It was revealed this week that during 2007 Canadians spent five times more money on bets than they did 15 years before. The report prepared by Statistics Canada shows that residents of the Prairie Provinces were the ones that spent the most on wagers. On average, each Canadian spent $524 on gaming.

Profits from casinos, lotteries, slot machines and lotto rose to $13.6 billion in 2007, $10.9 billion more than in 1992 and $3 million more than in 2006. The highest bets were registered in Alberta, $890 per capita, followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

After taking part in a triathlon to fund a children’s hospital in Los Angeles, Jennifer Lopez flew to New York to celebrate her husband’s birthday. The actress organized a spectacular surprise party which emulated the ambient of a Cuban casino of the 40s.

JLo confessed she deceived her husband when he asked about what they would do to celebrate his 40th birthday. She tried to avoid the subject and told Marc she would have a busy weekend preparing for the triathlon. However, Jennifer was already organizing a surprise party in the exclusive New York Bowery Hotel.

MGM Mirage will double the number of gaming tables for high-rollers in its Macau casino by the end of the year in order to make the most of the increasing number of players who spend more than 124,000 dollars per visit.

CEO Terrence Lanni said in a press conference held this week that the company will increase the number of VIP tables from 70 to 150. Macao obtained almost 70 per cent of its gaming profits from VIP Players, defined as those who spend more than 124,000 dollars per trip.

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.

The Jamaican government has decided to issue the license for the first legal casino of the country. According to a government spokesperson, the gaming venue will be inside a new hotel to be built in Montego Bay, St. James by international investors and casino operators.

The same spokesperson said the hotel will have more than 3,000 rooms and will employ thousands of Jamaicans but did not give further details. Prime Minister Bruce Golding is expected to announce the government’s decision soon and reveal the identity of the investors.