Dispatch – An illegal casino with 200 slot machines that masqueraded as a skill-games parlor has been shut down. But state regulators warned that similar, smaller businesses might still be operating in the state. An investigation by the U.S. Justice Department, the Internal Revenue Service and the Ohio Casino Control Commission resulted in three Canton-area people being charged with operating an illegal gambling business and money laundering. The government is also seeking forfeiture of $1.3 million and four automobiles. Charged were Jerry Warren, 70, of Canton; Tracie Warren-Pastore, 45, of North Canton; and Yabacushyanei Bennett, 45, of Canton. The feds…

The Guardian – A gigantic resort proposed for far north Queensland does not need federal environmental assessment, its backers have argued, even though it includes two casinos, eight accommodation towers, a golf course and a 33-hectare lake filled via a 2.2km pipeline from the Great Barrier Reef. The $8bn Aquis project, slated for Yorkeys Knob, north of Cairns, is described as “Australia’s only genuine, world-class, integrated resort”. The resort, which would cover 340 hectares, is backed by the Hong Kong investor Tony Fung, who last year bought the Reef Casino Trust, which operates the Cairns casino. An initial advice statement…

iGaming Business – Online casino games provider Net Entertainment has launched its selection of online game titles across the mobile and desktop platform of online gaming operator Bet365. As reported by iGaming Business, the two companies first agreed the deal in December 2013 and have now completed the launch process. “We are very excited and proud to realise a successful launch of our games on Vegas at Bet365,” Net Entertainment managing director Björn Krantz said. “ I am positive that our innovative and exciting portfolio of best of breed games will be well received by bet365 and its players.” At…

This Week in Gambling – Our industry has been wondering what the future of online gambling would be in the United States since before the “Black Friday” incidents of 2011. Even before the passage of UIGEA in 2006, we all knew that eventually regulation would come to America. Now, with three states legalizing web betting, we may be closer than ever to the next phase of this business. Recently, we interview the Executive Vice President of MGM Resorts, Alan Feldman, about online gambling regulation in this country. Specifically, whether that regulation will come in the form of a Federal standard…

The Hill – With the recent introduction of the Restoration of America’s Wire Act in the U.S. House and Senate, the internet gambling issue has again returned to the forefront of policy discussion on Capitol Hill. The renewed focus has prompted well-funded legalization advocates to promote the demonstrably false idea that the many problems associated with internet gambling will disappear with a government stamp of approval. Now that internet gambling is legal in Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey, we needn’t rely on speculation to see the moral hazards associated with legal internet gambling. Convincing evidence is found in the response…

Illegal gaming sites operating offshore have picked up their efforts to convert players from New Jersey lately. Even since the state passed legislation to regulate online betting, offshore operators have intensified efforts to entice gamblers in the state to their unauthorized sites. This according to an executive at one of the companies authorized to offer online gambling. The State Division of Gaming Enforcement confirmed it was aware of the activity of these illegal gaming sites, and that they are taking steps to coordinate an appropriate response to this illegal activity,” said Kerry Langan, a spokeswoman. Asked for details, Langan said…

iGaming Business – The Williams Interactive subsidiary of Scientific Games has agreed to provide its entire portfolio of Vegas-style slots to gaming websites run by online gambling operator bwin.party. Under the deal, Williams Interactive will integrate its Remote Game Server into the bwin.party platform in order to provide players with access to slot titles and game engines. The Williams Interactive games will be available to customers of all bwin.party websites in regulated jurisdictions, including the New Jersey online gaming market in the US. Players will be able to access games via a desktop computer or mobile devices on the Williams…

Blackjack Champ – UK gambling provider Rank Group and Swedish game developer Quickspin agree to partner on developing high quality gaming products. The deal entails both companies combining their forces, as they seek to appeal to the gaming demands of the British market. Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casino are the branded mobile betting sites that will enable players access to Quickspin’s high quality video slots. Quickspin CEO, Daniel Lindberg, conveyed his excitement at the deal, and hopes it will benefit their aim of delivering gaming products of superior quality to their customers. “We are very excited to announce our latest…