The Prime Minister of Bangkok, Samak Sundaravej’, supports the legalization of casinos in the country, in spite of the public opinion, which thinks that this action will benefit only the government and in exchange damage society. If this multi-million idea could actually be put into practice, then it would only serve politicians, businessmen and overall the government’s allies.

The public Thai public in general would receive nothing more than a very probable increase in debt and family and work problems.

The restriction imposed by the Russian government to the gambling industry in the last few years has led some operators to show their discontent and take some measures about it. Such is the case of Storm International, which announced this week its possible retirement of the Russian market and transfer to more profitable markets.

The measures adopted by the Russian government include the exile of the big gaming centers from the main cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg to more distant regions. Also, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, compared the addiction caused by gambling to that caused by alcohol and nicotine.

The opening date for the new Resort & Casino that Harrah's Entertainment is planning to build up in Ciudad Real is projected for the year 2010. It is estimated that this ambitious project, which the American company is planning to build at the residential and entertainment complex of Reino Don Quijote, will attract almost 2 million visitors a year.

The total surface of the complex covers 6.8 million square feet. The hotel, with more that 800 rooms, will have a 5 star category and it will also have a 3,500 square meter spa, restaurants for 3,000 people, a convention center with 2,000 seats as well as a stores area.

The authorities of the region of Krasnodar in Russia informed that the construction of a gambling city similar to Macau would start in 2009. According to a spokesperson, the zone will be called Azov City and it will be located in the south of the country.

Azov City will house several casinos, slot machine parlors, betting shops and other similar establishments, all related to the gambling business. The urban center will also offer four and five star hotels, bars, restaurants, convention and sports centers plus theaters and other entertainment venues.

As published by PeterBoroughToday.com: There were renewed calls for Peterborough's casino plans to be scrapped after a pensioner built up £20,000 in gambling debts in just three months.

City MP Stewart Jackson is a strong opponent of the plans and fears it will result in people getting into debt. His views are backed by Canon Bruce Ruddock of Peterborough Cathedral who has argued that the young and vulnerable will be drawn to gambling if a casino is built on their doorstep.

As published by Canadian Press: “Shares in Canadian online gambling companies fell Tuesday amid fears that a U.S. crackdown on Internet gaming may spread and affect revenue from firms doing business south of the border.”

Shares in software firm CryptoLogic Inc. (TSX:CRY) tumbled $2.69, or 10.8 per cent, to close at $22.19 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, while Fun Technologies Inc. (TSX:FUN), an online gambling firm, was down five cents at $5.35.

Misiones SA already has an important part of the building ready so contractors and owners think the casino may open in three months. Presently, the roof and the facade are almost ready and the interior and parking lot are still under construction.

The casino will have a huge parking lot with access to the brewery yard. Inside the building there will be a fast food parlor and a lot of slot machines.

Scott Mauger, superintendent of Belleplain State Forest in Cape May County, has become very unpopular these days. The reason is simple: he had to tell hundreds of arriving campers that the campground might close due to the state government shutdown.

Not only Belleplain, but also Bass River State Forest and Parvin State Park may close. People traveling from distant states will be affected by this decision. The first effects for gamblers occurred after the suspension of state lottery and horse racing.

Even though the unfortunate result Katrina left on Biloxi, it has one single positive aspect. Two months before the hurricane, the city signed a business interruption insurance policy that covered casino tax revenue losses for six months. The coverage cost Biloxi $92,000 dollars and stands to gain $10 million dollars.

As this policy cannot be renewed, Mayor Holloway is trying to get a new one with no luck yet. The only insurer that has offered a suitable policy charges more than $1 million dollars and covers the city only if a category 5 storm hits Biloxi and 50 miles around.

eCOGRA, e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance, has taken another step towards its objective for 2006: to approve 100 online casinos and poker sites. After certifying 12 additional sites, nowadays eCOGRA reaches 85 sites which have achieved independent management control, represented by the Play It Safe seal.

There are seven websites run by Tusk Investment Corporation in Australia, and other five owned by Vegas Partner Lounge group which have received the Play It Safe seal due to their fair play and operational practices.