Courier-Journal – An attorney for a leading anti-gambling group in Kentucky said Wednesday that the General Assembly cannot approve a bill to regulate casinos until after the state constitution is changed by voters, which at the earliest would be in November. Stan Cave, an attorney for the Family Foundation of Kentucky, said a number of Kentucky court rulings say the legislature cannot act on something that it doesn’t already have the power to do under the state constitution. Cave made the comment in a hearing before the House Licensing and Occupations Committee, which gave opponents a chance to testify against…

The Telegraph – The smart money is on a gambling machine clampdown as early as this year, according to the bears at JPMorgan Cazenove. Ladbrokes dropped 8.1, or 4.9pc, to 158.6p and William Hill slid 6.6, or 1.8pc, to 355.4p after the broker’s betting experts said Government restrictions on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBT) were likely to be implemented in the autumn, although moves could be made earlier in 2014. “A reduction in stakes and/or prizes is the most likely outcome, in our view, which could be achieved within existing legislation,” the analysts argued. That in turn could lead to…

Journal Star – Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber thinks it’s high time that Nebraska approves casino gambling, which he says will raise money for tax relief and state aid to schools, among other things. Nebraska allows keno, horse racing and a lottery but has resisted video gambling machines and casinos. Casino gambling is allowed in the states that surround Nebraska. “We’re giving so much of this (gambling) money to other states. Why not save it for ourselves?” Karpisek asked. He introduced a proposed constitutional amendment Tuesday (LR416CA) that would ask voters to approve casino gambling in the state. Under his…

Gaming Today – The battle to determine Florida’s future in the gaming industry is reaching high gear with major efforts being launched by both sides of the issue. Last week, the advocates of increased activity in Florida put forth major marketing efforts under the title of “Best for Florida,” by the proponents of expanding gambling, and “Pushing Luck” by the opponents. Supporters are attempting to educate Floridians on the “tremendous benefits” that can accrue from the building of casinos in the state. “Florida has an historic opportunity to create jobs and locate a huge magnet for convention and trade shows…

UK bingo halls and their companies have been backed by a group of 54 MPs in their campaign to reduce the gambling tax imposed on bingo to be reduced from 20% to 15%. It looks as though the land-based bingo industry in the UK is reaching crisis point. On Friday last week, the Boost Bingo campaign was launched with the industry lobby group the Bingo Association asking the government to bring levies on the game of bingo in line with other forms of gambling in the UK. Currently bingo hall profits are taxed at 20% while there’s a 15% tax…

iGaming Business – Lottery technology business China LotSynergy Holdings has entered into a co-operation agreement with China Mobile Communications Corporation to provide operations to support the mobile payment-based lottery platform of the state-owned telecommunications company. The Chiefgroup.com.hk website reports that the deal was signed between China LotSynergy’s subsidiary, Beijing Huacai Yingtong Technology Company, and China Mobile’s subsidiary China Mobile E-Commerce. Under the agreement, Huacai Yingtong will provide operations support with responsibilities for the system construction, software development, sales strategy and marketing for China Mobile’s platform. The arrangement will enable China LotSynergy to provide lottery betting services through the internet, mobile…