• Washington State To Expand Gambling

Within the next two years Washington State and its localities stand to gain approximately $500 million in revenues from online gambling by expanding the market beyond the tribal sector. Currently, the law allows for gambling activities owned by Indian tribes. The expansion would allow for video gambling machines in other locations, such as in restaurants, lounges, taverns, bars, mini-casinos, private clubs, and charitable organizations. The Entertainment Industry Coalition, an umbrella for several advocacy groups, proposes a 25% tax on the net revenues from the expansion. They want the majority of revenues, approximately $206 million/yr. from gambling machines to go to the state, and the remainder of approx. $51 million to be allocated to local governments. State legislators for the most part seem to be in support of this expansion. The proposal, if passed as is, would allow for the operation of mini-casinos and other gambling activities along with tribal gambling operations. An estimated 19,000 new video slot machines are expected to crop up as well.

> Read the full story here Source : OnlineCasinoReports.com

• Conyers, Leach Bills Could See Action Soon

Members of both sides of the debate on Internet gambling are vowing to take action soon in the U.S. House of Representatives. On the first day of the 108th session of Congress, Jan. 7, Rep. James Leach, R-Iowa, introduced a bill that would prohibit online gambling. The bill is almost identical to HR 556, the bill he introduced last year, which ended up being passed by the House by a voice vote. Leach's new bill, HR 21, would make Internet gambling illegal by virtually all payment mechanisms that players use to finance their online gaming. Credit cards, wire transfers and all other bank instruments would become illegal for online gaming merchants to accept from U.S. players. A source from within the legislative process, who spoke to IGN on the condition of anonymity, said Rep. Michael Oxley, R-Ohio, who is the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, would like to put the Leach bill on the suspension calendar. If that happens, the bill would go directly to the House floor, with no committee markups, and would be subjected to limited debate. To pass, it would need a two-thirds majority of the vote. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : IGamingNews.com

• Survey finds Vegas visitors spending more

Visitors to Las Vegas spent close to 80 percent more during their stay in 2002 compared to the prior year, according to a survey released Monday by QMark Research & Polling of Las Vegas. On average, visitors spent about $844 last year, up from about $469 in 2001, the survey said. The largest percentage of visitors -- 33 percent -- spent from $251 to $500 on their trip, though 29 percent spent up to $1,000 and 19 percent spent more than that amount. About 94 percent of visitors gambled while in town, down from 96 percent in 2001 but in line with 2000. About 72 percent dined at fine restaurants in 2002, up dramatically from only 25 percent in 2001 but in line with 2000. About 65 percent shopped last year, compared with 68 percent in 2001 and 67 percent in 2000. And about 62 percent watched showroom entertainment in 2002, up significantly from only 34 percent in 2001 and 56 percent in 2000. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : LasVegasSun.com

• Powerball Hits $100 Million

POWERBALL, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The excitement is rising along with the jackpot as Powerball reaches $100 million for the second time in as many months. There were no jackpot winners Wednesday but 481,244 players across the nation won a total of more than $4.3 million in prizes in America's Game. Because no one correctly matched all six numbers in Wednesday's drawing the jackpot will grow to an estimated $100 million. The cash option for the Saturday, February 1 drawing will be an estimated $53.7 million. The numbers drawn were: 10, 12, 27, 30, 53, and the Powerball was 28. The Power Play multiplier was 5. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : Yahoo.com

PLAY & ENJOY NOW the most favored online casino by American players! Las Vegas USA Casino offers everything you wish from a Las-Vegas-style online casino - a generous 150% bonus up to $3,000 at welcome, more than 120+ thrilling and fun games with fast and various blackjack tables, huge progressive jackpots and much more - discover today one of THE BEST ONLINE GAMING DESTINATION ACTUALLY!