Grimsby Telegraph – I AM WRITING in response to the article printed on Monday, February 10, in the Grimsby Telegraph: “£34 million – the shocking amount poured into fixed odds betting machines dubbed; The crack cocaine of gambling.” At the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB), we were very disappointed that the Grimsby Telegraph made reference to the unfounded statistic that “£34m was spent on gambling machines in betting shops across North East Lincolnshire” and that £34.3 million in cash was poured into the machines. Such figures are inaccurate estimates of turnover on B2 machine content (e.g. roulette games) and provide a…

Daily Finance – Gambling in Asia has been the highlight of the world gaming industry over the last decade. With the industry seeing rising profits in Macau and Singapore over the last few years, companies and investors have been rewarded heavily by gaming growth in Asia. Las Vegas Sands investors would agree that Asian profits have provided a nice portfolio boost as Sands’ share price has grown more than 2100% in the last five years. The growth of Asian operations continues, with both Sands and Wynn Resorts posting huge income increases for the fourth quarter of 2013 with 40% and…

Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Fifty-five million Americans play poker, but now the Supreme Court could weigh in on whether your basement poker game is a federal crime. Under Georgia law, betting on hands of poker, even around your kitchen table with friends, is illegal. Robert Costner regularly hosts poker parties for as many as 100 people in Virginia, a state where it’s legal to play for cash at home. “Why does the federal government care?” said Costner. “It’s not organized crime. It’s not the mob, it’s just some guys getting together having fun.” But the Supreme Court could soon step in….

iGaming Business – Ladbrokes has confirmed that it will be closing 40-50 betting outlets in the near future as it looks to optimise its retail estate in “secondary locations”. The move is likely to be replicated by other high street bookmakers in the UK, the company said, as the industry looks to reduce the number of retail outlets it has opened in the past few years. “Having expanded in the last two years and opened shops in higher footfall locations we are now looking to optimise the estate by closing 40- 50 loss making shops in secondary locations,” the UK…

Miami Herald – Cement mixers from China and construction equipment rumble next to a premier strip of white sandy beach as thousands of Chinese workers labor to complete a $3.5 billion resort project at famed Cable Beach. Bahamian officials hope that the Baha Mar project — four new hotels, 200,000 square feet of convention space, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and a casino with a 50-foot glass water wall and a Vegas-style show lake — will transform Bahamian tourism, putting it on the map as a world-class gaming destination. Baha Mar developers plan to have the mega-resort open…

Sun Sentinel – House and Senate leaders are reaching consensus on a plan that would allow stand-alone casinos in South Florida, if voters approve. But the proposal hinges on whether Gov. Rick Scott, who’s playing his cards close to his vest, seals a deal with the Seminole Tribe. On Friday, Scott gave the first indication that negotiations with the tribe, critical to success in the House, are on track. “Governor Scott is focused on renewing the state’s compact with the Seminoles to get the best deal for Floridians. Other gaming issues, including destination casinos, are being discussed by members of…