NEWS & NOTES

Ireland has passed the Interim Gaming and Lotteries Act, establishing the foundations for a planned sweeping reform of the nation’s gambling laws in 2021. The overhaul of Ireland’s gambling legislation will provide a modernization of existing legislation for a sector that dates back to 1931 and 1956, updating codes and standards for the digital age and modern consumer. The interim measures have been described by the Dáil as a means of supporting the “better promotion of local gaming and lottery activity,” with James Browne, minister of state with special responsibility for gambling regulation, praising the step towards “modern, sensible and effective” regulations, according to SBC News. • Two employees of offshore casinos in Goa, India were among 150 new positive Covid-19 infections in the state of Goa on November 27, the latest in a number of positive tests among casino staff and customers since the vessels reopened for business November 1. According to a report in The Times of India, the two employees have been taken to a Covid care center with the number of active cases in Goa now sitting at 1,312 with 687 deaths. The latest cases prompted growing calls for Goa casinos to close until the pandemic subsides. • Reno-Tahoe International Airport will be getting new routes from United, Southwest, Allegiant and JSX beginning this month and early 2021. This is good news since passenger service to Reno had dropped by 95 percent this year. The flights will connect Reno to Orange County, Houston and Dallas.