Since August 20th internet gambling had been made illegal in South Africa. According to the Gauteng Gambling Board which has fought a long-running battle with online casinos, now it's illegal to gamble using digital products inside South Africa The effect of this decision means both Internet operators who offer online gambling to South African residents for gain, and a player or punter who takes part in online betting, are guilty of breaking the law: there is a fine of 10 million rand (approximately USD 1,400,000) or ten years in jail for online casinos, individuals, including internet service providers and banks who process payments for online gamblers and individuals who gamble online.

The Dutch government will soon announce that online poker is to be legalised in the Netherlands under a non-exclusive licensing system, based on the recommendations of the Online Gaming Advisory Committee established by the Ministry of Justice. Since its formation in September 2009, the committee has been investigating the Dutch online gaming market and the application of Dutch law with regard to gaming. In its final report to the Ministry of Justice, the committee noted that the current system of a monopolised lottery and sportbook doesn’t require amendment, but that legislation regarding online poker does.

Costa Rica is set to implement new taxes on online gambling activities operated in the country. The 5% tax should support the fight against rising crime while also financing education in the Central American nation. The idea comes from the new president of the country, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, who plans to combat crime and corruption with the income from the new taxes introduced for online casino, poker or sportsbook activities based in Costa Rica. Anyway Gambling operations from the Central American country are excluded from taxes.

A big step towards the overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) has been taken in the United States yesterday. The House Financial Services Committee, chaired by Barney Frank approved a bill that will license and regulate online gambling. It was not the first time the Committee voted on the bill, as previous attempts began in 2008 with mixed success.

According to Moody's Corporation, the company which performs international financial research and analysis, Harrah’s Entertainment is in some serious financial trouble. Harrah’s management seems more interested in jump-starting growth initiatives than in reducing debt: the company has enormous debts, but rarely takes the opportunity to pay them down. Instead, it keeps spending on new initiatives, hoping that the payouts will constitute salvation. Harrah’s annual interest burden consumes a whopping 90% of property income leaving insufficient free cash flow for debt reduction or capital spending. Harrah’s Entertainment owns the World Series of Poker since 2005.