The new guideline for land-based casinos is that instead of a minimum room requirement (250), the casino must be built in association with one or more hotels with at least a four star ranking. So, align the casinos with quality properties, not just those of a certain size. The older minimum room requirement is actually similar to what still is on the books in Nevada.
Mozambique also legalized online gambling! Here we are in the US, with the UIGEA, which Congress is attempting to overturn, and Mozambique sees the situation clearly, and moves to improve their economy by allowing regulated wagering, even online.
They changed their regulatory structure by transferring the oversight of casino operations to their Tourism Ministry, while the former oversight organization, the Finance Ministry, still oversees the money aspects. That is probably a good move if the Tourism Ministry can ensure the proper licensing of casinos and key employees. In the US, the states usually have a separate department devoted solely to gaming regulation.
There is hope in the US to overturn the UIGEA in the political and the legal arena. There is currently a legal challenge to the UIGEA in the courts, which may hear oral argument in the near future. In Congress, US Congressman Barney Frank's bill to legalize online gambling, HR 2267, is gaining co-sponsors, bringing the total up to 30. The Online Casino Reports article is here.
With the change of presidential administration, and with Democrats in control of both houses of Congress, the chances have improved much, but the bill is still in its infancy and has not yet passed any committees.
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