Bookmaker William Hill is considering a takeover bid for Rank, the leisure group that is in the throes of selling its Hard Rock cafe business for an estimated GBP 500m. William Hill joins Ladbroke and a number of American groups in running a slide rule over the company as analysts speculate that a bidding war could erupt in the coming weeks. Rank disclosed on Friday that US investment giant Fidelity had built up an 11 per cent holding in the company, just days before this week's trading update, which is expected to include news about progress to find a buyer for Hard Rock.

Recent proposals for a new interstate treaty prohibiting internet gambling, conflicts between community law and domestic courts' decisions, and a recent antitrust ruling against 'Deutscher Lotto- und Totoblock' by the Federal Cartel's Office, affirmed by a Dusseldorf Court of Appeal, means the current German position is one of confusion. Martin Arendts, an Attorney-at-law, at Arendts Anwalte, examines the current position. In Germany, the legal situation with regard to sports betting and gambling is still in turmoil. The long-awaited landmark decision of the Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) on sports betting did not bring legal certainty, especially as it did not expressly deal with the Community law issues.

Two years after emerging from bankruptcy, and five years after founder Gus Boulis was murdered by a hitman in Fort Lauderdale, SunCruz Casinos says it has stabilized its finances and is ready to expand. The Dania Beach day cruise operator is hoping to renew its foothold in South Florida by securing a berth at the Port of Palm Beach. If successful, the Palm Beach gambit would be another step in rebuilding SunCruz, which has lacked a presence in Florida's biggest population center -- South Florida -- since it pulled out of Hollywood in April 2005.

Gambling stocks are on a roll. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Gambling Index is now tripling gains of the broad market index. Harrah's, the world's largest gaming operator with 60 casinos, is mulling a USD 15 billion bid from a pair of private-equity firms. The Las Vegas Strip has defied fears that growth would sputter in the face of high fuel prices. But the real excitement is in Asia. Steve Wynn opened his SGD 1.2 billion Wynn Macau in September, and in November shares skyrocketed to new highs for all three US players in China's gaming enclave.

Project, the London-based games developer, will be returning to its roots when it makes its debut appearance at January’s ICE spectacular. The company, which began life over 20 years ago exporting gaming equipment and consulting on prestigious casino developments in Turkey, has embraced what Managing Director Anthony Boulton describes as the fusion of gaming markets.

There is no effective means for the government to block undesirable websites on the Internet from access from Germany. The currently extant methods can be set at naught with two mouse clicks without any special skills or additional hardware or software. In addition it cannot be technically excluded that the blockade likewise blocks out numerous contents that are not at all the target of the order requiring it. Where more than one or two websites are to be blocked a system is additionally required making regular automatic updating of the blocking lists possible.

Atlantic City - Harrah's Entertainment may be making record profits in Atlantic City, but several dealers at one property say they aren't getting a fair share. So some dealers are starting to use the U-word again - “union.” John J. Cisternino, vice president and director of Strategic Affairs for Local 152 of the United Food & Commercial Workers, was in town Tuesday talking to dealers in the preliminary steps of an organizing campaign.

Atlantic City (AP) -- In pleas ranging from impassioned to coolly professional, more than a dozen casino workers and gamblers on Wednesday urged officials in this gambling mecca to extend New Jersey's seven-month-old smoking ban to the places they work and play.

Las Vegas (AP) - Analysts poured water Wednesday on reports Penn National Gaming Inc. was in talks to enter a bidding war for casino giant Harrah's Entertainment Inc., noting such a bid would not likely come from a company more than four times smaller. JP Morgan analyst Harry Curtis titled a research note: "Jonah Swallowing the Whale? We Think Not." Penn's market capitalization is USD 3.2 billion; Harrah's, USD 14.7 billion.

Harrisburg -- Gov. Ed Rendell said yes yesterday to providing free liquor for slots gamblers at Pennsylvania casinos, but no to expanding gaming to include table games like poker and blackjack. Mr. Rendell said he'll sign a proposal, approved by the Legislature just before it recessed last week, to allow Pennsylvania casinos to offer unlimited free drinks to people playing slot machines from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Ladbrokes, the UK betting giant, is in talks with Legoland to persuade the theme park to join its bid to operate a super casino at Blackpool. Talks are at an early stage, but Ladbrokes is keen for Merlin Entertainments, the company behind Legoland and Sea Life, to be part of the bid package presented to Blackpool council, it is understood. The unlikely tie-up between the gambling company and children's favourite Legoland has raised eyebrows in the leisure industry.

With only one slots parlor open in the state, the man expected to be the next speaker of the state House wants to up the ante by adding table games. A staff member for Democratic Minority Leader Rep. Bill DeWeese, of Greene County, said he plans to introduce legislation next year that would legalize games such as blackjack and poker at casinos. It's expected DeWeese will be elected speaker when Democrats take over the House in January.