NagaCorp, Others Look at Cyprus

NagaCorp Ltd. is one of several casino operators looking at licensure in the Republic of Cyprus. Other bidders include Genting Group, Hard Rock International, Sun International and Bouygues, a...

Published October 12, 2015

Resorts World Birmingham Casino Debut Set

The largest casino in Great Britain, the Genting International Casino will open October 26 at the $230 million Resorts World Birmingham. The seven-story property, designed to evoke a luxury...

Published October 12, 2015

Finland: United We Stand

Finland will consolidate its state-owned gaming operators, including Casino Ray (l.), into a single entity, the government has announced. The merger, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy,...

Published October 12, 2015

British Bookmakers Introduce Responsible Gambling Code

The Association of British Bookmakers and ABB Chief Executive Malcolm George (l.) will introduce improved betting shop standards in November through a new “Responsible Gambling Code.” It includes a...

Published October 5, 2015

Lottomatica May Acquire Sisal in Italy

According to Italian news reports, Lottomatica has started talks for a potential acquisition of Italian betting operator Sisal Italia. The merger would create Italy’s biggest gambling operator.

Published October 5, 2015

‘M&A Frenzy’ in UK

The recent spate of mergers and acquisitions among UK gaming concerns is expected to continue as taxes and other costs mount up. The alliances will also reduce the threat...

Published September 28, 2015

Cyprus Competition Opens

Cyprus is now entertaining bids from would-be concessionaires who want to develop the first gaming resort on the eastern Mediterranean island. The cutoff for bids is December 18. Some...

Published September 28, 2015

UK Trust Funds Study

The Responsible Gaming Trust, funded by the UK gaming industry, has launched an 18-month research project to study problem gambling and compile new measures to identify and treat it.

Published September 28, 2015

EU Tightens AML Rules

In a major crackdown on money laundering, the European Union has established a new rule requiring scrutiny of any transaction exceeding €2,000 (US$2,250) or more. The rules must be...

Published September 28, 2015

What’s William Hill’s Strategy?

Brit bookmaker William Hill, once the leader of the pack on its home turf, has been pushed from the No. 1 spot by mergers in the industry. Will it...

Published September 21, 2015

Ho’s Tigre de Cristal to Open in Russia

A September grand opening is planned for the first casino resort in Russia’s Primorye region (plans at left). Tigre de Cristal, developed and managed by Lawrence Ho’s Summit Ascent...

Published August 31, 2015

Barcelona Plays a Winning Hand

Now a fixture on the European Poker Tour, Barcelona is solidifying its place as a destination for the best players from around the world. The first city of Spain’s...

Published August 31, 2015

UK Bookmaker Kicks Off Ad Campaign

The UK bookmaker William Hill is kicking off an ad campaign designed to highlight some of the high tech products that it offers players for betting on sports games,...

Published August 31, 2015

Digital Drives Banner Year For Rank

UK gaming giant Rank Group beat estimates for its latest financial year with a 16 percent surge in operating profit on revenues that exceeded £738 million. The company’s online...

Published August 31, 2015

RGI to Bid in Cyprus

Los Angeles-based Realty Group International has put together a casino proposal package and will bid on a recently approved gaming license in southern Cyprus. The casino resort will be...

Published August 17, 2015

Czechs and Balances

The government of Czechoslovakia is looking to crack down on gambling with a number of initiatives. The plan, which could begin in 2017, includes restrictions on 24-hour gambling bars,...

Published August 17, 2015

Tax Refund for Dutch Slot Operator

Following a seven-year legal battle, an appeals court in the Hague has ruled that replacing a general VAT with a 29 percent gaming tax on slot machine revenue “disproportionally”...

Published August 17, 2015

Ladbrokes & Coral: Still Competitors

The planned £2.3 billion (US$3.6 billion) merger of UK bookmakers Ladbrokes and Coral is not yet complete pending regulatory approval. In the meantime, according to Ladbrokes CEO Jim Mullen,...

Published August 17, 2015

Casino Visits Up in Hungary

When the Hungarian government banned slot machines in pubs in 2012, it did not limit gaming; it simply shifted the activity to casinos. According to newly published data, visitors...

Published August 17, 2015

UK Casinos Launch Self-Exclusion Plan

The UK National Casino Forum, a national trade organization, has launched a self-exclusion and public awareness program aimed at curbing compulsive gamblers. The Self-Enrollment National Self-Exclusion program, or SENSE,...

Published August 10, 2015