Another story from the BBC:
Wet summer weather and strong growth at the Blue Square internet business have helped to lift half-year results from gaming group Rank.
Revenues for the six months to 30 June were up 2.3% to £284.6m, with adjusted pre-tax profits up to £37.3m from £21.9m in the same period last year.
The damp weather helped business at Rank’s Mecca Bingo halls.
Rank also said it was "encouraged" by sales at its Mecca halls in England since the smoking ban began on 1 July.
Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 12:41 PM BST
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Another story from the BBC:
A would-be robber burst into a betting shop brandishing a machete and demanded cash, Kent Police have said.
But staff at Ladbrokes in Perry Street, Gravesend, "stood firm" leaving the man, who wore a crash helmet and seemed agitated, with "no choice but to flee".
In an appeal, Pc Geoff McCreery said he believed the incident on Wednesday afternoon was "a pre-planned robbery".
He said that although the offender was unsuccessful, the crime on 19 August left staff "shocked and distressed".
Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 8:41 PM BST
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Another story from the BBC:
Half-year profits at online gambling firm Partygaming have been wiped out, after the firm ended trading in the US following a change in the law.
The PartyPoker website operator posted a pre-tax loss of $47.1m (£23.5m) for the six months to June. Last year it reported a pre-tax profit of $320.5m.
Laws passed in October last year in the US effectively made it illegal to trade there, hitting the business.
But continuing operations were performing "strongly", the firm added.
Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 10:41 AM BST
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Found this story on Sky News:
Gambling operators are preparing to advertise on television for the first time when new laws come into force this week.
Casinos, betting shops and gambling websites will be able to place TV commercials from Saturday.
The change is part of the Gambling Act 2005 which brings with it a relaxation of current gambling advertising laws.
As yet, no operators have said they will launch TV publicity campaigns on September 1, although many plan to eventually.
Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 12:41 PM BST
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Another story from the BBC:
Post office staff have been forced to hand over cash to a masked man in an armed robbery in Northamptonshire.
Armed police were called to the post office, in Martins newsagents, Corby, after the robber, brandishing a firearm, threatened staff at lunchtime.
The robber, and an accomplice waiting at the shop door, made off with cash in the direction of the Talisman pub.
Police said a link between the raid and a robbery at a betting shop in the town on Sunday could not be ruled out.
Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 8:41 PM BST
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Another story from the BBC:
Edmund Ho, political leader of the Chinese island of Macau, has dismissed claims that he has investments in a Hong Kong casino empire, reports say.
The South Morning China Post said Mr Ho had inherited part of his father’s stake in a gambling tycoon’s firm.
The Macau government said Mr Ho had offloaded his stake before assuming leadership in 1999. But the newspaper said recent data disproved this.
Macau’s casino industry has surged, overtaking Las Vegas in revenue.
Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 2:41 PM BST
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Another story from the BBC:
Holmby Hills, Los Angeles
The long drive up to the picture-perfect Playboy Mansion belies both its relatively modest size and its homely atmosphere.
The walls are adorned with 20th century art masterpieces by Dali, Matisse and Pollock, the shelves crammed with books about films.
Hugh Hefner, the 82-year-old founder of one of the world’s most recognizable brands, shuffles about in his slippers, accompanied by Littlefoot, an ageing dog.
Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 8:41 AM BST
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Another story from the BBC:
Alderney has been given special status which will allow companies on the island to continue advertising online gambling after a UK ban is implemented.
From 1 September all jurisdictions outside the European economic community will have to stop promoting their internet gambling sites.
States chief executive David Jeremiah said: "The island has now been placed on the so-called ‘white list’."
The list enables the island to continue advertising with the UK ban in place.
Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 6:41 PM BST
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Another story from the BBC:
Spice Girl Melanie Brown married film producer boyfriend Stephen Belafonte in Las Vegas on 6 June, her spokeswoman has confirmed.
A statement said that the pair had wanted to "make a private commitment to each other".
The couple, who tied the knot at the Special Memory Wedding Chapel, are planning a bigger celebration for friends and family later this year.
Her publicist added the pair have been "good friends for many years".
Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 2:41 PM BST
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Found this story on Sky News:
About 1,000 gambling websites based overseas will be banned from advertising in the UK under new rules.
Littlewoodscasino.com and Interpoker.com are among the sites that will be subject to the ban when it comes into force on September 1.
The aim is to stop unregulated gambling sites trying to attract UK punters, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Sites in the UK, Europe and other “white list” areas can advertise on TV, radio and in print media, subject to UK advertising rules.
Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 8:41 AM BST
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