Panaji: India’s second off-shore casino based in south Goa is in trouble with the locals, in no mood to accept the vessel, which is hindering the fishing trawlers. “The casino will adversely affect the livelihood of local fishermen, whose trawlers wade through the narrow river strip where the casino vessel is scheduled to be stationed,’’ Elvino D’Silva, chairman, Assolna-Velim-Cavelosim-Betul (AVCB) traditional fishermen, stated.

The Queensland Government has introduced laws into Parliament increasing penalties for casinos who let minors enter their premises, including fines of AUD 7,500 for allowing people under 18 to enter a casino, and a new penalty of AUD 15,000 for letting them to gamble. Deputy Premier Anna Bligh told Parliament the Bill also makes various other amendments to gambling laws.

Gold Reef Resorts has maintained its positive growth cycle with strong interim results for the six months to June 2007. Robust trade and expansion developments at most of Gold Reef Resort’s casinos boosted revenue 17,9% to ZAR 839,2 million, generating bottom line profitability of ZAR 138,2 million which was 25,4% higher than June 2007. The group earlier this month announced an acquisition offer which may see it acquired and de-listed by a private equity consortium including its own management and BEE shareholders.

Claims Crown casino allowed a banned problem gambler to blow AUD 30 million are headed for an explosive Supreme Court showdown. Lawyers for Crown and multi-millionaire Gold Coast property developer Harry Kakavas have been ordered to a two-day hearing starting on September 24. Mr Kakavas alleges casino chiefs lured him back to Crown, despite an earlier self-imposed life ban. He is suing Crown for AUD 30 million plus damages.

Las Vegas - Casino giant Harrah's Entertainment Inc. announced Wednesday that it will partner with AEG, the company that brought David Beckham to the Los Angeles Galaxy, to build a 20,000-seat arena in Las Vegas capable of housing an NBA or NHL team. The USD 500 million arena, behind the Bally's and Paris hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, is projected to open in 2010. It's a step toward attracting a pro sports franchise to a city that has tried to persuade reluctant league officials to look past its legalized sports betting.

Bettors from Panama and abroad bet USD 658 in 2006. It represents a 28% increment on games of chance bets in the country, thanks to the economic growth and the increment of players. Besides, the Panamenian Association of People with Gambling Problems said that, as well as revenues and prizes grow, it also increases the number of people with gambling problems. A long report on Panama-America newspaper, concentrated in the financial aspects of the so-called industry of entertainment, indicated that the activity registrated a 28% growth last year.

Last Friday, Montevideo Local Council approved the privatization of Carrasco Hotel Casino. Its employees assisted to the session and opposed to the measure. When asked about the support of Anibal Glodosky, a representative of the opposite party, Fabían Villamarín, representative of the official party, pointed that he is a “moral guarantee” for Montevideo citizens, and added that the official party voted modifications performed by the two big political parties.

The palm-fringed beaches of Goa attract millions of tourists lured by the white sands, dreamy blue water and trance parties held alongside the pounding surf. But the idyllic coastline of Goa is poised to get a controversial new addition, a flotilla of casinos that will operate offshore to get around federal laws restricting such enterprises on land. Reports suggest that up to 11 ships could be operating along the coast by the end of the year.

Evansville, Ind. - A majority of casino dealers and dual-rate dealers at Casino Aztar in Evansville, Ind., filed a petition today with the National Labor Relations Board seeking a union representation election. About 180 workers will be eligible to vote in the election. Casino Aztar workers presented their employer with a notice of the decision by a majority of casino dealers to form their own union in Evansville today.

Las Vegas (AP) - The USD 95 million purchase of the Hooters hotel-casino has been slowed by a turbulent debt market, the prospective buyer said. Richard Bosworth of Hedwigs Las Vegas Top Tier said the investment group is still working to buy the off-Strip hotel-casino, valued at USD 235 million when including the assumption of debt. But he said the volatile market has caused Hedwigs to re-evaluate its projections for financing the deal.

Plans by James Packer's Macau casino business to raise USD 2.75 billion (AUD 3.5 billion) to finance its expansion plans have been hit by the turmoil in US credit markets, which has shut off new lending for the casino business in the city. The nervousness in the US lending market has compelled the joint venture partners to shelve plans for the main USD 1.5 billion portion, which was to have been raised in the US markets in September as part of a three-tranche financing deal for their Macau investments.

The acting head of casino operator Sky City Entertainment Group said growth next year would be tempered by a smoking ban in Adelaide and the completion of its Auckland refurbishments. The company has predicted a 10 to 12 per cent increase in net profit for 2008. Executive director Elmar Toime said the Auckland and Adelaide factors would temper growth in market share but he was unconvinced that forecasts of a tightening economy would have a major effect.