Barclays lets mobile banking users block gambling and drinkingThe Guardian · December 12, 2018 at 12:11 amBarclays has become the first high street bank to allow customers to block payments with certain types of retailers in an effort to give people struggling with addictions more control over their spending. The feature will be available from Tuesday for customers using the bank’s mobile app and could help those dealing with gambling problems to cut off their spending in betting shops and on gambling websites. People can also block their own spending in pubs, bars, supermarkets and on premium-rate websites and phone lines. A button within the Barclays mobile banking app enables customers to choose which types of retailers they are able to spend with.
Melco Resorts opens first Cyprus satellite casinoInside Asian Gaming · December 12, 2018 at 12:05 amMelco Resorts has opened the first of its four satellite casinos in Cyprus, the company announced overnight. The modest Cyprus Casinos Nicosia (C2 Nicosia), which covers 970 square meters and features five live gaming tables and 50 slot machines, opened its doors this week, with City of Dreams Mediterranean Property President Craig Ballantyne stating that, “C2 will significantly contribute to the efforts of the Cypriot government to combat illegal gaming.” The launch of C2 Nicosia follows the recent opening of Melco’s temporary casino, Cyprus Casinos Limassol, in June.
Fitch cuts growth outlook for AsiaAsia Gaming Brief · December 11, 2018 at 8:11 pmThe prospects for economic growth in Asia have dimmed in recent months, says ratings agency Fitch, which has cut its forecasts for almost every country in the region. Fitch says it now expects China to expand by 6.2 percent in 2019, down from its previous 6.3 percent estimate. “We believe the direct impact of trade tensions on growth in China isn’t a big concern,” said Shaun Roache, S&P Global Ratings’ Asia-Pacific chief economist. “However, U.S. policies impacting China’s technology supply chains could disrupt activity and undermine confidence over a longer horizon.”
Jamaica faced with a ‘beautiful opportunity’ for casino developmentG3 Newswire · December 11, 2018 at 7:10 pmWith Jamaica’s first regulated casino scheduled to be operational by 2020, US attorney Bruce Liebman, co-managing partner in the Florida-based law firm Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck, believes there is a ‘beautiful opportunity’ for the Caribbean country to steal a lead on the sunshine state of Florida and carve out a niche for itself in terms of Caribbean gaming. Mr. Liebman wants Jamaica to move from operating slot halls to fully-fledged casinos for which he sees a huge potential. He believes there is an opportunity for Jamaica to take on the Bahamas, Aruba and Puerto Rico when it comes to casinos.
Macau casino sector adds Michelin starsGGRAsia · December 11, 2018 at 7:06 pmJade Dragon, a Cantonese restaurant at City of Dreams Macau, a casino resort run by Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd, has won a third Michelin star in the 2019 edition of the “Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau”, to add to the pair it had in the 2018 version. The new edition of the guide was announced on Tuesday. Joining the 2019 list as a newcomer – with two stars – is “Alain Ducasse at Morpheus”, described as a “French contemporary” eatery, at the recently-opened Morpheus hotel tower, also at City of Dreams. Melco Resorts had announced in November last year that it would collaborate with Mr Ducasse for two new restaurants and a bar at its US$1-billion, 780-room, Morpheus hotel.
Greece Discussing Proposals for Licensing Terms & Casino RegulationsLuke Haward, CDC Gaming Reports · December 11, 2018 at 12:27 pmThe Greek Parliament have, in the past week, been debating proposals presented by the Finance Ministry regarding new regulations governing casinos and licensing requirements. If accepted, these amendments to law would pave the way for the much-delayed €8 billion integrated casino resort project in Hellinikon. The main proposed amendment regarding Greece’s licensing system is to break it up into two segments: single entry licenses that would run for 15 years would be issued to four-star hotels, and wide range casino licenses with a period of 30 years would be issued to five-star hotels which also possessed certain facilities, such as a golf course. These wide range licenses are so called because the entities issued them will have the option of renewing them multiple times. Licensees would be required to have minimum startup capital of €500k for single entry licenses and €1 million for wide range licenses. Each licensee will have… [continue reading]
Canada: Victoria no longer interested in hosting a downtown casinoNicole Crescenzi, Victoria News · December 11, 2018 at 12:12 amThe City of Victoria is no longer interested in hosting a casino in the downtown core. In 2015 council directed staff to write to the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) saying that they would want to be considered as a host for a new casino. Since then, more information has come forward that prompted Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps to retract the city’s interest. Helps explained this decision in a report coming up for discussion at this week’s Committee of the Whole meeting:
Gambler’s victims to sue bookmakers where he spent stolen cashRob Davies, The Guardian · December 11, 2018 at 12:08 amTwo of the UK’s largest bookmakers are facing compensation claims worth £1.5m over allegations that they allowed a gambling addict to bet hundreds of thousands of pounds in stolen cash. Betting shop records seen by the Guardian show that the addict, who has asked for his name to be withheld, staked £650,000 in two William Hill shops over six months, losing £150,000. On two occasions he bet more than £50,000 in one day, placing hundreds of bets of up to £1,000 each, often within minutes of each other, on greyhound and horse races. Bookmakers are required to ask about the source of gamblers’ funds when they stake large amounts.
Greek Parliament to set up two types of casino licensingG3 Newswire · December 10, 2018 at 8:45 pmGreek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos has tabled an amendment to the terms and conditions to Greek casino licensing opening the way for the international tender for the proposed casino in Hellinikon. The amendment puts casinos into two categories; simple type and widespread-type licenses. The simple type casino licence will be able to operate alongside four-star hotels, along with retail, restaurants and entertainment, while widespread casinos will operate five-star hotels, a conference center, a golf course, a spa and a marina. The simple-type casino license will run for a 15-year duration while the widespread casinos will have a licence for 30 years.
SJM seeks at least 300 new tables for Cotai project: CEOGGRAsia · December 10, 2018 at 8:42 pmMacau casino operator SJM Holdings Ltd is looking to ask the city’s government for “300 to 500” fresh-to-market gaming tables for its Cotai project, Grand Lisboa Palace. That is according to comments from the firm’s vice-chairman and chief executive, Ambrose So Shu Fai (pictured in a filed photo) made to local media on Sunday. “Regarding Grand Lisboa Palace, we hope to finish that project by next year. So that in the first half [of 2019], we have sufficient conditions to apply for the operation permit [for Grand Lisboa Palace] from the government, ” Mr So said on the sidelines of a public event.
