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Welcome to Bet Sage's
Online Gambling News Section, featuring the latest breaking
gambling industry news courtesy of
InfoPowa
News. This is your
one stop source for all
and any of the latest
developments concerning
all aspects of the
Online Gambling
Industry. InfoPowa News
headed up by senior
partner Brian Cullingworth
are recognised as one of
the leading and most
respected independent
gambling news services
in the online gambling
industry.
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| 19
SEPTEMBER 2008 : HEADLINES |
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New games and a 16.5 percent improvement in revenues reported
The Canadian online gambling turnkey provider Chartwell Technology announced solid third quarter and nine month results this week, reporting continued strong growth in casino and poker revenues, which rose by 16.5 percent. EBITDA was also up by 18 percent to $1.3 million in the quarter, compared to $1.1 million in the same period in 2007.
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12.9 percent hike for 2008-2009 season
The Tasmanian racing industry has generally welcomed the news that betting exchange Betfair is to increase its contribution to Tasmanian Thoroughbred Racing Council funding by 12.9 percent - up A$287 000 Australian to A$2.49 million Australian dollars for the 2008-09 season.
The contribution is a direct result of Betfair's partnership with Tasmania's racing industry, and will have a major effect on prizemoney this season, according to industry observers.
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Agreement to World Cup 2010 signed
The Bulgarian Football Union has signed a sponsorship agreement with the German-Malta online betting firm Bet-at-home.com covering qualification home matches to the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the friendly matches scheduled for the Bulgarian national team. The contract was brokered by sports agency Sportfive.
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Canadian online gambling is growing, with punters online spending more than those on land
The Edmonton Sun carried an interesting article on Canadian online gambling this week, quoting extensively from the Lethbridge University academic Robert Williams, a name becoming synonymous with negative views on the subject.
The academician fears an onslaught of problem gambling in Canada as a result of the growing interest in Internet gaming, where he claims that accessibility and better payout rates due to lower overheads are attracting more punters.
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Gold Rock Casino is not for Americans, though.
The Isle of Man based gambling software provider Wizard Gaming has been engaged in developmental activities for the past two years (see previous InfoPowa report) and this week launched its first licensee - Gold Rock Casino.com. Unfortunately for US gamblers, this operation is staying out of that market.
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September 16 date for Payment System Protection Act
Congressman Barney Frank's latest legislative attempt to bring some precision and sense to the controversial Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act 2006 and its ambiguous regulations (see previous InfoPowa reports) has been given a fast ride to a markup session by the House Committee on Financial Services, which Frank chairs.
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Tran Organisation defendants named in federal grand jury indictment
11 defendants accused of conspiracy to cheat a dozen tribal casinos across the country were indicted by a federal grand jury in San Diego, California this week according to federal government website postings.
Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division Matthew Friedrich and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Karen P. Hewitt announced the unsealing of the indictment, naming: Bryan Arce; Don Man Duong; Hogan Ho; Thang Viet Huynh; Outtama Keovongsa; Leap Kong, a/k/a "Lanida Kong;" Qua Le; Khunsela Prom, a/k/a "Danny Prom;" James Root; Darrell Saicocie; and Dan Thich each with one count of conspiracy to commit several offences against the United States, including conspiracy to steal money and other property from Indian tribal casinos, and conspiracy to travel in interstate and foreign commerce in aid of racketeering.
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A sign of tough economic times
This week's business report from the Nevada Gaming Control Board had some depressing news for land casino operators - slot wagering volumes, which deliver around two thirds of Nevada gaming revenues, are down.
The report reveals that slot players wagered $1.1 billion less on slots in July than the same month a year ago, with volumes on the Vegas Strip down by $500 million.
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BJL to craft new television advertising campaign
The Manchester-based independent adrvertising agency BJL is to create a TV based advertising campaign for William Hill plc, a month after being named as a roster agency for the client.
It is understood that BJL won the project following a three way pitch, the first assignment since the agency was placed on William Hill's above-the-line roster.
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Party Gaming founder among Hunter Biden's clients
Political and online gambling observers were debating the possible impact on the Democrat cause this week of the disclosure that Hunter Biden, son of Democrat Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden, is an active Washington lobbyist with an online gambling client.
Hunter Biden and his firm, Oldaker, Biden and Belair, have been engaged to lobby for the expansion of legalised online gambling, lobbying on behalf of a law firm that represents Party Gaming founder and major shareholder Russ Deleon. De Leon is married to fellow Party Gaming founder Ruth Parasol.
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Hunter Biden halted lobbying activities when dad became vice-presidential nominee
The Barak Obama presidential campaign reacted quickly to reports Friday that Hunter Biden, son of Obama's vice-presidential running mate Senator Joe Biden, was associated with lobbying activities to legalise online gambling for client Russ De Leon, a shareholder in the Party Gaming group.
The New York Times reports that the Obama campaign claimed that Hunter Biden (38) quit working as a Washington lobbyist when his father became Obama's running mate.
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Asian player celebrates a $1.7 million win on Gold Rally
The Asian-facing operations of the Mansion online casino and sportsbetting group, Mansion88.com have reported a major progressives win.
Player TengB (no other details available as yet) hit the Gold Rally progressive jackpot carried by Playtech-powered Mansion88, taking a cash haul of $1 780 087 on August 27th.
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New CEO appointment announced; chairman changes afoot
The online and land UK gambling group Gala Coral has announced major management changes planned for the near future. Chief Operating Officer Dominic Harrison is promoted to chief executive officer with effect from October 1. He will replace Neil Goulden who moves out of the position after five years to become executive deputy chairman pending the departure within the next year of current chairman and founder John Kelly, when he will take Kelly's place.
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My Play Win gaming cards introduced for online use
The Indian online lottery company Playwin, has launched a gaming card that it hopes will bring more players online. Branded MyPlaywin gaming cards, and supported by a similarly branded .com website, the cards are designed with user safety and transaction convenience front-of-mind, a company statement boasts.
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Outdated legislation declared a restraint of trade
Online sportsbetting companies in New South Wales, Australia will be encouraged by the news this week that the successful Betfair case against the Western Australian government in March 2008 is contributing to a general freeing up of the promotional market in Australia.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that NSW online bookies have been contacted by the NSW office of Liquor Racing and Gaming with the information that the government would comply with the ruling of the High Court in the Betfair case earlier this year (see previous InfoPowa report)
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Remote Gaming Association applauds resumption of EU investigation
The Remote Gaming Association, which counts many of Europe's top gaming firms amongst its members revealed this week that the European Union investigation into US discrimination against EU companies involved in Internet gambling is back on track, with an EU investigation team currently in Washington.
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Subsidiary Wagerlogic and licensees to benefit from new deal
The Dublin based online gambling software provider Cryptologic has announced that it has joined a global fraud-fighting community operated by Ethoca Limited. Ethoca will work directly with WagerLogic, the CryptoLogic subsidiary that licenses the company's acclaimed Internet gaming software and services to many of the world's top Internet casino and poker sites.
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30-19 vote sees HR 6870 through mark-up process and on the way to the House
Congressman Barney Franks�s latest attack on the UIGEA - HR6870 Payments System Protection Act - has passed its mark-up stage in the House Financial Services Committee (see previous InfoPowa report) and is on its way to the House, after heated debate and a positive vote of 30 - 19 this week.
The House Financial Services Committee began the markup procedure Tuesday with arch anti-Internet gambling critic Spencer Bachus of Alabama denouncing the measure and extensive debate among several Congressmen both for and against the proposal, which seeks to suspend any regulations of the UIGEA "except to the extent as any such regulation pertains to wagering of the type that is prohibited (as of the date of the enactment of this Act) under chapter 178 of title 28, United States Code (relating to professional and amateur sports protection)."
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New executive appointed to manage merged companies
IGT-UK and WagerWorks announced a restructuring of their respective UK businesses this week as a result of which the UK operations of WagerWorks are to be integrated into the IGT UK activities. Both companies are IGT subsidiaries.
The merged operations will be managed by newly appointed Oliver Lofthouse as Director and General Manager. He was previously a Director at Mars Snackfoods, holds an MBA and will replace John Wimsett, who has recently been appointed Managing Director of IGT South America. Lofthouse, who will join the company on September 22th 2008, will report directly to Robert White, and will join the IGT-UK Executive Committee.
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With French policy about to change, the future of the government's stake in monopoly gambling is being considered
The French government, currently working on legislation aimed at opening up its previously monopolised online gambling market in order to comply with European Union requirements, is being advised on the the privatisation of national lottery and gambling company La Francaise Des Jeux via a share flotation sometime next year by Merrill Lynch professional business services.
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Euro 3 million earmarked for project
Irish online bookie Boylessports.com, is preparing to spend an estimated Euro 3 million euros to extend its online reach to Spain and other countries in Europe, the Irish Times reports.
The company has enlisted a former Bwin Interactive Entertainment executive, John Overett, to lead a 20-person development team in the creation of Web sites and products for new markets.
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Management voluntarily suspends shares
The parent group of Australian online gambling group Lasseters.com has announced the voluntary suspension of trading in its shares on the Australian Stock Market, citing uncertainty of funding from Lasseters International Holdings Limited.
The suspension will last for one month or until Lasseters and its parent company can come to an agreement.
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"Totally excellent dude!" take on the cult movie "Bill & Ted�s Excellent Adventure"
Isle of Man based online gambling software developer and turnkey provider Microgaming has launched its much anticipated Flash technology video slot "Bill & Ted�s Excellent Adventure," at th same time debuting two flash versions of player favourites Cashapillar and Avalon.
Flash games, proving a huge hit with the players; allow users to play immediately via their web browser, delivering instant access to the action.
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Aussie bookmaker enters Northern Territory
Tabcorp, the giant Aussie bookmaker has launched its new Northern Territory-based bookmaking business Luxbet, which will operate as a stand-alone business to the New South Wales and Victoria TABs.
Tabcorp�s latest venture follows huge growth in the bookmaking industry in the Northern Territory, estimated by Tabcorp to generate revenues of over A$4 billion this year, due to regulatory differences between the territory and other states.
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But getting a voting slot is likely to be tough
The dust had hardly settled on this week's House Financial Services Committee approval of Barney Frank's HR 6870 Payments System Protection Act (see previous InfoPowa report) when the Poker Players Alliance announced its support for the latest attack on the UIGEA - amendments and all.
In a statement issued immediately after news of the favourable vote broke Tuesday, the PPA chairman, former US Senator Alphonse D'Amato, said: "The PPA is pleased that the House Financial Services Committee today recognized the need to provide clarification to what constitutes �unlawful Internet gambling' under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) by passing H.R. 6870.
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Business media speculation rife
The move by the French government to comply with European Union free movement of trade and services requirements by privatising its gambling monopoly Francaise des Jeux (see previous InfoPowa reports) has been the subject of growing speculation this week.
Analysts at the Carnegie Investment Bank said the news that FdeJ may be privatised in anticipation of regulated and licensed online betting by the end of 2009 could be positive for the likes of Betsson and Unibet, with current state monopolies possibly going on the acquisition trail once privatised.
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This Blackjack Ballroom player has exceptional luck
Blackjack Ballroom player MissMA has experienced a string of jackpot wins since April 2001 that have amassed a total of $657 290 over 10 jackpots - surely something of an online gambling record.
Each win over the years has been over $20 000, with the biggest single payout $183,000 hit. Last week she made her most recent win of $40 989 on the popular video slot Cash Splash 5 Reel at Blackjack Ballroom.
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Wagerflex sports platform performance up to standard
The online gambling software developer Iforium has announced the extension the extension of its agreement with Betinternet.com to power its sports betting portal on the Wagerflex platform for the next two years.
Betinternet.com will continue to benefit from Iforium's complete sports betting and common wallet solution, a company spokesman said. The Wagerflex platform gives betinternet.com access to a number of core modules including full event content and risk management plus a flexible approach to all future projects.
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De Muro in expansive mood
The Malta based online gambling firm, Latin Interactive Gaming, has announced ambitious plans to extend its influence in the Spanish and Latin-American market by launching local branches "Pokermillones, "Apuestamillones", "Casinomillones", "Juegamillones" and "Tragamillones".
"With our long experience within the gaming and entertainment industry, it is clear that Latin Interactive Gaming has a big opportunity to dominate the Hispanic market in the following two years", said Maximiliano De Muro, partner and Chief Executive Officer for Latin Interactive Gaming, who will be speaking at the forthcoming EiG in Barcelona.
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Will Hill and Skybet both opt for mobile betting package.
The mobile betting technology provider in which Boss Media-G-Tech has an interest, Mfuse, has been tasked by both William Hill plc and Skybet to provide individual mobile sportsbetting facilities, embracing all forms of betting, including fixed-odds, spread, exchange and in-running.
In terms of the three year deal, the Mfuse platform will be linked directly into the existing William Hill and Sky Bet back-end systems and will enable both operators to attract new users who can sign up directly through their mobile without going online, while the Mfuse NOVO Transact will continuously update all the data in �real-time� to a customer�s handset.
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EBITDA up 7 percent to Euro 10.6 million
European operator Gaming VC has reported growth in EBITDA of 7 percent to Euro 10.6 million on last year�s Euro 10 million for the six month period to the end of June, with pre-tax profits rising 23 percent to Euro 10.5 million, on last year�s Euro 8.5 million.
Group revenue was up 20 percent to Euro 26.3million, and operating profit also rose 19 percent to Euro 10.6 million. Gross profits rose 30 percent to Euro 21 million during the period, compared with Euro 16.3 million last year.
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Network expands into new market
Ongame Network Ltd, a member of the Bwin Group and a provider of online gaming entertainment, has announced its move into the Irish market through a partner agreement with Bruce Betting Ltd., arguably the fastest-growing independent bookmaker in Ireland with over 60 betting shops nationwide.
The new licensing agreement is in line with Ongame Network�s long-term strategic goals of targeting new markets through deals with established brands.
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MSNBC publishes a detailed article on $85 million claim against Absolute and Ultimatebet former owners
Most InfoPowa readers will be familiar with the long-running and often shocking reports on Internet poker irregularities and alleged in-house criminal activity at the two Tokwiro owned online poker sites Absolute Poker.com and UltimateBet.com, but this week the mainstream media giant MSNBC gave a wider audience the full lowdown in a detailed and professionally balanced report by senior MSNBC journo Michael Brunker.
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Tracking site reports visits at main sites are up
Times may be tough, and world economies taking strain, but online poker marches on, seems to be the theme for the August - September period as tracking site MarketPulse reports surging visitor numbers at several of the premium websites.
The already booming PokerStars has been especially brisk so far with August traffic figures as quoted by MarketPulse up a very respectable 34 percent and the site currently hosting an average 17 451 players over the course of an average day - placing PokerStars streets ahead of its nearest rival, Full Tilt Poker.
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Bellini and Joyland report major jackpot wins
Two more online casinos have reported major player wins, one for over $200 000 and another for a whopping $4 million.
Casino Bellini.com has announced that Finnish player JensF won over $200 000 from an initial wager of $3.19 playing the Queen Of Pyramids online slot. Jens, a factory worker, had only been a member of the online casino for a few weeks and cashed $212 774 after striking it rich on the Egyptian themed progressive slot. He revealed that he was preparing a spaghetti meal as well as gambling on his big night, and said he plans to go on a vacation with his winnings.
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September 23rd is launch date
Pre-launch information from Party Poker is that its brand new table will debut next Monday, September 23rd, supported by a $50 000 customer freeroll on Saturday and a media freeroll in October. The company says the launch will be the result of a lengthy development process.
In addition to sharp new graphics, the tables have increased functionality, with each player given his or her own display in front of their user name that shows their avatar and cards.
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