Just where are those bars?
(NEW ZEALAND) -- Through your column I would like to respond to an article in Saturday's May 3 paper. Just where does Problem Gambling Foundation Chief Executive John Stanfield get off with his reference -- "sleazy pokie bars".
Rank finds smoking ban still a choker
(UK) -- Gaming group Rank today said the smoking ban and ban on big-prize slot machines in bingo halls had knocked its revenues back by 8% in the first 17 weeks of 2008.
Committee says govt withheld documents on lottery licenses
(AUSTRALIA) -- A Victorian Upper House committee report has made an open finding on allegations of impropriety surrounding lottery licences. The report found the Government inhibited the committee's investigation by withholding documents and by refusing to allow MPs to appear for hearings.
Gaming inquiry 'an embarrassment'
(AUSTRALIA) -- VICTORIAN Premier John Brumby says a parliamentary committee inquiry into gaming licence tenders was nothing more than a smear campaign and its final report is an embarrassment to the Opposition.
Rank encouraged despite revenue fall
(UK) -- A combination of tax changes and the impact of the smoking ban knocked Rank's revenue by 8% in the first four months of 2008, though the bingo and casino owner is encouraged by the performance.
Rank says encouraged by start to 2008
(UK) -- British bingo, casino and online gambling company Rank Group Plc said on Wednesday it was encouraged by its start to 2008 given the new trading environment for its retail gaming operations.
Pokies lose appeal in Rotorua - down $800,000
(NEW ZEALAND) -- Pokie machine gambling has dropped in Rotorua for the second successive quarter but a health promotion worker says the number of people seeking help with their addiction is still on the rise.
Crown casino's jewel loses its lustre
(AUSTRALIA) -- JEFF Kennett has given Crown casino a dressing down. Mr Kennett says the casino's high-roller rooms are far different from those he opened as premier in 1997.
Smoking ban continues to hit Rank
(UK) -- Gaming firm Rank says it is continuing to feel the impact of the UK-wide smoking ban at its Mecca bingo halls. Like-for-like revenue fell 14% in England and Wales during the 17 weeks to 27 April, compared with the same period a year ago.
North Wales arcades under threat
(UK) -- SEASIDE towns in North Wales expect arcade closures and job losses six months after the Government introduced new laws on gambling.
Casino association warns against more closures
(UK) -- The British Casino Association (BCA) has warned that unless concessions are given to the UK casino industry, venues will continue to struggle and more closures will be imminent.
CEO Aims to Finish Casino Resort by 2010
(NEW YORK) -- Taking note of the lucrative regulated gambling market in the Asian-Pacific region, which is forecast to grow 16% a year to US$30 billion by 2011, the Singapore government rescinded its 40-year-old ban on casinos and in 2005 kicked off a grueling and intensely scrutinized bidding process to choose two casino operators.
Just one spin and he's $3.5m richer
(UK) - HE'S already a billionaire and he owns the Newscastle United football club. But high-rolling Mike Ashley hit a jackpot when he won £1.3 million ($3.5 million) on the single spin of a roulette wheel recently.
Jamaica church leaders fight casino plan
(JAMAICA) -- Church leaders on Monday urged Jamaican legislators to reject a plan by Prime Minister Bruce Golding to boost tax revenue by licensing the poor Caribbean island's first casinos.
Gambling Helpline to close after clash with health ministry
(NEW ZEALAND) -- THE Gambling Helpline service is to close at the end of October, following unsuccessful contract negotiations between the organisation and the Ministry of Health. The ministry has been funding the service for four years.
Casino talk up North
(BARBADOS) -- AT LEAST three decades ago Barbados took a firm decision against casino gambling. In fact, all the relevant factors were extensively ventilated in the report of the commission that was established in 1978 under the chairmanship of the Very Reverend Dean Harold Crichlow.
Desmond sued over disputed golf bets
(UK) -- Spread betting firm Sporting Index are suing billionaire Irish financier Dermot Desmond over claims of unpaid gambling debts. Papers have been lodged at the High Court in London in which Sporting Index claim that Ireland's fourth-richest man owes them £722,000 following a string of losing golf bets.
Push for federal levy on pokies
(AUSTRALIA) -- ANTI-POKIES crusader Nick Xenophon will press the Rudd Government to introduce a Commonwealth levy on poker machines, similar to the 70% tax rise on alcopop drinks announced last week.
Melco PBL May Double in Three Years on Gaming, Barron's Says
(MACAU) -- Melco PBL Entertainment (Macau) Ltd. may double over three years, Barron's said, citing T. Rowe Price analyst Joe Fath. More wealthy Chinese are gambling in Macau and the government has limited new competition, the newspaper reported.
Pampanga police renew war on illegal gambling
(PHILIPPINES) -- The Pampanga Provincial Police Office (PPO) has reactivated its "Oplan Roulette" in response to the call for a renewed action against all forms of illegal gambling.
Betting on tourism
(VIETNAM) -- Accessible only by boat and surrounded by majestic mountains and cobalt seas, Hoa Van village used to be a refuge for the unfortunates who had contracted leprosy.
Copyright © 2008
All Rights Reserved
Victor Rocha Communications, LLC.
P.O. Box 892559
Temecula, CA 92589
