Reuters – Gambling revenue in Macau rose 17.6 percent in August year-on-year, buoyed by a steady flow of wealthy Chinese punters to China’s only legal casino hub. August’s revenue of 30.7 billion patacas ($3.88 billion) was the second strongest figure this year, according to government data released on Monday. Analysts had forecast August growth in the world’s biggest gambling market to be up 17-19 percent. A Portuguese colony until 1999, Macau’s gambling revenues are closely twinned with China’s economy as more than two-thirds of its visitors coming from the mainland. Analysts are mostly bullish on Macau, citing low penetration among…

It turns out that even in Sin City, some sins are hard to overlook. The Palazzo Las Vegas is trying to evict a 10-month-old nightclub for shows it says are so raunchy that they violate obscenity laws. It says actors — some nearly naked — toss condoms into the crowd and simulate sex acts and bestiality on stage. The club is seeking a restraining order to halt the closure, arguing that simulated sex acts don’t constitute obscenity. Casino officials “were well aware of our brand,” said Sean Dunn, special events director at The Act, in an email statement, adding that representatives…

Press of Atlantic City – An investment group that combines Asian and American financing with one of Europe’s leading Internet gambling companies is close to buying an Atlantic City casino, the executive overseeing the negotiations says. The group, however, refuses to divulge any information about the casino other than to say it is on the Boardwalk. Nine casinos are located on the Boardwalk. Three more casinos are located in the city’s Marina District. London-based Internet company 2UP Gaming and MidOil USA say they have lined up $330 million in funding to buy and refurbish the casino. Asian financial backers are…

Casino City Times – Bally Technologies, Inc.’s $1.3 billion acquisition of SHFL Entertainment passed a mandatory waiting period from the Federal Trade Commission without any concern of antitrust issues. The slot machine manufacturer said Tuesday the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Act expired Monday without any action or questions by the FTC. Completing the waiting period satisfies one of the conditions required to finalize the acquisition. Bally and SHFL announced the merger on July 16. Bally will acquire SHFL at a price per share of $23.25. The transaction still requires regulatory approval in several jurisdictions, including Nevada. SOURCE

Courier Journal – Churchill Downs Inc. is considering adding 50 new positions paying an average of about $100,000 in Louisville as part of its effort to offer online gambling games like poker. The Louisville-based casino and racetrack company received Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approval Thursday for $1 million in tax incentives to add employees at its headquarters on North Hurstbourne Parkway as part of a $4 million expansion. A statement issued by company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Evans said the additional Louisville jobs would be tied to Churchill’s hopes to offer Internet gambling as its legality is…

iGaming Business – Greek gambling monopoly OPAP has reported a massive 73.9% year-on-year fall in net profit to €67.3 million ($89 million) from €258 million for the first half of 2013. Revenue fell by 15.1% from €2.055 billion to €1.744 billion, with OPAP citing chronic financial problems in Greece and one-off factors for the results. Between the start of January and the end of June, sportsbetting declined by 26.9% to €605.9 million, while numbers games operated by OPAP fell by 7.1% to €1.138 billion. Earlier this month, the Greek government’s Hellenic Republic Assets Development Fund (HRADF) agency finalised a deal to…