Gaming Law International

Ontario Aboriginal Bands to get Cut of Provincial Gambling Revenues

Beginning in 2011, Ontario's aboriginal bands will receive 1.6% of the provincial gross gambling revenue, likely worth $100 million. The annual payments will be in addition to the $90 million in revenue aboriginal bands received from Casino Rama. Read more here. 

Online Gambling in der Österreich

A new study published today shows that Austrians spent approximately € 1.3 billion gambling online in 2005. On a per capita basis, they spent € 177, more than four times as much as Germans (at € 40) and almost five times as much as the Swiss (at € 36). Part of the difference in gambling spending is attributable to legislative differences between Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Read more here.  Canada is very similar to Austria in terms of cultural tastes, educational levels among adults, per capita income and population which leads me to believe that if we permitted and regulated state operated or independently operated online gambling in Canada, it would generate approximately CDN $1.833 billion in annual revenue for provincial governments.  (Austria's beautiful Constitutional Court is pictured here).

Nevada Approves Rules for Wireless Gambling Devices

The Nevada Gaming Commission has approved operational rules that will allow patrons to gamble at select casino sites using handheld wireless devices. The devices can play wireless poker and blackjack, among other games. The devices will be licenced for use in public casino areas such as pools, lounges, bars, restaurants and convention areas. An obvious continued concern remains the potential access to the devices by minors. Nevada is the first jurisdiction in the U.S. to approve wireless gambling devices.

Gretzky's Wife May Face Subpoena in L'Affaire Tocchet

Zulima Farber, New Jersey's new A.G., said in an interview with the Associated Press today that Janet Jones, Wayne Gretzky's wife, will be called to testify when a grand jury is convened to look at charges against Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet and others for allegedly promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.

Zulima Farber, la nouvelle procureure générale du New Jersey, dans une entrevue avec Associated Press aujourd'hui, a dit que Janet Jones, l'épouse de Wayne Gretzky, sera appelée à témoigner devant le grand jury qui enquête sur un réseau national de gambling.

US Anti-Online Gambling Bill Closer to Reality

The US House Financial Services Committee approved one of the anti-online gambling bills today - it may very well be the one advanced by Senator Goodlatte. The Bill now goes to the House floor for consideration.  For a summary of the legislation proposed by Goodlatte, read our earlier post.

Ruth Parasol - A Self-Made Billionaire

This month's edition of Forbes Magazine is carrying a short profile of Ruth Parasol (sans photo) as part of their feature on billionaires. See "Women we Envy." Only six of the listed women billionaires are self-made, including Parasol, who was the brains behind PartyGaming Plc, the world's most popular online gambling operation. PartyGaming runs PartyPoker, the largest online poker site worldwide. Interestingly, the feature person on the cover of Forbes' billionaire edition is Canadian Calvin Ayre, another online gambling operator.

Canadian Gambling Billionaire's House Raided

Canadian online gambling billionaire Calvin Ayre's home in Costa Rica was raided by police today, apparently because of a mistaken belief that he was hosting a poker tournament at his home. An interview between Ayre and CTV News can be read here. Ayre is on this month's cover of Forbes magazine.

Lawyer Can't Collect $7.9 Million Slot Machine Win

Jayshree Asalan, a lawyer from Chatworth, who won $7.9 million (CDN) at a slot machine at the Suncoast Casino in South Africa, is being told that she can't keep the win by the KwaZulu-Natal Gambling Board. The Gaming Board told Asalan that the slot machine was malfunctioning when it registered the $7.9 million win. Asalan told reporters that she will sue the casino and gambling commission over the loss win. See the Mercury for the story.