Macau’s casino revenue fell for a second straight quarter, as Chinese government tightened visa restrictions for its citizens traveling to the city. Gambling fell to USD 3.25 billion in the third quarter from us$ 3.6 billion in the second, according to figures posted on the Web site of Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. Restrictions imposed by China on mainland tourists have progressively reduced the number of visitors to Macau, the only place in Chinese where casinos are legal.

Tõnis Rüütel, head of the Estonian Association of Casinos Operators, told Eesti Päevaleht that the casino business is like any other business that is suffering from the current economic slowdown. “Almost all operators have been losing money for the last two quarters and the third quarter should be no different,” said Rüütel. Since spring, 15 casinos have already closed doors.

Amid collapsing credit markets and sinking stock prices, gaming industry leaders are looking for any piece of positive news. They hope voters in five states will give them a reason to smile come Nov. 4. Voters in Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Missouri and Ohio are evaluating gaming expansion or changes to existing gaming laws. The measures, different in size and scope, have a common thread.

Poker players may be hedging their bets as the economy slides, but US states are still asking voters to loosen restrictions on gambling in order to raise revenue and help stem growing budget deficits. Voters are set to decide next month on gambling referendums in Colorado, Maryland, Missouri and Ohio that range from ending loss limits to opening new territories for casinos.

New York (AP) -- A JPMorgan analyst reduced some casino operators' estimates Monday, partly on a slowdown in Las Vegas spending and Macau revenue growth. Analyst Joseph Greff said in a client note that Wynn Resorts Ltd. is still well-positioned due to its solid balance sheet, assets and strong project funding, but investors may be nervous about the opening of its Encore resort in Las Vegas later in the year given current economic conditions.

Atlantic City - This was a September no one wants to remember, as casinos suffered their biggest monthly revenue decline in Atlantic City's 30-year history of gambling. In a dramatic, post-Labor Day slowdown, revenue plunged 15.1 percent to USD 356 million for the month. It is fresh evidence the gaming industry continues to be battered by the weak economy, Wall Street's unfolding financial crisis and competition from slot parlors in Pennsylvania.

(Bloomberg) - Las Vegas Strip casino gambling revenue declined for the eighth straight month in August as cash-strapped U.S. consumers curbed entertainment and travel spending because of an economic slowdown. Gambling proceeds from the Strip fell 7.4 percent to USD 494 million in August, Nevada's Gaming Control Board said today. Casino revenue at the largest U.S. gambling center slid 6.7 percent to USD 4.21 billion this year...

Louisiana's state-licensed casinos won nearly USD 218 million from gamblers in August, with USD 54.3 million of that generated in the New Orleans area alone, State Police reported Tuesday at the Louisiana Gaming Control Board meeting in Baton Rouge. The statewide figure represents a roughly 2.3 percent increase over the same month the year before, when revenue was USD 213 million.

Fresh reunification talks on the divided Cyprus island may lead to a triple turn over of the casino industry in North Cyprus. Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders met, on September 3, 2008, in the separated former capital Nicosia to start new round of reunification talks after a four-year break. This is the first time since the 1974 conflict that two moderate leaders will try to solve seriously the Cyprus problem. Greek Cypriot leader, president Demetris Christofias and his Turkish counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat started negotiations...

The new assessment carried out last month by trade union Casinos de France on 104 casinos (out of 197 being run at present) will not reassure the sector. Casinos de France pointed out last week that “the trend reversal observed since 1 January 2008, when the smoking ban was introduced, is now confirmed”. “For the past 8 months, the decrease in the gross gaming revenue, in a comparable period and for an equal amount of casinos...

Atlantic City - Casinos reported USD 468.3 million in casino wins in August, a 0.7 percent increase over the same month a year ago, according to figures released Wednesday by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. This marked the second time this year revenues eked out a small gain. Credit the extra Saturday in August. Credit a favorable Labor Day weekend. Credit some good luck at the tables.

The 21 licensed casinos by the Tourism Company of Puerto Rico have brought USD 314 million this fiscal year 2007-2008 (from July to June) to the Puerto Rican economy, which represents a 2.02% growth for the sector with regards to the previous year. Executive director of the Tourism Company, Terestella González Denton, informed that during the annual convention of the Puerto Rican Hotels and Tourism Association (PRHTA), which is being held in San Juan until next Friday.