shareholders threaten to sue BetonSports
BetonSports shareholders have warned that they are considering taking legal action against the company's financial advisors Evolution Securities and Baker Tilly. They are arguing that founder Gary Kaplan's history, which includes being arrested in New York for running a sportsbook in the early 1990s, should have been highlighted at the time the company was floated in 2004.
Gaming shares fall in wake of BetonSport closure
Sportingbet's shares were hit hardest in the wake of the closure of BetonSports' U.S. facing operations last week, falling just over 26p to 243p per share. PartyGaming's shares dipped by 2p at the news, finishing the week at 109p.
Costa Rican EGA moves to calm threat of U.S clampdown
Eduardo Agami, president of the Costa Rican Electronic Gambling Association, said that he would lobby the government to allow the 200 online gambling firms in the country to stay in business and is working on a plan to calm the employees, clients and the government. Costa Rican Justice Minister Laura Chinchilla recently said that the industry needs 'serious regulation.'
And Finally... Bingo men log on as women
Blackpool's Development Control Committee has been urged to refuse two applications by the Noble Organisation to convert the former Palace nightclub into a three-storey gaming venue. A report submitted to the committee objected on the grounds that the development could encourage the proliferation of smaller casinos and would question the robustness of the council's policy stance.
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