From Casino City – It seems laughable now in hindsight. Slot machine maker Multimedia Games, Inc. was for sale in 2010 and couldn’t attract a buyer. Today, it’s the hottest commodity for the gaming industry investment community. “We’re an exciting growth story in gaming, and there aren’t too many of those, to be honest,” said Multimedia Games Chief Executive Officer Patrick Ramsey, 39, who joined the company as chief operating officer in 2008. A few years ago, Multimedia Games had only a handful of gaming licenses. Now, with licenses in major markets — including Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Mississippi…

This Week in Gambling – Other than regulation, the most important issue for online gambling is payment processing. J Todd talks to Tim Richards of Global Cash Access, providers of integrated casino cash solutions, from the iGaming Super Show in Amsterdam. According the the global Cash Access website, the company focuses on “…redefining the possibilities of cash access products and related services throughout the gaming industry – both in the U.S. and abroad. The technologies we create are the standard bearers for the entire industry, and we continue to blaze new trails in terms of what cash access can do for…

From Aljazeera – Politicians fear influence of high street gambling facilities could be making the financial situation worse. London is feeling the long term effects of the financial downturn. Local politicians say the city has up to 7,000 empty shops, costing the economy more than $500m and leading to social problems. The influence of high street gambling facilities could be making the situation worse. Al Jazeera’s Laurence Lee reports from London. WATCH VIDEO

From iGaming Business – The British government’s Gambling Commission watchdog has released the results of a recent survey showing that the overall levels of gambling have remain unchanged from 2012 despite an increase in online participation for the National Lottery. The study found that an average of 57% of British residents has participated in at least one form of gambling in the four weeks leading up to the survey, which is static when compared with last year’s figure, with the National Lottery being the most popular at 46%. Other popular form of gambling included scratchcards at 10%, another lottery at…

From New York Times – Gibraltar, the British territory at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula, has long been a political sore point between Britain and Spain. But now, in an Internet gambling dispute, it’s Briton vs. Briton. Officials and executives in the territory’s thriving online gambling industry are crying foul over Prime Minister David Cameron’s plan to impose a 15 percent tax on residents of Britain who place bets on Gibraltar’s dozens of sites. People here in this tiny outpost, which evokes England with its red phone booths and helmeted police officers, see the proposed tax as an unfair…

From Casino City Times – I. Nelson Rose “I crapped out” — Meyer Lansky, quoted in T.J. English’s HAVANA NOCTURNE: HOW THE MOB OWNED CUBA…AND THEN LOST IT TO THE REVOLUTION Fidel Castro is gone. He may not be dead. But on a recent trip to Cuba, I was told by both American and Cuban experts that he is beyond retired. His image may be everywhere, but he no longer has a living influence. Fidel has become to Cuba what Mao is to China. His younger brother, Raul, is still alive, but is 82 years old. He has called for…