Lawrence, December 17th 2008
A 24-year-old man, Israel Rodriguez, who shot himself in the head during a game of Russian roulette remained in critical condition at the Boston Medical Center last night.
Rodriguez was visiting with friends at a home on East Laurel Street early Monday morning when he pulled the rigger on a .38 revolver after emptying of four rounds of ammunition then putting it to his head, police said.
Australia’s TABCORP has shelved plans to spin off its casino business to increase its valuation and attract takeover bids, amid fears the turmoil on the share markets and the high cost of debt will hinder a competitive auction.
The board was reported to have been briefedby its investment banking adviser, UBS, several weeks ago about a proposal to split Tabcorp into separate casino and gaming-wagering companies, but has been left unimpressed.
The demerger was suggested as a way to lift the market value of its casinos, including Sydney’s Star City, by distancing them from Tabcorp’s challenged poker machines and wagering operations. A focused casino business, valued at more than $4 billion, would also be more attractive for takeover offers from possible suitors like James Packer’s Crown, the argument went. But with share markets posting their worst performance in 26 years and the cost of debt making large deals prohibitive, sources close to Tabcorp said the move could have left the company with Mr Packer as the only likely bidder. He has long coveted its Sydney casino.
The Tote, the state-owned bookmaker soon to be privatised, has seen the amount it won from punters rise by over 5%, mainly thanks to controversial touch-screen roulette machines in the group’s 540 betting shops.
In a surprise move, the bookmaker omitted to say how much gross profit it made from the £500 jackpot machines, as it has done in the last two years’ annual reports to parliament.
A spokesman said: “With the current climate we are in it is something we don’t have to do, and we have decided not to do it.”
The report for the year to March 31, which was presented to parliament yesterday, did however make clear gross profit had increased 3.1% to £164m “reflecting growth in the [shop] estate from the change in mix towards gaming machines”.
A senior Tote source added that the proportion of gross win (the amount won from punters) generated by horse racing had decreased in part because of the popularity of machines. He declined to say whether horse racing bets had been pushed into decline by machines.
The government’s ownership of thousands of touch-screen roulette terminals is particularly sensitive as ministers insist they are “on probation” and recently ordered the Gambling Commission to conduct a review of such high-stakes slot machines.
Gametribe.com announced that the second update in July, version 0807b, for its action packed Free-to-Play MMORPG Infinity Online is now live.
The update features a huge addition to the amazing Colosseum in the shape of the all new Roulette mode.
Genting International Resorts & Casinos is launching CircusCasino.com this year, which will offer over 100 online casino, card and table games including online roulette, blackjack and craps.
On 13 March 2008, Genting International P.L.C. (the “Company”) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Genting Stanley Alderney Limited (“GSAL”), has received approval from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (“AGCC”) for an online gaming licence and that it anticipates GSAL to commence the online gaming business during the later part of the second quarter of 2008.
Further to the announcement of 13 March 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company announced that it has launched its first online casino brand, “CircusCasino.com”, in the United Kingdom. “CircusCasino.com” will be operated by GSAL and will offer a range of over 100 online casino, card and table games.
Players from around the world will be able to access “CircusCasino.com” and view the Play for Fun games. However, from launch only players from the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Channel Islands will be able to deposit funds and Play for Real games.
The Genting International group’s UK operations includes 44 clubs including Crockfords in Mayfair and Circus, Maxims and Mint brands.
Presently, CircusCasino.com forwards to StanleyCasinos.com (with the Circus Casino Title brand) and the current bonus for online casino games is 150 UK Sterling Pounds (GBP) and for playing online Poker, players will get a 300 UK Sterling Pounds (GBP) welcome bonus. There are monthly loyalty bonuses, casino comp points and Poker players will receive Circus Points every time they play our real money cash games and tournaments.
When it comes to the Roulette games, StanleyCasinos.com is offering American Roulette, European Roulette and Mini Roulette.
Recent Comments