Register Mail – After failing to win enough support the past two years, proponents of expanded gambling in Illinois see it having better chances this year, with other issues out of the way and the state in dire need of cash. The legislation, which would establish five new casinos and authorize slot machines at racetracks and airports, went out with a whimper last May as the session adjourned. Lawmakers discussed the lengthy, complex proposal extensively but never called it for a vote. So far, advocates are pushing almost identical legislation this year, but circumstances are different. It’s an election year,…

Card Player – A plan to put a commercial casino in Virginia reportedly will have to wait until 2015, despite a positive advancement on the idea early this year. Senate Bill No. 19, which will be shelved, called for a casino in the Hampton Roads area. The state doesn’t have any Las Vegas-style casinos of any kind. According to The Washington Post, Sen. L. Louise Lucas, sponsor of the bill, asked her colleagues this week “to put her own measure off for the year while she gathers support in the more-conservative House of Delegates. Lucas said she’s found a House…

Bloomberg – To bring Las Vegas-style gambling to Florida, casino operators like Sheldon Adelson are sending more than 100 lobbyists to the state Capitol to battle their biggest adversary: Mickey Mouse. The clash pits casino operators Genting Bhd. (GENT) and Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS), controlled by billionaire Adelson, against Walt Disney Co. (DIS), which runs theme parks and resorts near Orlando, and may face new competition for convention business. Companies on both sides of the dispute are sending lobbyists and campaign checks to Florida lawmakers, who say they’ll consider expanding gambling this year. A state-commissioned study found that full-service…

Wall Street Journal – Forget Britney Spears and Cirque du Soleil. For many gamblers, the hottest attraction in Sin City is an outdated three-reel slot machine that hasn’t produced a jackpot in nearly two decades. It is called the Lion’s Share, and in this city with no shortage of losing bets, the 20-year-old slot has attracted a legion of ever-hopeful devotees on the floor of the MGM Grand, the Strip’s second-biggest casino. The machine’s miserly track record may, paradoxically, make it the rarest of all Vegas treats: A decent bet. A generation of players has already lost money on it,…

Forbes – It’s Super Bowl week and after 298 games, including preseason and playoffs, it comes down to one final contest to crown a champion. Before the season began, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, along with the San Francisco 49ers, were the betting favorites to reach the Super Bowl. And in a rare occurrence, we had two preseason favorites make the Big Game. Here is what you need to know for Sunday’s game on the teams, players, owners, coaches, betting and other storylines. 1. First the basics on when and where. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:25 ET on Feb….

iGaming Business – Hotels and casino firm Wynn Resorts has cited the success of its business in Macau as the main reason behind a year-on-year jump in revenue during the year ended December 31, 2013. The firm posted net revenue of $5.6 billion (€4.1 billion) for 2013, an increase of 9.1% on the $5.2 billion recorded in the previous year. Wynn’s performance in the Macau market contributed significantly towards its success last year, with adjusted property earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation at Wynn Macau increasing by 13.4% to $1.3 billion. In comparison, the Wynn Las Vegas recorded much…