During several months, the possible benefits and dangers of building a casino in Bath have been fiercely discussed. However, until now the construction was considered a fact since only 15 of the 65 members of the Bath and North East Somerset Council voted against the casino.

Now, the announcement made by Culture Secretary James Purnell informing that the 16 towns and cities that received authorization to build small casinos would be requested to confirm their decision, could change plans for Bath. A free vote will be held in September.

Daniel Radcliffe, the actor who became famous after playing Harry Potter, has turned 18, and with it he now has access to the 20 million pound (10 million dollars) fortune he has accumulated. Although he assures the money won’t change him at all.

The young actor has disappointed those from the show business gossip industry, after confessing he has no intention of wasting his money buying many expensive cars, drinks or even throwing celebrity parties.

This week, the Snoqualmie Entertainment Authority started the construction of Casino Snoqualmie, which will become the closest tribal gambling venue to Seattle. The casino is located on a 56-acre land and will have approximately 170,000 square-feet of entertainment space.

The Tribe’s casino will offer punters 52 table games, 17 poker tables and 1,650 slot machines. It will also feature a 1,000-seat convention center, a luxurious cabaret/nightclub, five gourmet restaurants, four bars, a plush cigar lounge and a big parking lot with 2,000 spaces.

Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., opened this week its 18th gambling venue, the Isle Casino and Hotel located in Waterloo, Iowa. The complex features more than 1,100 slot machines and 35 table games including blackjack, roulette and poker. The facility also offers three restaurants, 194 rooms and a 5,000-square-foot convention center.

“It is exciting to see "the isle" brand move to Waterloo where guests can enjoy the hottest casino action with the latest and greatest slot machines and action-packed table games, a luxurious night's sleep and the best restaurants,” Chairman Bernard Goldstein said.

When gaming inspectors are not working, casinos are not legally allowed to operate. In 2006 state budget stalemate once forced Atlantic City casinos to close for three days, resulting in an over $55 million loss. Now, lawmakers are trying to make sure it will not happen again.

The proposed solution was a law that would allow casinos to operate with a special casino fund. The money would be used to pay the salaries of the gaming inspectors. The law passed the state Assembly with an 80-0 vote last week.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. authorities announced this week the opening date of The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the first fully integrated resort in Asia. The casino and hotel complex will open on August 28, 2007.

“This is truly a defining moment for Las Vegas Sands Corp. as our work to open Macao's first multi-use integrated resort comes to fruition and our vision of creating "Asia's Las Vegas"(TM) comes one step closer to reality,” Sheldon G. Adelson, chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp. said.

Multimillionaire Kirk Kerkorian has announced that he will search for alternatives for his investment in the MGM Mirage, the second biggest casino chain in the world, of which he owns 56% of the stacks. This could lead to the purchase of two properties in Las Vegas.

Tracinda Corp, Kerkorian’s Holding, has announced its intention to initiate conversations in order to analyze the possible acquisitions of the Bellagio Hotel & Casino and the CityCenter complex, which is yet under construction.

Several casino stocks rose and key indexes ended close to record highs after investor Kirk Kerkorian expressed his interest in expanding his casino holdings in Las Vegas.

Kerkorian, whose investment company –Tracinda- already owns 56.3 percent or the MGM Mirage conglomerate, talked about buying the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, as well as the MGM Mirage’s CityCentre. The CityCentre complex is being built near the Bellagio. It includes several hotels, a casino – hotel, private residences and a shopping center.

Macau’s 26th casino, built and operated by the Melco-PBL joint venture, with capital from Macau and Australia, will open this week. The hotel-casino will be located at the Crown Hotel on Taipa Island, the first six-star hotel in the Chinese special administrative region.

The complex cost approximately US$500 million and has 216 rooms, 220 gaming tables and more than 500 slot machines. The opening ceremony will include a gala party for 1,700 guests featuring a live show produced by the famous Dragone Group, fireworks and prizes.

Detroit casino developer Herb Strather, the financial supporter of the Mashpee Wampanoag Indians, has signed an agreement to purchase 125 acres of land in Middleboro for $1.7 million. Reportedly, the parcels of land could be used to build a casino complex.

Middleboro Selectman Wayne Perkins said he supports the idea of a casino in the city since it will create jobs for the area. Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Chairman Glenn Marshall explained that the tribe had not decided on Middleboro but wanted to take action when the land came up for auction.