Supercasino up for Grabs Again
Plans to approve a supercasino in Manchester were voted down in the House of Lords at the end of March. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell had said before the vote that there was "no plan B" if the plans were voided. While the supercasino plans cannot be reintroduced in their current form, the Times said the Lords vote "does not necessarily mean the end of Manchester's chances of hosting a supercasino."
Macau Officially the Richest Gambling Region
The Macau government on April 3 confirmed that 2006 was a record year for gambling revenues, revealing that casino income exceeded $7 billion in the region, outpacing the Las Vegas strip. The Chinese enclave's 22 casinos generated $2.1 billion in the final quarter, taking the year's total gross gaming revenues to $7.2 billion. Las Vegas, which boasts at least 40 casinos on its main strip, brought in $6.6 billion on the year.
World Series of Poker Comes to London
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is coming to Europe this year, debuting in London for a series of "bracelet" events with an expected prize pot of around £7.5 million ($15 million).
The inaugural World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) is scheduled to run Sept. 6-16 at three casinos operated by London Clubs International – Fifty, Leicester Square and the Sportsman.
The WSOPE will culminate in a seven-day, $10,000 main event. WSOP Europe expects 750 players to attend with the seating arrangements being split between the three London venues to begin with. On day four the remaining players will head to Leicester Square to vie for the championship.
Poker Boot Camp
Online gaming site 888.com has started a two-day "residential" poker boot camp, intended to save players money in the long-term and improve their game overnight. Top poker pros teach students patience, self-control and emotional management, as poker skills proper.
Tuition is provided by experienced poker players and each course includes a tournament among the students; first prize is a guaranteed seat in a major European tournament.
Genting Moves on Malaysian Casino Project
Financial Times reported on April 16 that Genting has received permission from Singapore to break ground on its $3.4 billion casino project on the resort island of Sentosa, despite concern regarding the Malaysian gaming group's ties with Stanley Ho, "the controversial Macau gambling tycoon."