Best City Centers

Casino City aims to properly guide gaming people towards the right place to be. With so many Casinos opening left and right, a guide on where to be should be properly addressed with the launch of the new Gaming Business Directory.

The new Gaming Business Directory contains nearly 800 pages of the most current and comprehensive information available on over 4,500 gaming properties worldwide, plus 700 corporate and Native American property owners, with property profiles and 27,000 casino and gaming executive contacts including names and titles across 40 departments.

Thousands of updates, including changes in gaming industry property and owner contacts, have been made by Casino City’s research team since the last edition released in November 2008.

The Directory is a valuable tool for anyone marketing and selling products and services to the gaming industry. Suppliers use it for quick access to targeted casino contacts, and casino executives use it for competitive analysis and to identify key players in every jurisdiction worldwide.

(Source) Press

source to this post: Casino City Releases 2009 Gaming Business Directory
From the Best World Resorts website

If you are going to travel, don’t forget to bring your credit cards. Bringing your credit cards with you is especially a must if you are traveling abroad. Before you leave, however, call your banks or credit card issuers and let them know you will be out of the country and using your cards.



Because of the widespread identity theft incidents today, credit card companies are quick to become suspicious of credit card usage and unusual spending patterns. It may be you using your cards but if your credit card issuers aren’t aware that you’re out of the country, they are likely to flag your foreign purchases as fraudulent and block your cards.



What if you decide to use your cards in Thailand and you live in California? Your credit card issuers will become suspicious of charges originating from Thailand. When you take the time to notify your credit card issuers of your impending travel and intent to use your cards overseas, you save yourself a lot of hassles.



In addition to your ATM or debit card, bring only two credit cards. You don’t want to take all of your credit cards with you and risk losing them. Make sure you bring two different types of credit card – one Visa and one MasterCard. This way, you have a backup card if one doesn’t work. Most places accept either a Visa or MasterCard or both. While American Express tells you you shouldn’t leave home without it, be aware that not a lot of establishments outside the United States take American Express. If you are traveling as a couple, carry different cards with you as doing so gives you more options.



If you are renting a car, be aware that most car rental companies will charge a large amount on your card as a deposit. This leaves you with a smaller credit line. This is another reason you will want to bring another card with you. Make sure that the car rental company charges the card that has the collision damage waiver coverage; you will save money this way.



Most credit card companies today charge international transaction fees. For several years, MasterCard and Visa charged only a 1% transaction fee, but nowadays banks and credit card issuers like Visa and MasterCard are charging up to 3% foreign transaction fees. Before you leave for your trip, call up your bank or credit card issuers find out how much each is charging for foreign transactions. Bring the cards that have the best terms. As of this writing, only Capital One Card charges the lowest fees (1% on foreign transactions) so make sure you take this card with you.



When you’re at your destination and using your cards, don’t allow the vendors there to charge you in dollars. Make sure they charge you in their currency; otherwise, you may end up paying more and still end up charged a foreign transaction fee.



While credit cards are used widely, be aware that some places still don’t accept them as a method of payment. Many of the small B&Bs and hotels, as well as small restaurants, still accept cash as the only method of payment. And if they do accept credit cards, they may add on 3% to 5% to your bill to make up for the fees the credit card companies charge merchants. So be sure you take some cash with you, or have your ATM or debit card handy.

After two law graduates were recently arrested in Brazil for committing insurance fraud, we take a look at the consequences and possible sentences that they, and the 4,300 people last year who were claimed to be making fraudulent travel insurance claims, could face.



Rebecca and Shanti were both honest law-abiding citizens with law degrees from Sussex University, so it came as something of a surprise when they were recently arrested in Brazil for committing holiday insurance fraud. The two girls allegedly told the police that thieves had stolen around ?1,000 of their possessions, including a camera and laptop computer. However, officers became suspicious of their calm demeanour and the fact that it had taken the girls days to report the alleged offence.



The police subsequently demanded to see the girls’ lodgings, where they claim to have uncovered all the possessions which the girls claimed had been stolen en-route to Brazil’s Iguassu Falls. Rebecca and Shanti could face up to five year’s imprisonment if they are found guilty of committing holiday insurance fraud in Brazil, and this sentence is actually quite lenient when you consider some of the punishments that they could face if they had committed the crime in a different country.



In England, tourists face up to 10 years imprisonment as a result of making fraudulent holiday insurance claims. This sentence could even be on top off additional penalties, such as repayment of the amount you claimed and compensation to your travel insurance company. You would have thought that the prospect of a ten year prison sentence would put most people of committing travel insurance fraud, but last year 4,300 dishonest claims worth ?5million were made through holiday insurance companies in the UK alone.



Overseas police forces and travel insurance companies, have now started to get increasingly more vigilant about holiday insurance cheats, a policy which no doubt led to the arrest of Rebecca and Shanti. Details of fraudulent travel insurance claims have now been kept on an industry-wide database, which will be accessed by the Financial Services Authority and insurance companies. This means that anyone caught trying to commit holiday insurance fraud will now automatically face higher insurance costs and have difficulty obtaining other insurance cover, such as home insurance. On top of this, attempting to commit travel insurance fraud may also impact on your credit rating, which would make it more difficult to obtain goods or borrow money in the future.



It is reported that 75,000 Britons have at some point in their lives committed holiday insurance fraud, either by making a false claim or by exaggerating an existing one. Records from travel insurance companies show that Britons lose more Louis Vuitton luggage abroad than is actually ever sold in the UK.



So many fraudulent claims, however, could see the end of cheap travel insurance, as holiday insurance companies may need to put up their prices in order to make up for the losses that they may incur.



Rebecca and Shanti’s Brazilian sentence may have seemed tough, but if the girls had attempted to commit holiday insurance fraud within the UK then they would have risked a much stricter sentence.

Falkirk is a town situated in the centre of Scotland, not far from cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow. The population in Falkirk is 32 379. The tourist information centre in Falkirk is situated on Glebe Street, which is not far from Falkirk’s Grahamston Railway Station. Falkirk is an enjoyable town for many reasons. The main attraction in Falkirk is in the west end and is called the Falkirk Wheel. Falkirk is home to some lovely parks and gardens, which is why I enjoy visiting Falkirk. My favourite parks in Falkirk are:

Callendar Park – This beautiful place is over 170 acres. It is well known for the many daffodils in the spring time. Throughout most of the year Callendar Park is blooming with flowers. Callendar Park has so much to do for all the family; there are plenty of activities to choose from. These include, a play area which has a bouncy castle, a huge slide, a golf course, crazy golf, a lake which can be used for boating, and electric cars. As well as all of these activities, there is also a big area of grass for picnics. This park is a nice place to walk. During the summer, there are a variety of events held in the park, as well as concerts. From the centre of Falkirk, it only takes 5 minutes to get to Callendar Park. In the park there is also a kiosk which sells a variety of snacks.

Dollar Park – This is a lovely place to enjoy a stroll, alone or with a pet. Dollar Park is peaceful and has gorgeous displays of shrubs. This park is not far from the Falkirk town centre, it’s only five minutes away. Dollar Park is open throughout the whole year and has a kid’s play area which has as bouncy castle.

Muiravonside Country Park- This Country Park is quite big, and is 170 acres. Muiravonside has so much to do, especially for the children. There is horse riding, a play area and plenty of area for long walks. In the park there is also lots of wildlife, flowers and trees to see. The park is open throughout the year. Also in the park, you will find a Ranger Service, in which there are, people to guide you around the park.

Bantaskine Estate – This park is fantastic for both long walks and short strolls. It is very peaceful and enjoyable. Bantaskine Estate is a really pleasant park. You can walk along the Union Canal banks or stroll through the woodlands. In 1746 the battle of Falkirk took place in the area of Bantaskine Estate. This battle was one by the Jacobites.

These very nice parks in Falkirk are great for a day out; I highly recommend each of them. Public transport around each park is quite good. I love visiting Falkirk, just to see the parks and to have a memorable day with my family. I find that Falkirk is very unique and each park has something special. There’s never time to get bored when visiting Falkirk.

In Southampton, there are key areas to shop, one area being, West Quay Shopping Centre. West Quay Shopping Centre has many places to eat and drink, mainly on the third floor, such as, McDonald’s, Harry Ramsden’s, Nando’s, Café Giardino and Pizza Hut. The opening times are, Mon-Fri: 9am-8pm, Sat: 9am-7pm, Sun: 11am-5pm; however some retail stores have different opening and closing times. West Quay has over 90 shops, including major retailers such as, Marks & Spencer, French Connection, John Lewis, Zara, River Island and Coast Dune. For those of you who love donuts, Krispy Kreme is recommended and is on the Lower Shopping level.

Another key place to shop in Southampton is the Bargate shopping centre, which has approximately 35 outlet stores, including, the latest, fashions and music. Bargate shopping centre also has a variety of gifts and toys, a nail salon, and a photographic studio. The facilities in Bargate shopping centre are public toilets, which are accessible for people in wheel chairs. Some stores in Bargate Shopping Centre are, Underground Clothing, Gosh, Tees, Reggers Cafe and Trendsetters. If you use satellite navigation to get around, you may need a post code, which is, SO14 1HF. For further information on Bargate Shopping Centre, call 08700 11 0488.

One of my other favourite shopping locations in Southampton is, The Mall Southampton. Some of the stores in The Mall Southampton are, Bay Trading, Disney Store, Matalan and Poundland. The opening hours are Mon-Wed: 9am-6pm, Thurs: 9am-7.30pm, Fri-Sat: 9am-6pm and Sun: 11am-5pm. Finding parking can be difficult, however near The Mall Southampton, there are many car parks with plenty of spaces. The main car park used for The Mall Southampton is the multi storey car park called Marlands. This car park is open 24/7. There are facilities for disabled people. Firstly there are disabled toilets which are on the first floor. This means they are easily accessible. As well as the disabled toilets, there are lifts, for those who have difficulty using the stairs. Also the main entrance is big enough for wheel chairs. After a day of shopping, it’s nice to relax and have a snack, or something to drink. In The Mall Southampton, there is Starbucks, BB’s Coffee & Muffins, Pasta Bar, The Shed and Costa Coffee. For more information about The Mall Southampton, call 02380 339 164.

Another of my favourite places to shop in Southampton is The Mall Marlands Shopping Centre. It has 60 stores spread across two floors. The main stores in The Mall Marlands Shopping Centre are Matalan, Disney Store and Poundland. The opening times are Mon-Wed: 9am-5.30pm, Thu: 9am-7pm, Fri-Sat: 9am-5.30pm and Sun: 10.30am-5pm. The facilities of the shopping centre are toilets, lifts, public phones and a refreshments area.

All of these shopping centres are pleasant places to shop and there is something to suite every budget. You’re sure to find some bargains. I recommend each of these shopping centres, as they are truly worth the visit. Getting to each of these shopping centres shouldn’t be a problem. The public transport around each shopping centre is very good. There are buses coming and going at most times of the day.