Casino [ptz]

SITE NEWS: WSOP UPGRADES

I learned that there were some broken picture links in the WSOP galleries, and I fixed them. Also, Special Collections student assistant Alycia is working on compiling the info for the annual summaries, so I should have something to post soon. That exhibit get many hits, so I'm working to upgrade it. I'll also add a section of player biographies taken from the 20th anniversary press guide.

2200 PAGES+, NO CONVICTION

Nothing really newsworthy, but it is interesting for historical purposes. I haven't read this myself, put I probably will very soon. Here it is, the FBI file of Moe Dalitz, mastermind of the Desert Inn and "Mr. Las Vegas" for many years.

ONLINE SPORTBETTING LEGAL STAKES RAISED

The government of Antigua is filing a complaint with the WTO against the US related to the Jay Cohen case:

The World Trade Organization today said it will appoint a three-member panel to determine if U.S. efforts to crack down on offshore Internet gambling operations violate international trade accords.

The WTO announcement comes in response to a challenge filed by Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean island nation that is a major nexus for the Internet gambling industry. U.S. laws that ban the transfer of funds to offshore gambling operations and make it difficult for non-U.S. firms to obtain gaming licenses violate trade agreements ensuring market access to "cross-border services," the complaint said.

Internet gambling became a major part of Antigua and Barbuda's economy during the 1990s, when up to 100 different online gaming companies employing more than 5,000 people operated in the island nation. Today, there are fewer than 40 Internet gambling companies located on the islands employing half as many local residents. Island officials attribute the industry's decline in part to the U.S. crackdown.
Read about it here from the Washington Post.

INDIAN GAMING

An interesting article about Indian gaming from the San Francisco Chronicle:

The boom in Indian casino gambling has sparked new scrutiny from the Bay Area to the nation's Capitol -- and fears among tribal leaders that the intense attention will hurt an industry that has lifted many of their people out of abject and historic poverty.

The issue is whether the Indian tribes should retain the free rein they have enjoyed to build large Las Vegas-style casino projects anywhere they can successfully make a claim of sovereignty.

There is a growing effort to bring the Indian casinos under local environmental laws and development regulations, an effort spurred by the fear that the tribes have too much latitude.

The tribal leaders have responded with angry testimony in Congress and with a customary political tactic that has proved successful in the past -- heavy spending on radio and TV campaign-style advertising and political mailings, as well as hefty campaign donations to a wide array of state officials.

In Sonoma County, a proposal by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria for a casino-hotel project on 2,000 rural acres has prompted a hue and cry from local officials, who say they have no authority to assure the project adheres to customary environmental regulations.

The concerns have led Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, to propose legislation that would bring the project under the jurisdiction of local development regulations.

Read the entire article here.

IF THEY STILL EMPLOYED THE WORLD"S MOST ELECTRIFYING SURVEILLANCE OPERATOR, THIS WOULD BE TRULY SCINTILLATING :)

My old stomping grounds and former workplace (before taking the GSRC gig), the TRUMP TAJ MAHAL, will feature a light show (story from the AC Press):

A segment of the Boardwalk will go dark Saturday night and a massive aerial display of lights, pyrotechnics and music atop Trump Taj Mahal will begin the casino's weeklong "Lights of Freedom" show.

Organizers are promoting the show, orchestrated by German light artist Gert Hof, as the first of its kind in the United States.

"We thought this would certainly elevate things above the typical Fourth of July fireworks event," said Steve Gietka, vice president of entertainment for the three Trump casinos.

Hof performed similar shows before audiences of millions at millennium shows at the Acropolis in Athens, the Danube River in Budapest and in Beijing.

Beams from the 100-plus dancing, 7,000-watt spotlights anchored atop Trump Taj Mahal will be visible for 35 miles, but organizers are encouraging spectators to gather along the Boardwalk for the best view. Admission is free.
Read the entire story here. One guess what the soundtrack will be. If you guessed Springsteen, you guessed right.

BOOK NEWS

Amazon.com sales rank: 84,450, 1 review
barnesandnoble.com sales rank: 207,982, 2 reviews, including a new one from a "professional gambler from Vegas."

Until next time, buy and review Suburban Xanadu! You'll be glad you did. Thanks.
posted by Dave at 9:35 AM