The nation’s legislature has approved a plan to let ships operate shops, bars, casinos and other entertainment venues during the evening while in Bermuda’s port, a significant loosening of longstanding rules that have restricted on-board activity. The paper says the change is designed to make Bermuda more competitive with other destinations. Most of the cruise ships that visit Bermuda spend multiple nights in port...

Macao - The Chinese government is tightening regulations on the construction of new casinos in Macao, as well as restricting the movement of Chinese nationals to that area, fearing the booming casino industry may undermine Macao's economy and social infrastructure. A 48-year-old man who runs a restaurant in downtown Macao complained about the negative impact on his business caused by the buoyant casino industry.

Due to a ministry regulation, 300 illegal casinos will be definitely closed in the country, in an action that has started this week in the city of Guayaquil. The chief of police of Guayas province, Fátima Campos, together with dozens of policemen, started to close those gambling venues located in the regenerated zones of the city. "It is addressed to centers that have illegal slots, because, according to the law, they should operate in five-star hotels.” she pointed.

Atlantic City - Cars streamed into Atlantic City on May 26, 1978, and people lined the Boardwalk for blocks, waiting to get inside the first casino outside Las Vegas on the first day it was legal to gamble there. People bought tickets for buffets they had no intention of eating, just to sneak inside the casino earlier than the rest. Men relieved themselves into plastic coin cups to avoid losing their spot at the tables.

Black Hawk, Colorado -- The haze has yet to clear on whether a 3-month-old smoking ban is responsible for declining fortunes at the casinos in Colorado's three gaming towns. Since the state extended an indoor smoking ban to its 40 casinos on Jan. 1, the gambling industry has reported a drop in business here and in the other gaming towns of Central City and Cripple Creek. But casino-goers and operators alike point to a variety of additional reasons for the downturn.

Atlantic City, New Jersey (AP) -- Two years after New Jersey banned smoking in most public buildings, smoking opponents are optimistic that the last groups not covered by the law -- casino workers and patrons -- could soon enjoy its protections as well. The City Council is expected to give final approval next week to a total smoking ban on the 11 casino floors. Smoking would still be permitted in enclosed smoking lounges where there would be no gambling.

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 Ministry of Popular Power for Tourism published a resolution in which it tells to the National Commission of Casinos, Bingo Halls and Slots to abstain from the issuance or renewal of licenses for the installation and operation of such gambling venues for three years. They also banned the installation and operation of casinos...

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear is trying one last time to put a referendum on the ballot to find out if Kentucky voters want casino gambling in the state. The odds appear slim, but Beshear rallied a number of politicians, educators and business leaders to pressure legislators to pass a bill. Flanked by 20 legislative supporters, Beshear held a press conference in the State Capitol Rotunda on Monday, saying there was time for one last legislative push.

Des Moines (AP) -- The gambling industry brought USD 1 billion to Iowa in 2007, according to a state report. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission report shows the 17 riverboat and racetrack gambling facilities -- regulated by the state -- provided salaries, wages and employee benefits last year, totaling almost USD 280 million, according to a copyright article in The Des Moines Register.

The Far East of Asia has now entrenched itself as the world’s biggest legal gambling destination for tourists due to the announcement by Samak Sundaravej, incoming Thai prime minister, who is planning to legalize gambling and build five casinos in Thailand. Sundaravej is planning to legalize gambling and build five casinos for domestic and foreign holidaymakers in the country’s tourist belts of Phuket, Pattaya, Khon Kaen, Hat Yai and Chiang Mai.

US tycoon Donald Trump aims to invest in Chile. He is interested in finding land in the Eastern part of the capital city in order to install its Trump Tower, and now he has added the possibility to own one of the casinos that are being built in the South of the country. This version was confirmed by Marcos Kaplún, director of Kayco Internacional Group, who works together with the millionaire sons in order to make possible Trump’s arrival to the markets of Chile, Peru and Uruguay.