The Economy Commission of the House of Legislators agreed on the proposal for the Tax Reform of the federal government in order to add a 20% fee on the performance of bets and draws. The project of the report, ready for approval next week in San Lázaro, indicates that the gambling industry with bets and draws neither brings society the direct and indirect benefits it demands, nor it fully compensates the associated costs.

Tallahassee -- Gov. Charlie Crist's goal to seal a gambling deal soon with the Seminole Tribe of Florida has hit a major snag: the Legislature. House Speaker Marco Rubio laid down the gauntlet in a letter to Crist Monday, demanding that lawmakers be allowed to approve or reject the proposed agreement between the governor and the tribe and warning that if the compact allows games now outlawed in Florida, GOP leaders "won't support it."

On the 31 August 2007, the UK Gambling Commission released the rules of casino games in Great Britain. This document sets out the rules, including layouts, odds and any side bets, for each game on the list of approved games, or approved for trial. This rules aim to ensure a consistent approach in providing casino games in Great Britain. Licensees must follow any rules for the playing of approved casino games (or games being trialed), or other games of chance.

According to media reports from Russia, Storm International, the second largest company in Russian gambling business, will invest USD 300 million to build a casino and a network of gambling halls in Armenia. Lavrenti Gubin, Press Secretary of Storm International, says the company will build a 15-hectare gambling complex called “Shangri-La-Yerevan”. The company aims to build a five star hotel in the adjacent territory – with 200 rooms, a concert hall, trade center, restaurants as well as a night club.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has offered the state USD 50 million up front and at least USD 100 million a year in exchange for the right to have Las Vegas-style slot machines, blackjack and baccarat, the tribes' attorneys said Friday. Under the proposal, the state would receive a percentage of the seven tribal casinos' revenue with the Seminoles guaranteeing a minimum annual payment of USD 100 million.

Doctors' leaders have raised concerns the opening of Swansea's GBP 13 million casino will lead to a rise in problem gambling. Bosses at the British Medical Association have warned health workers need to be prepared to see more people suffering with such problems with the launch of the new Aspers Casino. The BMA called for gambling to be recognised as an addiction and treated on the NHS in its hard hitting report, Gambling Addiction and its Treatment Within the NHS.

The United States continues to resist compliance with a World Trade Organization ruling regarding the double standards inherent in US online gambling regulations. In addition to reaching settlement with Antigua, the US will also have to negotiate settlements with several other countries. The Antigua Sun printed excerpts of an interview with an official from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) office which outlined the basic US strategy for resisting the ruling.

Macao (Xinhua) -- The government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) is to amend regulations to curb teenage gambling, local media reported Friday. Macao Daily News, the leading local Chinese-language newspaper, quoted MSAR Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah as saying that the new rules will bar those unqualified for the casino entry from gaining prize money that they win.

So the Gambling Act has finally come into force. Much has been made of its impact on the nation's gambling habits but for those who love watching or playing sport, or betting on sporting events, it is Clause 42, entitled "Cheating", which will be of greatest interest. This aims to ensure that the integrity of sport is protected from the many and various forms of betting. Now it will be a criminal offence punishable by two years in prison to cheat while gambling.

Making the UK Gambling Commission’s "white list" for jurisdictions whose gambling companies will be allowed to advertise in the United Kingdom ended up being a big boon for Malta. The U.K. Gambling Act of 2005 went into effect September 1, and one of the new laws permits only those companies based in the European Economic Area or countries given special approval from the Department for Culture, Media and Sports to advertise their online gambling ventures.

Isle of Man Chief Minister, Tony Brown on Friday announced the appointment of the Chairman, and a new member, of the Gambling Supervision Commission. It emerged that Claire Milne, a qualified solicitor and Manx advocate had been appointed Chairman of the Commission, replacing outgoing Chairman, Jane O’Rourke. Mrs Milne has a background in intellectual property, IT Law and data protection, including e-money, e-commerce and e-gaming.

Sweeping gambling laws have come into force in Britain bringing casinos, bookmakers and online betting under a new regulatory body. For the first time, operators will be able to advertise on TV and radio. Opposition parties attacked the measures, saying they would trigger a growth in people addicted to gambling. But Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said the act provided "unprecedented powers" of control and protection for children and vulnerable gamblers.