AEG may have to renegotiate contract with Kerzner
The Anschutz Entertainment Group has admitted that it might have to renegotiate its contractual commitment to Kerzner International over plans to run a casino and hotel at the Millennium Dome, after the partnership came under scrutiny from the Casino Advisory Panel on the first day of its public hearing in London yesterday (Wednesday). Under terms of the Gambling Act, the winning bid is required to engage in an open competition for a casino operator.
Harrah's makes LCI purchase
Harrah's Entertainment has agreed to buy London Clubs International. The price of 125p per share values the UK casino operator at £279.3 million. The U.S.-based group will take control of LCI's six UK casinos as well as clubs in Egypt, South Africa and six further UK licenses which have yet to be developed.
Violent games are entitled to constitutional protection
Louisiana's US District Judge James Brady has ruled that a proposed state ban on the sale of violent video games to minors was unenforceable because it violated free speech rights. He went on to call the proposal an invasion of the First Amendment before declaring: "Depictions of violence are entitled to full constitutional protection."
Japanese bank introduces casino game for ATM
Japan's Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank will offer roulette at its automatic teller machines (ATM) when customers finish their transactions. A spokesperson for the bank said ATMs were 'impersonal' and 'lacking in communication' adding that the bank wanted to inject some fun to transactions.
WTO panel to reconvene for U.S. gaming dispute
A three-man World Trade Organisation panel is set to reconvene in Geneva to review the next stage of Antigua & Barbuda's online gaming dispute with the United States. The parameters of the panel's task will be set at the meeting according to officials, who are still hoping for an amicable resolution to the dispute.
Noble organisation calls Blackpool council 'deeply flawed'
The Noble organisation is going to the High Court to appeal against Blackpool council's decision to reject their application for a casino license. The leisure and casino company is claiming the council were hypocritical in turning down the application and called its approach to casino licenses deeply flawed.
Betting Show seminar panels announced
Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of the Remote Gambling Association and the Gambling Commission's deputy chief executive Tom Kavanagh are just two of the industry luminaries appearing on seminar panels at this year's Betting Show which takes place at the NEC Birmingham 25-26 October. They will be discussing topics such as the impact of changes in legislation on the betting business and the new January 2007 licensing process. For full details and ticket information, click here.
Free E-Gaming Breakfast Seminars - Autumn Series
Manches LLP starts of its autumn series of free e-Gaming Breakfast Seminars with an update on regulation of remote gaming in the US and the EU. This free seminar will take place on 21 September at Manches LLP London offices in Aldwych. More...
LGA denounces Turkish online company's false claim
Malta's Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) has denounced pokerzade.com for falsely claiming that it held a Maltese gaming license. The LGA issued a statement saying that the Turkish language site was not connected in any way to the jurisdiction and was not regulated by Malta Gaming Commission.
Las Vegas Sands issues warning to Ho
Las Vegas Sands Corp has told competitors bidding for Macao's casino license to stand down if they could not compete. Responding to Stanley Ho's recent complaints of competition-led profit decline and job losses, CEO Sheldon Adelson said "If you can't stand the heat, leave the kitchen."
Korean prime-minister issues apology
South Korea's Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook has issued an apology for allowing video gambling arcades to spread across the country, despite gaming being mostly illegal. She admitted that the government might not have effectively managed its regulatory responsibility in granting licences to arcade operators, and has ordered the closure of thousands of gaming parlours.
Irish deals for Betfair
Betfair has agreed to a three-year, Euro4.5 million deal with Horse Racing Ireland. The deal will see the betting exchange give the HRI over a million Euros per year for the next three years, 10 per cent of Betfair's gross profit from Irish horseracing and backdated payments covering the last three years from 2003.
Lottery claim hit TV gameshows
TV quiz shows using premium-rate phone numbers for viewers to call in order to win big-money prizes are to be investigated by broadcasting regulator Ofcom after a sharp rise in complaints. The regulator will clarify whether the games constitute a prize competition or an illegal lottery under the terms of current British law.
European poker championship opens
Paddy Power's Online Poker European Championship (OPEC) is due to begin on September 3rd, and will run for a full year before the grand final in August 2007. Players will be competing for a Euro50,000 guaranteed prize pool.
Gametech to acquire Summit
GameTech International has entered into a definitive agreement with privately-held Summit Amusement & Distributing to acquire all of its assets. The Nevada-based bingo equipment and systems developer will pay a total consideration of $37 million in cash and a contingent payment of $2 million subject to Summit reaching certain profitability goals in 2006.
Talarius consider Europe
Nick Harding, CEO of Talarius, has exclusively told Coinslot that the Adult Gaming Centre operator is actively seeking to expand operations into mainland Europe. The Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Germany are all under consideration according to Harding. He also confirmed intentions to break into the UK seaside sector.
Aristocrat announce new European games
Aristocrat Leisure is releasing six new gaming titles for the European market from its Xcite brand. The Australian video slot developer said that its 3,5 and 9 line games - Big Red, Genghis Khan, Dolphin Treasure, Phoenix Fantasy, Rapid Riches 9 Line and Superbucks V - represent a call for more low line games from the continent.
Poker alliance renews attack on U.S. legislation
The Poker Players Alliance has renewed its attack on the the United States' Internet Gambling Enforcement Act by calling it 'short sighted'. President Michael Bolcerek warned, ahead of a Republican meeting to discuss the legislation, that the bill would create "unregulated online 'speakeasy's'" which would not do anything to halt underage and problem gambling.
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