Asia News - Page 103

International News Brief: Burma’s frontier town, Mong Lar, is rapidly transforming into a bloated sin city popular with day-tripping Chinese gamblers.

Although some say the Cotai Strip development will breed added visitors for the Strip, others caution it will create an Asian gaming mecca that will lure high-roller and other Asian players, many of whom have gambled in Las Vegas in the past.

International News Brief: At the Beijing Jockey Club, you can wager a good sum on a horse race. Just don't call it betting.

International News Brief: Hours before the gleaming $240 million Sands Macao was opened to gamblers, thousands of people had already lined up outside the building covered with gold-coloured glass.

International News Brief: Several public-listed companies are apparently seeking Malaysian government approval to offer football betting for domestic and international matches.

Barring any unexpected setbacks or changes, a new international gaming era is set to debut late this evening when officials from Las Vegas Sands Inc. will open the U.S. company's first casino venture in the seaside Chinese enclave of Macau.

International News Brief: Singaporeans spend close to US$1 billion a year in foreign casinos and having one here will not only plug this leak, but also give the convention industry a boost, according to a consulting company.

International News Brief: Police busted an illegal gambling den and arrested 28 people in a Joo Chiat shophouse.

International News Brief: Villagers in Si Sa Ket are opposing the opening of a new crossing on the Cambodian border, amid plans by Phnom Penh to build a five-star resort and casino in the area.

News Brief: The architect behind the Las Vegas Sands casino in Macau believes the former Portuguese enclave will become the world's biggest tourist attraction by 2009.

Gaming magnate Sheldon Adelson's 1-million-square-foot Sands Macau casino and entertainment complex, which is leading a wave of new casino developments off the coast of China, is expected to open May 18.

News Brief: Police arrested four men from the northern town of Kiryat Shmona on Wednesday morning, on suspicion of operating a nation-wide illegal gambling ring.

International News Brief: The International Cricket Council has asked Delhi Police to arrest a New Delhi-based bookie who was allegedly involved in match fixing with some ‘world-renowned’ and ‘corrupt cricketers’.

International News Brief: A former magistrate, a Datuk, a veteran TV actor and an ex-policeman were among six people who were nabbed for illegal gambling at a luxury condominium in Jalan Sentul.

International News Brief: A police investigator charged that Austrian businessman and part owner of a Jericho casino, Martin Schlaff, was closely connected to companies established by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's son, Gilad, and Sharon's close friend, Cyril Kern.

International News Brief: A Senate committee yesterday expressed strong opposition to legalising the casino business in Thailand, arguing that allowing gambling would do more harm than good to the country.

International News Brief: The new state government will not lift the ban on gambling outlets imposed by the previous PAS administration.

International News Brief: According to Second Finance Minister Lim Hng Kiang, charities now being supported by Singapore Pools have been assured they will continue to receive funding after the gaming operator is acquired by the Totalisator Board.

International News Brief: According to Second Finance Minister Lim Hng Kiang, a private company will probably run the casino that the Singapore government is mulling over on one of its southern islands.

International News Brief: The proposed casino inside Camp John Hay is expected to be operational within the year, according to CJH Development Corp. director Rafael Perez de Tagle Jr.