Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003 | 11:09 a.m.
Firm OKs Bahamas casino deal
BILOXI, Miss. -- Isle of Capri Casinos has signed an agreement to lease and operate a casino in the Bahamas, the company announced Wednesday.
The venture is the Biloxi-based Isle of Capri's first into the international gaming market, said Bernard Goldstein, chairman and chief executive.
"I commend the Bahamian governor for recognizing the economic benefits of gaming within this world-class resort and look forward to a prosperous partnership with them," Goldstein said.
The Our Lucaya resort includes two hotels, 16 restaurants, a tennis center, pool and spa and a golf school.
Goldstein said the Isle of Capri casino is expected to open later this year.
Isle of Capri owns and operates 15 casinos, including four in Mississippi.
Billions spent on gambling
SINGAPORE -- Tiny Singapore spent more than 6 billion Singapore dollars (US$3.4 billion) -- an average of S$1,500 (nearly US$900 per person) -- on lotteries, horse racing and other types of officially sanctioned gambling last year, a government report says.
Taxes on bets totaled more than 1.3 billion Singapore dollars last year, according to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore's latest annual report. Based on the duties, industry earnings totaled S$6 billion, a S$135 million (US$77 million) decline from the previous year. Singapore taxes betting income at 25 percent, except for 12 percent for horse racing.
The 4-Digit Numbers lottery game led the way with S$938 million (US$536 million) in duties paid, reflecting spending of about S$3.8 billion (US$2.2 billion), the report showed.
Soccer betting saw a huge leap as Singapore's decision to expand wagering on the sport to foreign matches coincided with Asia hosting the 2002 World Cup.
Army sergeant wins jackpot
ATLANTA -- A U.S. Army sergeant on leave from South Korea claimed the $150 million jackpot on Wednesday in the multi-state Mega Millions lottery.
Stephen Moore, 30, visiting family members in Fitzgerald during his 30-day leave, bought the winning ticket for Tuesday night's drawing at a convenience store in the south Georgia city.
Moore, a chemical specialist, chose the cash option for his winnings and was awarded $88.9 million before taxes.
He said he was out with his brother Tuesday night, and when he returned he found his wife, Danielle, waiting for him. She is also an army sergeant.
"She came out the door, and I thought I was in trouble," Moore said. "She said, 'Guess what, we won the lottery!' "
House speaker backs colleauge
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- House Speaker William Murphy is standing behind his colleague House Majority Leader Gordon Fox amid questions about Fox's role in helping GTECH Holdings Corp. win a long-term lottery contract in the state.
The house majority leader was a paid consultant for the West Greenwich-based GTECH. According to reports, Fox billed GTECH for 40 hours of work at the law firm where he's retained. Other attorneys at the firm also worked for the lottery company.
Murphy said he believes Fox when he said he did not do anything that was inappropriate.
A GTECH spokesman said most of Fox's work dealt with "strategy discussions and meetings." But Fox, D-Providence, did help formulate GTECH's strategy to lobby the Providence City Council to approve its deal.
GTECH was given a 20-year contract to run the state's lottery. It also got tax breaks to move its headquarters to Providence.
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