Inside Asian Gaming

44 Online Briefs France’s High Court Rules for Zeturf France’s highest court has overturned a decision that banned a Maltese company from offering online betting on horse races in France. In a ruling of immense significance for France and the European Commission’s ongoing campaign against protectionist gambling policies throughout the EU, the Cour de Cassation stated that restric- tions on competition, even those “stemming from limits on gaming as a special or exclusive right, cannot be justified” under EU treaty conventions. The decision sends the case against Zeturf back to a Paris appeals court for a rehearing, a process that could take up to a year. Zeturf last year was ordered by the appeals court to suspend its operations in France or face daily fines of €50,000. The judgment had been issued in response to a complaint by Pari Mutuel Urbain, the government- sponsored monopoly operator of race betting. PMU said in a statement that the “debate remains open.” But the ruling is certain to put renewed pressure on the government to modify its stance against foreign competition in France’s various gambling sectors. The European Commission in June ordered France to amend its policies to put an end to obstacles to the free movement of betting services within the country and has threatened to refer the case to the European Court of Justice. The Commission is investigating mo- nopoly practices in several Member States. Hard Rock Biloxi finally enjoys grand opening While 07-07-2007 proved to be a “lucky” day for thousands of people—couples rushed to get married, superstitious gamblers flocked to casinos, etc—the day was perhaps even more symbolic for the owners and operators of the Hard Rock Biloxi Hotel & Casino. July 7 marked the grand opening of the property after more than four years of planning, preparation, heartbreak and delays. The original $235 million project was just days away from its grand opening in late-August of 2005whenHurricane Katrinawashed ashore and destroyed the property. Nearly two years later, after wad- ing through insurance and rebuilding issues,the resort finally opened its doors.The revamped project cost owners an additional $75 million more than the original price tag. The new property features a 12-story hotel tower with 318 rooms and suites.There are 1,445 slots and 50 table games in the Hard Rock’s casino. Additional features include The Rock Spa, a full-service Aveda Concept Spa; a fitness center; a unique pool with underwater music features, five restaurants; Rande Gerber’s Rise Lounge, a Hard Rock Live® entertainment venue; and several retail shops. “We have always known the Hard Rock Brand would be some- thing truly unique,” said Joe Billhimer, the property’s president. “To- day, it’s an even more special project and we are honored to finally show guests what we have built for them.” MGM Profit Jumps on Asset Sales MGM Mirage Inc., operator of the MGM Grand, Bellagio and other casinos, announced its second-quarter profit more than doubled, boosted by a gain on the divestiture of some properties and sales of Las Vegas condominiums. The company, majority owned by billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, saw record profits at several of its Las Vegas hotel-casinos, but had an un- lucky run at the baccarat tables and said it suffered as competitors with casinos in Macau were able to attract new high-end gamblers from China to their properties in Las Vegas. MGM Mirage will open its own joint venture Macau property later this year. Earnings soared to US$360.2 million, or US$1.22 per share, in the three months ended June 30 versus US$146.4 million, or 50 cents per share,in the same period the previous year.The latest results include a US$263.9 million pretax gain on the sale of Primm Valley Resorts and MGM’s Colorado Belle and Edgewater properties in Nevada. Income from continuing operations rose to US$182.9 million, or 62 cents per share, compared with US$143.3 million, or 49 cents per share.