Boston Globe – Anti-casino political campaigns across the state during the past year have eroded public support for casino gambling in Massachusetts, a potentially dangerous turn for the industry ahead of a possible campaign this fall to repeal the state casino law, political and casino specialists said Wednesday. Forty-six percent of likely voters approve of locating casinos in Massachusetts, while 43 percent disapprove, according to a new WBUR survey conducted by MassINC Polling Group. The poll, released Wednesday, shows a significant drop in support for the gambling industry in just the past two months. In a January survey, MassINC found…

UK chancellor George Osborne has announced changes for Point of Consumption Tax (POC) and Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs). New tax laws for the UK gambling industry are in the government’s Budget for 2014, with the tax rate for FOBTs increasing to 25%. Additionally, the bingo duty would be cut to 10%, and the government will proceed with plans to introduce a 15% POC tax for remote gambling. UK bookmakers in particular were hit with the announcement that the tax rate for FOBTs will be increased from its current rate of 20% to a new rate of 25%. Shortly after this…

Wall Street Journal – Macau gambling company Galaxy Entertainment Group said Wednesday that it recently signed a framework agreement to build a 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) resort on a nearby island China hopes to transform into a thriving city at the heart of the Pearl River Delta. Unlike Galaxy’s megaresorts in Macau, which has ballooned into a $45 billion gambling market, this project wouldn’t have a casino. The rationale for building the resort, the first such project set to be built by one of Macau’s six casino operators, is to complement Galaxy’s business in the territory, differentiate it from…

Las Vegas Review Journal – It’s been eight years since Macau surpassed the Strip in annual gaming revenue. So it makes sense that the region — the only location in China with casinos — is creating more gaming industry billionaires than Las Vegas. The recently released Forbes 2014 List of the World’s Billionaires shows a large proportion of the wealthy who cite gambling, gaming or casinos as the source of their income also name Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Malaysia and other international markets as their country of citizenship. In years past, Los Angeles-based financier Kirk Kerkorian, founder of what is…

Biz Journals – Thunder Valley Casino Resort launched a joint marketing relationship with MGM Resorts International where they now share rewards benefits. The reciprocal relationship means Thunder Valley customers with rewards programs can get discounts and special officers at MGM resorts in Las Vegas, and MGM rewards program customers can use their cards at Thunder Valley. Some of the shared member benefits include things such as personalized offers on hotel rooms, offers on dining and free casino play. “Thunder Valley is thrilled to be partnering with world-renowned MGM Resorts International and their prestigious Las Vegas properties to offer our Thunder…

Daily Gazette – Every day, Tim DuFresne leaves his job cutting masonry for the city of Amsterdam and drives down winding back roads to his home in the rural town of Florida. “Making that drive,” he said, “it’s all farm fields and trees. For me, it’s like driving into heaven.” From the front door of his little house, the Mohawk Valley opens in a sprawling vista. He loves that view. But now, with talk of a possible casino development at a site just two miles from his home, he’s worried the views and relative privacy afforded by country living will…