Reuters – Japanese gaming company Konami Corp said it was planning to invest in casinos in anticipation of legislation to legalise gambling and help create an entertainment and resort market some estimate to be worth over $40 billion. Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers are trying to pass legislation allowing the development of casino resorts in Japan, although time is running out for a bill to be approved in the current parliamentary session ending next month. Konami said it would set up a subsidiary, once a casino bill is passed, through which it would take a minority stake in casinos in partnership…

Sacramento Bee –  California tribal casinos were deeply divided about how, or if, the state should legalize online poker. Now tribes are talking, but a deal remains elusive because of key disagreements. Robert Martin, chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, said he would have no problem with allowing racetracks and advanced-deposit wagering facilities to offer online poker. “I can’t answer for every tribe, but I can tell you that Agua Caliente would oppose that bill,” said Jeff Grubbe, chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. He noted that voters in 2004 rejected a measure to expand…

Miami Herald – Florida City could be home to Miami Dade’s next poker room and, with time, slot machines, under a loophole in the law affirmed Tuesday by a state appeals court. The decision by the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee overruled state regulators and said that Magic City Casino’s parent company, West Flagler Associates, is eligible to obtain a summer jai alai permit that could also open the door to expanded gambling. Because of a loophole in state law, West Flagler is required to obtain the jai alai permit and then operate just a single jai alai…

iGaming Business – Turkish regional services sector holding company Net Holding is reported to be preparing a bid for the country’s national lottery (Milli Piyango) in partnership with Hitay Yatirim Holdings and with games solutions firm Scientific Games as an operational services provider. According to the Bloomberg news agency, Net Holding will have a 90% stake in the group while Hitay will hold the other 10%. Net Holding confirmed in a public filing that Scientific Games will be signed as a service provider before the bid is tabled. Two people familiar with the bidding process have suggested that UK National…

The government of Australia’s Queensland state will study proposals for two new Chinese and Hong Kong casino backed projects, challenging Echo Entertainment Group Ltd. (EGP)’s hold on the local gambling market. Aquis at the Great Barrier Reef Pty and ASF Consortium Pty will be allowed to submit detailed plans for new resorts in Cairns and the Gold Coast, the state’s Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said in an e-mailed statement today. Echo has the only casino in the Gold Coast and would have to reduce investment in the site if a second project was allowed in the city, former Chief Executive…

Forbes – Macau’s casino revenue isn’t seven times bigger than that of Las Vegas because more people go there. It’s because players bet more in Macau, and casinos have become increasingly more adept at encouraging that trend to build more mass market revenue that’s more than twice as profitable as VIP play. Mass market revenue is approaching 40% of Macau’s total gaming revenue. Walking the floors of Macau’s major casinos, minimum bets at baccarat table begin at $300 Hong Kong (US$39). There are lower minimums for roulette, the rare crap table, and sometimes for sic bo, a Chinese dice game…