A pair of media reports from the Antipodes name Australian gambling company Tabcorp as the joint-venture-partner-to-be in Sir Richard Branson's Macao casino push. Tabcorp CEO Matthew Slatter was recently spotted scoping out Macanese real estate in company with Branson. However, both companies say they're well short of the altar.

This still begs the question of exactly how Tabcorp would get a gambling franchise in Macao, unless local strongman Edmund Ho reverses his "no new casino concessions" edict. He could cite Macao's ongoing surge, which is pushing it past Las Vegas as the world's gambling capital, but if Ho makes an exception for Branson and Tabcorp, he'll probably have to make any number of additional ones as well.

Also, the existing casino owners, who had been assured of at least a short-term (as in 10 years or so) oligopoly, would probably want to revisit their agreements with the Chinese Special Administrative Region. The howls of outrage from Stanley Ho alone would be heard clear across the Pacific.

The Daily Telegraph, meanwhile, drops the "B" word … as in "bubble," suggesting that Macao's feverish ramp-up of casinos, investment and newcomers could presage an economic implosion. Its conclusion, however, can also be read in a slightly less dire manner: That the Darwinian forces of free-market competition will weed out the old and infirm among Macao's dozens of casinos. (That means you, SJM.)

CNBC is also weighing in on the Macao casino craze, although registration is required in order to view its report. (The bastards.) Ditto for an item on a sinking stock valuation for Star Cruises, following news that the Singaporean government is probing the proposed joining of forces between Genting International and Stanley Ho. C'mon! Did anyone think that joint venture was going to be smooth sailing?