Local Australian newspaper The Age reported that a number of major corporate bookmakers are working jointly to produce figures that show they will contribute around USD 9.7 million to the racing industry in the 2008 fiscal year. The bookmakers are cooperating, the paper says, in an effort to deflect criticism from certain members of the racing industry that, because the corporate bookies compete directly with the TAB, racing’s financial future is being threatened.
Tama - The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission announced Nov. 13 a decision to seek two additional studies on the feasibility of adding more casinos in the state. However, Tama Mayor Chris Bearden indicated he was not convinced more studies of the Iowa gambling industry were needed. Bearden was scheduled to take part in a conference call Tuesday concerning the commission stance.
Springfield - Lawmakers can force casinos to fork over some of the cash gamblers bet on roulette, craps and cards to the declining Illinois horse racing industry, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday. For the past two years, the state’s four richest casinos, including the two in Joliet, have had to send 3 percent of their revenue to a special state fund to help horse tracks and racers.
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course will open their slot machines to the public today. However, a forecast of snow, freezing rain, and single-digit wind chills has canceled plans for Penn National's simultaneous kickoff of the live horse racing season. "Our intention has always been to be able to present the entire gaming, racing, and entertainment experience to our guests on opening day," general manager Gary Luderitz said.
China may legalise gambling on horse races for the first time since the Communist Party took power in 1949, the official Xinhua news agency said. The government in Beijing has approved the start of regular horse racing in the central city of Wuhan, and is considering the introduction of betting on those races on a trial basis next year, Xinhua reported. The experiment is seen as heralding the return of nationwide betting on horses in China, Xinhua said.
Britain's bookmakers have warned they will mount a legal challenge against any decision by the Government to sell the Tote to the racing industry "on the cheap". The racing consortium, which includes Tote management and staff, the Racecourse Association and the Racehorse Owners Association, slashed its latest bid for the bookmaker last week from GBP 400m to GBP 320m, citing jittery credit markets.
Sydney (Reuters) - Australia's equine flu outbreak spread to the thoroughbred industry when a horse tested positive at Sydney's premier racetrack and more than 700 horses were confined to stables on Thursday. "Randwick right now is under lockdown," said trainer Anthony Cummings, whose horse tested positive. All racing in Australia has been cancelled since equine flu was detected last week in an attempt to prevent it spreading to the thoroughbred industry.
The horse breeders, owners, drivers and trainers who fought for Las Vegas-style slot machines at The Isle Casino & Racing at Pompano Park now want the gambling devices temporarily unplugged. The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association has filed a harshly worded lawsuit against the racetrack casino, alleging that Pompano Park officials refuse to give the horsemen their fair share of the slots revenue.
Albany, New York (AP) - Las Vegas casino developer Steve Wynn has joined a group seeking to run thoroughbred racing in New York. Wynn, CEO of Wynn Resorts, joined the Excelsior Racing Associates that a week ago lost a founder, Steve Swindal. Swindal, the son-in-law of New York Yankees boss George Steinbrenner, dropped out of Excelsior after his wife filed for divorce.
