Online Casino

Intrade showed on ABC 20/20 news program

Added Thu, 15 May 2008 18:23:46 PDT
ABC featured a story about Intrade Prediction Market. Intrade ia a trading platform for events such as politics, entertainment and financial markets

Player wins over $5.5 Mil. at Blackjack Ballroom Casino

Added Thu, 01 May 2008 11:48:11 PDT
Klaus E., from Finland became an instant millionaire last Friday when he placed a $0.50 bet on the Mega-Moolah Progressive Slot Machine and walked away $5.5 million dollars richer. He couldn't believe that he had won and says he was stunned ......

Internet Gambling Bill find positive support

Added Thu, 01 May 2008 11:43:55 PDT
A new House bill might stop the enforcement of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) . The bill, H.R. 5756, take aim at U.S. government in order to stop any more actions on imposing Credit Card and financial institutions.

Microgaming launches sequel to game with the release of BREAK DA BANK AGAIN

Added Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:17:04 PDT
In reply to players request for a sequel to the famous video slot game Break Da Bank, Microgaming has launched BREAK DA BANK AGAIN! This slot game includes the latest....

New Game Exceeds Casino Players Expectations

Added Thu, 05 Jul 2007 05:54:08 PDT
Casino Gaming Pro is announcing the most popular slot video game of the moment. HITMAN is becoming increasingly popular with gamers all over the world. It is based on the popular video game in which the player plays the role of an ex-assassin. Microgaming has developed a thrilling fifteen line video-slot with many chances to win through Wilds, the new and improved 3 reel Expanding -Wild feature; Scatters, Free Spins and Bonuses.

Ruling on online gaming

Added Thu, 01 May 2008 11:47:56 PDT
Online gaming has been under fire by the US for the last few years. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has successfully challenged the prosecution of Antiguan gaming operators in the World Trade Organization. The WTO has found that the United States application of its laws against Antiguan online gaming operators is protectionist and in violation of the General Agreement on Trade in Services. The United States should abide by the decision of the Antigua Gaming Affair if it expects other Nations to comply with WTO decisions in favor of the US.

American Gamblers

Added Sun, 01 Jul 2007 22:18:30 PDT
Casino Top Guide is stating that American players have asked for information about joining reputable online casinos and poker rooms that accept US players. So a list of online gambling sites has been composed just for US residents. [...]

Friends share LOTTO SUPER 7 Jackpot

Added Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:56:34 +0000

TORONTO, July 23 /CNW/ - Suzanne Verkuyl of Toronto and Laura Shiner of Richmond Hill have been playing lottery games together for six years. Today their persistence paid off with a SUPER 7 Jackpot win of $2.5 Million from the July 18, 2008 draw date.

The two friends met through their work for the City of Toronto. After checking the shared ticket at a ticket checker, Shiner called Verkuyl and asked her if she was sitting down. Once she was assured by her friend that she couldn't fall anywhere, Shiner revealed the life changing news. "We were in shock!" Shiner exclaimed to OLG Prize Centre staff, "In fact, we're still in shock!" Verkuyl added.

Verkuyl is married to Hugh and has two daughters; and Shiner is married to Jim and has two sons. With the windfall they plan to pay off their mortgages and bills, buy gifts for their families, save for their children's educations and take some trips.

The winning ticket was purchased at RCSS Aurora located on Bayview Avenue in Aurora.
<< Protecting Lottery Customers OLG has taken significant action toward protecting lottery customers from theft and fraud. To date, the following safeguards have been put in place: - The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is now Ontario's lottery regulator. Insider and suspicious wins will be investigated by OPP officers assigned to the AGCO. All calls regarding potential fraud or theft are routed directly to Investigations.

- Improved training and procedures for OLG investigations of prize claims made by the general public are now in place.

- It is now mandatory for customers to sign their lottery tickets. If tickets are not signed when validated by a retailer, the retailer will ask the customer to sign them. Retailers cannot validate tickets that are not signed. The front of lottery tickets includes a signature box and a message further reminding customers to sign their tickets. New signature lines are now beginning to appear on INSTANT tickets.

- A news release is issued for every lottery winner over $10,000 and the information is posted on OLG's website, OLG.ca, for approximately 30 days. For Insider wins, described as people who have a perceived influence over the lottery scheme, and people who sell, redeem and distribute lottery products, or family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings as well as any other relative not described here who resides in the same household) of Insiders, a news release is also distributed and posted on the OLG website for approximately 30 days and payment of the prize is withheld for that 30 day period to give anyone with concerns about the win, an opportunity to come forward.

- Ticket Checkers are available at all lottery terminal retailers for customers to check their own lottery tickets (all on-line games such as LOTTO 6/49 and SUPER 7). At present, customers cannot use the Ticket Checkers to check INSTANT lottery tickets (scratch and win games). We expect to introduce this feature later this year.

- The lottery terminal 'freezes' when a winning ticket worth $5,000 or more is validated. The freeze sends a signal to OLG data centre, prompting an OLG representative to immediately call the customer at the retail outlet to confirm the win with the retailer and the customer by telephone.

- Enhancements to the lottery terminal Customer Display Screens include: - Whenever a ticket is checked by a retailer at a lottery terminal, customers will see a video message on the Customer Display Screen and hear a winning or non-winning jingle with a voice-over message. These alerts will tell you whether you have a winning ticket or not.

- Jingles and videos play for a longer time when a winning ticket is validated, and winning/non-winning messages appear in a larger print font.

- A new video, jingle and voice-over message plays for winning tickets worth $5,000 or more along with a display indicating "BIG WINNER".

- All on-line lottery tickets are branded along the front, left-hand side as winning or non-winning when validated through the terminal.

- OLG has conducted public education campaigns to remind people to sign and check their tickets and to call our hotline if they have any concerns.

- Our Customer Excellence Centre provides service 7 days a week, from 6am-2am.

OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, casinos, slots, and resort casinos have generated more than $23 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario.

Gaming proceeds support Ontario's hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

UKRAINE BUREAUCRATS CRITICISED FOR LACK OF PROGRESS ON REGULATED GAMBLING

Added Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:28:19 +0000

The Accounting Chamber of the Ukraine has fired a broadside at apparently procrastinating civil servants in the country, submitting a report to the top echelons of government criticising the lack of progress on tightening up gambling regulation in the Eastern European country, which was formerly part of the Soviet Union.

Noting that effective regulation was necessary to reduce opportunities for criminals, protect gamblers and raise tax revenues for social expenditure, the Chamber said it had studied existing legislation in urgent need of revision and concluded that practically no changes had occurred since the last audit in 2007.

"The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the State Tax Administration of Ukraine, the State Committee of Ukraine for Technical Regulation and Consumer Policy have neither established an integrated system for state supervision of gambling nor ensured proper state regulation in this sphere within 2007-first quarter of 2008," the report accuses.

The Accounting Chamber Board found that the primary causes for the lack of progress were a lack of dynamism in the state bodies responsible for legislative and regulatory state policy determination; the lack of a state coordinating organisation to harmonise the efforts of the diverse government bodies involved in the gambling industry and an 'inappropriate' response to the proposals of the Accounting Chamber, which appeared to have been ignored.

Accounting Chamber auditors found that despite an acceptance of conclusions and proposals from the Accounting Chamber on the previous audit, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Finance did little to implement necessary changes and encourage other state bodies to take action.

"Legislative and regulatory framework of [the] gambling business is incomplete and improper and disputable issues are unsolved," the Board commented, adding that after rejecting the governmental bill Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine did not consider any bill on gambling business regulation submitted by the People's Deputies.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine did not present new law to better regulate gambling business, and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine as well as other state authorities did not meet their obligations to improve the existing laws or initiate new laws.

At present, gambling laws were too fragmented and scattered among numerous central and regional authorities, the Board commented. What was needed was a cohesive system to exchange information and focus on the number of entities subjected to state regulation, their licenses, financial performance and budgets at all levels, and this had not been established.

The audit uncovered numerous cases of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine violating the existing legislation while exercising state functions regarding the gambling business through its licensing regime. And auditors claimed that supervision by the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine regarding compliance was small-scale and ineffective. The audits covered only 0.4 percent of licensees of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine in 2007 and first quarter of 2008.

"State regulation of gambling through patenting by the State Tax Administration of Ukraine is ineffective since it is not coordinated with [the] licensing function of this activity by the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine," the report advises. "Consequently, about two thousand entities conduct gambling activity with trade patents but without proper licensing from the Ministry of Finance. Taxation of gambling business under general conditions is inadequate, does not generate the state budget revenues or meet the international standards," the Chamber found.

Accounting Chamber auditors also discovered that state officials had not introduced an international certification system for slot machines with due consideration of critical requirements, namely on gains size. Consequently, over 120 000 non-certified slot machines are operated in Ukraine offering the potential for large-scale fraud.

The Accounting Chamber experts concluded that the Ministry of Finance and the State Tax Administration had not used all available means to increase tax revenues from gambling sources, had not given sufficient scrutiny to the allegedly unprofitable performance of gambling businesses and ultimately had not ensured that appropriate revenues accrued to the state coffers.

According to the auditors' estimates, compliance with and improvement of the existing legislation and regulatory framework, together with the introduction of efficient payment and monitoring measures could result in an additional UAH 4 billion or more for the state budget.

The Accounting Chamber Board resolved to inform the President of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine about the audit results, including recommendations to improve the efficiency of state bodies dealing with the gambling industry in Ukraine.

The state loosing in gambling business

Added Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:32:25 +0000

Countries with proper state-regulated gambling business have their budgets filled with revenues enough for the governments to implement social, humanitarian, cultural or sport projects. At the same time, they are able to support social stability keeping taxes on a relatively low level. Meanwhile, stringent restrictions and well-established control system in gambling business prevent casinos and slot machines from spawning.

In the meantime, this activity did not become a revenue source of the state budget of Ukraine. Tendencies of its shadowing and minimization of revenues of the budgets of all levels were not eradicated. Instead, socially disadvantaged people are whipped up in this sphere in mass, quick bucks are made, crime rates deteriorate in the country.

Having considered the findings of the analysis of the status of the state regulation of gambling business in Ukraine, the Accounting Chamber Board concluded that practically no changes had occurred in the sphere since the last audit in 2007: the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the State Tax Administration of Ukraine, the State Committee of Ukraine for Technical Regulation and Consumer Policy have neither established integrated system of the state supervision of organization of gambling nor ensured proper state regulation in this sphere within 2007-first quarter of 2008.

It was emphasized at the Accounting Chamber Board meeting that the primary causes were passiveness of the mentioned state bodies on legislative and regulatory determination of the respective state policy fundamentals, lacking state body that coordinates activities of all other bodies in ensuring the state regulation of gambling business, inappropriate responding to conclusions and proposals of the Accounting Chamber. The Accounting Chamber auditors have found out that despite acceptance of conclusions and proposals of the Accounting Chamber on the previous audit, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Finance did not organize their implementation and engage other state bodies exercising regulation of gambling business by particular directions.

Legislative and regulatory framework of gambling business is incomplete and improper and disputable issues are unsolved. According to the auditors, the roots are the following: after rejecting the governmental bill Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine did not consider any bill on gambling business regulation submitted by the people's deputies. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, in its turn, did not elaborate new special law on regulation of gambling business and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine as well as other state authorities did not fulfill their functions of improvement of the standing laws and initiating of the new laws.

The auditors stated that functions of the state regulation of gambling market of Ukraine were contained in many regulatory documents which are scattered among numerous central and regional authorities. However, system of exchange and concentration of information on the number of entities subjected to state regulation of the bodies, their licenses, financial performance, their relations with budgets of all levels was not established.

The audit has found out numerous cases of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine violating the standing legislation and regulatory acts while exercising the state regulation functions of gambling business through its licensing. Supervision of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine over compliance with license conditions of gambling business is small-scale and ineffective. The audits covered only 0.4% of licensees of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine in 2007 and first quarter of 2008.

Function of the state regulation of gambling through patenting by the State Tax Administration of Ukraine is ineffective since it is not coordinated with licensing function of this activity by the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine. Consequently, about two thousand entities conduct gambling activity with trade patent but without proper license of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine. Taxation of gambling business under general conditions is inadequate, does not generate the state budget revenues and meet the international standards.

The auditors stated that Ukraine had not introduced internationally applied certification system of slot machines with due consideration of requirements, namely on gains size. Consequently, over 120 thousand non-certified slot machines are operated in Ukraine which triggers large-scale fraud.

The Accounting Chamber experts concluded that the Ministry of Finance and the State Tax Administration had not used all available means to increase revenues of the state budget of Ukraine from gambling source, had not given due consideration to scrutinizing of unprofitable performance of gambling businesses and, eventually, had not ensure proper revenues of the state budget.

According to the auditors' estimates, compliance with and improvement of the standing legislation and regulatory framework on licensing coverage of all gambling businesses and their divisions, introduction of payment transactions recorders and compulsory acceptance of special payment means could enable unshadowing of UAH 3 to 7 billion of gambling revenues and attracting of additional over UAH 4 billion to the state budget.

The Accounting Chamber Board has resolved to inform the President of Ukraine, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine about the audit results bringing forward respective recommendations on efficiency raising of the state regulation of gambling business.

Las Vegas Sands shares jump on analyst comments

Added Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:18:43 +0000

Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s flagging shares got a boost on Monday after an analyst said the casino operator's current stock price does not reflect its potential for growth in Macau and other international markets.

Las Vegas Sands shares jumped $4.70, or 12.2 percent, to $43.28 in afternoon trading. During the past 52 weeks, the stock has dropped from a high of $148.76 in October 2007 to a low of $30.56 last week.

Las Vegas Sands owns the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and the Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Investors have been increasingly concerned about the impact of reduced airline capacity and high gas prices on the Las Vegas gambling market.

"In our view, current trading levels do not give (Las Vegas Sands) credit for its unfunded Macau projects, nor does the price include the company's potential to operate in new international locations as they become available," said Jefferies & Co. analyst Lawrence Klatzkin in a note to investors.

"We expect its formula of 'must-see' mega convention centers, mega malls and mega casinos that reinvent markets to enable it to compete for any new markets opening in the future," Klatzkin said, noting that potential markets may include Japan and India.

In Las Vegas, the analyst said he believes customers are making "a flight to quality" and noted that Las Vegas Sands is outperforming the market and gaining market share.

Klatzkin maintained his "Buy" rating on the stock, but lowered his price target to $93 from $116. He said the company's stock remains a top pick, particularly given its 62 percent drop this year.

Great Casino Games Available Online!

Added Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:47:03 +0000

Casinos gambling became very popular in the last few years, as a medium for gambling on the internet. It is different from traditional way of gambling. A casino game must have a professional appearance. This will boost customers with confidence to deposit hundreds of thousands of dollars while playing the casino. A good initiation is to play in casinos with the sites that already have a large number of customers.

Here are some points to decide if a casino site is good or bad:
1> Check for bad spelling and grammar on websites.
2> Online casinos associated with spam.
3> Look for references to third party auditing in the casino's terms and conditions.
4> Do not respond to enquiries or complaints and have a hotmail or a yahoo address as their contact address.

What you need while playing casino on the internet:

1> Credit Card & 3rd Party Payment Processor.
2> Bank Roll of $1000 or more.
3> Having the right online casino software that allows easy cash withdrawal.

An online-based casino is of three types:

1> Website Casinos: Here players can go online and play casino games without any hassle of downloading any casino software for the game. In web, based casino a players bets their money and plays against the computer.

2> Download Casino: Here players need to download Casino software to bet and play the various casino games. Just like in web based casino, in a download casino players bet their money against the computer.

3>Live casinos: Here players can deal directly with live dealers present in a real casino studio. Unlike a website based or a download based casino, in live casino players can play with a real dealer sitting in a studio or can play against many players including the dealer. Thus, live-based casino does not just provide real experience but you can also go for a multiplayer option.

Mostly played casino games are:

-Baccarat: it is an online card game.
-Craps: it is a dice game.
-Slot machine: it is a coin-activated game with reels to be spun.
-Roulette: it a wheel game.
-Blackjack: it is a card game also famous as twenty-one.

Advantages of online casinos:
No game stress and anxiety. Here you can bet and play at your own comfort and homely environment. Here you can find casino chat rooms, which will help both the newbie and regular player as a new comer, can meet different players, share and gain experience while a regular player can always use these chat rooms to discuss and understand various techniques of various people.

Casinos promotion may help fill up your tank

Added Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:44:04 +0000

The Arizona Diamondbacks are teaming up with Gila River Casinos to offer fans the chance to share $1 million in Circle K gas cards as part of the "Gila River Casinos Million Dollar Hit & Win" promotion during the team's remaining 35 home games at Chase Field. The promotion begins during the D-backs first game after the All-Star break when the club hosts the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 18.

During each remaining D-backs home game, all ticketed seating sections of Chase Field will be eligible to be randomly selected as the "Gila River Casinos Million Dollar Hit & Win" section. Should a D-backs player's home run hit the "Gila River Casinos Million Dollar Hit & Win" target during the fourth, fifth or sixth inning, eligible fans in the selected section(s) will win Circle K gas cards worth a combined total value of $1 million. The actual amount of each gas card will be determined by the number of eligible fans in the winning section(s) who are 21 years or older with a valid ticket in such section(s). The cards can be used to purchase gas at any of the 550 Circle K locations throughout Arizona.

"The 'Gila River Casinos Million Dollar Hit & Win' promotion is another reason why the fan experience at Chase Field is among the best in Major League Baseball," said D-backs' President Derrick Hall. "We are delighted to team up with Gila River Casinos on this promotion to help us reward our fans and bring added excitement to an already-electric atmosphere."

The home run targets, which measure four feet in diameter and are located 425 feet from home plate in left-center and right-center field, will be lowered into position at the beginning of the bottom-half of the fourth inning and the selected section(s) will be revealed.
"Gila River Gaming Enterprises is thrilled to participate in this exciting promotion," said Harold Baugus, CEO of Gila River Gaming Enterprises. "We'll be watching and waiting for one of our D-backs to hit the target and share the wealth."

In addition to the randomly selected fans attending the game, up to five fans not in attendance will be selected from mail-in entries to participate in each game promotion.

State to auction Emerald Casino license

Added Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:22:47 +0000

Some of the biggest players in the gambling world are going to be asked to ante up hundreds of millions of dollars for the opportunity to buy the Illinois casino license that almost belonged to Rosemont.

The 10th casino license - once the subject of multiple lawsuits, accusations of organized crime involvement and claims of political tampering - is going to be "reissued."

The Illinois Gaming Board has called a special session for Wednesday at which Credit Suisse Securities LLC, hired by the state to handle the new bidding process, will announce its schedule for vetting those seeking to enter this high-stakes game.

Country Club Hills Mayor Dwight Welch immediately announced that his city will be a player at the table. Welch said he has two internationally known casino companies willing to build a casino in the city near Interstates 80 and 57.

"The staff of the Illinois Gaming Board selected us as one of the finalists during the last bidding process on the license, and the gaming board removed us for reasons that have since become apparent to everybody," Welch said, referring to backroom political deals that handed the license to Rosemont.

"Our bid this time is going to be much higher. It was around $275 million last time. I think the state is looking for $400 million to $500 million for that license, and I feel we'll be able to compete in that range.

"In addition, we'll be able to meet all of the strict requirements the state is going to set down," Welch said.

"We're going to have significant minority participation. We're going to share our revenues with (those) communities in the south suburbs that are economically disadvantaged. We're going to have the best bid of anyone out there."

Welch noted that he was talking to me from the governor's office in Springfield, where he was preparing to testify before the Legislature on a gaming bill that would create a new casino license in Illinois. Welch is supporting a change in existing law that would allow for land-based casinos instead of limiting them to barges or riverboats.

Summit Mayor Joseph Strzelczyk was as enthusiastic as Welch about attracting the 10th casino license to his suburb, which is just south of the Stevenson Expressway (I-55).

"We pay taxes south of the Stevenson just like anyone else," Strzelczyk said. "We bleed red. We deserve a casino in the south suburbs.

"I don't know why every time there's some new economic development, it has to be in the northern suburbs. It's our time."

Strzelczyk said Hyatt Gaming, which operates the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, the most profitable in Illinois, is committed to building a Summit casino.

"We can bring in far more money than Country Club Hills. And we're a much better location than Waukegan or Des Plaines," the mayor continued, citing two other towns considered likely bidders for what was once known as the Emerald Casino license.

"Waukegan's problem is the no-smoking thing. That's a big factor when people go to casinos.

"Gamblers can just go into Wisconsin if they want to smoke. Same thing with Country Club Hills because people would just go to Indiana," Strzelczyk said.

"We're located close to Chicago. There's no easy proximity to a casino with a smoking environment.

"We're also willing to share 75 percent of our portion of the gaming revenue with economically disadvantaged communities.

"And the state gaming law says that economically depressed areas can get special consideration in the awarding of a casino license.

"Thirteen percent of our population is below the poverty level. Fifty-eight percent is low to moderate income. We've got the best site in the state for a casino. Even better than Chicago."

It remains to be seen whether Rosemont will make another bid or if it will file a lawsuit claiming ownership of the license once the new process gets under way.

Although the timeline for the entire process is expected to be laid out Wednesday, it seems reasonable to me that it could be more than a year before a new casino opens in Illinois.

First, the investment plans have to be examined.

Then the state gaming board has to examine the ownership teams.

And then the construction process would have to begin.

And all of that would take place in an economic environment that is tenuous, even for the casino industry.

But with a limit on the number of casino licenses in Illinois, the winner stands to make a fortune.

As any gambler can tell you, the house always wins.

Superstar Jessica Simpson to play Fallsview Casino

Added Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:42:40 +0000

Fallsview Casino Resort announced today that one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world - international music, fashion, TV and movie star Jessica Simpson - has been added to the resort's August concert line-up.

Simpson will perform one show only on Thursday, August 28, in Fallsview's Avalon Theatre.

Simpson has graced the covers of some of the world's most popular magazines, including Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, GQ, Marie Claire and Elle.

And she has just added "country music sensation" to her list of accomplishments. Her first country music single - "Come On Over" - charted higher than any other debut country single in the history of Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart this past spring. Her debut country album will be released this fall.

In addition to several previous albums - including the four-times-platinum In This Skin - Simpson is instantly recognizable for her recurring role on TV's That 70s Show, the MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica and her film debut as Daisy Duke in the big-screen version of The Dukes of Hazzard. Simpson also contributed her distinctive cover of Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" to the movie's soundtrack.

Jessica Simpson

Thursday, August 28

Showtime: 8:30pm (Doors open at 7:30pm)

Tickets start at $70

Media sensation Jessica Simpson takes the stage to perform hits like

"Come On Over," "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'," "Irresistible,"

"I Belong To Me" and "A Public Affair."
Built on a cliff overlooking the world-famous Horseshoe Falls, Fallsview Casino Resort is one of the largest and most elegant gaming resort facilities in Canada and the crown jewel in Niagara's stunning array of wonders. In addition to the intimate, 1,500-seat Avalon Theatre, Fallsview features a casino with over 3,000 slot machines and 142 gaming tables, a 374-room luxury hotel, a full-service spa and fitness centre, dozens of dining and shopping options and over 30,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.

INSIDE GAMING: Rough ride for casinos in Reno

Added Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:01:52 +0000

If you think Las Vegas has it rough, try operating a casino in Reno.

Gaming revenue has declined 11 of the past 15 months in the "Biggest Little City in the World." In the first four months of 2008, Reno's gaming win is $224 million, down 6.5 percent from 2007. By comparison, Strip gaming revenue during the same time period is $2.195 billion, down 2.4 percent for the year.

Things aren't getting better.

The U.S. Bowling Congress took away an annual four-month event for a year. Coupled with the challenged national and local economies, prospects are not looking up for Reno.

Deutsche Bank gaming analyst Bill Lerner said Reno resorts still derive the majority of their revenue from gaming, roughly 56 percent. He said growth plans could give Reno residents and visitors different choices.

"We would expect a shift in the revenue mix toward the nongaming side as some existing facilities are expanding with a greater focus on nongaming amenities," Lerner said.

The Atlantis may renovate its casino and hotel while the Peppermill may add a tower. The key to Reno's rebirth might be Station Casinos, which owns sites near the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in southern Reno, across from The Summit shopping mall.

Lerner said the Las Vegas-based company could build projects similar to the Green Valley Ranch Resort or Aliante Station.

Station Casinos spokeswoman Lori Nelson said no specific timeline has been set for a move to Reno.

"We're very bullish on the Reno market and look forward to entering it when the time is right," Nelson said.

***

Boyd Gaming Corp. brought out celebrities for the opening of the Water Club in Atlantic City. The $400 million, 800-room hotel, is adjacent to the Borgata, which is a joint venture with MGM Mirage.

The new hotel was lauded by Wall Street as Atlantic City's first true boutique hotel.

"The significance to Boyd is that the Water Club will help make a successful property, the Borgata, even more successful," Deutsche Bank gaming analyst Andrew Zarnett told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Comedian Jimmy Fallon of "Saturday Night Live" and actress Molly Sims and actor Kyle McLaughlin from the television shows "Twin Peaks" and "Sex and the City," attended the opening.

The Water Club brought the Borgata's total investment to $1.7 billion.

***

A minimerger of sorts has shaken up the Strip restaurant realm. Celebrity chef Todd English, who operates Olives at the Bellagio, brought aboard fellow celebrity chef Sam Hazen, who established Tao inside The Venetian.

Hazen will run new concept development and work on select projects for English.

Foxwoods Resort Casino Opens David Burke Prime

Added Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:32:54 +0000

Celebrated Chef David Burke will bring his culinary expertise to Foxwoods Resort Casino, with the opening of David Burke Prime on July 9, 2008. All cuts of meat served at the restaurant will be imported directly from Creekstone Farms in Kentucky and dry-aged for 28 to 75 days in the restaurant’s in-house dry-aging room. In addition, David Burke Prime will offer thousands of bottles of premium wine from around the world.

“It has been a pleasure partnering with David Burke here at Foxwoods,” said Dennis Khanh, vice president of food & beverage, Foxwoods Resort Casino. “Following the successful opening of Burke in the Box in May, we are looking forward to even more success with the debut of David Burke Prime at Foxwoods, a world class steakhouse that will no doubt be highly popular among our clientele.”

Located on the hotel level of Grand Pequot Tower in Foxwoods Resort Casino, the 13,000-square-foot steakhouse will seat 280 people and feature a 35-foot tall wine tower escalating up three stories to the casino level. In addition, the restaurant will include a 28-seat bar and 1,700-square-foot private banquet area, accommodating up to 100 people.

David Burke Prime was designed by the Friedmutter Group of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and will incorporate many design ideas and influences of its head chef David Burke. Similar to David Burke’s Primehouse in Chicago, which was just voted Best Steakhouse in Chicago, David Burke Prime will feature an aging room with walls lined in imported pink Himalayan rock salt, crafted here in the U.S. The restaurant’s state of the art aging room, designed by Chef Burke himself, will allow meat to age longer and enhances its flavor.

Signature menu items will include appetizers such as Pretzel Crusted Crab cake with mango and poppy seed honey; Surf & Turf Dumplings with lobster, lemon, braised short rib and horseradish cheddar; and Steak Tartare with ‘Quail Egg Salad.’ The raw bar will offer The Pequot Tower, which includes a variety of lobster, shrimp, clams, oysters and jumbo crab legs serving two-four persons. A selection of dry-aged and DB Prime steaks will be available along with David Burke Prime Signature Sauces as garnishes. Other entrées will include The Famous Crackling Pork Shank; Braised Beef Short Ribs ‘Stroganoff’ and Wood Roasted Patriot Chicken.

Beginning on July 9, 2008, David Burke Prime will be open Monday – Thursday and every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Celebrated Chef David Burke will bring his culinary expertise to Foxwoods Resort Casino, with the opening of David Burke Prime on July 9, 2008. All cuts of meat served at the restaurant will be imported directly from Creekstone Farms in Kentucky and dry-aged for 28 to 75 days in the restaurant’s in-house dry-aging room. In addition, David Burke Prime will offer thousands of bottles of premium wine from around the world.

“It has been a pleasure partnering with David Burke here at Foxwoods,” said Dennis Khanh, vice president of food & beverage, Foxwoods Resort Casino. “Following the successful opening of Burke in the Box in May, we are looking forward to even more success with the debut of David Burke Prime at Foxwoods, a world class steakhouse that will no doubt be highly popular among our clientele.”

Located on the hotel level of Grand Pequot Tower in Foxwoods Resort Casino, the 13,000-square-foot steakhouse will seat 280 people and feature a 35-foot tall wine tower escalating up three stories to the casino level. In addition, the restaurant will include a 28-seat bar and 1,700-square-foot private banquet area, accommodating up to 100 people.

David Burke Prime was designed by the Friedmutter Group of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and will incorporate many design ideas and influences of its head chef David Burke. Similar to David Burke’s Primehouse in Chicago, which was just voted Best Steakhouse in Chicago, David Burke Prime will feature an aging room with walls lined in imported pink Himalayan rock salt, crafted here in the U.S. The restaurant’s state of the art aging room, designed by Chef Burke himself, will allow meat to age longer and enhances its flavor.

Signature menu items will include appetizers such as Pretzel Crusted Crab cake with mango and poppy seed honey; Surf & Turf Dumplings with lobster, lemon, braised short rib and horseradish cheddar; and Steak Tartare with ‘Quail Egg Salad.’ The raw bar will offer The Pequot Tower, which includes a variety of lobster, shrimp, clams, oysters and jumbo crab legs serving two-four persons. A selection of dry-aged and DB Prime steaks will be available along with David Burke Prime Signature Sauces as garnishes. Other entrées will include The Famous Crackling Pork Shank; Braised Beef Short Ribs ‘Stroganoff’ and Wood Roasted Patriot Chicken.

Beginning on July 9, 2008, David Burke Prime will be open Monday – Thursday and every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

About Foxwoods
North America’s largest casino, Foxwoods Resort Casino® is located in the rolling hills of southeastern Connecticut and is easily accessible from Boston, New York, Hartford and Providence. Owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Foxwoods features six casinos with more than 7,200 slots, 380 table games, the only WPT World Poker Room™ in New England, High Stakes Bingo and Ultimate Race Book. There are 1,416 guest rooms and suites in three hotels, more than 30 restaurants, a luxurious spa, more than 50,000 square feet of premium meeting and event space, 24 retail shops and five entertainment venues, including the 1,400-seat Fox Theatre. Conveniently located adjacent to Foxwoods is Lake of Isles™, featuring two, 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Rees Jones and a state-of-the-art Golf Academy.

Casino Gambling Law Reform In The Horizon in Ireland

Added 24 Jun 2008

Casino Gambling Law Reform In The Horizon in Ireland

If you can't beat them - join them; this is the attitude being adopted by most government around the world on online casino gambling, and Ireland is the latest country to have proposed a possible regulated environment. Read about the legal proceedings of the issue here.

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15% of One Casino Operators Hide Criminal Records

Added 22 Jun 2008

15% of One Casino Operators Hide Criminal Records

A new study financed by BestOCG.com and conducted by Professor Juan Manuel has proven that up to 15% of online casino operators are hiding criminal records. Read about the study findings and its importance in the online casino industry, here.

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Online Casino Operators Detected in West Volusia and DeLand

Added 2 Jun 2008

Online Casino Operators Detected in West Volusia and DeLand

Two possible online casino operators have been found by police in West Volusia and Deland, and local papers report that they will be legally pursued as soon as sufficient evidence and a warrant is obtained. Read all about the law enforcement's attitude, and how the operators are doing what they're doing, here.

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Feud over Online Casino between Antigua and USA near the End

Added 1 Jun 2008

Feud over Online Casino between Antigua and USA near the End

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Gambling at Internet Casinos from America - a Class C Felony

Added 25 May 2008

Gambling at Internet Casinos from America - a Class C Felony

A recent court-case filed by a Renton online poker player saw the judge rule in favor of online gambling as a Class C felony. The opposition, comprised of supporters of internet casinos and various institutions, believe this is unconstitutional and plan to appeal the ruling.

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