The New Macau Association wants the Public Prosecutions’ Office (MP) to investigate government officials in relation to the granting of casino sub-concessions. In a press conference held yesterday, the president of the association, Jason Chao, stated: “We have long heard that there are only three casino concessionaires in Macau and another three sub-concessions. But in reality these are not sub-concessions at all; we have six autonomous and independent concessionaires.” Chao mentioned a news article published last May in the newspaper Macau Business Daily. The article claimed that the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam, had issued a letter addressed…

From Daily News – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recently raided several illegal Internet gambling operations in the city of Carson that have created blight in the community and a public safety hazard for its residents. These unlawful enterprises are proliferating communities across the state. “Internet Sweepstakes Cafés” are criminal gambling operations that run computer casino games like video slots and video poker, which can only be legally played in California with a state license. Customers can win cash prizes and redeem their winnings at each facility. However, despite the fact the state has declared these organizations “illegal gambling…

From Business Week – Sands China Ltd. (1928), the Macau casino operator controlled by billionaire Sheldon Adelson, said second-quarter profit more than tripled as it added gambling tables and hotel rooms to draw more visitors. Net income for the Hong Kong-listed unit of Las Vegas Sands Corp. increased to $487.6 million from $160.5 million a year earlier, according to its parent’s filing in U.S. GAAP standard today. Revenue climbed 40 percent to $2.07 billion from $1.48 billion. Sands China, Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. (27) and Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (MPEL:US) have been expanding on the Cotai Strip, a piece of…

The towering SlotZilla zipline project in downtown Las Vegas has been pushed back to a fall opening. According to Fremont Street Experience spokesperson Thomas Bruny, the project is taking longer to build than anticipated. SlotZilla was slated for a summer opening. An exact date for the opening was not yet determined. Plans for the zipline project calls for a 12-story, slot-machine-themed, two level thrill ride situated near Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street. Riders on the upper Zoomline will take off 110 feet above the ground and, lying flat on a harness, zoom 1,700 feet through and under the Fremont…

From Herald Online – The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and the Pueblo of Zuni applaud the bipartisan action of the U.S. House National Resources Committee who, today, approved H.R. 1410, the Keep the Promise Act. By a vote of 35 to 5 the Committee acted swiftly to reaffirm the commitments made to Arizona residents who voted “yes” on Proposition 202 — the Indian Gaming Preservation and Self-Reliance Act of 2002. Importantly, the action of the Congressional committee clears the way for the legislation to be considered by the full body of…

From Macau Daily Times – Despite the Macao Monetary Authority’s earlier revelation that the VIP segment is losing its share to the mass market, the Chief Executive Officer of SJM (Sociedade de Jogos de Macau) pointed out that the transition to the mass gaming market is a trend. Speaking on the sidelines of a graduation ceremony, veteran casino operator and SJM CEO Dr. Ambrose So said that local economic growth could not be judged based on the figures of the past few months alone. Instead, he is optimistic about development prospects in the long run. The Monetary Authority stated in…