2008 March 20 Gambling News, Events and Happenings

More than half a billion dollars is on the line in Wyandotte County with the planned casino development and the competition is reaching new levels between which casino and what city gets the bid. The Sands Casino held a job fair on Thursday, even though a handful of casinos are still in the running and a decision on who gets the bid is still months away.

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - The New Mexico Lottery and the New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling have extended a contract to continue providing rehabilitation services around the state.

It’s March Madness, and that means office betting pools are in full swing. In a number of states, including Wisconsin, gambling on sports is illegal, but the laws have enough loopholes for people to have some fun with colleagues and friends.

Britain should tighten controls on the gambling industry and monitor the activities of wealthy foreigners to combat money laundering, according to a report by the US State Department.

A substance abuse specialist said he fears the area is not equipped to handle the influx of gambling addiction problems that a proposed bingo center at Country Crossing development could bring, but a county official said that problem would be here regardless of the development.

Supporters made a series of desperate efforts Thursday to save Gov. Deval Patrick’s casino gambling proposal, but the bill appeared all but doomed as House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and his fellow opponents repeatedly blocked delays in the final vote or efforts to reshape the measure with amendments.

Madness marched into Las Vegas sports books Thursday. Fans went into a betting frenzy, hoping to cash in — betting on basketball games. The Super Bowl bettors already took the sports books for lots of money. Now March Madness gamblers hope to do the same. Reporter Travell Eiland has the details at 4:30 & 9 p.m.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - A court has ruled that an admitted problem gambler who voluntarily put his name on a list barring him from Atlantic City’s casinos for life cannot take his name off the list.

RENO, Nev. (AP) - Nevada casino regulators are considering lifting a decade-long ban on the use of cell phones in casino sports books. The regulation was enacted to thwart illegal betting by messengers or runners and to stop the transmission of betting information across state lines.