Merrill Lynch analyst David Anders is on record as recommending gaming stocks as a means to hedge against the declining Dow Jones average. “Because Casinos are mostly cash businesses and results are closely tracked by state gaming regulators there is little controversy concerning the validity of casino revenue.” In other words, David suggests we buy, buy, buy!

Tigua Band Forced to Close Casino

The Speaking Rock Casino run by the Tigua Band of Indians in El Paso was forced to close its doors by an order of the Supreme Court. The stay requested by the tribe was rejected and as of February 11, the tribe’s lucrative gambling casino was forced to cease operations. “We will return,” said Alfred Alvidrez of the Tigua Nation, “it is extreme racism; some officials would rather see us in front of the unemployment lines begging for handouts.” Speaking Rock Casino has generated some $60 million yearly for the tribe and the state— UFABET money that has been used to provide housing, scholarships, and health insurance.

Lotto Madness

On February 16, the lines in front of California convenience stores stretched halfway around the block as gamers plunked down their dollars in hopes of winning the largest state sponsored lottery in U.S. history—$193 million. Despite the astronomical odds of winning players worldwide drove, flew, and waited in line to participate in this megabucks giveaway. It was reported that one Chinese contingent showed up with over $100,000 in pooled money on Saturday and flew home empty handed on Sunday perhaps sadder but definitely wiser. Three winners will share the prize but as of the date of this writing the lucky trio haven’t revealed themselves.

Sharpton Leads Protest

Black civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton led a contingent of activists in front of the MGM Grand in mid-February to protest what he termed Mirage/MGM’s policy of discrimination in the hiring of black workers. The controversial Sharpton threatened a boycott if the Casino did not meet his demands. Casino spokesman Alan Feldman characterized Sharpton’s rhetoric as an attempt to “shakedown” Mirage/MGM Grand because the company refused to fund a $100 million West Las Vegas redevelopment program demanded by the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

SunOnline/Dennis Interactive Strategic Partnership

SunOnline Limited, the operators of the only licensed online casino currently operating within the British Isles, today announced a strategic partnership deal with Dennis Interactive. Casino Atlantis the SunOnline brand will become the exclusive casino partner available on all Dennis Interactive sites providing secure gambling to all Dennis users. SunOnline will also provide content for all the sites in order to help educate users and introduce Dennis customers to online gambling.

Links will be provided from pages of the Dennis Interactive sites including; www.maxim-magazine.co.uk, www.autoexpress.co.uk, www.pcpro.co.uk and www.computerbuyer.co.uk which will allow users to click through to a co-branded area for the Casino Atlantis site.

Tobin Prior, CEO of SunOnline commented, “We are excited about pursuing this opportunity with Dennis Interactive. They have a substantial, loyal user base that is interested in finding out more about online gambling. Casino Atlantis Online is the leading online casino in the market and would be the ideal site for users to start understanding more about the online casino environment”.

Dan Newman, Group Account Manager, Dennis Interactive said, “We are pleased to be able to partner with SunOnline in developing a gambling area for our network of 1.7 million monthly unique users. Dennis Interactive can provide users that have consistently shown an interest in gambling, while SunOnline is able to provide an excellent service. We expect this to be a very profitable partnership