Junkets Heading to Russia

Lawrence Ho’s Tigre de Cristal casino resort (l.) in Russia’s Primorye entertainment zone racked up VIP rolling chip volume in excess of HKD400 million (US$51.6 million) in March and...

Published May 9, 2016

FOBT Fight Wages On

The battle continues between local UK councilors and high street betting shops. A new survey indicates more than 70 percent of MPs agree tighter regulations are needed for fixed-odds...

Published May 2, 2016

Paddy Power Betfair Falls on Analyst Assessment

The recent merger of Paddy Power and Betfair landed the company on the FTSE 100, but some analysts say it doesn’t belong there, and scaling up is “no indication...

Published April 25, 2016

OEG Slovak Units Complete Merger

The merger of Olympic Entertainment Group’s Slovak subsidiaries, Olympic Casino Slovakia and Olympic F&B has been completed. According to the company, the move will have no immediate impact influence...

Published April 25, 2016

Britain to Tighten Problem Gambling Rules

The U.K. Gambling Commission has introduced new rules for bookmakers to deter problem gambling, and has promised tougher enforcement for exploiting problem gamblers. U.K. Gambling Commission Chief Executive Sarah...

Published April 18, 2016

Gala Bingo Joins Senet Group

Gala Bingo is the first bingo company to join the UK’s gaming industry watchdog, the Senet Group. The Gala Leisure and Gala Interactive brands join big-gun operators including Paddy...

Published April 18, 2016

U.K. Judge Not Buying ‘Homeless’ Plea

Swiss national Safa Abdulla Al Geabury claimed he was homeless and too poor to attend a trial in London where Judge Robin Spencer sentenced him to 10 months in...

Published April 18, 2016

Southampton Casino under Fire

A plan by UK casino operator Aspers to open a gaming hall in Southampton has sparked criticism from some in the community. Aspers has been selected to run a...

Published April 11, 2016

Andalucía Overhauls Gaming Regs

Gaming regulations in the Spanish province of Andalucía are in flux. It may take a year for officials to review and overhaul the regulatory framework, which will allow sports...

Published April 11, 2016

Star City Birmingham on the Block

Cerbus Capital Management wants to unload its Star City Casino in Birmingham, England, according to reports from local media. The asking price reportedly will be in the £60 million...

Published April 11, 2016

Could Bounced Check Put Gambler Behind Bars?

A gambler who wrote a bad check to London’s Ritz Club Casino (l.) could face jail time. The check, in the amount of £2million (US$2.8 million), later bounced. But...

Published April 11, 2016

Aspers OK’d for Southampton Casino

Aspers, operator of casinos in East London and Buckinghamshire, England, has been selected to run a £450 million (US$646 million) gaming hall (l.) in Southampton. The waterfront casino is...

Published April 4, 2016

Russian Bookies Will Pay More Taxes

Russian media report that the government will introduce a new tax on bookmakers and totes in keeping with amendments to the tax code. The new tax, which is expected...

Published April 4, 2016

OEG Casino Hotel to Be Complete in May

Construction of Olympic Entertainment Group’s new hotel and entertainment complex in Estonia will be complete by the end of May. The complex will feature the first Hilton hotel in...

Published March 28, 2016

Is Cyprus Bidding Rigged?

A failed Cyprus casino bidder, which includes U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump (l.), says favoritism is at work as the island republic prepares to grant its sole casino license....

Published March 21, 2016

Smoking Ban Begins In Romania

Casino operators in Romania are concerned a new smoking ban, which took effect March 16, could cause revenue decreases of up to 40 percent. However, casinos are exempt in...

Published March 21, 2016

Cyprus Approves Casino Legislation

Lawmakers in Cyprus approved enabling legislation for the Greek republic’s nascent casino industry. Winning bidders for a license are said to include Hard Rock and Melco International; Philippine operator...

Published March 14, 2016

Romanian Gaming Tops €1B

Regulatory overhauls in 2015 helped to improve the gaming market in Romania and opened it up to international operators, resulting in a 71 percent rise in tax revenues to...

Published March 14, 2016

UK to Replace Levy Betting System

Calling for “a level playing field,” the UK government has introduced a new funding model for the horseracing industry that requires offshore bookies to pitch in. The British Horseracing...

Published March 14, 2016

Slovenia Seeks Casinos, i-Gaming Licenses

The government of Slovenia recently asked the European Commission for permission to build up to 15 new casinos and open 45 smaller gambling halls. It also would license i-gaming...

Published March 14, 2016