Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Conrad Enill, reaffirmed the Government’s opposition to casino gambling as he moved an umbrella Finance Bill in the House of Representatives on Friday. The Bill amends the 1963 Gambling and Betting Act to specifically add slot-machines to the list of gambling activities banned by the Act. Enill said the change now “removes any ambiguity” over slot machines which through the Bill are considered to be gambling machines under the 1963 Act.
Embattled casino and gaming company Tabcorp has begun talks with the NSW Government over the exclusivity arrangements for its Star City casino licence in Sydney. Acting Tabcorp chief Elmer Funke Kupper is believed to have met with the new NSW Gaming Minister, Graham West, earlier this month. It is understood separate discussions are under way between the department, Tabcorp and Star City management over the exclusivity arrangements.
Conservative leader David Cameron has vowed to support the Government if it brought proposals for casinos in Solihull and Wolverhampton back to Parliament. Mr Cameron said his party had offered to back plans for 16 new casinos across Britain, but they should be considered separately from the proposed super-casino in Manchester, he said. Labour's plans for new casinos were thrown into turmoil when they were rejected by the Lords last month.
South African government has decided to legalize the rapidly expanding online gambling industry, after having learnt from the US that outlawing online gambling does little to solve the problem. South Africa is now on course to legalise this activity. But while it is trying to formulate legislation to control online gambling, more and more South Africans are becoming addicted to gambling at virtual casinos.
