Plans for an open air gambling area at Sydney's Star City Casino have sparked criticism from anti-smoking groups who want the New South Wales Government to ban smoking and gambling at the same time. In response to smoking restrictions introduced last July, the casino lodged a development application with the City of Sydney to convert one of its restaurants into an "open space" gambling lounge.

Leading human rights lawyer Chris Sidoti says he has been appointed to oversee the new Casino, Liquor and Gaming Authority in New South Wales to help minimise the damage caused by gambling. The former federal human rights commissioner has had a lengthy involvement in international human rights issues and is the chairman of the UK Government's Northern Ireland Bill of Rights Forum.

Following a year that featured the weakest growth in 16 years, the French casino industry rebounded last fiscal year to set a new record with gross gaming revenue of 2.71 billion euros. That figure, recorded by 193 casinos, was an increase of 2.16 % over the previous fiscal year. In 2004-2005, the increase was a mere 1.33 percent. Ironically, the government released those figures just before New Year’s Eve, which featured a strike at seven casinos and disturbances at 30 others.

Those heading stateside later this year might like to make a detour via Lake Michigan and two of the world largest floating casinos. The current biggest floating casino is the Blue Chip 2 in Michigan City, Indiana. However, this summer, also on the shores of Lake Michigan will be built Horseshoe Casino Hammond, a 350,000 square feet monster. It will be the size of seven football fields and more than five times the size of Blue Chip 2. That's a lot of slot machines.

The Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma Indian Tribe will officially open the renovated Shriner’s Temple building, home of the 7th Street Casino, on Thursday. The day’s activities will include a media launch during the afternoon, followed by the official ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. in front of the casino’s 1920s-themed restaurant, Lucky’s Steak and Chophouse. The renovated casino will feature more than 400 Class II gaming machines spread out over two floors.

Tourism Ministry officials have recently closed a deal with the Israel Land Administration to apportion 12 acres of land on Eilat's northern shore for Israel's first legal casino. Hotels, commercial trading centers and other tourism venues are expected to be established in the area. Tourism Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch expressed his faith in the project and said this first casino would be the harbinger of additional legal gambling institutes in Israel.

The national airline PLL LOT and the Airports Authority (PPL) are in a quandary whether to restructure, boost equity and dispose of gambling company Casinos Poland, or just sell it without any restructuring. According to Puls Biznesu, both investors have a 33.3% stake worth zł.60-65 million, possibly putting the total worth of the gambling entity at zł.90-105 million, which includes licenses, brand and five attractive casino locations.

The bidding war for a new casino licence in Nelson Mandela Bay will start in earnest this week when South African and international groups make presentations to show their level of interest in the plan. City-based empowerment group the Embo Project Management consortium said yesterday it would hold meetings tomorrow in its search for a partner in its licence bid.

Der Verfassungsgerichtshof Bayern (Urt. v. 18.12.2007 - Az.: Vf. 9-VII-05) hat entschieden, dass die Regelungen zur gewerblichen Spielvermittlung verfassungsgemäß sind: Leitsätze: 1. Die Regelungen der gewerblichen Spielvermittlung (§ 14 LotterieStV) verletzten nicht die Bayerische Verfassung. 2. Die Länder sind für diesen Regelungsgehalt sachlich zuständig, da der Bund von seiner Annex-Kompetenz keinen Gebrauch gemacht hat. 3. Die unterschiedliche Behandlung von Glücksspielanbietern einerseits und den gewerblichen Spielvermittlern andererseits...

Following accusations that the Maltese government was dragging its feet over a proposal by US-based Cala to develop an offshore undersea casino, the government said it had not received any serious proof of financial standing, according to Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech. Cala, doing business as UnderSea Resort and Residences, last year announced it was planning to build “landmark” casinos offshore.

Refusal of permission for a casino at a Leicester landmark could cost the city up to 250 jobs, it was claimed today. A court refused to grant a casino licence for St George's Tower just before Christmas because it felt there was not enough demand. It is believed the applicant, Clermont Leisure, is considering an appeal. Amir Zarbafi, the building's owner, said without the GBP 8.7 million casino, a hotel planned as part of the GBP 33 million redevelopment of the building would employ substantially fewer people.

The Seminole Tribe paid USD 50 million to the state Monday, as required under its gambling agreement with Gov. Charlie Crist, after the controversial deal became official. "Today's transfer of USD 50 million to the state of Florida is just the beginning of revenue that will potentially provide billions of dollars to Florida's schools during the next 25 years," Crist said in a statement.