|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
| 01 FEBRUARY 2008 : HEADLINES |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Organisers want to ban online betting on French Open
French tennis organisers are following in the steps of their government in seeking to ban online betting, this time on the Grand Slam tournament, the European media reported from Brussels today.
The French Open organisers filed a lawsuit today (Friday) in courts in Liege in eastern Belgium and in Paris in an apparent bid to ban online gambling companies from offering bets amid claims that Internet betting companies stain the reputation of the clay-court championship at Roland Garros.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New poker skill network planned
The Stockholm-listed online gambling softweare developer NYX Interactive (see previous InfoPowa ICE report) has partnered with Trimark Gaming and AlphaBet Poker to launch the online game to online players worldwide through a new network poker platform.
Branded the AlphaBet multi-player poker network, powered by NYX Interactive and operated by Trimark Gaming, the venture offers online gaming operators the opportunity to take part in a multi-faceted marketing strategy.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Microsoft's next XBox game is poker themed and different
Poker Smash will be the next game released on Xbox Live Arcade, developer Void Star Creations revealed on its website this week, saying that a launch date of February 6 has been promised, with the game set to cost 800 Microsoft Points (GBP 6.80)
Poker Smash is apparently a poker-themed puzzle game where cards move up the screen in a Tetris-style play area, and players can dispose of them by matching the cards into poker hands like flush, straight, four-of-a-kind and so on. The game makes an interesting follow on for gamers who have grown tired of the Texas Hold'em game currently available.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XSS Mobile boasts convenience and versatility
Software development company BetXTech has unveiled a versatile new mobile sportsbetting product branded XSS-Mobile. The system can run on a variety of handheld mobile devices such as Tablets, PCs, and PDAs which are linked by an 802.11 wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network to a secure server hosted by BetXTech.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliates and poker players alike could be getting a nasty tax bill
Swedish media reports and blogs are increasingly carrying news of a Swedish crackdown on alleged tax evasion by online gambling players and marketing affiliates that could reach a total figure as high as Euro 45 million.
The Swedish tax authorities, or Skatteverket, together with the National Economic Crimes Bureau and the Swedish Gaming Board have for some months been investigating online gaming in the Scandinavian country, infamous for its state monopoly on gambling, and have already asked several major companies to provide information (see previous InfoPowa reports)
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ICE show produces another customer, says gambling software provider
The recent International Casino Exhibition was a success for Wagerworks, the online gambling software provider subsidiary of IGT, reports commercial director Tom Kenny.
"Following meetings at ICE Interactive, we will be announcing a major new fully managed casino client imminently, " Kenny says.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Schleswig court believes EU rules are being violated by January 1st ban
The pressure continued to mount of the German authorities this week as the European Union and major gambling companies in other EU states condemned the protectionist online gambling ban introduced on January 1st by the EU member nation.
The Verwaltungsgericht (Administrative Court) of Schleswig - like the EU Commission - has come out with a statement in which it voices a concern that EU laws are being violated and has decided to refer questions relating to European law issues in the context of the new sports betting monopoly to the European Court of Justice.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Now Costa Rica joins Antigua in requesting a new arbitration on US online gambling dispute
The Central American nation of Costa Rica has joined Antigua in its fight for compensation following the unilateral withdrawal by the United States of its World Trade Organisation commitments on gambling.
Host to a number of online gambling companies, which make an important contribution to its economy, Costa Rica has joined Antigua in separately filing for World Trade Organisation (WTO) arbitration, seeking compensation from the United States as a result of the U.S. withdrawal of its commitment on cross-border gambling services.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Round table discussion considers possibilities of tourism and online gambling
Bulgarian officials from the State Commission on Gambling (SCG), representatives of the gambling industry, academics and representatives from the Chief Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (CDCOC) are currently seeking a more efficient and state beneficial approach to online and tourism gambling. The goal is to suggest amendments to existing Bulgarian gambling law, reports the Sophia Echo.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Football fans can bet on 500 global games a week
The publicly listed gaming and wagering company, Canbet has introduced what it boasts is "a revolutionary new football product" that gives punters access to live 'In-Run' football betting on over 500 global games each week, as well as a comprehensive selection of Asian Handicap markets.
"Football is the dominant betting medium in Europe and Asia, with the world's biggest bookmakers focusing primarily on European competition. Canbet's Live Betting and Asian Handicap services enable us to strategically extend our footprint in these highly lucrative markets, while providing our clients with betting variety and value," says Mark Read, Canbet managing director.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bodog player takes down 7 jackpots in a month
The title of luckiest player online for the month of December 2007 must surely go to Bodog slots fan WolfgangP, who achieved a remarkable 7 jackpot hits worth a total of $106 839 at the online casino website last month.
Wolfgang's good fortune took the form of jackpot hits of $28 590, $21 002, $14 490, $12 926, $11 394, $10 307, and $8 730 on the Red Sands, Rain Dance and Achilles slot machines.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 online players requested to return over GBP 100 000 in unfair winnings
The UK newspaper The Telegraph reports that the online poker division of gambling group Betfair is demanding that around 20 online poker players return more than GBP 100 000 in "winnings" after the company became the victim of a late-night computer glitch.
The newspaper claims that Betfair is pursuing those who profited from the computer error, although the company has not yet commented on the issue.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video Derby and 3 Card poker now available
The MobiHand powered Astraware mobile casino has launched free upgrades to its Smartphone customers that include two new mobile games - Video Derby, which is reminiscent of the miniature mechanical horse racing games seen in casinos and arcades, and 3 Card Poker, a variation of poker also known as Tri-card Poker and based on the British card game, Brag.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Euro 933 600 the prize for the ultimate winner
149 survivors of the Day 1 A and B entry field that totalled 411 players gathered for Day 2 at the Hohensyburg Casino in Dortmund to take their chances of rising to the next level....and the opportunity to compete for the ultimate prize purse of Euro 933 600.
Chipleader at the "shuffle and deal" start was Cyrille Chabot on 111 100, some 40 000 ahead of nearest rival Claudio Rinaldi in a survivor field that included high profile poker stars like Daniel Negreanu, Annette Obrestad and Marcel Luske.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 31 JANUARY 2008 : HEADLINES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legalise sportsbetting and we'll back off, says European Commission
Online casinos in European Union countries could be left out in the cold as far as the German market is concerned, following a deal on sportsbetting with the European Commission according to reports just out in the business media. more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Atlantic Lottery Corp. reportedly looking into Internet gambling possibilities
The Canadian publication Transcontinental Media is reporting that the provincial Atlantic Lottery Corp. (ALC) has been asking video game makers to invent new games that involve gambling.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expression of interest could upset timed out exclusivity of PEIC letter of intent
If Mark Blandford's PEIC Aquisition thought its letter of intent to acquire Parlay Entertainment (see previous InfoPowa report) had the deal in the bag, it may have to reconsider its options.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year-on-year growth in both turnover and numbers of active players
The Gibraltar-based online gambling group 32Red has issued an update on trading for the year ended 31 December 2007, reporting that casino and poker business as a whole has performed well during 2007 and has experienced year-on-year growth in both turnover and the number of active players, principally led by a strong casino performance.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
While enormous energy was poured into online gambling, Wall Street was generating the sub-prime mortgage crisis
Interesting read for the week for InfoPowa was an op-ed article at the Covers.com website.
In it the author suggests that US officialdom pursuing online gambling bans and respectable businessmen like David Carruthers and Peter Dicks may have been better deployed policing the financial infrastructure and the sub-prime mortgage strategies that have impacted so severely on the USA and the world economy.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ongame's latest poker software development is great for one-on-one challenges
Bwin's Swedish online poker subsidiary Ongame has launched an interesting new version of its poker software that provides an action-packed mobile poker experience focused on one-on-one play.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
213 players signed up for Day 1B
Following the example of Day 1 A, the second Day 1 heat of the PokerStars.net EPT German Open was again well attended, with a liberal sprinkling of top international talent among the 213 players.
The total entry field for the event, being held at the Casino Hohensyburg in Dortmund, is now official at 411 - down on last year's total entry of 493 players.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The first ever Cap Awards goes down a storm with over 500 people in attendance
Although two of the most high-profile award ceremonies of
the year collapsed due to the Screen Actors Guild strike, Casino Affiliates Program celebrated an amazingly successful year for business in the online gambling market with the first ever CAP Awards 2008.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 30 JANUARY 2008 : HEADLINES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sportingbets CEO increases shareholding
Reuters news agency reports that the Chief Executive Officer of UK gambling group Sportingbet, Andrew McIver, has increased his shareholding in the company to a total of 1.2 million shares.
Midweek, the executive purchased a further 100 000 shares at 41p each, laying out GBP 41 000 of his personal funds to do so in a show of confidence in the company and its future.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dutch dichotomy as the state continues to protect its monopoly
The Dutch government is cracking down on Internet gambling regardless of EU principles on the free movement of goods and services between European Union member nations, according to the Volkskrant newspaper. Yet state gambling advertising has increased.
Banks and credit card companies are to be held criminally liable if they facilitate Dutch citizens in gambling on foreign internet sites under new justice ministry regulations, the newspaper reported today (Wednesday).
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading update confident 2007 numbers will beat analyst's forecasts
Mitch Garber, CEO of the multi-faceted UK online gambling group Party Gaming, was in bullish mood this week in a trading update covering underlying profit for 2007, saying that the numbers would be slightly ahead of analysts' forecasts and that January trading was in line with expectations.
Revenue rose 52 percent to $120 million in the fourth quarter to December, giving full-year revenue of $448.2 million - well up on the $324.7 million achieved the year before. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) would be slightly ahead of current expectations, buoyed by lower than anticipated costs and customer bad debts, the executive revealed.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Police claim defendants "had an interest in influencing the results of games."
Information on the latest round of Internet gambling busts in Israel (see previous InfoPowa report) has been expanded upon by police speaking to Jerusalem Post reporters.
Seven people were arrested and 18 were 'detained for questioning' for allegedly operating illegal gambling Web sites that it is believed earned millions of shekels per year that were then "laundered."
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spin 3 tops Juniper Research awards
Mobile gambling provider and Microgaming associate, Spin3 has added more gold to its trophy cabinet after being selected as this year�s top award winner in its category at the Future Mobile Awards, presented by Juniper Research.
The awards are given to companies that have made significant progress within their particular sector during the previous year, and who are now poised to make significant market impact in the year ahead.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Pokerstars European Poker Tour Dortmund had a slightly delayed start this week for all the right reasons - more players entering than had been anticipated.
The first day of the German event involved a longer registration queue at the Hohensyburg Casino, but play eventually started in a Day 1A that saw 198 contestants, many of them top players such as Gino Alacqua, Juha Helppi, Alex Kravchenko, Julian Thew, Katja Thater, Internet whizz Sorel 'Imper1um' Mizzi and the young Italian pro Dario Minier.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lucky Ace Poker and Casino operations open on schedule
The first two operational venues under a white label deal between Kamay Holdings and 888.com have launched under the brands Lucky Ace Poker.com and Lucky Ace Casino.com.
Elsa Sterckx, a marketing official from the new sites was canvassing possible affiliates this week through the new program Lucky Ace Partners.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Washington State warns against online Superbowl betting
With sportsbetting sites and players alike enjoying the pre-match buzz on the upcoming Superbowl clash between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, the Washington State Gambling Commission acted the wet blanket this week, warning citizens that all online gambling is illegal in the state and - so the WSGC claims - across the United States.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Island finance minister hopeful after meeting with UK counterpart
Antigua's exclusion from the UK Gambling Commission advertising white list could be overturned following a meeting between ministers of the two nations earlier this week.
The Antigua Sun reports that Antigua Minister of Finance Dr. Errol Cort headed a delegation which met with Britain's Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe on mid-week and came away perceiving their chances of a reversal of the ruling as "favourable".
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| PREVIOUS NEWS ARTICLES... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|