The explosion of gambling revenue in the Chinese enclave of Macau has other countries in Asia coveting similar riches — while avoiding the downsides that have tarnished Macau in years past. The countries include South Korea, which offers limited gambling to foreigners, and Japan, where only small-stakes, pinball-like devices are legal. These countries want the tourism boost and tax revenue that flow from big casino resorts...

Yesterday it started in London the most spectacular edition in ICE history, in Earls Court exhibition center in the city of London, reaffirming its category as the main European event of the sector, and consolidating, once more, as one of the annual most important trade events in the industry worldwide. The first day, which gathered the main international firms in London, showed a very good level of public all day, and exhibitors were very pleased with the first results.

Das britische Staatsministerium für Kultur, Medien und Sport hat bestätigt, dass Tasmanien künftig auf der sogenannten White List jener Länder enthalten ist, die auf den Britischen Inseln für Onlinespielangebote werben dürfen. Gleichzeitig wurde dies den Antragstellern aus Kahnawake und Antigua verweigert. Eine Begründung für diese Entscheidungen steht noch aus.

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.

The 5th American Congress of Gaming Regulators is to take place on 15 May in Monterrey, Mexico. It is held in conjunction with the ELA-2008 Latin-American Gaming Exhibition. Previous congresses were held in Panama, but on terminating the Sagse-Central American event, organised by Grupo de Inversiones Latinoamericanas de Juego, (GRP), it was decided that this important event should be held in Republic of Mexico.

Malta-based one-stop-shop remote gaming experts, Cybergaming Consultants have decided to join London’s ICEi remote gaming expo, which runs between 22nd and 24th January 2008, for the second time.

Still another attempt to pass the Saipan gaming plan was defeated by the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation yesterday. Saipan lawmakers voted 10-5 to kill a fresh local bill that would have legalized certain forms of gaming on the island. House Local Bill 15-21, sponsored by Representatives Jesus SN Lizama and Oscar M. Babauta, proposed mainly to appropriate over USD 900,000 for Precinct II projects.

Hotel and leisure group Sun International will continue to expand its operations internationally and seek to maintain the competitive advantage it has established in its core businesses. Chairman Buddy Hawton said in the group’s annual report that gaming legislation, which restricts the granting of additional gaming licenses in South Africa, “is serving as the primary catalyst for the group to seek new opportunities internationally”.

The Pricipality of Liechtenstein might follow the role model of Gibraltar and offer remote gaming licenses. The head of the government, Otmar Hasler, recently announced that a consulation paper with the draft of a new Casino Act (Spielbankengesetz) will be completed by February 2008 and published soon afterwards. According to Hasler, the Casino Act will also cover remote gambling. Liechtenstein is a tiny, but sovereign state, situated between Austria and Switzerland. However, unlike Switzerland, Liechtenstein is a full member of the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement.

The Financial Times has reported a deal signed late last month between the United States and three fellow World Trade Organisation (WTO) nations seeking compensation in the wake of an online gambling dispute has been revealed as less meaningful than was first hoped. The dispute arose last year after the Americans lost a WTO dispute with Antigua and Barbuda over discriminatory legislation covering online gambling.

Major betting companies Expekt, Ladbrokes, Betsson and Unibet have launched a new Responsible Gambling Code in Norway in a move designed to counter a government initiative to ban its citizens from transferring funds to foreign online gaming companies. Under the proposed ban, Norwegian customers would be stopped from betting on football or cross-country skiing online but the new Code seeks to promote and strongly support responsible gambling in answer to one of the Government’s justifications for the proposals.

MGM Mirage opened its USD 1.25 billion joint venture resort in Macau on Dec. 18, adding the third new hotel-casino to the expanding market in 2007. Las Vegas Sands Corp. opened the USD 2.4 billion Venetian Macau in August. The new competition caused some speculators to re-evaluate their investments. "Supply concerns in the region have prompted divestitures," Gordon said. "Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands (have pulled) back from their record-setting highs.