The current Canadian legislation does not allow for sporting bets at casino, but this could change soon as the government has announced that it is open to the idea of legalizing this kind of bets. Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson informed during a press conference that the idea is supported by the government.

Although there are some exceptions in the regulations concerning casinos, none of them includes betting on sports events. The government will certainly have to face a fierce opposition of some groups that argue that earning money with gambling addicts is not ethical.

The Irish Minister of Justice has revealed that gambling laws in the country will be liberalized and a new regulatory authority will be created to control all kinds of gambling. Minister Dermot Ahern declared that current regulations concerning gambling are not effective any more, but he promised to reach an agreement between the parties and ask for public opinion before making any changes.

Casinos are illegal in Ireland since the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act was approved, but currently there are up to 50 private clubs that offer roulette, blackjack and other casino games.

A casino in the French city of Cannes held this weekend the opening ceremony of an outdoor gaming area, the first of its kind in Europe. The 800-square meter area offers poker, blackjack and roulette tables and guests are allowed to smoke, something that is forbidden in restaurants, bars and in every indoors public space in France.

“We took advantage of a 2007 law which authorizes games to become outdoors activities. However, we had to fight the opposition of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to several regulations,” Richard Frischer, the director of the Palm Beach Casino, commented.

The renowned Cirque du Soleil revealed this week that it will present its first permanent show at the Venetian Macau. The performance is part of the strategy of casino operators to attract a new and broader segment of the public to the Chinese enclave, especially through high-level entertainment like this.

In the last few years, Macau has aimed to reinvent itself with luxurious casinos and gaming venues built by foreign investors, such as the Venetian Macao, the Wynn Macao and the MGM Grand Macao.

Lord McNally, who represents Blackpool, informed the House of the Lords that his city could be granted those gambling licenses rejected by other cities, which revived the discussion about a Blackpool casino.

“If all 16 are not taken up is there enough flexibility in this legislation, or can the Government use enough common sense, to reallocate those licenses to other areas?,” Lord McNally said. "I believe some of the benefits, which would have come from a resort casino, could still be won by Blackpool.”

The new President-elect of Taiwan has informed that he intends to encourage the casino business in his country, as a way to enhance economy. Ma Ying-Jeou said he is prepared to open the doors to the gaming world, since it could be the only solution for Taiwan’s financial problems.

Ma Ying-Jeou has made his intentions clear: when he takes office in 20th May, a new gaming era will start in Taiwan. “Local governments will have the right to issue gambling licenses,” the President-elect said.

Macau, one of the most important gaming and casino centers of the world, announced this week that it will stop the granting of new licenses and the allotment of land for the construction of casinos.

Edmund Ho, Macau’s Executive Chief, was in charge of making the announcement that no more land would be allocated for the construction of new casinos in the territory. Ho explained that, besides social tension in the enclave linked to the boom of gaming, the new policy adopted by Macau comes from the wishes of Beijing.

In spite of the announcements made by Harrah’s Entertainment a few months ago about the development of a $1.2 billion casino in Slovenia, the company has decided to withdraw from the project. A spokesperson for Harrah’s said the decision was made because they were unable to reach an agreement concerning a management contract.

“It was really coming to an agreement on how we could have management strength and they could have ownership control,” Jan Jones, Harrah’s senior vice president of communications and government relations explained.

Luck seems to be smiling at the English supermodel Kate Moss, who was seen stepping out of a London casino carrying a package containing an important wad of money, estimated in 50,000 pounds (approximately U$S 100,000) on her hand, after winning on roulette.

The 34 year old model was seen coming out of Aspinalis casino in Mayfair, carrying an envelope with a wad of money, where she was photographed by the main tabloids of England, who estimated the prize contained in the envelope.

Casinos Austria International announced its plans to cross the oceans during 2008 in two spectacular ships: the Regent’s Seven Seas Voyager and the Silversea’s Silver Shadow. The cruises will navigate through the Panama Canal and the Mexican Riviera, following a route that will lead passengers to tropical hideaways in Hawaii.

In only 110 days, the Silver Shadow will visit 26 countries and 52 harbors, including the mysterious islands of the Pacific, the amazing desserts in Egypt and the millenary Far East. On the other hand, the Seven Seas Voyager will visit 26 countries and make stops in 51 ports.