This week, authorities at the Meadows Racetrack attended the opening ceremony of the new slot machines room, following the approval in Pennsylvania of a measure that allows racetracks to operate slot machines. After the ceremony, thousands of people that were waiting outside had the chance to try the machines and their luck.

“We are optimistic about the racetrack’s future,” Mike Graninger, General Manager of Meadows, said. “We are looking forward to competing against Wheeling Island in Ohio County and Mountaineer Racetrack in Hancock County. We are going to be aggressive and pursue table gaming in Pennsylvania as well”

Thirteen casinos of the Holland Group are simultaneously launching “Mega Million Jackpot” all over the world. The official launching took place at the Amsterdam Holland Casino on April 27th 2007, where representatives of Holland Casino, Atronic and the media gathered for the event.

The red curtains where lifted simultaneously at 8.30 pm in the thirteen Casinos to reveal the 150 jackpot machines of the Mega Million Jackpot promo. Players started to try the machines rapidly while enjoying a glass of champagne. Lines formed among the machines since everyone was eager to give it a try.

Gambling foes in Maryland announced this week they would organize a demonstration against current efforts by lawmakers to expand gambling and legalize slot machines. State Comptroller Peter Franchot supported the demonstration, saying gambling opponents are in for the toughest fight of their lives.

Governor Martin O’Malley has said that in order to save the horseracing industry in Maryland and keep the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, he is willing to back up a limited number of slot machines at horseracing tracks. Owners of the Pimlico Race Course have explained that slot machines are necessary to stay competitive.

Michael Neuman, CEO for Magna Entertainment, the company that owns Pimlico, said the Preakness Stakes are at risk in Maryland, unless slot machine gambling is approved by lawmakers. In January, the famous Pimlico Special was canceled due to limited resources.

“I’m optimistic the political stars are aligned to legalize slots soon enough to keep the race in Maryland,” Neuman added. “I'm certainly not going to draw a line in the sand about moving the Preakness but our nose is just above water now.” This means that the second leg of the Triple Crown is in real danger of being moved.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signed into law the bill that legislates slot machines at the state’s two horse-racing tracks. He also authorized new regulations to fight illegal gambling and restructure property taxes. The bills had been previously approved during a legislative session on 29th April.

Pursuant to the new legislation, the owners of the two pari-mutuel horse tracks, Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Downs in Shelbyville, must pay the state $250 million over the next two years to be allowed to install 2,000 slot machines each. It also compels the tracks to spend at least $100 million in the construction of the casinos.

Pinnacle Entertainment has decided to cancel a planned $45 million expansion of the Belterra Casino and Hotel due to Indiana legislature’s decision to allow slot machines at two horse tracks. The hotel is located along the Ohio River in southeastern Indiana’s Switzerland County.

“It’s going to take just enough business off the river that it’s going to leave a dent in the revenue and affect the job market and affect capital investment,” Larry Buck, Pinnacle Vice President and regional manager explained. The company said in a press release that the money for the riverboat casino would be allocated to other markets.

A lucky couple, which was attracted to the Agua Caliente Casino by the hot weather and comfortable facilities, won a $782,127 jackpot, the first one of two big prizes the casino awarded during the weekend. The winning couple is from Burlington, Washington.

It happened on Saturday, when Lupe signed up for a “Paradise Rewards Card” while Carol was buying an ice cream. Lupe wanted a chance to win the random “Paradise Jackpot” but instead he hit the big prize on a $0.25 Wheel of Fortune multi-win slot machine. “It must have been fate,” Carol said. “We were meant to be here today.”

A spokesperson for Bally Technologies Inc. announced that the company has signed a contract with Las Vegas Sands Corp. to provide slot machines, bonus systems and other gambling products at nine casino resorts in Las Vegas, Macau and Singapore.

The agreement covers The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino under construction on The Strip in Las Vegas, six Las Vegas Sands casinos to be built on the Cotai Strip on China, The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel under construction on the Cotai Strip and The Marina Bay Sands, under construction in Singapore.

Authorities from the state of Coahuila, in Mexico, have put a very tough fight against illegality. That is why they have attacked strongly piracy, taking thousands of compact discs. They have also taken the fight into the gambling market, taking some slot machines that were functioning without the corresponding permissions.

During the first trimester of 2007, several seizures were carried out. That is why it was necessary to find the time and place to destroy everything that had been seized during the mentioned period.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, two of the most important Indian casino operators in California, will make a presentation this week to support their petition for new gambling compacts that would allow the two tribes to increase their slot machines by a total of 8,500.

According to studies conducted by industry experts, this growth in the number of slots in the Coachella Valley will be supported by the market, which already homes seven tribal casinos and over 9,100 slot machines. If legislators approve the new agreements, the number of slots in the Coachella Valley will be almost doubled.