(Reuters) – Shares of Macau casino operators rose on Thursday on reports gambling revenues in Macau rose to a new high in August, signalling a faster-than-expected recovery in the world’s largest gambling market.

Shares of Galaxy Entertainment Group rose as much as 6.4 percent to a near one-month high of HK$2.39, while Melco International Development, which is owned by Macau gambling scion Lawrence Ho, rose as much as 7.1 percent to a one-week high of HK$4.95.

Macau casino revenue soared 17.2 percent to 11.27 billion patacas ($US1.41 billion) in August, compared with a year earlier, according to analyst reports citing Portuguese news agency Lusa.

The growth rate surpassed the previous record set in January 2008, when casino revenues hit 10.34 billion patacas.

Gaming revenues are expected to record an even stronger year-on-year growth rate starting in September because of the slump in the market in the same period a year ago, analysts said.

"With excitement about the upcoming IPOs as well as positive macro news flow, including the relaxation of visa restrictions and implementation of a junket commission cap, we believe there is still money to be made in the near term," said Credit Suisse analyst Gabriel Chan in a note.

U.S.

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There are reports from Toronto that the apparently error-prone Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation could be in for a shake-up as politicians vie for kudos in straightening out the state company. And it appears that claims of extravagance with the taxpayer’s dollar may exacerbate the accusations faced by the OLG Board.

The Toronto Star carried the story, featuring a photograph of CEO Kelly McDougald, who was brought on board by the Liberal government two years ago to reform the lottery and gaming monopoly. The piece ignited an immediate heated commentary from over 136 posters.

Three “informed sources” told the Toronto Star that McDougald is fighting for her Cdn$400,000-a-year job, as the Liberal government seeks to address the issues before it can be preempted by the opposition Progressive Conservatives when the Legislature returns September 14.

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LONDON (Reuters) – Online gambling group PartyGaming (PRTY.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said first-half revenue fell a fifth due to adverse currency movements, competitive pressures and the consumer slowdown but trade in the past three weeks had been strong.

PartyGaming, which runs the PartyPoker site, posted a 6.5 percent fall in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of $60.7 million (37.2 million pounds) in the six months to the end of June on revenues 21 percent lower at $201 million.

Peer 888 (888.L: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday reported a fall in first-half profit but said it expected to grow in its fourth quarter.

PartyGaming said on Friday profit took a $27 million hit from the movement of the dollar against the pound and euro.

"We calculate that had it not been for adverse currency movements EBITDA would have been around 10 percent ahead of the $64.9 million reported in 2008," said Numis analyst Wyn Ellis.

Shares in PartyGaming, which have risen by more than a third this year, were 0.3 percent higher at 267 pence by 9:20 a.m., valuing the group at around 1.1 billion pounds.

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He just can’t get the female body off his mind, and who can blame him.  Doyle Brunson, one of the hottest poker players on the circuit today (not to mention the oldest), has women swarming all over him as he ponders the question on his Twitter page: "ok wise guys…..why is ‘bra’ singular and ‘panties’ plural?

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Although the details are fuzzy, Massachusetts officials see gambling in their state in the near future.

According to an article in the Boston Globe on Monday , top Massachusetts lawmakers could hold casino hearings as early as next month. However, no date has been set and the type of gambling hasn’t been determined.

As State coffers run low, gambling surfaced as a possibility to generate much needed revenue. The time is also optimal, as gambling opponent, former House speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi,  is now out of office, clearing the way for legislators to discuss the idea.

So far, state officials have studied casino racetracks, resort-style gambling and slot machines at bars and restaurants. O

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According to the Intrade.com market a public health insurance option looks set for defeat.

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Bachelors and Vegas go together like strippers and the poles they dance on. In Sin City, it’s almost too easy to get drunk, lose all of your money, or see a woman bare-chested, which is probably why it’s the single man’s party destination of choice before taking the plunge.

With so many different hotel options both on and off the strip, Oyster Hotel Reviews sent its reporters undercover to find out which hotel will give each bachelor their ideal bachelor party with the perfect amount of their favorite vice.

Oyster Hotel Reviews is the only source — on or off the web — for the world’s most comprehensive, independent, professional hotel reviews.

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The announcement of a new poker challenge – this time live – by online and live poker ace Tom “durrr” Dwan has followers speculating that it may be an admission that the 50,000 hands in his original Challenge is too protracted a contest.

With the original, million dollar plus, 50,000 hand Challenge still barely at the halfway point against first challenger Patrik Antonius after several on-and-off months, Dwan has now thrown down another gauntlet.

It could be confusing, titled as it is “Durrr Million Dollar Challenge”, but its parameters appear more practical: 500 hands in a live heads up match; a $500,000 buy-in; blinds at $500/$1000 and no player can leave the contest until the 500 hands are reached or a player has busted out.

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Jackpot Factory member All Slots Casino has launched a new blackjack web application in the hopes of introducing new players to the game.

New Blackjack Demo
The instant play application features a demo version of online Blackjack and the twist is that webmasters and iGoogle users can add the game to their websites.

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The thrill of winning and the disappointment of losing at most every game offered in today’s casino game, and offer the following guidelines that should increase your chances of winning while having fun doing so. Reviews of online casinos abound on internet websites. It is up to the reader to determine which are worth the time of reading and which are not. Reviews and ratings can be very informational and beneficial to the reader if they are done correctly. There are no big secrets or startling revelations presented here, just basic common-sense rules that make us better players, rules that should be followed by experts as well as novices.

1. Never gamble with money that you can’t afford to lose. Read the full post …