2009 February 08 Gambling News, Events and Happenings

Gov. Ed Rendell is proposing a 50 percent tax on the net proceeds of video poker machines to pay for higher education.

If you fancy yourself a good online poker player you might want to test yourself at BLUFF Magazine’s upcoming Online Poker Challenge.

Laurel Park owner’s difficulties stir fears about Preakness’ fate Minutes before a deadline for Maryland slots bids, agents for the Laurel Park racetrack waited on a sidewalk outside the State House for word from corporate headquarters in Canada. Two versions of applications sat in a nearby Ford Expedition, and they didn’t know which one to turn in.

Instead they are choosing to focus on their online tournaments, reports Gamingintelligence.

Maryland could not have chosen a worse time to launch its slot machine empire. With the economy in the pits and venture capital for new businesses evaporating, gambling magnates are at best lukewarm about the state’s foray into legalized slots.

Legal sports betting is coming to the eastern U.S. and possibly quickly. It’s time for Canada and specifically Ontario to decide whether it wishes to reap hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, or simply watch other jurisdictions make the money.