Saturday, May 23, 2009

Stimulus poured into the pokies, by Jason Dowling - The Age - 22nd May 2009

Millions of dollars in stimulus payments have been fed into Victoria's poker machines, new figures show.

Spending on the state's 27,500 poker machines outside of Crown Casino soared by almost 7 per cent last month, or an extra $14.4 million, as the Federal Government's $900 stimulus cheques washed through the community.

The payments have been a windfall for Victoria's poker-machine giants, Tatts Group, Tabcorp and Woolworths. Combining December and April, when most of the stimulus payments were made, the increase in pokies spending in Victoria was $45 million, or 10 per cent.

The Reverend Tim Costello said poker machine venues had been "advertising furiously" while the stimulus payments were flowing. "What this has stimulated is more marriage breakdowns and lost businesses and crime committed, because when (poker machine) income jumps as dramatically as this, addiction jumps, and that just tears communities apart."

He said the stimulus spending on pokies was a "sad, missed opportunity to create jobs".

Charles Livingstone, of Monash University's department of health science, said he was not surprised some people took their stimulus payments to poker machine venues.

"It highlights that there is always going to be a group of the people in the community who have relatively modest control over their ability to spend money on the pokies," he said.

"The problem we have got is a poker machine system that allows people to spend unlimited amounts of money in a short period of time."

Dr Livingstone is also concerned that recently retrenched workers may blow redundancy payments on poker machines.

Federal Government spokesman Matthew Martyn-Jones said most people had spent their stimulus money appropriately. "The spending choices of individuals are ultimately a matter for them, but we're confident the overwhelming majority of people are using their stimulus payments responsibly.

"The very clear evidence from retailers like Woolworths and Westfield is that the overwhelming majority of people have been spending their stimulus payments on the basics like children's clothing and nappies."

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey said the pokies figures were "further proof that the stimulus payments were poorly targeted, and it is sad to see money being wasted in this way". (Credit: Fairfax)

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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

A-G to check casino's hand, by Stephen McMahon - Herald Sun - 19th May 2009

The Auditor-General will probe the deal under which Crown casino won an expansion of its gaming tables.

"(We have) asked the Auditor-General to probe the Crown deal, so taxpayers can learn the details of this deal which John Brumby refuses to disclose," Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said yesterday.

The casino may pocket up to $320 million in profits from the deal, which will generate about $60 million for Victorian taxpayers.

The Government is under pressure to reveal whether it received independent advice on whether the deal delivers value for taxpayers over the next four years.

Based on an auditor-general's report on a similar deal in 1995, ANZ chief economist Saul Eslake told the Herald Sun the new deal, revealed just hours before the handing down of the federal Budget, could give the casino earnings of $239 million-$321 million, taking into account inflation over the past 14 years. (Credit: Herald Sun)

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Monday, May 18, 2009

Casino tax boost 'vital for hospitals', by Michelle Draper - Fairfax - 18th May 2009

Victoria's public hospitals will suffer if the opposition blocks a deal to raise taxes on gaming machines at Crown Casino, Victorian premier John Brumby says.

The deal between Crown and the state government, announced on the day of the federal budget last week, allows the casino to expand its gaming floor and introduce 150 more games tables in return for increased taxes on its poker machines.

But opposition gaming spokesman Michael O'Brien said it was wrong to link health funding and gambling revenue.

"If John Brumby doesn't think he's capable of running our hospitals without expanding the casino he should get out of the job," Mr O'Brien told AAP.

"If John Brumby wants to link the number of hospital beds to the number of gaming tables it shows you he's got his priorities wrong."

Mr Brumby said that if the Liberals voted against the deal they would be helping the casino.

"If the Liberal Party votes against it they'll be doing Crown Casino a favour by giving them ... a level of tax on gaming machines which is much more favourable than that paid by other gaming operators," he told reporters on Monday.

Mr Brumby said raising the tax on gaming machines at Crown to bring the casino into line with other operators was "the right thing to do, it's the right social policy".

"If the Liberal Party votes against it that'll be a matter for them but they will be denying the state much-needed revenue to run our public hospital system," he said.

Mr O'Brien said that if the government wanted to secure parliamentary support for the proposal, Mr Brumby would have to come clean on how the deal was struck with Crown by releasing all related correspondence and documents.

"We're not going to be bullied into rubber-stamping a deal to massively expand gambling by John Brumby," Mr O'Brien said.

The deal must go through parliament because the tax rates the casino pays and its site come under a legislative agreement between Crown and the state government.

Legislation is expected to go before the lower house in June.

Under the proposal, while Crown has agreed to a phased hike of 10 per cent in the taxes it pays on poker machines, which will reach 32.5 per cent by 2014/15, it will no longer have to pay a $4,333 health levy per pokie machine, worth $10.8 million a year, from 2012.

The added taxes on Crown's poker machines would provide another $60 million over a four-year period.

This financial year, Victoria is expected to rake in about $1.6 billion in gaming revenue. (Credit: Fairfax)

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Sunday, May 17, 2009

Just look who's talking, Mr Premier, by Peter Rolfe - Sunday Herald Sun - 15th May 2009

Premier John Brumby has come under attack for reversing his hard-line stance on casino deals that deliver extra revenue to gaming operators without public debate.

Former premier Jeff Kennett broke his silence on the issue yesterday as a Sunday Herald Sun analysis of parliamentary documents and public statements revealed Mr Brumby and Attorney-General Rob Hulls were scathing of the Kennett government's plans to introduce 150 new gambling tables at Crown casino in 1995.

Mr Kennett claimed they said expanding the casino was "unjustifiable" and "irresponsible".

During the week, the Brumby Government announced a similar deal to add 150 new gaming tables to Crown, a staged increase in tax rates for gaming machines and an increase in the casino's gaming area.

Mr Kennett said that after "violently opposing" his casino deal and the Formula One Grand Prix in Opposition, the Brumby Government was now "hugging them so tightly it is almost sexual".

He said the Government had been "less than transparent", but did not blame Mr Brumby for "trading off" a tax rise for gaming machines at the casino for more tables.

"The Premier of the day and his Government have the right to make any decision they like and it will be tested by Parliament," he said.

"I think the mistake here is that it hasn't been done openly and, in fact, it seems to have been dragged out by the media and the Opposition in terms of trying to get Mr Brumby to tell how and where the deal was made."

The Opposition has written to Auditor-General Des Pearson urging him to launch an urgent review into the deal, which it said was shrouded in secrecy and against the interests of taxpayers.

It estimated the tables would lead to gambling losses of $1 billion in the next 10 years.

But the Government was standing by its position, saying its latest deal is the right thing to do.

As Opposition leader, Mr Brumby's 1995 policy was for Crown to have no more than 200 tables.

The proposed deal would push the number of tables at Crown to 500 and see a tax rise of 10 per cent on the casino's 2500 gaming machines.

A 1995 press release sent out by Mr Brumby as Opposition leader was titled "Casino culture not the way forward for Victoria."

In 1997, Mr Hulls told Parliament that "under no circumstances" should the government grant any concessions to the casino or change any licence conditions".

"People are sick and tired of their interests playing second fiddle to those of Crown casino," he said.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said the Government had committed a "spectacular backflip".

"John Brumby's hypocrisy on gambling knows no bounds," he said.

As anti-gambling groups condemned the Crown deal, a spokesman for Mr Brumby last night defended his actions.

"This decision virtually equalises tax regimes between Crown and other gaming venues and enables Crown to effectively compete with casinos interstate and internationally," he said.

Crown founders Ron Walker and Lloyd Williams declined to comment on the casino agreement.

"I left Crown in 2000, it's now 2009 and I'm history," Mr Williams said.

Opposition gambling spokesman Michael O'Brien said the Government also had to explain why a new licence fee - similar to the $85 million deal done with Crown in 1995 - had not been announced.

"This is rolled gold hypocrisy from John Brumby - he's doing exactly the same thing that he was complaining about in 1995," he said.

Legislation endorsing the gaming changes is likely to be voted on along party lines when it goes to Parliament, meaning the Government will need all 19 Upper House members and two other MPs to pass it. (Credit: Sunday Herald Sun)

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Friday, May 15, 2009

Americans to Obama: Legalize Online Poker!

Citizens Briefing Book shows strong demand for full legalization of Internet poker (among many other ideas)

May 14, 2009 (CAP Newswire) -- An online survey released by the U.S. White House this week shows what's really on Americans' minds when it comes to priorities for the new president. Among the most important action items is "Boost American Economy with Legal Online Poker".

The report, called the Citizen’s Briefing Book, compiled the opinions of 125,000 U.S. citizens in an effort to illustrate to the new president what his priorities should be, as defined by the public he serves. The report is officially addressed “to President Barack Obama, from the American people”.

The suggestions are broken down into 10 categories: Economy, Education, Energy & Environment, Foreign Policy, Health Care, Homeland Security, Service, Technology, Veterans, and Additional Issues.

Number one on the list of Technology suggestions: “Boost America’s Economy with Legal Online Poker” (followed closely by “Restore Net Neutrality Protections to the Internet”, an issue that’s also relevant to the iGaming industry given the recent censorious activities in Minnesota).

"Let online poker players in the United States play legally and without fear of prosecution," the report quotes a voter's opinion. "Reform the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to exempt poker, a game of skill, from the law. Boost the economy by letting American companies and American players make money and pay taxes instead of sending online poker businesses offshore. Protect online poker players by regulating the industry to ensure that no one is ever cheated."

Sure, this is a document of opinions, and not one of official policy. But, given President Obama's focus on popular issues, as well as his general popularity in the U.S., it's very likely that he'll heed at least some of the report's suggestions.

In addition to the welcome news that Americans really, really want to get online poker legalized, this story is also significant because the Washington Post chose to highlight online poker as one of the three most important conclusions from the report. Combined with the recent surge of interest from the mainstream news industry on the issue of legalized online gambling (see yesterday’s story in the L.A. Times here), the media coverage of online gambling legal issues is rapidly growing, which is likely to help Barney Frank's drive to repeal the UIGEA bans.

Click here to read the Washington Post’s writeup on the story; click here to read the Citizens Briefing Book directly at the official White House website.

(Credit: CAP)

Greg Tingle comment...

President Barack Obama advises the American people that they listen, and the American people are speaking. Just like down under here in Australia, the people have long enjoyed a game of poker... (a game of skill). Then the internet came along, and the rest is history. Barack Obama and his team might do well to get in the ear and consult with California's Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has shown great listening skills and leadership in going after other important matters such as the environment, support for the average person, and he's embraced technology advancements, even having his office plugged into social networking websites and the like. Barack Obama is also pretty tech savvy so on the surface it appears these two great leaders would share some common ground which is a great place to start these talks from. And... it appears these talks would have potential to do wonders for the American economy. You can bet that the likes of the switched on teams at PartyGaming, BetUS, Virgin Games, Boss Media, Playtech, Microgaming, Harrah's Entertainment, World Poker Tour, World Series of Poker and even Australia's James Packer and co, and a few others, would be watching with great interest.
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Thursday, May 14, 2009

Crown Casino deal could be blocked - Fairfax - 14th May 2009

A controversial deal by Victoria's government to expand Crown Casino could be blocked when it reaches parliament.

The deal, announced earlier this week, will allow Crown to expand its gaming area by introducing 150 new gaming tables, in return for paying increased taxes.

It has provoked outrage from the opposition and gambling opponents, who say the arrangement was hatched in secret and will contribute to problem gambling.

Opposition gaming spokesman Michael O'Brien said it was a realistic option for the Coalition to block the bill.

"We will use the parliamentary process to use the scrutiny that (Premier) John Brumby's tried to avoid and to engage in the consultation that John Brumby's refused to do."

The deal must go through parliament because the tax rates the casino pays and the site it is on comes under a legislative agreement between Crown and the state government.

Mr O'Brien said the Coalition had no confidence in the deal.

"At this stage, every option is on the table from the Coalition's perspective," Mr O'Brien told reporters.

"This is a deal concocted in secret, leaked out on budget day because the government is embarrassed by it."

Victorian Greens MP Greg Barber said the bill had no "guarantee of passage".

Earlier, Mr Brumby defended the bill, saying it was "good public policy".

He refused to say whether cabinet had ratified the bill but denied claims he had discussed the commercial negotiations with Crown executive chairman James Packer.

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Wednesday, May 13, 2009

James Packer's Crown Casino Inks Deal With Victorian Government Raising Ire Of Anti Gaming Activists, by Greg Tingle - 13th May 2009

Despite a world wide recession and strong and vocal opposition against casinos and gambling in Australia, James Packer has pulled off a masterstroke by securing a win - win with his Melbourne based Crown Casino and Melbourne's Victorian government. The late, great, Kerry Packer would be proud.

The timing is excellent for Packer and his Crown empire which is expanding in Australia, Asia Pacific, and specifically Macau and its well publicised City Of Dreams.

It's a win - win - win, at least from the sides of Packer and the state government. Crown furthers its expansion and capacity in the casino, hotel, resort, entertainment sector, and readies itself for expanded world wide poker events, Crown investors and bean counters are happy, the state government guarantees itself a healthy tax revenue from Crown, said to be worth up to $60 million.

In addition it's more revenue and exposure for the Victorian and Australian tourism market.

Packer was recently spotted chatting with Virgin's Richard Branson who has long enjoyed ties to the Australian business market and considers Australia somewhat of a home away from home. One may speculate if Virgin Atlantic, V Australia and Packer's Crown may be in the mist of negotiations to fly casino whales around to the world's premier hotels and casinos. Branson explored a bricks and mortal casino deal in Macau a number of years ago however it never transpired, but has since ramped up the Virgin Games operation and made further inroads in Australia with the Australian Grand Prix and Virgin Active gyms to name but a few. It remains no secret that Crown and the rest of the Packer empire has vast experience and resources to secure many of the world's top entertainment acts. Crown was of course recently host to the 2009 TV Week Logie Awards.

Crown's recent deal with the Victorian government has raised the ire of anti gaming campaigners such as Rev Tim Costello and Dr Zirnsak, with comments being bandied around such as "cosy deal", "appalling", "vulnerable public", "buy off" and "in bed".

Up north in Sydney, Tabcorp's Star City Casino will be watching closely, as it looks to make the most of its $475 million dollar investment into its casino, recently host to an ACP Publishing's Ralph swimsuit fashion competition.

It will be interesting to see how both the casino giants, state and federal governments play their cards as the casinos ramp up in what is shaping up to be the worst recession of the modern era.

Casinos are not merely casinos, but are as much a part of the entertainment and big business sector as much as anything else. Everyone is competing for the entertainment dollar and tourism dollar. These developments come at a time which Australia is attempting to hold off the worst of the world's financial markets collapse, much of which has a trail back to New York's Wall Street, with shades of Gibraltar, and involvement of the once generous banking institutions in the US. In the meantime Las Vegas is almost giving away beds in 5 star accommodation packages to bring in the punters.

Packer is also expanding his Seek.com, Perisher Blue - CPL resort project, but is not pursuing a rumoured Wikipedia.com project. Betfair, once very closely linked to Packer is said to remain on the ACMA's blacklist, despite holding numerous gaming and operating licences. Betfair is in heated discussions with the Dutch government and insiders advise they are likely to fully explore their legal options against the Australian Federal Government. You can bet that both PartyGaming and Harrah's Entertainment will be watching Crown's and Tabcorp's dealings with the state and federal governments, as will Team Schwarzenegger in California.

Australian casinos have bought themselves some breathing space whilst many leading financial analysts are saying that the worst of the recession is now over, at least from a casino owner - operators perspective.

Summary

Anti gaming activists up in arms over Crown Casino - Victorian Government deal

The "Health Benefit Levy", now at $4333 per electronic gaming machine per year, will be abolished from July 2012.

Australian casinos using somewhat different tactics to Las Vegas to hold off the worst of world wide recession

Crown Casino to get 150 new tables and up to 200 terminals for fully-automated multi-station table games

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Govt approves Crown licence amendments - 12th May 2009

Victorian casino operator Crown Ltd says it has won approval from the state government to increase the number of table games at its Melbourne casino and to increase its floor area.

In return, Crown says it has agreed to a phased increase in the tax rate on electronic gaming machines - pokies.

The changes are the result of negotiations between Crown and the Victorian government under their Casino Management Agreement.

Under the new arrangements, Crown said in a statement on Tuesday, Crown Melbourne's casino licence will be amended to increase the maximum permitted number of table games, and fully automated multi-station table games will be allowed.

"The new limits will allow Crown to increase the number of traditional table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat, etc) by about 100 tables and to also increase the number of poker tables by about 50 tables," Crown said in the statement.

The gaming floor will be expanded to accommodate the increased gaming capacity.

In return, Crown said it had agreed with the government that the tax on electronic gaming machines would be raised by 1.72 per cent each year for six years from 2009/10, resulting in a total tax increase of 10.32 per cent by 2014/15.

But Crown says another change to the agreement is that it won't have to pay the Health Benefit Levy, currently $4,333 per electronic machine per year, from July 1, 2012.

Crown said the Victorian Government had promised that it would initiate no further tax or levy changes before June 30, 2022 - 13 years away.

Crown's Executive Chairman, James Packer, said Crown Melbourne's gaming capacity had "long been constrained by its licence restrictions".

"These new arrangements now allow us to expand and improve the gaming floor in line with recent and future expansions to Crown's hotels, restaurants, retail and carparking," Mr Packer said.

"The expansion of the casino will be integrated into the major refurbishment program currently underway at Crown Melbourne and will complement the west end redevelopment of the complex, which includes the new third hotel and associated restaurants and retail facilities.

"This will assist us to maintain the Crown Entertainment Complex as one of the world's great casino/hotel complexes and a major tourism asset for Victoria," Mr Packer said.

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Crown expansion plan draws fire from critics, by Sarah-Jane Collins and Jason Dowling - The Sydney Morning Herald - 13th May 2009

Crown Casino has been granted its biggest expansion in gambling capacity since opening at its Southbank location more than a decade ago, in a deal attacked yesterday by campaigners for responsible gaming.

The casino, now one of the biggest in the world, will be able to increase its number of gambling tables by more than 40 per cent to 500 tables.

"Clearly the casino is being treated as the primary and first citizen of the state, with privileges that are really a cosy deal without the rest of the community having any say," the Reverend Tim Costello said.

The Victorian Gaming Minister, Tony Robinson, said the Government had agreed with Crown to alter their licence agreement to allow for 150 extra gaming tables and an expansion of the gaming floor. In exchange, Crown will pay about 10.5 per cent extra in poker machine taxes, bringing it into line with other pokie machine operators across Victoria. The increase will be implemented in 1.7 per cent increments over six years.

"This is bringing the tax that they pay on their poker machines up to the level that is paid by other entities across the state, so it's a good deal for taxpayers," Mr Robinson said.

He said allowing the expansion would ensure Crown remained the first choice casino destination in Australia.

"If people ultimately want to have the boiled sweets experience of casinos, let them go to Sydney. If they want the rolled gold dark chocolate experience they're going to keep coming to Melbourne and we're going to ensure that."

Gary O'Neill, from Crown Casino, said the deal meant Crown would be able to keep up with growing rivals in Macau and Singapore. "The new mega complexes are very big. They will be very competitive and they will compete for the tourist dollar in this part of the world."

Mr O'Neill said the gaming floor at Crown would expand but final approval for an expansion rests with the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation.

Mark Zirnsak, from the Interfaith Gambling Taskforce described the expansion as appalling. "This, coming at a time when there's a global financial crisis, it's going to push more Victorians into being in hardship and vulnerable," he said.

Dr Zirnsak said the deal pointed to the "very cosy relationship between the Government and Crown".

"There's been no consultation on this expansion, which we believe there should have been, and the timing is indeed appalling," he said.

He said Crown did not need an expansion to remain competitive. "They've got a monopoly [in Victoria] and most of their patrons aren't millionaires flying in from overseas. They are locals," he said.

But he said he supported the increase in pokies taxes.

The Opposition's gaming spokesman, Michael O'Brien, said Mr Robinson had waited until budget day to announce the deal in an attempt to bury a bad decision. "Labor is clearly embarrassed by this gambling boost and tax grab, as it should be." (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)

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Thursday, May 07, 2009

iMEGA Letter to ISPs: Reject Minnesota Online Gambling Blocking Order - Gambling911 - 5th May 2009

The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA) has sent letters to Internet service providers Comcast, AT&T, Verizon and others, alerting them that they need not comply with an order to block access to Internet gambling Web sites that was issued by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement Division (AGED).

iMEGA's letter highlighted the state agency's error applying a federal law - the Wire Act of 1961 (18 USC 1084) - as the basis for issuing an order to block Minnesota residents from freely accessing 200 Web sites included on a "black list" created by DPS/AGED. In addition to a few popular sites, like FullTiltPoker.com and Bodog.com, the list included sites that did not accept business from US residents, and some that were no longer in business.

"Because website operators are not subscribers of yours, have no contracts with you and are not provided facilities by you, you should be aware the the MN DPS is attempting to mislead(either intentionally or inadvertently) you into believing that you are bound by federal law to do what the MN DPS asks," the letter stated. "In fact, [the Wire Act] simply does not apply to the web site operators and imposes no duty upon you and provides no authority to you to comply with the MN DPS request."

iMEGA sent the letter to the ISPs in hope of persuading them not to block access to the sites by Minnesota residents. "The DPS has issued this order on erroneous legal ground," said Joe Brennan Jr., iMEGA chairman. "We hope that the ISPs will disregard the order, and that DPS will reconsider their actions and the far-reaching effects this kind of Internet censorship would have." (Gambling911)

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Online gaming gains Harrah's as supporter, by Arnold Knightly - Las Vegas Review-Journal - 6th May 2009

Casino giant Harrah's Entertainment has thrown its support behind legislation introduced today that would allow Internet gambling by individuals in the United States, something that could open a whole new market for the owner of the World Series of Poker brand.

The proposed Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2009, which was introduced today by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., would establish a framework to permit licensed gambling operators to accept wagers from inside the United States.

The legislation provides safeguards against compulsive and underage gambling, money laundering, fraud and identity theft.

"We really believe this industry already exists," said Jan Jones, Harrah's Entertainment's senior vice president of communications and government relations. "It just exists in a wild west setting. If you say you care about protecting children and fraud and money laundering, then the only way you can put those protections in place is to put in a strong regulatory frame."

The casino company spent $405,087 in the first quarter and registered as a lobbyist to try to build support for the new proposal.

Harrah's Entertainment has also hired Tony Podesta, a long-time Democratic fundraiser who has lobbied for Wal-Mart and Sallie Mae, and his brother John Podesta, an adviser to President Obama.

Jones said Americans are already spending $6 billion annually gambling in an unregulated online environment.

The bill would establish regulations that would be enforced by the U.S. Treasury Department. The federal department would also issue licenses to Internet gambling operators.

Frank's bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Shelley Berkley, D.-Nev., whose district includes Clark County.

It would repeal the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which made it a crime for banks or other institutions to process financial transactions used to place illegal bets online.

The Bush administration implemented regulations, which are set to go into effect on Dec. 1, to enforce the banking ban.

Separate legislation introduced by Frank today would delay those regulations from taking effect.

"What we have now is an unworkable law passed by those opposed to all gaming, whether it's done by adults in Las Vegas or on the Internet," Berkley said in a statement. "So there is no question we must act to correct the problems caused by this failed crusade to ban Internet gaming."

Similar legislation failed in the last Congress. MGM Mirage today expressed support for the idea of legalizing, regulating and taxing Internet gambling, but cautioned that company executives have not read Frank's new bill to know if it is the right bill to support.

Alan Feldman, MGM Mirage's senior vice president of public affairs, called the 2006 law bad legislation, which was passed without any hearings.

"The original ban was absolutely ridiculous, just absurd," Feldman said.

Youbet.com and the Poker Players Alliance, which is headed by former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, are also lobbying for the legalization of online gambling.

Not every supporter of online gaming expressed blanket support for the new bill.

David G. Schwartz, director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Gaming Research Center, expressed concern about having the federal government oversee the industry. He said the new proposal would basically set up what he described as a federal Gaming Control Board.

"It would have the federal government regulating gambling, which goes against 220 years of how we've interpreted the Constitution, which is that states have the right to regulate gaming," Schwartz said. "This seems to hoist an overly complicated bureaucracy on the gaming industry."

Jones said Harrah's supports a federal oversight role because regulating online gambling at the state level would be nearly impossible.

"The whole nature of Internet gaming is that people can be on all over the world," Jones said. "It makes much more sense to have a federal regulatory oversight, with an opt out by the states, which this bill provides."

Contact reporter Arnold M. Knightly at aknightly@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Bloomberg News Service contributed to this report. (Credit: Las Vegas Review-Journal)

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Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Swiss To Offer Online Gambling Licenses - iGaming Business - 5th May 2009

In Switzerland, the Government has announced plans to liberalise its online gambling market by offering operators a limited number of licenses while keeping a ban on wagers placed through telephone and interactive television.

The proposals are the idea of the Justice Ministry in response to the increasing number of illegal online money games but any changes would be subject to the approval of the Swiss Parliament.

The plan would also tighten measures against other forms of illegal gambling, which could see the Swiss run afoul of the European Commission for seeming to give preferential treatment to locally licensed providers over those based in other Member States.

According to an article from news portal SwissInfo.ch, new forms of gambling in Switzerland could see the Government generate tax revenues of up to $22 million a year.

The Swiss decision comes hard on the heels of Denmark’s announcement last week that it would be presenting proposals that would, if passed, end the 60-year gaming monopoly of the State-owned Danske Spil organisation. (Credit: iGaming Business)

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Tuesday, May 05, 2009

New Age Symbols, Dolphins Being Used to Lure Sexually Abused Gamblers - Gambling911 - 4th May 2009

A report in the Herald Sun recently suggested that anti-gambling zealots were now claiming poker machine operators in Australia were using New Age symbols to target gamblers who have suffered trauma and abuse. These allegations are outlined in submissions to the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into poker machines, which has become a hot topic down under.

The worst offenders, according to the report, were the Dolphin Treasure, Queen of the Nile and Sweethearts 2, all of which were manufactured by gambling giant Aristocrat Leisure.

"There are associations between the symbols used in these poker machines and the symbols used by some treatment providers who help survivors of sexual abuse," claimed Tim Falkiner, a former legal officer with the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority.

He cited the Joyful Heart Foundation, which uses dolphins in treatment of sexual abuse victims.

"When you look at the symbols of Dolphin Treasure there are two dolphins swimming in harmony back towards the left - it is a symbol of rebirth. It appeals to people who are suffering from a distress of the spirit and seeking a new beginning."

Essentially, what Falkiner is saying is that those gamblers who have been sexually abused may be drawn to these machines in the casino environment.

Tim Allerton, a spokesperson for Aristrocrat Leisure, denied the allegations, saying that the games were simply designed to entertain and there were no other ulterior motives involved.

It should be noted that the Bahamas popular Atlantis Resort regularly uses the lure of dolphins in its adverts. (Credit: Gambling911)

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Wrestlers and Arnold Schwarzenegger Gambling, Poker Connection - Gambling911 - 4th May 2009

Ric Flair recently signed a deal to be a spokesperson for the lottery in the Carolinas... The Shelby, NC Star ran a story noting that Ric, David, and Reid Flair are scheduled to appear on Saturday at the Rec Center for a charity show to raise for the Shelby City Parks and Police Department. If he attends this would be Reid's first public appearance since his arrest last weekend.

"This is of course totally the opposite direction to Jesse Ventura's stance on gambling, at least publicly," notes Media Man, Greg Tingle.

Tingle made reference to Ventura's support of an online gambling enterprise, BetUS.com, where he was a paid spokesperson for more than two years. Interestingly enough, the state of Minnesota for which Ventura served as Governor, announced last week it will try to block access to online gambling websites from citizens of that state.

Then there is California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, a one time friend of both men, who reportedly would support an initiative in his state to legalize online poker.

In November 2004, an advertisement began airing in California featuring Ventura. In it, Ventura voices his opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's policies regarding Native American casinos, the very casinos that stand in the way of the proposed poker legislation. Schwarzenegger and Ventura have not spoken in years, according to reports.

In September 2005, Ventura announced on The Mike Malloy Show that he was leaving the U.S. and planned to "have an adventure". In late October 2005, he went on the The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch and reiterated that he was leaving the U.S. due to, among other things, censorship. He has since moved to Baja California, Mexico. (Credit: Gambling911).

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