British horse racing has received a boost from the European Commission, which on Friday gave approval that is full the UK government’s reforms associated with sport’s main funding system.
UK activities minister Tracey Crouch thinks the levy that is new make sure gambling reforms pay a fair return to aid horse racing, but the bookies argue they currently support it through sponsorship deals.
Under this new system, all bookmakers are needed to pay a ten per cent levy on all gross profits based on betting on British horse racing above a $500,000 ($640,000) threshold.
Under the system that is previous which has been around existence since 1961, only betting firms based in britain had been required to contribute to funding, but now the levy will apply to all companies that offer bets on British racing, including including on- and off-course bookmakers, betting exchanges and spread betting companies.
The majority that is vast of websites, also those owned by British household-name brands like Ladbrokes and William Hill, are based overseas.
‘This move will help secure the future of horse racing in Britain by making yes that gambling companies pay a fair return to support the activity,’ said sports minister Tracey Crouch, whose division is behind the reforms.
‘Horse racing features a strong heritage in this country, using 1000s of people and it is enjoyed by many nearly every time of the entire year. This new way of the Horserace Betting Levy will help sustain and develop the game.’
Long-term Certainty
The horse industry that is racing this new levy will help create a stable long-term funding procedure for the sport. BHA chief executive Nick Rust stated that it will allow racing to secure ‘a reasonable return’ from betting companies.
The latest deal will boost award money and provide extra capital for everything from rushing integrity to equine welfare and veterinary science.
‘We enjoy working closely with bookmakers to construct an exciting future for both our industries,’ Rust said.
‘ The brand new levy has the potential to put an end to unnecessary divisions between racing and wagering as it makes a level playing field, removes the need for annual negotiations on the rate and provides long-term certainty for both events.’
Dissenting Voices
But the wagering industry, which lobbied for a lower levy, claims it already contributes handsomely to the racing industry through sponsorship discounts.
Additionally it is resents the old Levy Board, on which it had representation, will be replaced by a new race payment, on which it currently has none.
‘As one of many major contributors to your levy we would hope that multichannel betting representation will form part of any new distribution body,’ said William Hill’s Ciaran O’Brien.
‘It undoubtedly makes sense for both industries with an input into how a funds are invested, otherwise this move represents an increase in taxation alongside a removal of representation.’
Melco-Hard Rock’s Cyprus Casino Awaits Lift Off, Complete Approval Imminent
A Melco-Hard Rock consortium is set to bring casinos to your Republic of Cyprus.
On Friday, Cyprus’ Tourism Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis announced the evaluation process had been complete, and, pending ratification by the country’s cabinet, work will soon begin on the construction of a $550 million ‘Euro Casino’ resort within the town of Limassol.
An artist’s rendering of the Republic of Cyprus’ first casino resort, a joint effort between Melco International Development and Hard Rock Resorts, to be finished in 2020. (Image: Melco-Hard Rock)
It shall be the republic’s very first, although not the island’s. Since Turkey invaded the north in 1974, Cyprus has been divided into north and south, ethnically and politically Turkish and Greek, respectively, separated by a United Nations buffer zone.
There are several dozen casinos and gaming halls in the north, and even within the buffer zone itself, but casino gaming is brand territory that is new the south.
Secret Bidding Process
The republic enacted a bill to legalize casino gaming in 2015, producing one license to operate a casino that is single and lots of smaller satellite casinos. As a major tourist that is european, competition was fierce, therefore the tender procedure curiously secretive.
The likes of Nagacorp, Boomberry, Genting, Caesars and Sun International were also in the running while the Cypriot government kept the names of bidders under wraps, it’s believed that, along with Hard Rock and Melco.
The consortium has said it expects to secure a 30-year licensing agreement that allows it to work a casino monopoly within the republic for the first 15 years.
It hopes to start a temporary casino in Limassol in October 2017, while the work begins in the Euro Casino resort, that is scheduled to open in 2020. The finished Euro Casino will boast 500 luxury hotel rooms as well as least 100 gaming tables and 1,000 slots.
Network of Gaming Venues to Follow
The consortium claims which should the short-term casino in Limassol prove effective, it will consider starting a ‘network of gambling premises,’ including a casino in the divided capital city of Nicosia, supported by slot parlors in Paphos, Larnaca and Famagusta.
Lakkotrypis made the statement during the island’s tourism and travel exhibition, Taxidi 2017, as he discussed prepared improvements to your country’s tourism and travel sector.
A record number of visitors are expected this summer and he admitted investment in infrastructure was required to avoid a number of the airport delays witnessed final year.
‘ Our goal that is ultimate well-thought-out, coordinated actions, is to enhance the quality and diversify our tourism product,’ he said. ‘To this end, we continue steadily to enrich our experience, for example by promoting assets in major tasks such as golf courses, marinas and the integrated casino resort.’
Elvis Memorabilia Retained by Westgate Las Vegas Despite Lawsuit From Icon’s Estate
The Elvis memorabilia that was element of an exhibit at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort is not being returned to the icon that is late estate in Memphis, Tennessee.
The former ‘Graceland Presents Elvis’ memorabilia inside the Westgate remains locked up in the resort inspite of the exhibit’s closure greater than a year ago. (Image: Westgate Las Vegas)
‘Graceland gifts myfreepokies.com Elvis’ was an attraction that is short-lived the previous International Hotel, an off-strip resort that hosted a huge selection of performances by the legend. The exhibit opened in of 2015, and closed the following February april.
The 28,000-square-foot display offered visitors the chance to view 350 items of Elvis memorabilia, the biggest collection outside of Graceland. The items included stage outfits, jewelry, letters, guitars, along with other relics that were loaned to the casino from his property in Tennessee.
However with the exhibit poorly went to, Elvis Presley Enterprises threatened to abandon its lease that is 10-year agreement than the usual year after opening. Westgate, which claimed to have invested over $9 million in planning the space for the spectacle, subsequently closed the attraction and locked the memorabilia as ransom.
Despite case filed in March of 2016 that desired for the what to be returned, the Westgate has maintained their possession. ‘Everything is safe,’ Westgate COO Mark Waltrip said after ‘Graceland Presents’ closed.
While public address announcers usually had to share with fans hoping for an encore that ‘Elvis has left the building,’ his memorabilia isn’t quite so fast to make an exit.
Do Not ‘Get Back to Sender’
After admission numbers failed to meet expectations, with both edges citing bad marketing and promotional efforts due to the fact primary reason, the Elvis’ property wanted to cancel the exhibit and bring the relics straight back to Tennessee.
The arrangement between the Westgate and Elvis Presley Enterprises switched bitter when the resort effectively petitioned Las Las vegas into renaming Riviera Boulevard to Elvis Presley Way. The street connects Las Vegas Boulevard with Paradise Road where the Westgate sits east of the Strip. The famed Riv closed in 2015 and was demolished year that is last.
Elvis’ estate didn’t want their likeness on a street name, especially one which may aid the Westgate in attracting visitors to its resort.
Final springtime, a judge stated Elvis Presley Enterprises could upload a $9 million bond to recover its items. Alternatively, the estate and Westgate decided to take the case to arbitration. A mediator is anticipated to issue a resolution into the coming days.
Viva Elvis Presley
After a hiatus that is seven-year performing live in favor of making Hollywood films, most of which were decried by experts, one exclusion being ‘Viva Las vegas, nevada,’ Elvis Presley returned to Nevada for a residency at the newly opened International Hotel in July of 1969.
Built by the late Kirk Kerkorian, Elvis performed 58 consecutive sold out shows, and lived in the resort’s penthouse suite on the floor that is 30th. He would go on to relax and play hundreds of concerts at the International, and was scheduled to return in 1978 before his untimely death.
Apart from the nearby namesake street, Elvis’ presence today during the Westgate is basically nonexistent. It appears the resort has interest that is little continuing to celebrate The King. The conclusion that is expected the memorabilia instance will be his estate paying Westgate for the things as a swap for the termination regarding the rent agreement.
Graceland, Elvis’ mansion in Memphis, is the second-most visited house in America behind only the White House.
Niagara Fallsview Casino Theatre Proposal Would Block Views of Falls
The Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort puts slots and dining table games just steps from the absolute most famous falls in North America, but a proposed 5,000-seat theatre being considered by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLG) is being panned by city officials and neighboring hotels.
The Niagara Fallsview Casino complex into the distance might quickly hoist a theatre that is new to its tower, and which includes hotels behind the resort upset over sight lines to the falls. (Image: Niagara Fallsview Casino)
Owned by the OLG, the Niagara Fallsview Casino sits just north of the iconic tourist location in the Canadian part. The $1 billion complex, opened in 2004, is one of the more prominent features of the Horseshoe Falls skyline.
The rest of the complex is relatively short in stature, at only a few floors high though Niagara Fallsview has one tall tower. That’s to allow the hotels that are numerous the casino to also have views of the falls.
But Niagara Fallsview’s 1,500-seat theatre is no longer adequate to house A-list skill, and OLG is readying to create a 5,000-seat space. Three locations are being considered, one being on top of the bus terminal that acts the Niagara Fallsview complex.
Niagara Falls officials Mayor that is including Jim are opposing the bus terminal location. The city claims ‘the loss of rooms with views of the falls could have a monetary affect hotel income, and perhaps value and assessment which includes a direct impact regarding the municipal tax base. in a report’
OLG Exempt From Rules
The area that is waterfront of Falls is afflicted by development rules that stipulate how high buildings are constructed in certain specified areas. Once the accommodations behind the casino complex had been erected, these were built utilizing the understanding that their views would remain unimpeded.
However the OLG, a government entity associated with Ontario province, isn’t susceptible to zoning that is local. OLG did, but, enter into a Development Agreement with Niagara Falls ‘in principle,’ and agreed never to build more than certain heights.
‘Tourism invested billions of dollars according to an understanding of . . . where the sight lines had been likely to be,’ Diodati told the Niagara Falls Review. ‘ They took a lot of risk in good faith.’
Two privately owned land parcels are also being considered by the OLG for the theatre. All three bids are now being privately funded in return for the right to use the music and concert facility.
The video gaming regulator is expected to make its decision on the winning proposal month that is next.
Gambling enterprises Bet on Entertainment
Casino resorts across america and North America are targeting millennials by scheduling hipper concert functions. That’s generated a need for bigger entertainment spaces, and gaming operators are wagering big on brand new facilities.
In addition to Fallsview, the OLG also owns Casino Niagara just a mile north. Casino Niagara is an older resort that goes back to 1996, and doesn’t feature concert space. But directly across the Niagara River on the US side, the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, owned by the Seneca country of Indians, features a 2,400-seat events center and more intimate theater that is 440-seat.