Macau Business Daily – Wynn Palace – the new US$4 billion (31.95 billion patacas) Cotai resort being developed by entrepreneur Steve Wynn – will definitely be ready by Chinese New Year 2016 says the company. But even as reportedly the last of the concrete is being poured into the foundations, Mr Wynn has already set his mind to developing phase two of his approximately 51-acre (20.6 hectare) Cotai site. Phase two will be known as Wynn Diamond. He spoke about it on the latest earnings call for the parent company Wynn Resorts Ltd, covering the three months to September 30….

Chicago Tribune – Illinois regulators are looking at tightening rules on the lucrative video poker market after revelations that those without a license can cash in on the business. A Tribune investigation this month revealed how some have been able to make money as middlemen in the industry even after being denied licenses or admitting to illegal gambling, despite the state setting up strict vetting requirements. So far, regulators have been tight-lipped about what changes are under consideration. Illinois Gaming Board members did not address the issue during their public meeting Thursday. Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe told the Tribune afterward:…

Business Week – Japanese lawmakers began to flesh out a plan to legalize casinos, with an outline of proposed legislation allowing gambling resorts to be developed not only in big cities but also in regional areas. The document includes a proposal that inspectors be appointed to monitor casinos for illegal activities, according to a copy obtained by Bloomberg News from a person who attended a panel meeting where the proposal was presented. While betting on horse, boat and bicycle races is allowed in Asia’s second-largest economy, casinos are currently banned and a lawmakers’ group is planning to submit a separate…

Press Release – When the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) was signed into law on Oct. 17, 1988, many tribal leaders strongly opposed the federal policy as an infringement on the sovereignty of Indian Country to operate casino-style gaming facilities on tribal lands. In retrospect, however, IGRA, while limiting, has proven to be one of the most progressive economic tools for many tribes, particularly in California, forever changing the face of gaming in this country and making IGRA’s 25th anniversary one worth recognizing. “It’s the one federal Indian policy – amidst a host of failed policies that the federal government…

Have there been slot machines banned in Mexico? Well, the government there has issued a decree banning slot machines, and limiting the ability of casino permit holders to rent out or cede their permits to other operators. Slot machines are known in Mexico as “tragamonedas,” Spanish for “coin swallowers.” A new gambling legislation is in the process of being created in Mexico by the gambling regulatory body of Mexico the NM Gaming Control Board. The gambling legislation of Mexico was last amended in 2004 and doesn’t address internet gambling at all. Slots have proliferated in recent years to such an…

iGaming Business – The UK’s four largest retail bookmakers – William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Betfred – have agreed a deal to make voluntary contributions of £4.5 million (€5.3 million/$7.3 million) per year into British horseracing’s Levy Scheme. The four-year deal, from 2014 to 2017, was announced a week before the deadline for a new agreement. The bookmakers will make the contributions into the newly-created Incentive Fund in addition to their statutory Levy contributions. Following the agreement, the Levy yield for 2014-15 is expected to be £80.2 million – including a contribution of £7.8 million from Betfair. Philip Freedman, the…