Richard Mahan (25) had won £90,000 gambling in an online casino. But his luck soon changed and, ignoring the sage advice of gamblers everywhere, he tried to claw his way back.

He used 13 of his parents’ credit cards and, as he gambled into the early hours, ran up debts of £158,000. Mahan then tried to kill himself in what is believed to be Scotland’s worst case of internet gambling addiction. His parents, Linda and James, called in the police after the credit card companies told them that their insurance would not be valid unless they did so.

On June 10, the Normandie Casino in California introduced a new and thrilling game that is played in major Las Vegas Casinos: Pure Blackjack. "It's Blackjack without Jokers or Wild Cards which in turn makes it easier for both the novice and seasoned players alike to enjoy", casino owner Steve Miller, explained.

The Normandie Casino also offers Blackjack Jackpot, a game in which Jokers are allowed. Casino manager Karlo Deza said that they were proud to offer both types of Blackjack to their players.

The group called West Warwick Citizens Against the Casino, which has 800 members, has launched a website to show their disapproval of a proposed casino.

The Narragansett Indian Tribe, together with Harrah’s Entertainment, were allowed to build and run a casino in West Warwick through a constitutional amendment approved by the Rhode Island General Assembly.

Rhode Island citizens will vote whether they want the casino or not next November. The group against the new casino claims that its location in a residential area is inappropriate.

It seems that single-deck blackjack is beginning to gain popularity down Las Vegas strip again. They advertise it as “the good old days are back”, and things of the sort in order to call players’ attention, but in fact, it is nothing but a trick.

This type of blackjack game pays less than the rest, 6 to 5 instead of 3 to 2, so if you gamble $10 dollars and have a blackjack, you get only $12 rather than the usual winning of $15. Game after game, this 3-dollar difference may turn into a great loss of money, no matter how lucky the player is.

The Sahara is the object of attention for casino companies seeking to expand their Las Vegas portfolio or gain a location on the world-famous boulevard.

Gaming and real estate analysts said they think there will be an overabundance of purchase offers for the Sahara, which is operated by the family of late casino pioneer William Bennett.

Gordon Gaming, which manages the Sahara, retained commercial real estate company CB Richard Ellis to sell the 1,720-room hotel-casino.

The state of California decided to make a study about games of chance. The study carried out by the state shows that the gambling industry has had a huge impact on the state’s economy as well as on the population’s pocket.

State lawyer Bill Lockyer reported this is due to the fast expansion experienced by casinos in the last few years. The study also shows that this business means 13 billion dollars to the state of California.

The Wind River Casino in Riverton, Wyoming, is working to comply with regulations in order to be able to offer high-stakes blackjack. According to Jim Conrad, general manager, the process has been delayed due to rules for lighting and security cameras since the casino already has blackjack dealers.

“Plans are to initially offer four blackjack tables, with a variety of allowable bets. The minimum bet likely will be $3, and the maximum bet $500”, Conrad said. "You always have to have a table for the guy that wants to play a $100 hand.”

James Grosjean showed up in disguise at the 13th International Conference on Gambling & Risk-Taking. He is one of the “advantage” gamblers that casinos usually expel from their premises if they are seen at blackjack tables.

Mr. Grosjean didn’t want to take any risk, that is why he wore a black wig and sunglasses to attend the conference held at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. John Chang, also a skilled bettor, was one of the speakers who covered topics such as legal ways to beat the odds and online poker players.

In 1901 gambling was prohibited in Wyoming. In 1935 the Legislature approved the legalization of casino gambling but the governor vetoed the measure. In 1988, the Northern Arapaho Tribe was granted the right to partly gamble. Now, Wyoming residents are finally able to play blackjack again at the Wind River Casino.

On Saturday, the Casino inaugurated four blackjack tables in the middle of its main room. “People are having a blast despite the lack of alcohol on the premises,” said Peggy Black, Wind River Casino table games manager.

Jason Aldean, top new male artist nominee by the Academy of Country Music Awards, is now in Las Vegas, ready to attend the awards ceremony Tuesday night.

Surprisingly, this is not his first time in Las Vegas, nor his first time at the entrance of the ACM awards. Last year, Aldean was there for the awards show, but was not able to get in. He didn’t have a ticket for the event, so he had to stay out. The show was held at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, so the artist made the most of his visit by hanging out at the bar and trying his luck at the blackjack tables.