The casino industry lobby has filed legal challenges against two petitions that propose a tripling of the state’s gaming tax. The Nevada Resort Association claims that the petitions amount to taxation without representation because they would allow other states’ tax rates to influence Nevada’s. Under the petitions, the gaming tax rate in Nevada would be set at the average maximum rate applied in the 11 other states with casino gambling.

The budget for Las Vegas’ most expensive construction project grew a little larger. MGM Mirage said building costs for the 30 hectare CityCenter development on the Strip had increased USD 400 million to USD 7.8 billion. The project includes a 4,000-room hotel-casino, four high-rise residential and condominium-hotels, and an entertainment, dining and retail district. MGM Mirage Chairman Terry Lanni said the complexity of CityCenter, which required more steel and concrete than has been previously budgeted, was the reason for cost increase.

Katalin Lukacs, general secretary of the Hungarian Gambling Association, has told the industry there that he is confident there will be no tax increase in 2007. "The facts and figures have justified the reasoned analysis and market forecasts of the association," he said. "The legislator and the organisations responsible for the state control of gambling have accepted that another restriction or tax increase could result in the regression of the market. That would in turn seriously risk the USD 227.1 million gaming tax that is almost certain to be paid in 2007," Lukacs added.