Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | September 2010 62 Briefs International Briefs “Other member states have opened or are opening their markets... They show that consumers can be better protected in a market that is both regulated and open to competition,” the group said in a statement. European Lotteries, a lobbying group for national lotteries in 40 countries, cautioned that this ruling might not open up the German market, according to the BBC . “On the contrary, the court reminded Germany that it has to control more strictly the offer of dangerous forms of gambling such as casino games and gaming machines,” the group said in a statement. “The court pointed again to the higher risks associated with Internet gambling.” Harrah’s ends bid for Kansas casino Harrah’s Entertainment has pulled the plug on its latest effort to operate a casino in Kansas, according to a report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal . Las Vegas-based Harrah’s told state authorities on 8th September it was dropping efforts to build a casino in Sumner County in the city of Mulvane, which is south of Wichita. “AftercarefulconsiderationanddiscussionwiththeKansasLottery Commission, Harrah’s has decided to withdraw its application for the south central zone gaming license in Kansas,” company officials said in an emailed statement. Harrah’s explored casino opportunities in Kansas in 2008, but withdrew from the process that year citing economic reasons. Trump enlists CB Richard Ellis to sell A.C. Marina CB Richard Ellis’ Global Gaming Group of Las Vegas has been brought in by Trump Entertainment Resorts to sell the Trump Marina in Atlantic City. The casino operator recently emerged from bankruptcy and is controlled by a group of bondholders led by Avenue Capital. Trump Entertainment Chief Executive Officer Mark Juliano said the company’s strategic plan is to concentrate on the Trump Taj Mahal and the Trump Plaza and sell the property that is not located on Atlantic City’s Boardwalk. Global Gaming Group executive vice president John Knott said Atlantic City, despite 23 straight months of declining gaming revenues, is ripe for investment. He said plans announced by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to revitalize the gaming market have the support of 69% of New Jersey residents, according to a recent poll. “Positive changes currently being debated in the state legislature will help reposition Atlantic City as a true seaside resort destination,” Knott said. Trump Marina is located in the Atlantic City marina district. The property opened in 1985 as Trump’s Castle Hotel Casino and was renamed the Trump Marina in 1997. The hotel has 728 rooms, a 79,000-square-foot casino, and 30,500 square feet of convention and meeting space. Mobile gaming forecast to boom A report published by UK-based Juniper Research estimates that mobile gaming revenues will exceed US$48 billion a year by 2015. The Mobile Gambling Markets report says the Japan Racing Association’s iPAT service is currently responsible for most mobile gambling transactions, with services in the UK accounting for much of the remainder. However, the report predicts the surging mobile lottery service launched by VODone will propel China into third place in terms of mobile gambling transactions. The US market is poised to see the introduction of its first mobile lottery services and the report says impending legislative changes in the US may kick open doors for mobile casino operators in the medium term. The report also notes that while Apple is now allowing gambling apps to be sold via the App Store, most service providers are opting for a browser-based approach. ECJ strikes down German gambling restrictions The European Court of Justice (ECJ), Europe’s highest court, ruled on 8th September that German gambling restrictions breach European Union law. The ECJ said in three separate rulings that restrictions that limit sports betting and lotteries to state-run monopolies were “unjustifiable” in Germany because the country had “intensive advertising” of its gambling operations, according to the BBC . “The German rules on sporting bets constitute a restriction on the freedom to provide services and the freedom of establishment,” the court said.“The public monopoly of the organization of sporting bets and lotteries in Germany does not pursue the objective of combating the dangers of gambling in a consistent and systematic manner.” The European Gaming and Betting Association, a lobbying group that represents PartyGaming and bwin, called the decision a “landmark ruling.” The European Court of Justice Trump Marina in Atlantic City