Caledonia Says ‘Bingo!’

Caledonia Investments Plc has announced it will buy Gala Bingo Holdings Ltd. from Gala Coral for ₤241 million (US $369.24 million). Gala Bingo is the UK’s largest retail bingo...

Published November 2, 2015

Resorts World Birmingham Debuts

The £150 million (US$230 million) casino complex Resorts World Birmingham has opened in the onetime UK industrial center. It is located at the National Exhibition Centre.

Published October 26, 2015

No More ‘Russian Vegas’

The casino industry in the Belarus capital of Minsk (the U Admirale at left), an eight-hour drive from Moscow, is faltering amid recession, and due to a weaker ruble....

Published October 26, 2015

Brit Bookies Banning Bettors?

Some winning bettors in the UK say that bookmakers are refusing their business and even restricting or closing their accounts, according to the BBC. What’s more, some bookies say...

Published October 26, 2015

Grosvenor Completes Upgrade

The Grosvenor Casino Luton has completed a £3.5 million (US$5.4 million) renovation that added a poker room with 200 seats, plus additional gaming tables and slot machines.

Published October 26, 2015

Paddy Power-Betfair Merger Goes to Government Agency

The planned £6.2 billion (US$9.6 billion) merger of Paddy Power and Betfair is in the first phase of scrutiny by the Irish Competition & Consumer Protection Commission. Shareholders must...

Published October 26, 2015

ESSA Unveils Sports Betting Plan

ESSA Co-Chairman Mike O’Kane told European Union lawmakers they need to adopt and promote standardized rules to combat fixing sporting contests and ensure integrity in professional sports. Player education,...

Published October 26, 2015

Brit Tracks Battle Bookies

The British Horseracing Authority and other racing bodies in the UK are on the warpath against bookmakers who do not pay levies on internet gaming. The racing organizations want...

Published October 26, 2015

Tigre de Cristal Opens

Lawrence Ho’s Summit Ascent Holdings opened its Tigre de Cristal casino in Russia’s Primorye zone October 8. The first phase of the deluxe resort includes a 119-room hotel and...

Published October 19, 2015

Melco Solos in Spain

Melco International has cut loose from its Spanish partner and will seek to obtain a gaming license for Barcelona on its own. In 2014, the company helmed by Lawrence...

Published October 19, 2015

Ladbrokes Merger Financing With Coral Complete

Ladbrokes has completed its 1.35 billion pound financing for a merger with Coral. The company also announced that Kristof Fahy will join the business as chief marketing officer.

Published October 19, 2015

UK Community Takes On FOBTs

Liberal Democrats and anti-gaming activists in the small English town of Bedford are seeking more local control over a rise in what they claim are addictive fixed-odds betting terminals....

Published October 19, 2015

Cyprus Casino to Boost Israeli Tourism

Tourism in Israel may benefit from new casinos planned for southern Cyprus—and vice versa. Five casino operators have taken the first steps to bid on gaming licenses in the...

Published October 19, 2015

Bath Casino Targets 2017

A month after breaking ground on a casino in the UK city of Bath, developers have announced the proposed opening date. The Sawclose casino will be completed by May...

Published October 19, 2015

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