‘Gambling epidemic’? Japan weighs new law to tackle illegal betting via online casinos
Japan is considering new legislation to tackle the booming but illegal use of overseas online casinos, as high-profile scandals involving baseball stars and comedians expose what observers call a “shocking” lack of public awareness about the law. While gambling is technically illegal in Japan, the government does permit a limited amount of betting on strictly controlled events, such as horse racing, boat and bicycle races and the lottery, with the profits being returned directly to the government. For committed gamblers, however, yakuza groups have traditionally been able to arrange underground betting on cards, roulette and other illegal games. But those lucrative sources of income quickly dried up, for the government and underworld alike, when the pandemic struck in 2020 and going out became far more difficult, analysts pointed out. “Historically, gambling has been very tightly controlled by the government as it was a very important source of income and they wanted to monopolise betting,” said Shinichi Ishizuka, founder of the Tokyo-based Criminal Justice Future think tank. “But things changed during the pandemic and the emergence of online gambling meant that the government lost control.” Source link
Nebraska Casino Opens State’s First Poker Room
Poker players in Nebraska have reason to celebrate. The state’s first live poker room opened last week at Grand Island Casino Resort in Grand Island, located about 90 miles west of Lincoln and 150 miles from Omaha. The room features six tables and is open 24 hours a day. Grand Island is the state’s fourth casino since Nebraska legalized gambling at the state’s horse tracks in 2020. The property is now the first in the state to cater to poker players and comes after the $185 million property officially opened on April 10. Nebraska has three other casinos, but none of those have a poker room, and Grand Island management believes there is some real demand among players that the property can meet. “We know it’ll be a very popular room because we’ve been getting questions about it since the day we opened the (temporary) casino back in 2020,” Elite Casino Resorts Regional Vice President Sharon Haselhoff said at the room’s official opening last week. The Grand Island temporary casino was also the first in the state to offer table games. The new property is expected to add significant employment for the area, and city officials were pleased to see the project completed. “The Grand Island Casino Resort represents more than just a new attraction,” Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele said. “It symbolizes our continued growth and vitality, with more than 400 new jobs being created. “This isn’t just a win for entertainment. It’s a win for families, for careers and for the future of our workforce right here in Grand Island. These new jobs come with opportunities for hard-working Nebraskans, and they offer long-term careers in the thriving hospitality and entertainment industries. The benefits don’t stop there.” The opening is good news for the industry after several poker rooms have closed in Las Vegas over the last several years. But nationwide, there has been a recent trend toward opening more rooms. The new Hard Rock property in Virginia is set to open a room this year. A new poker venue also opened in Wisconsin at the Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee last year. Source link
March New Jersey internet gambling sets another revenue record, beats Atlantic City casinos once again — CDC Gaming
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 8:58 PM Image aggregated from The Press of Atlantic City. Wayne Parry, The Press of Atlantic City Email, LinkedIn, and more Another month, another revenue record for internet gambling in New Jersey. Internet gambling revenue for the casinos and their partners was $243.9 million for March compared with $197.2 million during the same month last year, according to numbers released Wednesday by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement. “March 2025 may mark a watershed moment for the Atlantic City gaming industry. For the second consecutive month, revenue from the internet gaming sector ($244 million) has surpassed revenue from brick-and-mortar operations ($231 million),” said Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism at Stockton University, which studies the Atlantic City gambling industry. Source link
How a casino exemption helped doom Nevada’s landmark anti-smoking bill — CDC Gaming
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 8:04 PM Image aggregated from Casino Reports. Matthew Bain, Casino Reports Email, LinkedIn, and more A landmark bill that would have mostly banned selling cigarettes in Nevada to anyone born after Dec. 31, 2004 has failed. And a key component of that failure was language that exempted the state’s casinos from that ban. Introduced by Rep. David Orentlicher, Assembly Bill 279 was “designed to prevent young Nevadans from ever taking up and becoming addicted to cigarettes,” Orentlicher said during AB279’s April 1 hearing before the Assembly Committee on Revenue. By outlawing selling cigarettes to anyone born after Dec. 31, 2004, the bill would have, in effect, increased the minimum smoking age in Nevada each year. In 2025, it would be 21, the standard minimum smoking age across the U.S. Source link
Casino Dealer in Louisiana Accused of Stealing Over $10K
NEW ORLEANS (KPEL)—Louisiana authorities reported a major theft at Caesars Casino in New Orleans, where a dealer helped a player steal thousands of dollars from the casino floor. Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement agents reported that Margaret Lake, a roulette dealer at Caesars New Orleans located at 8 Canal St, helped a player steal from the casino. Lake allegedly allowed Ahmod Junius, 26, to place multiple late wages, an illegal move that led to significant financial losses for the casino, and helped him steal thousands of dollars from the casino floor. Louisiana State Police say they started investigating the pair last week and gathered enough evidence to arrest them on Friday, April 11th. Margaret Lake, 46, was arrested on site in Caesars Casino and Ahmod Junius was taken into custody at a residence in Violet. According to Louisiana State Police, both individuals were booked into the Orleans Justice Center on one count of theft between $5,000 and $25,000. This incident comes just months after Caesars New Orleans completed a $435 million renovation, transforming the former Harrah’s into a high-end resort and entertainment hub. The updated property now features a 15-story hotel tower, expanded gaming floor, luxury dining experiences, and a new World Series of Poker Room. This is a developing story, and the KPEL News Team is working to provide additional coverage for Acadiana. Updates will be shared as they become available, so download the KPEL News app via Google Play or in the App Store and subscribe to breaking news alerts to get the latest information sent directly to your mobile device. You can also use the KPEL app to submit a news tip, share a traffic update, or chat directly with our on-air team. Be sure to bookmark our latest site, wearelafayette.net, where we provide more local news coverage as well as lifestyle and community features. To report errors, omissions, or other concerns regarding the content above, send emails to news@kpel965.com. FBI Says YOU Need to Watch Out for These Scams These scams are hitting people and the FBI doesn’t want you to become the next victim. Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins Source link
Casino Billionaire Lim Kok Thay Makes Key Moves To Future-Proof His Resorts Empire
Lim Kok Thay. Nicky Loh/Bloomberg This story is part of Forbes’ coverage of Malaysia’s Richest 2025. See the full list here. Casino billionaire Lim Kok Thay put his succession plans into motion at his family’s Genting Group, stepping down as CEO in February after nearly two decades. Tan Kong Han, longtime president and chief operating officer, is now the first non-family member to run the integrated resorts giant, with Lim, 73, staying on as executive chairman. ss Meanwhile, Tan, who was also CEO of palm oil producer Genting Plantations, ceded that role to his deputy, Lim’s eldest son, Keong Hui. The 40-year-old is also deputy chief executive at Genting Group and its leisure and hospitality arm Genting Malaysia, which owns and operates Resorts World Genting, continuing the legacy of his late grandfather, Lim Goh Tong, who opened the flagship casino resort in 1971. The transition comes amid challenges. Genting’s net profit in 2024 dropped 11% to 2 billion ringgit ($452 million) from a year earlier due to weaker earnings from its Singapore and U.S. casinos, though revenue edged up to 27.7 billion ringgit. Lim (net worth: $1.8 billion) has steered Genting’s expansion both overseas and into new businesses, including energy, real estate and biotech. His latest push is upgrading Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, a S$6.8 billion ($5.1 billion) project that will add 700 rooms across two new hotels at the waterfront site. Follow me on Twitter. Send me a secure tip. Source link
Development cost of Suntrust’s Manila hotel and casino climbs to US$1.25 billion as Summit Ascent subscribes to more bonds – IAG
A subsidiary of Summit Ascent Holdings – the operator of Russia’s Tigre de Cristal in Vladivostok – has entered into a Subscription Agreement with Suntrust Resort Holdings under which it has conditionally agreed to subscribe to Convertible Bonds up to HK$1.17 billion (US$146.3 million). Full conversion of the bonds by SA Investments, as well as previous bonds issued, could see the shareholding interest of Summit Ascent’s parent company, LET Group, rise from 51.0% currently to as much as 89.8%. Suntrust is the group’s Philippine-listed entity developing a hotel and casino in Manila’s Entertainment City – part of Megaworld’s broader Westside City precinct. The new tranche of Convertible Bonds, to be issued in a minimum denomination of Php10 million (US$177,000) each and with a default interest rate of 8.0% per annum, follows on from a 2020 Subscription Agreement through which SA Investments subscribed to Convertible Bonds in the amount of HK$798.9 million, a 2022 agreement for Convertible Bonds worth HK$913 million and 2023 Convertible Bonds worth HK$1.93 billion – the latter of which is expected to be completed by August of this year. In explaining the reasons for the latest subscription agreement, Summit Ascent also revealed that the construction cost of its Manila hotel and casino – currently due to open in 4Q25 – has risen to US$1.25 billion from a previous estimate of US$1.1 billion. Of this, US$964 million has already been raised and US$688 million paid Summit Ascent said that the construction of structural works and major facade systems up to roof level has been completed while the mechanical, electrical and plumbing, and fire protection systems in major plantrooms have been substantially completed. Architectural builders and fit-out works, external civil and landscape works are in progress, it added. “The Main Hotel Casino is anticipated to develop into a premier, world-class entertainment resort that delights and captivates its domestic and international visitors,” the company explained. Once complete, the property will boast 475 luxury hotel rooms and suites, a pool deck, spa, state-of-the art wellness center with views of Manila Bay, a ballroom capable of accommodating 550 people with support facilities such as meeting rooms and a bridal room, a 1,000-seat and two 800-seat theaters, a grand opera house, a 3,000-seat performing arts theater, a mall composed of food and beverages and retail units and four cinemas, and a parking facility with over 1,000 slots. The casino itself will at opening offer 281 gaming tables, 1,126 slot machines and 134 electronic table games for both the mass and VIP markets. Source link
Toronto Regulator Fines Casino $120,000 for Dealer Cheating Ring
The gaming regulator handed a local casino a six-figure fine for failing to identify and eliminate a cheating scheme involving two card dealers. Apr 16, 2025 • 16:39 ET • 4 min read Photo By – Imagn Images. The Toronto gaming regulator gave a local casino a six-figure fine for failing to identify and eliminate a cheating scheme involving two card dealers. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) Registrar charged Ontario Gaming GTA Limited Partnership, the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto’s owner, per a Wednesday announcement. Key takeaways Two table-game dealers helped patrons win hands and overpaid them for their wins. The casino’s surveillance and supervising team didn’t notice the infractions as they occurred. The casino was also charged in 2023 for having a dealer illegally help guests. An investigation revealed two table-game dealers were in cahoots with a group of casino visitors, who made out with nearly $20,000 in winnings in less than a week. The AGCO’s compliance review turned up information that exposed the dealers for three illegal acts: dealing cards face-up while they were supposed to remain face-down, overdrawing dealer’s cards, and overpaying for winning hands. “Ontario’s registered casino operators have an obligation to ensure the integrity of game play in their casinos,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, AGCO Chief Executive Officer and Registrar. “This includes a responsibility to detect and prevent collusion and cheating. The AGCO will continue to monitor and take all necessary steps to uphold the integrity of gaming in Ontario’s gaming sites.” The probe also found the casino’s surveillance and supervisory team failed to detect any wrongdoing and casino staff didn’t follow the necessary table auditing procedures put in place to detect issues such as overpayment. All this comes after the Ontario Provincial Police Investigation and Enforcement Bureau, embedded within the AGCO, charged five individuals in connection with the scheme in March. Falling short of regulations This is the second time in recent years the Great Canadian Casino Resort was fined for letting its dealers engage in cheating. In Sept. 2023, the AGCO fined the casino, then known as Casino Woodbine, $80,000 after it levied charges against five individuals. An investigation revealed an electronic craps dealer helped patrons siphon money out of the casino’s coffers. It also noted the casino fell short of basic operating procedures, including a review of electronic craps financial reports, having supervisors at the craps table when suspicious activity occurred, following the basic rules of electronic craps, and allowing the dealer to continue working despite receiving seven procedural violations. Casino operators who receive monetary punishments from the AGCO have the right to appeal the penalty to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, which settles disputes and is independent of the agency. The AGCO, established in 1998, is in charge of regulating the entire Ontario province. It reports to the Ministry of the Attorney General under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Act, 2019. Pages related to this topic Source link
Toronto casino fined $120,000 for not detecting alleged cheating scheme — CDC Gaming
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 3:05 PM Image aggregated from Toronto Sun. Jane Stevenson, Toronto Sun Email, LinkedIn, and more The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a $120,000 fine against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for failing to to detect an alleged cheat-at-play and dealer collusion scheme. In March 2024, the OPP’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB), embedded within the AGCO, laid charges against five individuals following allegations that two table games dealers were in collusion with a group of casino patrons. The AGCO conducted a subsequent compliance review and allege the dealers had engaged in a cheat scheme on multiple occasions with the same group of patrons, leading to nearly $20,000 in illicit winnings in less than one week. Source link
LaScala’s Fire at Ocean is part a $50-million upgrade at the venue
Take a video tour of the nine Atlantic City casinos View the nine casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey. A South Jersey restaurant operator is expanding to Atlantic City as part of a $50 million upgrade for Ocean Casino Resort. LaScala’s Fire at Ocean is expected to open in early summer, according to an announcement from the casino business. Ocean said it’s investing $5 million in two eateries to be developed in partnership with Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr. It offered few details, but said the eateries are to open this summer and would be operated by Ocean with Starr as the restaurant partner. Casino report: February’s performance was a mixed bag. The casino-hotel also said it plans to spend $25 million to upgrade 559 guest rooms and suites. It called that “the culmination of a multi-year project to transform all 1,860 guest rooms and suites at the property,”:” The “Blu Rooms and Suites” will feature bathrooms with marble flooring, a double vanity and an over-sized shower. Suites will have a dining area, lounge seating and a wet bar. Among other changes, Ocean plans to: Offer two new casual dining options — High Steaks, with a cheesesteak-centered menu, and Blend, which will offer smoothies and acai bowls. High Steaks has already opened in The District, a casino-level food court. Double to 8,000 square feet its “Asian gaming space,” providing 32 tables for games like pai gow poker and mini-baccarat. This project will have an expected cost of $4 million. Open a miniature golf course and bar later this summer. The 8,000-square-foot attraction on the casino level will feature two $500,000 holograms, one showing a great white shark, over the main bar. It’s expected to draw both a family market and bar patrons. Offer a women’s clothing boutique, Sweetheart Coast, by early summer at the Shops at the Row. LaScala’s Fire at Ocean will occupy space on the casino level, while the Starr restaurants will be on the lobby level. The Starr restaurants will take space formerly occupied by Harper’s, a brunch spot that has expanded to the casino level, and Sky Café. LaScala’s Fire, with seven sites in South Jersey and Pennsylvania, also is expanding this year to Northeast Philadelphia and West Chester, according to its website. LaScala Restaurant Group includes LaScala Birra in Pennsauken, LaScala’s Beach House in Brigantine, and LaScala’s Pronto in Medford and Philadelphia. It is the parent company of The Chicken or the Egg in Marlton and Beach Haven, and Lorenzo Pizza & Steaks in Marlton. Ocean’s announcement on Monday described the ongoing work as part of a $270 million “property transformation” for the site it acquired in 2018. The property opened in 2012 as Revel Casino Resort. The casino has 135,000 square feet of gaming entertainment, including 125 gaming tables and more than 1,750 slot machines. Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com. Source link
