2006 Event Introduces New Pavilions, Enhanced Show Floor Navigation and Amenities, Increased Networking Opportunities and New Conference Tracks.

Petaling Jaya - British casino group Stanley Leisure Plc said yesterday it was in merger talks with its rival, London Clubs International, sending shares in both firms higher, according to wire reports. Genting Bhd holds substantial stakes in both British companies. Justin Leong, Genting group's head of strategic investments, told StarBiz over the telephone yesterday: “As a major shareholder in both Stanley and London Clubs, Genting is pleased to note the announcement earlier today (Monday) that the boards of those two companies are in discussions about a merger of Stanley and London Clubs.”

Britain's biggest casino operator, Stanley Leisure, today confirmed reports that it is holding merger talks with London Clubs International. A merger would take place through a share-for-share exchange on the basis of one new Stanley share for every six London Clubs shares, reflecting the market capitalisations of the two companies. Stanley Leisure, based in Liverpool, has a market value of GBP 443.9m, compared with Britain's biggest casino operator, Stanley Leisure, today confirmed reports that it is holding merger talks with London Clubs International.

Tribally owned casinos in California generated nearly a third of the USD 22.7 billion dropped at Indian gaming venues nationwide in 2005. Gaming revenue for 227 tribes operating 420 gaming facilities in the United States rose 15.6% in 2005. That's a USD 3.1 billion increase compared with 2004, according to a June 21 report by the Analysis Group Inc. in Los Angeles. Analysis Group provides economic, financial, and business strategy consulting to law firms, corporations, and government agencies.

MGM Mirage Chairman Terry Lanni was disappointed that Singapore selected Las Vegas Sands instead of his own company to build a Marina Bay casino resort. But last month's setback hasn't dampened his enthusiasm for two even bigger projects the company is planning in the United States. In a one-hour interview last week in Lanni's Bellagio office, the man who runs the state's biggest resort company said the Singapore decision will accelerate MGM Mirage's U.S. development efforts.

Construction on MGM Mirage's USD 7 billion Project CityCenter got under way just after midnight Sunday with the arrival of a convoy of trucks delivering 10,000 cubic yards of concrete to the largest privately financed construction project in the United States. Mirage Resorts President Robert Baldwin, who is overseeing the 18 million-square-foot, mixed-use urban village, said the pour is one of the largest in Las Vegas history and marks the first stage of construction on the project.

A court ruling allows the Stoney Nakoda First Nation to begin construction of a casino and hotel west of Calgary. The court ruling Wednesday has likely put an end to demonstrations by three elders of the band who claimed they owned the land, which they said was sacred and used for ceremonies. Construction on the casino and hotel development was supposed to start last summer, but the elder women and their families refused to move for survey and construction workers.

Reno, Nevada - Grand Sierra Resort Corp. said Friday it completed its USD 151 million acquisition of the Reno Hilton from Harrah's Entertainment Inc. after receiving final approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission. The company plans to turn the property into the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, featuring hotel-condominiums, residential units and an indoor water park.

One Greater Manchester firm has this week bought more than 100 flats across the resort close to the beach front which it intends to turn into exclusive residential property. But its investment relies on Blackpool being awarded the UK's first regional casino – something which will be announced next year.

During the event, religious leaders, businessmen, councillors and members of the public voiced their opposition to the proposals for a Las-Vegas style gambling Mecca, which could be built at Meadowhall or Bramall Lane. About 60 people had gathered for the two-hour meeting at Victoria Hall, Norfolk Street, which was organised by Green Party councillor Jillian Creasy, where the environmental, social and moral issues against the casino were raised.

Illinois will become the first state to require casinos to check potential patrons' identification cards in an effort to keep compulsive gamblers from feeding their addictions, gaming regulators announced Thursday. Starting Aug. 15, employees at the nine casinos throughout Illinois will begin checking driver's licenses or state IDs of all people who want to board who look 30 years old or younger.

Sheffield has been shortlisted by the Government as one of eight cities in the running for the chance of hosting the country's first Las-Vegas style casino. Three companies have already put themselves forward to take on the plans if Sheffield win. The matter is to be debated at a public meeting tonight organised by the Green Party which claims Sheffield Council has deliberately stifled public debate about it.