Heavy betting over the last 24 hours that Prince William will pop the question to his girlfriend Kate Middleton has prompted bookmakers William Hill to stop taking bets on a royal engagement.

The city slickers up in Las Vegas used to turn up their noses at Laughlin, the town about 80 miles south, when the little burg began to try to lure visitors there and away from The Strip. But for a place that didn't exist 43 years ago, Laughlin has come a long way, baby.

Chinese businessman Cao Yanglin let his lunch of slow-cooked beef rib with truffle puree and lemon cream sauce go cold as he talked about his gambling spree the night before at the baccarat tables in Macau -- the world's new epicenter for gambling.

Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) announced that Blue Chip Casino Hotel opened its new casino this morning, completing the final stage of the property's $170 million expansion.

The Majestic Star Casino, LLC and its affiliates (the "Company") announced that it has completed the acquisition of Trump Indiana, Inc. ("Trump Indiana"). Effective today, the Company will own and operate two (2) casino vessels and a hotel at Buffington Harbor in Gary, IN. Under the terms of a purchase agreement dated November 3, 2005, the Company acquired Trump Indiana for a purchase price of $253 million, subject to certain adjustments.

Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD), a major, diversified casino gaming operator, and Coast Casinos, Inc., a leader in the Las Vegas locals sector..

Over 7,000 people including celebrities and VIPs tested their luck at the ultra-chic hotel and casino, which boasts such eclectic restaurants and entertainment venues such as Rain in the Desert, Little Buddha Cafe, and Ghost Bar.

With the acquisition, Harrah's Entertainment adds the Harveys Resort & Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nev.; the Harveys Casino Hotel and the Bluffs Run Casino, both in Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Harveys Wagon Wheel Hotel/Casino in Central City, Colo. to its portfolio of properties.

Bay Mills Indian Community Tribal Chairman Jeff Parker has said that the tribe would be interested in building a major casino at the Pontiac Silverdome that could provide 3,000 to 3,500 jobs and a minimum payment of $30 million annually to the economically distressed city.

Wall Street casino gaming analysts are closely watching slot machine developers, Bally Technologies and Aristocrat Technologies amidst strong rumors that the Australian-based Aristocrat could be in talks to acquire the Vegas-based Bally.