Jericho wants a piece of the gambling action

RAMALLAH [MENL] -- After two years of operation, Jericho wants a share in the huge revenues generated by the Palestinian-controlled casino.

Officials said Israeli gamblers spend about $100 million a year at the gambling tables in the casino in Jericho. But the town sees little of that money.

"There isn't any direct affect on Jericho by the gambling casino there," Jericho Mayor Abdul Karim Sidr said. "The influence is in the employment of workers from the town. Unfortunately, Jericho does not benefit from the money and there are no payments to the municipality."

Sidr said Palestinian law neither addresses the Jericho casino, operated by an Austrian firm, or the revenues generated. The mayor said he has asked Palestinian legislators to pass a law that would benefit Jericho from the casino.

Palestinian sources said revenues from the casino go directly to PA Chairman Yasser Arafat. They said PA Preventive Security Apparatus chief Col. Jibril Rajoub provides security for the casino.