This Week in Gambling – Nevada doesn’t want them. New Jersey rejected them. So now they’re knocking on California’s door? In an effort to come out of exile, PokerStars is attempting to work a deal with Morongo and some Southern California card clubs that would open the U.S. market to their participation in iGaming. As a reminder, this is the group that refused to shutter its site, even after the enactment of the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), making online gambling illegal. In 2011, the Department of Justice issued orders mandating the site close down, filed a civil…

Sydney Morning Herald – Clubs NSW chief executive Anthony Ball claims: ‘‘Fairfield Clubs do a fantastic job in supporting local community groups that might otherwise notexist if it wasn’t for their support’’ (‘‘Punters in west pile money in pokies’’, March 23). That is all well and good, but even Mr Ball would have to concede that the $298 million the clubs raised from annual poker machine profits is quite a lot tohave taken from the local community in the first place. Both the NSW and federal governments justify their softly, softly approach to problem gambling by citing individual rights (‘‘Time…

Yahoo – Nevada’s gambling revenue in February plunged 13.7 percent, a decline blamed on a huge drop in baccarat winnings and a tough comparison from a year earlier when the Las Vegas Strip recorded its highest win total ever, state regulators reported Friday. Casinos statewide reported a win of $926.1 million in February, down from nearly $1.1 billion raked in during the same month the year before. The tumble on the Strip, home to Nevada’s posh resorts, was even more dramatic. Casinos there reported gambling revenue of $555.7 million, down 20.1 percent compared with $696.1 million won in February 2013,…

Reuters – Japan’s Universal Entertainment Corp has terminated a deal under which Century Properties Group Inc was to invest in its casino complex on Manila Bay and develop part of the $2-billion project, the Philippine developer said. Century Properties said in a statement it would contest a notice of termination received on Wednesday from the “Okada Group”, a reference to Tokyo-listed Universal Entertainment and other firms controlled by billionaire gaming magnate Kazuo Okada. Century officials said the Japanese group sought changes to terms of the agreement that would have eliminated its exclusive rights for the luxury commercial and residential portion…

Fiorente, Gai Waterhouse’s 2013 Melbourne Cup-winning superstar, is the favorite for the 2013/14 Australian Horse of the Year, but faces stiff competition to take home the crown after a recent drop in form. Fiorente had a disappointing performance in last Saturday’s Ranvet Stakes, re-igniting debate over which horse should win the prestigious award. Sportingbet Australia has installed Fiorente as the marginal $2.50 favorite, but unlike previous years, there’s a number of other strong contenders. Boban ($2.70), Buffering ($6.00) and Lankan Rupee ($8) all have genuine claims with the Sydney Autumn Carnival likely to determine the front-runner. Earthquake is a $10…

Las Vegas Review Journal – Slot machine giant International Game Technology announced a new multiyear licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Monday that allows the Las Vegas-based company to use the “Wheel of Fortune” brand on its product lines through 2024. The deal covers traditional slot machines, online games, mobile devices and free-play social games. IGT said the contract also lets IGT place the “Jeopardy!” brand on slot games on IGT’s DoubleDown online casino. The company said this will be the first time “Jeopardy!” will be available to an online social casino in the United States. Both IGT’s existing “Wheel of…