GBP 562m SECC project will roll out Clydeside casino
As reported by The Scotsman

NEW details of a proposed GBP 562 million redevelopment of Glasgow's Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) site were unveiled yesterday.

Kerzner International, the global gaming group behind Sun City in South Africa and other ventures in America, the Bahamas and Dubai, has been announced as preferred developer to build Scotland's first resort casino on the east end of the 64-acre site by mid-2007, coinciding with a relaxation in gambling laws.

At the same time Glasgow-based developer Elphinstone has been appointed to transform the west end of the SECC's site into a GBP 350 million sustainable urban village. The GBP 162 million casino resort will boast 1,250 slot machines and 50 tables as well as a 150-room luxury hotel, restaurants, bar and leisure facilities and a 1,600 space car park. It will employ 1,200 full-time staff.

Subject to planning consent, phased work on the urban village, including 1,500 homes, could begin as early as next year, providing homes for families and key workers as well as work/live units, with completion expected by 2011.

The development also will provide a primary school, nursery and mini-supermarket to urbanise that area of the riverside and to raise cash to help fund the proposed new GBP 50 million 12,500-seat arena.

Temporary casino accord expected in Mexico
As reported by The Mexidata

Notimex - The chairman of the Nacional Council of Legislative Commissions on Tourism Subjects, Francisco Dávila García, believes that the Secretariat of Government could issue a decree within the next 30 days that will allow the temporary operation of casinos during regional fairs.

The National Action Party (PAN) legislator explained that the intent of the decree is for casinos, that currently exist at fairs and in arenas (palenques) around the country, to operate on a regulated basis and for a set period of time even though establishments of this type are still not allowed in Mexico.

Mexico’s Federal Gambling and Raffles Law of 1947 prohibits gambling and betting games, based on the argument that they cause damage to society. Still, there are various kinds of casinos or gaming centers in Mexico.

The PAN deputy said, that in order to facilitate the decision on pending legislation to reform the Gambling and Raffles Law and allow casinos to operate in Mexico, a series of public hearing are now being held.

The initiative that was submitted to Congress last April advocates the installation of casinos in order to promote regional and municipal development, and to stimulate national and foreign investment.

Dávila said that the reforms would also have to be discussed with state legislators in the future, as approval of at least half the nation’s 31 states and Federal District would be required.