NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

CANADA
Alberta Reaching Casino Saturation Point

CBC reported that while seven First Nations in the province hope to build casinos on their land, a researcher who studies the effects of gambling says Alberta is already reaching its saturation point.

"You have them as far south as Lethbridge, as far north as Fort McMurray and in all the major centres: Red Deer, Edmonton, Calgary. So I think it's going to be very difficult for any new casino, regardless of where it is, to successfully compete with the existing ones,” said Robert Williams of the Alberta Gaming Research Institute.

However, First Nations communities see the casino projects as the best way to raise money for housing and social programs, as well as economic development and a way to create jobs.

UNITED STATES
Sand Recreates Dog Painting

Sands Casino Hotel workers used five live dogs to re-create artist CM Coolidge's famously low-brow painting of dogs playing poker in a publicity stunt to drum up interest for a new table games pit. ‘Sands Casino Hotel: Where the Big Dogs Play' read the sign in the pit, which has per-hand betting minimums of $500 on weekends. Built to lure high-stakes players, the pit features roulette wheels and six blackjack tables.

UNITED STATES
D.C. Group Wants Slots

NBC reported that DC is the newest battleground over legalising slots is in the district. A group wants to collect signatures on petitions to put a slots referendum on the D.C. ballot in November. Another group of citizens is trying to block the measure in court. The proposal envisions an emporium with slots and video games generating revenue for the district, possibly creating new jobs. It would be built in Northeast Washington on New York Avenue at Bladensburg Road.

SOUTH AFRICA
Gambling Interests Boost Real Africa Earnings

All Africa.com reported that Real Africa Holdings' (RAH) gaming interests and the disposal of its non core assets helped bring about a tenfold increase in earnings for the year to end March. The company stated that it recorded an increase in earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders from US$4.44 million to US$45.1million for the year under review.

The holding company has been restructured, disposing of most of its unwanted assets and trimming its businesses to focus mostly on the gaming industry and other unlisted entities.

SINGAPORE
Singapore seeks Public Opinion on Casino

The Strait Times reported that the Singapore government took the unusual step of appealing for residents' comments on whether the city-state should open its first casino. The idea was floated in March, and has triggered an outpouring of comments about the merits of such a scheme, which detractors fear could spark a rise in vice and money laundering.

Citizens who wanted to comment were invited to write, fax or e-mail to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE Arrests Chinese for Gambling Crimes

Yahoo Asia News reported that authorities in the United Arab Emirates have arrested 61 Chinese nationals for gambling-related crimes, prompting China to warn citizens abroad to follow local laws. The Chinese citizens were found with equipment, money and drugs related to a collective gambling operation.

AUSTRALIA
Australian Cabinet Hedges Bets on Internet Gambling

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that worried about the potential for terrorist financing, the Federal Cabinet has examined a wide-ranging legislation to ban foreign internet gambling and ordered further work before it makes a final decision. Government sources said the Cabinet was looking at options including total prohibition, stiff industry regulations, or leaving policing to the states. At this stage, the Cabinet appears to be disposed towards taking strong action against internet gambling, fearing it could be used by terrorists and criminals to launder money. The Federal Government banned internet gambling in 2001 but since then has had to deal with a number of loopholes that allow forms of internet gambling.

NEW ZEALAND
More Elderly Need Help for Problem Gambling

The New Zealand Herald reported that the elderly are among the fastest-growing groups seeking help for problem gambling. The Salvation Army says the number of people over 60 seeking face-to-face counseling for gambling problems rose 17 per cent in the past financial year. The biggest increase was among elderly women, with a 30 per cent leap in requests for help. Statistics from problem gambling agencies across the country showed the number of people over 60 seeking help had increased nearly six-fold between 1997 and last year.

PHILIPPINES
Philippine Cops Wait for Gambling Guidelines Approval

The ABS-CBN News reported that the Cabanatuan police is waiting for the issuance of the implementing guidelines so they can act effectively on President Arroyo's order to crackdown on computer game shops and other gambling sites near schools. At the same time, the local office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development suspected that certain police officers and Barangay officials connive in the proliferation of illegal computer-based gambling in many places in the city. The common observation in the city is that the culture of gambling has become deeply embedded in the residents, especially among the children, as many local officials are tolerating the operation of illegal gambling and other vices.

UNITED KINGDOM
Gambling Laws 'Will Protect Young'

Press Association reported that the government announced tougher controls to protect youngsters and vulnerable gamblers as part of the shake-up of gaming laws. The Culture, Media and Sport secretary, Tessa Jowell, said she hoped to bring in legislation later this year. “Fruit machines will be banned from unlicensed premises, such as minicab offices and take-away food shops, where children might congregate. Las Vegas-style slot machines offering unlimited prize money will now only be allowed in the biggest casinos, with numbers limited to 1,250 in each casino. Small casinos will not be allowed to run Bingo games, and all casinos will have to have ‘chill-out’ non-gambling rooms”, she added.

PHILIPPINES
Philippines to Launch Online Cockfight Betting

Agence France-Presse reported that the Philippines is to launch on-line betting on cockfights. The Internet-based betting system will be operated by the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) and Philweb Corp, which said it sees the game generating annual revenue of some 60 billion pesos (about $1 bn).