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NC raises concerns on casino gambling expansion

2011-11-12T07:02:00.001-08:00

By GARY D. ROBERTSON, Associated PressRALEIGH, N.C. — Negotiations over expanding games at the Cherokee Indian casino in western North Carolina have grown more complicated as Gov. Beverly Perdue and legislative leaders question a tribe proposal that gives the state a cut of new gambling profits and lays out the tribe's exclusive marketing territory.The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the governor are trying to rework their current gambling compact to allow the tribe to go beyond current video-based games and offer games featuring live poker and blackjack dealers. The proposal could bring 400 additional jobs to the Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel on the tribe's reservation and boost the region's economy by attracting more visitors.A proposal drafted by the tribe, obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request to Perdue's office, shows it wants to be identified as the exclusive gaming operator in North Carolina west of Interstate 95, excluding the counties where I-95 is located.In exchange, the Oct. 14 draft says, Eastern Band leaders also have offered the state 8.5 percent of the gross revenues from new table games and up to the same percentage for similar new games should the tribe operate new casinos on its lands in five western counties. A Perdue attorney suggested in August that the state receive a portion of all gambling revenues, not just from the live games. The state currently receives no cut of gambling revenues.In an Oct. 26 response, Perdue's general counsel wrote to the tribe's attorney about "our need to reach a consensus on issues such as revenue sharing and exclusivity."Perdue and leaders of the Republican-led Legislature both want the exclusivity border to move westward, general counsel Mark Davis told Annette Tarnawsky, the tribe's attorney general in another letter dated Monday. The state Legislature can wield influence over compact details because the House and Senate would be asked to change current gambling laws to allow the compact to be carried out.Robeson County, home of the Lumbee Indian tribe, straddles I-95. For years, the Lumbees have been seeking federal recognition. Among other things, that could enable them to operate their own casino, though a bill in Congress aimed to win recognition for the tribe last year explicitly prohibited gambling as part of the arrangement.Should the Cherokees' exclusivity provision one day be broken — whether by another Indian tribe or a commercial gambling operator — the state's profit-sharing would end.The state's share of earnings would be earmarked for an education initiative agreed upon by the tribe and the state, the draft compact said. But Davis said the Legislature would prefer the state's share of revenues be treated as "state revenue," which could be appropriated annually like tax revenue, rather than dedicated to a special education purpose."This concept differs from the discussion the Governor's Office and the tribe have had up until now," Davis wrote.Tarnawsky said Thursday the negotiations are continuing but "we feel that we are fairly close." She declined to estimate how much the state's 8.5 percent cut could generate, citing the ongoing talks. Gambling revenues at the casino totaled $378 million for the year ending in September 2010 and reached $449 million in 2008, according to a study.Davis' Oct. 26 letter also said Perdue's office was worried about provisions in the draft compact that would allow no limits on wagers and allow unlimited jackpots on 25 percent of the prizes. While these are the current rules, they could take on new significance when gambling goes beyond video machines.Perdue's office and Senate leader Phil Berger declined to comment Thursday on negotiation details, saying it wouldn't be appropriate. Perdue spokesman Mark Johnson said in a prepared statement the Governor's Office is "determined to bring these 400 new jobs there in a way that benefits all North Carolinians."Berger, R-Rockingham, said it's Perdue's job to negotiate but added he was "comfortable that there is support in the General Assembly" for the compact's scope to be expanded. Social conservatives, however, are expected to oppose any expansion.The Legislature had agreed to set aside time in special work sessions in mid-September and earlier this week to consider legislation related to the Cherokee casino, but it didn't happen because the compact wasn't settled. The General Assembly next meets Nov. 28-30.Eastern Band Principal Chief Michell Hicks said in a statement the draft agreement is subject to change but tribal leaders "are confident that we will be able to present a final version of the new compact" on the 28th.Each year about 3.6 million people visit the casino, which employs nearly 1,700 people, according to a study authored by an institute connected to the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Tribal members receive a portion of casino profits as does the tribal government and a foundation that offers community grants.Then-Gov. Jim Hunt first negotiated a gaming compact with the Cherokee in 1994 and it's been amended several times. The casino opened in 1997 and is now undergoing an expansion that among other things will double the size of the gaming floor.

2011-02-10T08:50:00.001-08:00

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Latest online bingo domain opens with special offers

2010-07-31T02:40:00.001-07:00

A new online bingo site has launched at BingoMeHappy.com powered by software from Gibraltar-licensed Brigend Limited and is celebrating by offering all new players 20 free cards alongside ten pounds in free vouchers.

Owned by UK firm 15 Marketing Limited, BingoMeHappy.com is promoting its launch by offering affiliates a 50 percent revenue share over its first three months and a 30 percent allocation from October for the lifetime of any player.

“Online bingo sites like TrystBingo.com make a valid point that they don’t want to give out money for the lifetime of the player,” said Ben Star, Managing Director for Hertfordshire-based 15 Marketing.

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White Orchid comes to Kerching.com

2010-07-31T02:39:00.001-07:00

UK-based online casino Kerching.com has announced that players can now enjoy being transported deep into the Amazon jungle courtesy of its five-reel and 40-payline White Orchid slot.

Kerching.com revealed that the new White Orchid slot is based on the land-based title of the same name and gives players 1,024 ways to win a selection of cash prizes through its MultiWay betting system.

“White Orchid features a luxurious rainforest theme that takes gamers on a mystical journey into the dense tropics,” read a statement from Kerching.com.

“Indeed, the thrilling design doesn't stop there and players will enjoy an authentic jungle theme song during their play.”

Kerching.com stated that players will also be able to enjoy the new slot’s White Falls free spins bonus if they obtain two or more bonus symbols on the reels. This feature can be retriggered at any time and sees players given ten, 15 or 20 free spins in order to rack up cash prizes.

“Online casino players can begin their rainforest adventure by signing up to become a member at Kerching.com,” read the statement from Kerching.com.

“The registration process is incredibly simple and slots fans will have the opportunity to win amazing cash awards straight away.”

Unidentified Owner Pays $580,000 for Danish Gambling URL

2010-07-29T00:25:00.000-07:00

A yet unidentified legal entity has paid up $580,000 for the Danish domain name onlinecasino.dk. This domain name purchase price is approximately 10% of the price paid for the most expensive online gambling domain ever, bought by Bodog Antigua.

Online Casino Portal
The Danish online domain is currently serving as a top Nordic online casino portal and has over 3 million visitors a month. Online reports identify the new owner as a company based on Malta with plans to further develop the website as a casino information portal.

The recent legalization of online gambling in Denmark is probably one of the main reasons for the high selling price of the domain name.

Author Casinotoplists