Leach Unseated -- United States congressman and I-gaming prohibiteer Jim Leach, R-Iowa, was unseated yesterday as voters elected Democratic Party challenger Dave Loebsack in a close-run contest for the state's Second District seat. During his re-election campaign, Leach called the Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) one of his proudest achievements. Leach's campaign manager, Gary Grant, said the ousted congressman had no plans to challenge the results of the race.
In the Limelight -- The Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) is expected to earn in excess of $6.58 billion from its gambling industry in 2006, reports Yogonet.com. The 2006 SAR earnings projection will reportedly push Macau ahead of Las Vegas, with the region to become the world's largest casino center. After the country struck its gambling monopoly in 2002, the industry has grown rapidly. According to a report released by SAR officials, 18.7 million people visited Macau's casinos last year, with 20 million expected in 2007.
Welcome to the Family -- United Kingdom-based mobile content provider Stream Group has revamped its business model and will take its operation into the interactive gaming and gambling sector. The company, which will now go by NetPlay TV, intends to sell its telephone psychic services and mobile banking interests, enabling it to develop interactive TV, online- and mobile-gaming interests in the U.K. In its first move, NetPlay will dish out a reported £1.2 million for interactive entertainment groups Vegas247 and Vegas247 Broadcasting, both of whom operate an I-gaming television channel on satellite and cable TV.
Latest to Downsize -- Australia-based operator Lasseters Corporation announced today that it will cut its staff by more than half. In a prepared statement to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASE), the company said the board had undertaken a review of its operations and strategies following the Oct. 13 enactment of UIGEA. "Redundancies have been offered, effectively reducing our staff from 40 to 19," the company said. "Our customer care operations in Brisbane have been closed and integrated into our 24/7 MIS Operations facility in Alice Springs."
Malaysian Official Reaffirms Licensure Policy -- Malaysian news Web site Bernama.com reported today that, according to Finance Minister Datuk Dr. Awang Adek bin Hussin, the country's policy regarding the non-issuance of new gambling licenses remains unchanged. The question as to licensure arose after alleged new, unlicensed gambling operations began appearing in different locations across the country. Regarding the appearance of new operations, Hussin said: "They are likely old outlets shifted to new areas ... [and] we have not issued new licenses."