Anticipating new U.K. government requirements on financial checks, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) is adopting a voluntary code. It will be an interim measure until government mandated checks phase in.

Controversy has erupted over Petersburg, Virginia’s selection of the Cordish Companies to develop a $1.4 billion casino after a letter surfaced naming Bally’s as the original choice. City council members said they were reacting to political pressure.

A new multibillion-dollar project has been proposed for the Las Vegas Strip, complete with an NBA-quality arena and a seven-star resort and casino with 2,500 rooms. The yet unnamed project would take the place of the failed All Net Arena.

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has announced it will partner with Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings to operate a casino in Colombo. The Cinnamon Life resort will be rebranded City of Dreams Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (l.) of Malaysia, who flatly denied reports of a planned second casino in the country, says those who spread the “lie” will face legal consequences. One activist has already been arrested.

Star Entertainment has announced that Chairman David Foster (l.) has been replaced by Anne Ward in the wake of the Bell Two regulatory inquiry. Foster will remain as a non-executive director and interim CEO until a replacement is named.

Politicians in Bulgaria have unanimously voted for bans on almost all gaming ads. The bill amends the country’s Gambling Act to add a prohibition on online gaming ads, ads on TV, the radio and in print.

A whole range of folks believe the 2024 Minnesota sports betting bill won’t be resuscitated. But Rep. Zack Stephenson, the shepherd for this version, still has high hopes.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (l.) thought he had the perfect plan to finally get a sports betting bill on his desk. The tribes in the state thought otherwise.

First-quarter earnings have, as always, given investors an insight into the current gaming landscape—some have backs against the wall, whereas others are hitting their stride. And then there’s the REITs, as steady as they come.

This week the GGB Podcast is joined by Soo Kim (l.), the chairman of Bally’s Corporation, on the company’s plans for the former Tropicana site in Las Vegas and the process toward the building of a permanent casino in Chicago.

GGB Podcast sponsored by Pavilion Payments.

Imperial Pacific International, bankrupt operator of a Saipan casino, continues to suggest it can find a way to complete construction of its resort on the Western Pacific island and resume operations.

Northern Cyprus lawmakers have adopted changes to casino taxes that could cut tax revenue in half. This is a challenge for the Melco Resorts & Entertainment’s City of Dreams Mediterranean, operating in the south.

Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill (GRB) has been mired in political infighting for more than a year. The delay in reforming the country’s nearly century-old law highlights tensions in the three-party coalition.

The online gambling company 888.com is removing ads for its products from Transport for London carriages and taxies. The ads became a political football in London’s impending mayoral election.

Ukraine’s Prosecutor General has begun a crackdown on illegal websites. This is in conjunction with a sweep by the nation’s police aimed at 2,500 illegal gambling platforms.

The Isle of Man’s Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) has followed the gambling license suspension of King Gaming by investigation. The investigation has resulted in seven arrests.

Some consumers are complaining about alleged claims that wrong results are being recorded in soccer wagering markets. The U.K. Gambling Commission says it plans to meet with industry reps over the claims.

Despite its recent regulatory victories, Crown Resorts has announced company-wide layoffs that could affect up to 1,000 positions across its operations.

Driftwood Capital, a Florida-based firm, has announced that it will add a casino to the Rumbao Tribute Portfolio Hotel it will build in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The first casino in the city, it will cost $12 million.

The government of Indonesia will form a special unit to combat offshore iGaming. Law enforcement has already identified illicit servers in Cambodia and the Philippines that offer online gambling to Indonesians.

More than 1,000 teenagers were among almost 3,000 people accused of operating illegal online gambling sites in South Korea. Seventy-five adults were arrested and $45 million in receipts were seized.

A recent study from U.K.-based YouGov shed light on some interesting trends on U.S. sportsbook demographics.

Massachusetts-based International Center for Responsible Gaming funded a research study which showed sports bettors tend to drink more. Published in a JAMA publication, the study calls for further investigation.

Athletes from Iowa and Iowa State may get the last laugh. Charged in a sports betting scandal, a group of 26 athletes filed a federal suit alleging the state investigators violated the 4th and 14th amendments.

Anti-smoking Atlantic City dealers blasted New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (l.) and the union local representing Atlantic City hotel and restaurant workers for failing to support a smoking ban.

Billionaire New York Mets owner Steven Cohen (l.) has launched a social media marketing campaign promoting his Metropolitan Park casino proposal, aiming to sidestep opposition from a key lawmaker.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has recommended full licensure for media mogul and MGM shareholder Barry Diller (l.), after the SEC dropped an insider trading investigation involving Diller and two associates.

Nassau County on New York’s Long Island will alter its lease approval process to issue a valid lease to Las Vegas Sands for its proposed casino at the Nassau Coliseum (l.) in wake of a judge’s ruling.

UNLV is looking to enter into a 99-year ground lease with G2 Capital Development, a deal that the school says could generate $1.25 billion in revenue during the term. G2 has not disclosed its plans should the lease be granted.

Berks County District Attorney John Adams, in an op-ed piece for the Reading Eagle, called for a clear plan in legislation to regulate so-called skill games that have spread throughout the state.

More than half, 56 percent, of 1.600 likely Texas voters support casinos and 30 percent oppose, according to a new poll. Also, 47 percent of Texan voters favor online sports betting, with 37 percent opposed.

Mohegan Pennsylvania has opened a smoke-free gaming area, the Aristocrat Gaming Lounge (l.), which will feature 55 of the most popular Aristocrat slot games.

Jun Fujimoto, director, president and CEO of Okada Manila parent Universal Entertainment, has resigned after a Tokyo court ruled he breached his fiduciary duty to the company.

Affinity Interactive appointed Scott Butera (l.) president and chief executive officer. Previously, he was chief executive officer at Affinity’s Sports Information Group division, and also held executive positions at MGM Resorts International and Tropicana Entertainment.

The recently enhanced Caesars Palace Online casino mobile app is the industry’s first to offer multi-lobby navigation, allowing players to discover “curated lobbies” offering slots, table games, Live Dealer and more.

Mohegan Digital has launched its own branded online casino in Pennsylvania after its former iGaming partner, Kindred, left the U.S. market.

Hard Rock International has formed partnerships with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises to offer reciprocal perks to loyalty members, such as discounts and complimentary cruises and hotel stays.

Kambi, May 2

Interblock, May 3

GLI, May 2

Chicken Ranch, May 1