Spain’s decision-makers have gone on summer break without resolving a casino smoking ban. That’s an issue for a new resort project from Sheldon Adelson, and a potential deal breaker. The country’s central government has started its annual August holiday without ruling on a request by Las Vegas Sands Corp that smoking be allowed in its proposed casino resort, reports the country’s ABC newspaper. “The government has gone on vacation without a change to the casino smoking ban, or whether to allow smoking in EuroVegas,” said the outlet, using the name tag commonly applied by media – but not the company…

From The Street – Caesar’s Entertainment (CZR_) has failed on its bet in China. The Harrah’s casino operator agreed to sell its Macau property to Chinese real estate developer Pearl Dynasty Investment for $438 million after failing to get a gambling license in the Chinese region. The transaction, revealed in a Friday, Aug. 9 regulatory filing, comes as the Las Vegas casino operator struggles under the weight of $23.7 billion in debt in a deeply competitive U.S. casino industry. Caesars paid $578 million for the golf course property in 2007, with plans to eventually develop it into a hotel and…

From The Motley Fool – Macau’s hot streak continued in July after a 20% increase in gaming revenue from a year earlier and increasing the full-year jump to 15.9% from a year ago. Clearly, the gaming market isn’t slowing, particularly the mass market that will likely drive the industry’s growth in coming years. Macau really comes down to one game in two segments: VIP baccarat and mass-market baccarat. In the first half of the year, this single game accounted for 91.3% of gaming revenue, and the trend doesn’t appear to be stopping. What is changing is the players gambling. No…

From NY Daily News – What happens on a plane bound for Vegas does not necessarily stay on a plane bound for Vegas, and could land you in jail. An Oregon couple are facing federal charges for engaging in “lewd, indecent and obscene acts on an airplane,” according to a criminal complaint posted by The Smoking Gun. Jessica Stroble, 33, and Christopher Martin were traveling from Medford, Ore. to Las Vegas, Nev. on Allegiant Air flight 557 on June 21 when the mile-high mischief allegedly began. A witness sitting across the aisle from the randy traveling companions observed Stroble “perform…

From Reuters – Greece on Monday completed the sale of a major stake in state-controlled gambling firm OPAP (OPAr.AT) to Greek-Czech fund Emma Delta, a condition of the country’s ambitious asset sales program under its multi-billion international bailout. Athens sealed a deal to sell its 33 percent stake in OPAP to Emma Delta for 652 million euros ($870.52 million) in May but rows among opposing investors over the fees OPAP would pay its partners for technology and printing services delayed the deal. Cash-strapped Athens is struggling to meet reform targets under its 240-billion-euro EU/IMF bailout and risks losing funding if…

From Card Player – MGM Resorts International is in the midst of crucial projects in the United States and Macau, but it’s also reportedly keeping close tabs on any possible pro-gambling legal developments in Japan and Korea. The casino firm is one of the largest in the world, boasting dozens of gambling interests. With regards to Japan; “There’s a growing consensus there that gaming will be expanded, and we plan to participate in that process. I think our operating and development expertise as well as our ability to be good partners are great advantages for us,” MGM CEO Jim Murren…