| The gaming industry grew 5.3 percent; Indian gaming was up 11.5 percent to $14.2 billion. That is a lot of money, and there is potential for considerable growth. That is worth defending. The best defense in politics comes before the lobbyists walk the legislative halls. The best defense is at the polling booth. Elect those that support your cause. Every year the tribes spend more money and are more active in the election process. Expect that trend to continue and to grow at least at the rate of increase of gaming revenues. Want to get elected in your state? Get to know your local Indian tribe and their issues. A California couple that lost more than $100,000 by gambling online sues a host of credit card companies and banks, claiming the businesses shouldn't have processed their wagers. They also sued banks that issued the cards, including retailers National Bank and Citibank, and companies they said electronically transferred funds for some of their bets, including Western Union Holdings. Business Week, 8-12-03 A former Harwood man has pleaded guilty to placing sports bets over the Internet, in what one gambling law specialist says is a rare case. Jeffrey Trauman pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge in East Central District Court in Fargo on Monday. Judge Norman Backes gave him a one-year deferred sentence and fined him $500. Las Vegas Sun, 8-12-03 * The vast majority of both men and women online casino players say they do so for "entertainment / fun," in their "free" time from their own computers. While men say they prefer to play blackjack and women prefer slots, neither feel their favorite online activity is illegal or unethical and are highly aware of the time and money they spend online. PRNewswire, Yahoo Business, 8-7-03 There is a trend here, but I cannot see what it is. Internet gaming is not legal in the United States, but not always clearly illegal. Regular, everyday people routinely play online. Internet gaming sites are advertised everywhere on the Internet and even in the traditional media. If it is illegal to play, it seems to be legal to advertise to people who cannot play. Only Colorado gaming regulators so far have seen the irony and taken steps to stop local radio advertising for Internet gaming. Whatever the trend, the facts seem clear: Internet gambling exists in the United States and continues to grow. Oh, and did I mention that Michigan has moved further into the world of gaming; no need to build more casinos, but how about we put gaming in restaurants and bars around the state. Michigan residents will be able to play new lottery games next month - for the first time at restaurants and bars. The keno and pull-tab games may help the Michigan Lottery compete with the state's 20 casinos. Allowing the games at bars - instead of solely at gas stations and stores - makes gambling somewhat of a social event, officials say. "It's an important new market,'' Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters said. "Especially in these tough economic times, we've got to do what we can to generate revenue for the state.'' Tim Martin, Lansing State Journal, 9-15-03 The industry has entered another major consolidation phase and expansion phase. At the beginning of the year, it appeared that industry as well as corporate growth would be driven by new legislation. Significant new legislation has yet to develop and growth thus far has been corporate and driven by acquisitions and not new properties. The only significant new property this year, the Borgata in Atlantic City has not proven it can expand the market, only that it has raised the cost of competing and reduced the size of everyone's slice of the pie. Growth, therefore, for slot manufacturers has to come from increased sales to existing operations (and more participation games); that has produced hundreds of new games this year. The operators and the manufacturers both need lots of winners from the lot if revenues are to grow. It is very much a symbiotic relationship; they need each. |
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