iGaming Business – Swedish gambling regulator Lotteriinspektionen has reported that the country’s regulated market shrunk by more than 3% during the first half of 2014. Total revenue for the six-month period amounted to SEK19.3 billion (€2.1 billion/$2.8 billion), which is down more than SEK1 billion on the previous year. The revenue figure also represents the fourth consecutive year of decline in the Swedish national market. Svenska Spel, the largest operator in the country, reported sales of SEK10.7 billion in the first half, which is a drop of almost 5% on the same period last year. The operator suffered losses in…

Samoa is to open its first casino. It will be at Aggie Greys Resort at Mulifanua, near the international airport, and employ 100 staff. The Prime Minister, Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, says the first casino will create more job opportunities and attract more tourists into the country. Tuila’epa has told reporters in his weekly radio programme the idea behind the government’s decision for a casino is for tourists to spend more days in Samoa and spend their wealth. At the same time the prime minister says more money will be pouring into the local economy. SOURCE

Sin City made huge successes of the casino resorts operated by companies such as Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts. However, for the last five years gaming in Asia, rather than U.S. operations, have lifted these companies’ profits. But with 2014 profits in Las Vegas on the rise, is Sin City on the way back? Following the 2008 financial crisis, Las Vegas profits dropped as American gamblers spent less on leisure travel and non essentials like gambling. At the same time, Macau profits started surging as the Cotai strip there opened and Las Vegas Sands dominated the Cotai Strip with the…

Jockey David Walker has had his riding license suspended after a betting scandal investigation was launched into one of his rides at Awapuni earlier this year. The story that has shocked the typically clean image New Zealand racing scene. The Central Districts jockey will face charges of pulling up a horse so he could collect from a head-to-head bet he ‘allegedly’ placed on a rival horse. The senior rider was aboard Watch Your Man who sat near the rear of the field but video shows he never gave his mount a chance and when he found clear running room, he…

Courier Journal – Support for a constitutional amendment on casino gambling appears to be waning, even among those who are for it. Champions of casino gambling aren’t saying much, although the issue is unlikely to disappear completely from debate without being put on the ballot. The reasons are varied: • More racetracks are embracing the slot-like Instant Racing game as an alternative to casinos. The Kentucky Equine Education Project, once the leader of the horse industry’s pro-casino effort, spending about $1.4 million during the 2006 legislative session alone, says it is focused on other issues — though it remains pro-casino…

iGaming Business – Greek gambling monopoly OPAP has reported better-than-expected results in the second quarter despite having been hit by a retroactive tax bill of €21.6 million ($28.5 million) in the period. The bill dates back to the 2010 fiscal year in which the firm had amounted tax charges of €29.6 million, with the operator having only paid €9 million of the total bill so far. After agreeing a deal with the Greek government to delay payment of the remaining balance until the second quarter of this year, OPAP must now complete full payment by the end of the quarter….