{"id":25836,"date":"2020-01-15T10:04:20","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T18:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/?p=25836"},"modified":"2022-03-29T06:34:35","modified_gmt":"2022-03-29T14:34:35","slug":"new-gambling-ban-in-britain-casinos-face-uncertain-georgia-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/new-gambling-ban-in-britain-casinos-face-uncertain-georgia-future\/","title":{"rendered":"New gambling ban in Britain; Casinos face uncertain Georgia future"},"content":{"rendered":"

Great Britain<\/strong> continues to crack down on gambling. As of April 14, Britons will\u00a0no longer be able to bet with their credit cards. (Lottery tickets are exempted from the fatwa<\/em>.) This comes on the heels of a \"\"reduction in the maximum wagers that can be placed at fixed-odds betting terminals. Paddy Power Betfair<\/strong> and Stars Group<\/strong> are expected to be hurt most<\/a> by the latest hard-line measure. The aim of these draconian moves is to curb problem gambling in the United Kingdom<\/strong>. Some 200,000 disordered gamblers are estimated to use credit cards to fuel their habit (sort of like me and SACDs). Englishmen are carrying $94 billion in credit-card debt.<\/p>\n

Although the British gaming industry employs 100,000 and generated $18.7 billion in revenue last year, look for those numbers to drop in 2020. \u201cThe latest in a recent series of more onerous regulatory changes, it also acts as a further reminder that the UK opportunity is no longer what it once was,\u201d lamented Davy Research<\/strong> analysts, adding \u201cHowever, it remains a very large, growing and highly cash generative market for online gaming operators.\u201d\u00a0Shares of 888 Holdings<\/strong> and William Hill<\/strong> dipped on the news of the ban.\u00a0\u201cWe will not hesitate to take any further action necessary to protect people from gambling harm,\u201d warned baleful\u00a0Culture Minister Helen Whately<\/strong> (pictured<\/em>). If casino companies thought a Boris Johnson<\/strong> administration would be friendlier to gambling they have another think coming.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0The Georgia<\/strong> Lege is pondering a tax cut, despite a revenue shortfall in the last budget. Which means that, in all likelihood, casino gambling will be on the table this session. After all, lower taxes have to be mitigated somehow<\/em> … right? Also, Gov. Brian Kemp<\/strong> (R, left<\/em>) has been Santa Claus<\/strong> to Georgia teachers, delivering a $3K\/year pay increase in 2019 and \"\"promising $2K more this year. This kinda sounds like tax-and-spend to us, even with budget cuts, which makes us wonder how Kemp can viably continue to oppose casinos. Bad news for consumers: Internet purchases are soon to be taxed, as the Lege gives back with one hand and takes away with the other. State Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan<\/strong> (R) is cooling toward casinos, saying, “Everything can’t be a priority,” the Lege’s priority being a ‘religious freedom’ law or 10 to crack down on those evil gays. Diversity-friendly companies like MGM Resorts International<\/strong> might want to rethink their economic commitment to Georgia, where discrimination never quits.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0Las Vegan and convicted felon O.J. Simpson<\/strong> continues to sue The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas<\/strong> for having damaged his reputation by kicking him out after he’d allegedly had too much to drink. The Cosmo is fighting back, asking that the case be heard by a judge rather than an \"\"arbitrator, who might award Simpson 50 grand or so. Strangely, The Juice is not suing TMZ<\/em>, which reported on his Cosmo escapade. Simpson, who is on parole for two more years, was determined not to be in violation following the trespass, which he admits to having occurred<\/a>. However, “It says he was never given a reason and denies he was belligerent, broke glass or damaged property at the resort\u2019s Clique<\/strong> bar.” Simpson’s lawyers contend that law enforcement\u00a0\u201cultimately determined that the Cosmopolitan\u2019s assertions against Simpson were false.\u201d The Cosmo better watch its back, as Simpson is no stranger to deadly weaponry. (Trivia question<\/em>: What is that tower to the left of the Cosmo and what is its unique place in Las Vegas<\/strong> history?)<\/p>\n