In the US, the Michigan Supreme Court has blocked a proposal to authorise eight more casinos in the state.
The decision could mean the loss of ten of millions of dollars in television advertising that was anticipated in a showdown between the casino expansionists and defenders of the three existing casinos in Detroit and those owned by American Indian tribes.
A spokesman for the Detroit and tribal casinos said the decision thwarts "a group of secretive investors' attempt to guarantee casino and liquor licences in our constitution. We have said all along that this proposal was poorly written and a terrible piece of public policy for the state."
However, Emily Palsrok, a spokeswoman for the group pushing for expansion, said the decision was only a temporary setback. "We'll be back," she said.
