New York legislators want to tap casino gambling for greater revenues, but the requirements of passing a state constitutional amendment make the opening of new casinos unlikely anytime soon. So Governor David Paterson and some lawmakers are considering changing rules for existing video lottery machines and slots at racetracks. Current regulations require racinos to operate no more than sixteen hours a day, or one hundred twelve hours per week.

Colorado voters passed a resolution allowing for the possibility of expanded gambling last week. The three state gambling towns will have the opportunity to add craps and roulette to their game selection, raise maximum bets from USD 5 to USD 100, and expand hours of operation. Voters approved the measure designed to increase state tax revenue. Over three-quarters of additional state income from the casinos is earmarked for state colleges.

Nepal, regarded a Shangri-La for holiday makers with its Himalayan ranges, assortment of religious shrines and network of casinos, has recorded the highest tourist arrivals in eight years. According to the Nepal Tourism Board Monday, figures released by the Immigration Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport indicate that 50,567 tourists visited Nepal in October, the highest in a single month since 2000.

Competition for gamblers just got a bit tougher. Voters in Maryland, looking to boost their horse racing industry and provide some cash to schools, approved a measure on Tuesday to legalized slot machine gambling in five venues. Although industry observers predict it will be three-to-four years before slot machines are operating in Maryland, the gambling parlors will ultimately give patrons a reason to wager closer to home.

Indications from the vote counting late yesterday in Guam showed that the Democrats were poised to retain the majority in the Legislature with a strong majority opposing an initiative to legalize casino gambling in Tamuning, reports Pacific Daily News. Around 70 percent of the 50,806 registered voters cast their votes with over 50 percent opposing Prop A, the gambling initiative.

Tucson (AP) - Weak economic conditions mean fewer dollars coming into Arizona's Indian casinos. It also means a drop in the amount of dollars flowing to the state. Arizona received USD 25 million in the three months ending Sept. 30, down from USD 27.6 million a year ago. Arizona gets cash from casinos under the 2003 Arizona-Tribal Gaming Compact. Although revenues are down, the Arizona Indian Gaming Association says state tribes rank fourth in the nation for gaming revenue.

Moscow - Russia's grandiose scheme to build a Las Vegas from scratch in 18 months is turning into a sour bet because of the sinking global economy. The plan calls for shutting down dozens of casinos in Moscow and St. Petersburg by July 1 and moving big-city gambling to four far-flung reaches of Russia, including building an entire new city along the Azov Sea. "It's just not going anywhere fast," says Joseph Weinert of Spectrum Gaming Group, a U.S. firm that advised on developing one of the resorts.

Casinos in Bermuda would not turn the Island into a gambling destination, Fairmont Southampton boss Norman Mastalir said yesterday. But Mr. Mastalir believes the introduction of upmarket "tasteful" venues similar to those in Atlantis, on Bahamas' Paradise Island, or in Puerto Rico could help rejuvenate the struggling tourism industry. The Fairmont is one of five hotels helping fund a feasibility study into relaxing the Island's gaming laws...

After 15 years along the Mississippi River as an icon of the East St. Louis waterfront and home to one of the earliest gambling establishments in the region, the Casino Queen riverboat departed Monday under new ownership. Branson-based Cedar Bay Entertainment, which specializes in family entertainment, bought the 19th-century, four-story side-wheeler for an undisclosed amount.

Bermuda could get its own lottery, along with hotel casinos, after Government confirmed today they are taking a serious look at the island's gambling laws. Making a formal announcement this morning, Premier Ewart Brown appeared to acknowledge that he may be putting himself on collision course with the church lobby. However, he also said that many Bermudians would welcome being able to gamble on the island, rather than having to make gaming trips to the States.

Las Vegas Casino Lines' Liquid Vegas, Port Canaveral's latest gambling ship, should be ready to sail sometime this week, a company representative said Monday. Management was "fine-tuning" the vessel, including ensuring employees are ready in all facets of the operation, company spokesman Tom Palermo said Monday. "This is a huge undertaking in logistics. It involves the training of 300 people," Palermo said. "We want to make sure everything is perfect."

Amid collapsing credit markets and sinking stock prices, gaming industry leaders are looking for any piece of positive news. They hope voters in five states will give them a reason to smile come Nov. 4. Voters in Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Missouri and Ohio are evaluating gaming expansion or changes to existing gaming laws. The measures, different in size and scope, have a common thread.