Gaming briefs for June 23, 2003

Monday, June 23, 2003 | 11:22 a.m.

Fewer residents gambling

DETROIT -- Fewer Michiganians say they are taking part in gambling, in part because of the lackluster economy, a recent survey found.

Fifty-three percent haven't bet on horses, visited a casino, played bingo, bought a lottery ticket or engaged in any other sort of gambling within the past year, according to the May 5-9 survey.

"It's just another industry that has been adversely affected by the poor economy," said Paul King, survey director for Marketing Resource Group.

Regulatory board fills top spot

CHICAGO -- A lawyer for the Illinois Gaming Board has been named its interim administrator after an emergency meeting, the regulatory board announced Friday.

Deputy Chief Legal Counsel Jeannette P. Tamayo will fill the top spot left open after Philip C. Parenti resigned Wednesday to accept a position with gambling company Harrah's Entertainment Inc.

Sports betting operation sold

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- SportsLine.com Inc. today said it sold its VegasInsider.com unit to Sports Information Ltd., a U.K. company, for an undisclosed amount.

SportsLine said it expects to sell a related Las Vegas company, Las Vegas Sports Consultants, during the third quarter.

VegasInsider.com and Las Vegas Sports Consultants are sports gambling businesses and are being sold because of a deal for SportsLine.com and CBS to create a new college sports website.

CBS is a major investor in SportsLine.com. Under an agreement with CBS, which owns the NCAA's Internet rights, SportsLine.com will produce a website that will provide information on NCAA sports championships including the popular men's basketball tournament.

The NCAA has been critical of CBS's involvement in the gambling industry.