Turkish government is planning to privatize the state-owned lottery Milli Piyango, with a ten year contract being granted to the winning bidder. The license will be awarded on a revenue sharing basis, with 20% of proceeds to go to the National Lottery Authority and the remaining 80% to go to the chosen operating company. The operating company will be responsible for the distribution of all prize money as well as contributions to the state institutions.

A Rohnert Park group has filed suit against the federal government, challenging its ability to take into trust land for a proposed Indian casino. The suit was filed by Stop the Casino 101 and contends the Department of Interior violated the U.S. Constitution when it took into trust 254 acres of land for the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. “The federal government is powerless to create a new state or sovereign nation within an existing state without the consent of the state,” said Stephan Volker...

Panaji - Notwithstanding strong objection by main opposition political outfit, Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), Goa government is all set to permit four more off shore casinos with ships already anchored in the Panaji port. Goa already has an off shore casino `Caravela' managed by M/s Advani Pleasures Company, while state government has expressed interest to grant five more licenses for these off shore gambling dens.

Das Glücksspielmekka Las Vegas zieht viele interessante Menschen an, die mit außergewöhnlichen Jobs ihren Weg in der Glücksspielindustrie machen. ISA-GUIDE hat einen Mann getroffen, der als Versicherungsmathematiker seinen Traumberuf in Las Vegas gefunden hat. Er berät Automatenhersteller und betreibt eine Internetseite, auf der er Spielern die beste Strategie bei Casinospielen erklärt. Michael Shackleford, the Wizard of Odds, berichtet im Interview mit ISA-GUIDE über seine Arbeit in Las Vegas. Das Interview haben wir in Englisch geführt.

Finland’s government has said that no decision has yet been taken on whether Veikkaus should be granted a license to operate a national online bingo site. This despite news that Boss Media has already been awarded the contract to provide software and services to the site. Government sources told Gaming Intelligence Group that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has distributed Veikkaus’ application to relevant departments in Finland, seeking opinion on whether the application should be granted.

Around 3,000 casino workers could be fired in the following months, according to Jorge Hidalgo, Vicepresident of Costa Rica Casino Association, who commented that the cutback would be held due to the new regulations fixed by the government for this activity, through four decrees and a guidelines. They remark the prohibition to give away alcoholic beverages.

The Government minister in charge of Blackpool's regeneration has spoken of her 'responsibility' to the resort after its supercasino dream was shattered. Communities Secretary Hazel Blears says she is looking at ways to make Blackpool's seafront People's Playground project a reality as well as boosting education, housing and shopping in the resort. But she warned Blackpool it cannot focus on tourism alone to secure its future.

Casino Gambling could soon become legal in Jamaica. The Government has given approval for a group of international investors to establish the island's first legal casino. Prime Minister Bruce Golding is expected to announce the decision and provide details during his presentation in the Budget Debate on Tuesday. Government sources say the first casino is to be established at a new hotel to be constructed in Montego Bay, St James.

With floating casinos proving to be a “vital cash-cow” for the state’s exchequer, the Goa government is all set to become a gambler’s paradise on the lines of Las Vegas. The state cabinet has agreed “in-principle” to award another five licenses to float offshore casinos. Currently, the state has two offshore casinos, while the third is expected to start operations this month. Following this significant development, the tourist state will now have a total of eight casinos floating on Goan waters.

The Government is likely to abandon a clampdown on problem gambling in a desperate attempt to find bidders for its Tote betting business. A study for the Government into highstakes gambling machines is being put on the back burner to avoid frightening off potential bidders.

Government authorities in New South Wales say Australian High Court approves of its plan to tax and regulate online betting exchange Betfair. NSW's revelation follows closely on the heels of last week's High Court ruling that a Western Australian law banning residents from wagering on betting exchanges is unconstitutional.

A government spokesman said an investment bank would be installed as advisor on the sale in the next two weeks and would be asked to come up with a shortlist of the most lucrative options. After years of deliberation, promises to the horse racing industry and a number of failed sale attempts, the government finally kick started an open auction of the Tote earlier this month. It now has three main options: selling the entire business, a piece-by-piece breakup or holding on to it until credit markets improve.