2008 March 04 Gambling News, Events and Happenings - Page 4

Pressure is building on state regulators to expand Iowas gambling industry at a time when existing casinos are being squeezed by new competition and a sluggish economy.

San Jose’s great bingo controversy is over. By pledging a “zero tolerance” vow against cheating, bingo volunteers at the city’s nine senior centers can now work - and play - games on the same day, ending a showdown that threatened to shut down one of the city’s bingo games.

An agreement to renew horse racing purse subsidies from the Atlantic City casinos was announced Monday night, likely allowing Monmouth Park to offer purses that equal or exceed past levels when the thoroughbred racing season opens at the Oceanport track on May 9.

TRENTON Under the gaze of casino executives, an Assembly committee Monday voted unanimously to advance legislation to keep casinos open if the state government should ever shut down as it did in July 2006, wrecking Atlantic City commerce from hot-dog carts to high-roller comps.

The state House of Representatives could soon face its first real challenge over a constitutional amendment proposing bingo operations at dog tracks in Birmingham and Mobile.

The normally smooth-running state House of Representatives could soon grind to a halt when the Medicaid bingo constitutional amendment hits the floor, officials say.”I would have to say it’s probably going to be the first real test of the session as far as keeping things moving,” said Rep. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale.

House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi stepped up his attacks yesterday on Governor Deval Patrick’s proposal to license three resort casinos in Massachusetts, accusing the governor and his staff of failing to do their homework and calling Patrick’s prediction that it would generate 30,000 new construction jobs “absurd.”

Magna says Laurel license a key issue Maryland’s pro-slots forces are planning an eight-month campaign for a referendum on expanded gambling that they say would fix the state’s budget problems and save horse racing. But those who stand to benefit most - the state’s racetrack owners - are balking at the effort and saying that they might not participate in the push for the ballot measure.

Bangkok - Thailand’s newly elected Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday called for the legalization of casinos in select tourist resorts as a means of generating income and undermining rampant illegal gambling. On his return from a trip to neig…