Another story from the BBC:

A casino worker who stole £8,500 from his employer to pay off debts has been jailed for 12 months.

Peter Smith, 37, who worked at the Palace Casino, Great Yarmouth, was caught on CCTV stealing the money from the casino cash till on 24 May.

The court heard that he went to Ireland to pay off a debt and then went to Thailand, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Recorder Simon Spence told him it was a "breach of trust". He was banned from working in casinos for 10 years.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 6:41 PM BST

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Another story from the BBC:

A Church of Scotland presbytery has decided to oppose plans for a casino in south west Scotland.

The UK Government recently confirmed Stranraer as one of 16 sites where such gambling developments could take place - the only one agreed for Scotland.

The Wigtown and Stranraer presbytery said it feels casinos can bring a "variety of social problems".

Dumfries and Galloway Council has promised wide consultation before it will allow any such plans proceed.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 8:41 AM BST

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Another story from the BBC:

The Jamaican government has announced its backing for gambling in casinos to be legalised, despite stiff opposition from religious groups.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said he had already given the green light to a group of international investors planning the island’s first casino.

Casino deals would bring in money for areas like health and schools, he said.

Parliament will now consider the proposals which opponents say will bring no benefit to Jamaican society.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 2:41 PM BST

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Another story from the BBC:

Macau’s Chief Executive Edmund Ho has announced a freeze on gaming licences and the construction of new casinos.

The move coincides with reports that Beijing is putting pressure on the territory to diversify its economy away from gambling.

There are concerns that corrupt officials from the Chinese mainland are spending illicit cash there.

Gambling revenue in Macau is reportedly higher than on the Las Vegas strip in the United States.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 2:41 PM BST

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Another story from the BBC:

The government is expected to confirm plans for 16 regional casinos and officially announce the scrapping of a super-casino for Manchester.

Casinos are likely to be approved for towns across the UK, including Leeds, Milton Keynes, Swansea and Stranraer.

Manchester had won the bid to develop a Las Vegas-style resort but Gordon Brown effectively killed off the plans soon after taking over as prime minister.

Manchester Council may appeal against any decision to ditch the super-casino.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 9:41 AM GMT

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Another story from the BBC:

Plans for a giant super-casino in Manchester have been scrapped but ministers will go ahead with proposals for 16 large regional casinos.

The BBC has learned that the decision is to be announced in a statement to the Commons after the half-term recess.

Gordon Brown ordered a review of the plans shortly after becoming PM, and a rethink has been confirmed in a letter to Scottish and Welsh executives.

Manchester City Council says it will "not comment on a leak".

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 9:41 PM GMT

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Another story from the BBC:

The government has dropped plans to build a super-casino in Manchester, the BBC has learned.

The initial policy was for 40 super-casinos but this was scaled back first to eight, then to one, in the face of strong opposition.

Gordon Brown ordered a review of the plans shortly after he became Prime Minister last year.

The government’s abandonment of the super-casino is confirmed in a letter to the Scottish and Welsh executives.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 9:41 PM GMT

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Another story from the BBC:

BBC News, Hong Kong

When Macau’s casino monopoly was abolished in 2001, US and other investors built massive casino complexes on land reclaimed from the sea.

This boom radically changed the skyline and economy of the Chinese-run city - it now makes more in gambling revenues than the strip in Las Vegas.

But critics say daily life and values have deteriorated.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 9:41 AM GMT

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Another story from the BBC:

Gaming revenues in the southern Chinese territory of Macau soared last year, beating expectations and rivalling proceeds from the Las Vegas region.

Revenues rose 46% to 83.8bn Macanese patacas ($10.4bn; £5.3bn) in 2007, according to official figures.

Figures for Clark County in the US, which contains Las Vegas, have yet to be released, but were $10.6bn in 2006.

Many Chinese are keen gamblers and Macau is the only part of China where casinos are allowed.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 3:41 PM GMT

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Another story from the BBC:

A US judge has ruled that Las Vegas casinos may be used by Nevada Democrats for presidential voting on Saturday.

Observers say the decision may benefit Barack Obama, who has won the backing of the union representing many of the shift workers employed in the casinos.

The lawsuit, filed by a teachers’ group with ties to Hillary Clinton, argued it was unfair that only workers around the casinos could vote at their workplace.

Mr Obama, Mrs Clinton and John Edwards are competing to be the state’s pick.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 9:41 AM GMT

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