Tax revenue generated by Indiana's casinos dipped nearly USD 3 million in June compared to the same period a year ago, despite the addition of new gambling centers in Anderson and Shelbyville. Indiana casinos generated about USD 78.6 million in tax revenue for the state last month, a drop from USD 81.5 million last June, according to figures released today by the Indiana Gaming Commission.

The state of Indiana sees the need to try and compete with casinos in other states. The expansion of casino gambling is happening quickly around the United States, and competition for the gambling dollars is growing. Indiana has just passed a new rule that could help bring high roller gamblers into their casinos. Junketeers will have lower registration fees and will also no longer have to be a licensed casino supplier.

On Jan. 1, a smoking ban went into effect in the state of Illinois, banning smoking in virtually all public places including offices, theaters, museums, libraries, educational institutions, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores, restaurants, bars, private clubs and gaming facilities. As a result of the ban, Illinois riverboat casino revenues have dropped significantly compared to the same time last year.

Las Vegas - Global gambling revenue is estimated to pass USD 155 billion in 2012 after growing at an annually compounded rate of 6.5 percent per year, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP report released Wednesday. Gambling revenue is expected to rise from nearly USD 114 billion in 2007 because of new casinos and upgrades to existing ones around the world, the report said.

Revenue from Asian booming gambling resorts could surpass the United States by 2012, with growth driven by the southern Chinese gaming enclave of Macau and other sites, according to an industry survey recently released. Besides Macau, growth could also get a lift from casinos under construction in Singapore and sites being considered in other countries. Of the 23 industry executives, analysts and academics polled, more than 80 percent said Asia’s dominance was very likely or likely.

Shares of gaming companies with properties in Macau declined Monday as data showed May gaming revenue grew less year over year than in the first four months of 2008. Macau gaming revenue increased 31 percent in May compared with the prior-year period according to Lusa News Agency, but the growth rate was below April’s 44 percent climb, which had been the lowest to date. oseph Greff of JPMorgan attributed May’s gaming growth to strong VIP play as well as new casinos and expansions.

The anti smoking law, which is being applied in a progressive way since January in Germany, threatens the existence of casinos in favor of illegal gambling halls and Internet bets, according to information released by Focus magazine. Spokesman of the Federation of German Casinos (DeSIA), Matthias Hein, affirmed that in the next three years three to five casinos will close. “Four of five casino customers smoke.

Fluxx AG’s strategic shift from German lottery agent to pan-European gaming operator has seen it report a 102 percent increase in first quarter revenues to USD 43.8 million. The Altenholz-based firm reported that this year-on-year growth was driven by the strong performance of its sports betting offerings with revenues of USD 23.5 million versus USD 11.7 million for the first quarter of last year.

The parliament of Monaco last month voted to ban smoking in all public places, including casinos. The edict will go into effect in six months. An earlier version of the bill exempted casinos, but that was removed at the last minute. It is likely, therefore, that Monaco will experience a drop of at least 15 percent in gross gaming revenues, if the experience of the neighboring French casinos is any indication.

Atlantic City, New Jersey (AP) - The bad news just keeps coming for Atlantic City's 11 casinos. The city's gambling halls reported a 17.7 percent decrease in gross operating profits for the first quarter of 2008, according to figures released Monday by the state Casino Control Commission. Gross operating profits, which represent earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and other charges, is considered a better comparison between casino properties than net income or losses.

Americans spent more money gambling in 2007 than on movie tickets or candy, but the steady growth of commercial casinos in the past decade could take a hit next year because of a slumping economy and setbacks in building new places to play. A survey released this week by the American Gaming Association showed that U.S. commercial casino revenues were up 5.3 percent to USD 34.1 billion in 2007.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking to California’s lottery to solve the state’s budget crisis and wants to raise billions of dollars by selling bonds backed by future profits from the game. With the slump in the property market and an economy that is nearing recession, the governor revealed on Wednesday that state revenues had fallen USD 6bn, leaving California facing a projected deficit of USD 24.3bn.