Ladbrokes, the betting shop operator, will this week reveal whether it is to go ahead with plans to enter the potentially hazardous US online gambling market. Chris Bell, Ladbrokes' chief executive, is understood to be keen to enter the US market. But the arrest there in July of David Carruthers, chief executive of rival BetonSports, on charges of racketeering, fraud and tax evasion, may have forced Bell to rethink his plans.

Las Vegas - Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. today announced that the Grand Biloxi Casino Hotel and Spa has re-opened to the public. "Grand Biloxi's opening marks the first phase of our exciting master plan on the Mississippi Gulf Coast," said Anthony Sanfilippo, president of Harrah's Central Division. "The Grand is back with the kind of high-quality casino entertainment experience our customers have come to expect.

Hundreds of Star City Casino workers gathered on the steps of Sydney's premier gambling venue today to call for better pay. Blowing whistles and yelling “decent wages, listen up”, the workers called on the casino's management to offer an increased pay deal to offset rising petrol prices, interest rates and inflation.

Vicksburg - The Isle of Capri sign has come down and the DiamondJacks Casino sign has gone up in Vicksburg as well as in Bossier City, La., with completion of Legends Gaming LLC’s acquisition of the two properties. "Our plans include extensive redecorations and renovations of the properties over the next few months, culminating in ‘renewed’ casinos featuring re-branded restaurants offering enhanced menu selections and a new customer rewards program targeted to be the best in the Vicksburg and Bossier City markets.

Full-time National Assembly deputies debated the draft Sports Law Wednesday, with several supporting the proposal of legalizing betting on sports games, particularly on football. Deputy Nguyen Huu Nhon of central Binh Dinh province said the country should have regulations that allow legal betting in sport with the content of such rules varying depending on the characteristics of each game.

David Carruthers, the former chief executive of BetOnSports, was released on bail of USD 1 million (GBP 530,000) by an American judge yesterday after a month in custody. The Scot, who faces charges ranging from racketeering to fraud and conspiracy, was arrested on July 16 by FBI and revenue service agents as he was passing through Dallas-Fort Worth airport in transit from London to the group’s headquarters in Costa Rica.

New Orleans (AP) -- With the Mississippi Gulf Coast casino industry continuing its comeback, the bloom is off the recent post-hurricane boom for Louisiana casinos. Players left behind USD 226.5 million at Louisiana's state-licensed casinos in July, up USD 8.8 million from USD 217.7 million in July 2005, state police reported Tuesday. But the increase was much smaller than in previous months. For example, the casinos took just USD 17.5 million more in June 2006 than in June 2005.

A Kent town will not be getting a casino after the local council decided having one would not benefit the area. Dartford Borough Council cabinet voted unanimously to withdraw its application from the government's casino shortlist. Council leader Jeremy Kite said: "The government told us there would be regeneration opportunities, but we've decided that they aren't there."

The Government's advisory panel has asked a series of questions ahead of a public examination of the resort's bid for the UK's one-and-only regional gambling licence. Casino Advisory Panel members were in Blackpool over the weekend to visit sites Blackpool Council hopes to transform with the opening of the super casino. Prior to the visit they drew up 17 questions which they want answered before the key public meeting in Blackpool on September 8.

Moscow (RIA Novosti political commentator Yuri Filippov) - Gambling fever has found its way deep into Russian society. The turnover of the Russian gambling industry stands at USD 5-6 billion annually, according to expert estimates. Alexander Lebedev, a deputy of the Russian parliament, says that this is the sum that flows through Moscow casinos and slot machine halls alone, and even here it is just the tip of the iceberg.

Businessman James Corrigan is again seeking outline planning permission to demolish Corrigan's Amusements in Foreshore Road. Mr Corrigan wants approval from Scarborough Council to pull down the arcade, known as Coney Island, and replace it with a casino, amusements and residential use. Mr Corrigan said: "I obtained outline permission two and a half years ago. The permission runs out after three years so I have put in exactly the same plan again."

New MECN survey analyses how the gambling industry sees the current critical issues and what potential strategic approaches could look like.