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Welcome to Bet Sages 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 leisure based wagering
activities on the internet.
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| 1ST DECEMBER 2006 : HEADLINES |
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German language portal launched
The German gambling market is experiencing rapid growth, with predictions that by the year 2010 German betting revenues will have increased by Euro 7.6 billion, additionally spurred by the imperative to replace lost American business with European and Asian opportunities. Cashing in on this attractive business environment, Danish Internet company SunCore Innovation A/S has made a strategic move this (November) month to offer German language portal services in the sector.
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Online gambling software company "part of the next wave of business taking the Isle of Man into the future"
One of the industry's top turnkey providers and software developers, Microgaming has won an award for its contribution to the economy of the Isle of Man. The company received recognition this week in the Isle of Man Newspaper Awards 2006 held in the capital, Douglas.
Microgaming was entered in the competitive category of New Organisation of the Year, open to any company which has been operating on the Island between two and 10 years.
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Cryptologic's flagship online casino celebrates a milestone
One of the most respected and successful online casinos on the Internet, Intercasino.com celebrated its 10 year operational milestone this week in an industry that has developed with startling speed in both technological and business terms.
Back in the online gambling pioneer years a decade ago the word Internet did not have much meaning either to the average person on the street or the gambler. This is the year that saw the launch of this online casino, providing a Las Vegas experience from the comfort of home, and becoming one of the first Internet casinos to launch.
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Cryptologic a good investment opportunity says The Motley Fool
Turnkey online casino provider Cryptologic, together with the prospects for the online gambling industry as a whole was given a boost this week by a positive article in The Motley Fool, which suggested that the games developer was a good investment bet in a promising industry.
Author Brian Pacampara wrote that the company has a sound reputation, a good client list, ample cash reserves and routinely produces good key performance statistics in an industry expected to grow to $19.6 billion in revenues by 2010, although he inserts the caveat that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act could put a dent in those numbers, with only time revealing how big that will be.
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Clouds gathering at Sunny?
The Sunny Group of online casinos was at one time a top Internet gambling group in terms of exciting promos, fast and efficient payouts and excellent customer service. Sadly, it appears from a slew of recent complaints on the fora that this is no longer the case.
The Trinidad-based group comprises Casino Fortune, Mapau Casino, Miami Beach Casino, Goldgate Casino, Poker Show and Mapau Bingo. The group was formerly a Playtech licensee, but is understood to have recently switched to an as yet unidentified software platform for its US players.
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Further private placement adds to Asian-facing firm's coffers for Chinese marketing
Toronto-listed Dynasty Gaming Inc. closed a further private placement this week, raising gross proceeds of C$1 000 000 on the deal. This offering, covering an amount in addition to the private placement for C$5 000 000 that closed on 17 November (see previous InfoPowa report), resulted in the sale of 2 000 000 shares of the company at a price of $0.50 per share.
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Timed to precede legislative discussions between German provincial leaders
The German public and the politicians who serve it are the targets of a public awareness campaign on Internet gambling planned by the Austrian-listed Bwin betting group, according to German media reports this week.
The move is clearly timed to precede legislative discussions that are critical for the German industry. The discussions involve the prime ministers of the 16 German Lnder who are scheduled to meet on 13 December 2006 to debate the content of the new Lotterie-Staatsvertrag (which will now apparently also include sports betting and casinos). However, they will not sign this draft "into force", as initially reported. The parliaments of the Lnder have still to pass the relevant legislation next year.
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Slick moves using CFDs reported to involve Irish businessman Dermot Desmond
Canny Irish business leader Dermot Desmond, who has investments in Paddy Power, Betdaq, London City Airport and a major shareholding in Glasgow Celtic Football Club is reported by E-Gaming Review as possibly involved in buying a 10 percent stake in the Isle of Man e-cash processor Neteller.
It is thought Desmond bought the stake via a purchase of contracts for difference (CFDs) to avoid having to publicly announce the purchase. Any company is bound to make a statement to the London Stock Exchange should anyone purchase more than 3 percent of the company.
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Expert questions 'addiction figures' quoted by academic
The BBC 'Panorama' program titled "Online Gambling: Britain's New Obsession" will be broadcast on Sunday 26 November at 2215, but it is already attracting both mainstream headlines and critical comment thanks to pre-publicity material rather sensationally claiming that a "Million a year could get hooked!"
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White departs, reasons unknown and Smyth takes up the CYOP reins
Patrick Smyth resigned from Gaming Transactions Inc this week to take the helm of supplier CYOP Systems following the resignation of the companys chairman and CEO Mitch White. No reasons were given for White's departure.
Smyth also serves as Director and Secretary at Red Felt Software Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of CYOP. The Gaming Transactions announcement of Smyth's change of responsibilities also mentions that an agreement to license to the URL Keno.com and a license to an internet financial gaming transaction system from Red Ruth Ventures Inc. has been terminated for non-payment of the contract, but it is not known if the events are connected in any way.
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Newspaper claims that convenience and easy credit poses bankruptcy dangers
The Scotsman newspaper carried an article this week in which author Eileen Blackburn argues that a combination of online gambling convenience and easy credit could pose the danger of players getting into financial trouble.
"Until recently gamblers at least had to make a little effort in order to lose their hard earned cash," Blackburn writes. "For a start they had to leave the comfort of their own homes before withdrawing cash and heading to the nearest bookies.
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A first for both parties in new agreement that opens up new South American opportunities
Victor Chandler, the Gibraltar-based online gaming company celebrating its 60th anniversary year with a turnover in excess of $2 billion p.a., made history this week by becoming the first major international bookmaker to be granted and begin operating under a betting and gaming licence in Argentina. The localised site, branded VCapuestas.com.ar will launch later this month.
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Wireless gambling content for major publisher
Mobile technology and solutions provider Vegas Wireless Entertainment (VWE) has signed a content distribution agreement with WirelessStudios. The non-exclusive licensing agreement with WirelesStudios Inc. is for the distribution of mobile content across its international network in a new deal that opens the way for VWE to distribute its games internationally.
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Bodog moves accounts to Betbet
Effective this week players on the formerly Betcorp-owned online poker site PumpPoker.com will find their accounts transferred to the Betbet.com site, where they will be able to access same through existing user names and passwords, and continue playing.
The move is part of an undertaking given by Bodog earlier this year (see previous InfoPowa reports) when it bought the Betcorp online gambling operations. Bodog is integrating many of Betcorp's sites catering to "International customers" under Betbet.com, a professionally presented Internet venue offering a full range of sportsbook, casino and poker gambling options through several partner sites.
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A new online casino powered by Boss
The London-based but Curacao licensed Poker Heaven group has launched a new online casino powered by Boss Media and branded Blackjack Heaven.com.
Unfortunately, U.S. players are barred from using the otherwise impressive facilities which include over 40 quality games including progressives, a loyalty program, 24/7 fully contactable Support and a range of deposit options through Webdollar and the Royal Bank of Scotland. The latter includes Neteller Instacash, Firepay, PaySafe, Delta, Solo and Switch.
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Professional survey shows much room for improvement
The professional journal CRM Today reports that with online gambling set to exceed GBP 5.2 billion this year, and 76 percent of the UKs 29 million internet users betting on a regular basis, customer service levels at British online gambling sites could be a lot better.
Supporting the view, which is sure to resonate with many online gamblers, is an independent audit by customer service specialist Talisma, of the 100 most popular UK online gambling sites which has revealed that despite the success of the industry, many of the websites are failing to deliver acceptable levels of player service.
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Prevention of delinquency bill may have some unpleasant surprises
E-Gaming Review reported briefly that French media reports are indicating more online gambling-hostile moves shaping up in the French National Asembly.
French news site LExpress apparently reported over the weekend that there are political plans in progress in the National Assembly to include two amendments to a bill aimed at the prevention of delinquency It is claimed that these amendments will enable banks to freeze the financial flows of people operating prohibited games on the internet and compel internet service providers to furnish users with a list of sites banned by the French Ministry of the Interior.
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Tapping into the growing female online poker demographic
The organisers of the Ultimate Poker Challenge made a shrewd move this week in allying themselves with the growing womens poker demographic through a partnership with Women Poker Player Magazine.
The idea behind the association is to add a women's event to the third season of the Ultimate Poker Challenge scheduled to begin on February 9 next year at Binions, with a televised final table on the following day.
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Popular poker site now available in Swedish
Online Poker players whose native tongue is Swedish can now throw out their American dictionaries and grab a seat in front of their computers because Royal Vegas Poker is giving them the whole online poker experience in their own native tongue.
When players next visit the popular site on the Microgaming Poker Network they'll find that all the software and interactive buttons are now available in Swedish, giving the convenience of playing online poker in their home language while taking on other opponents in true Swedish style.
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Record $1 397 000 prize pool recorded for Sunday Millions
Another new record - this one for the Sunday Millions prizepool was set by PokerStars over the weekend, with attendance up across the board at all the big-prize events. Overall, the weekend's action again illustrated that online poker remains an immensely popular activity with players everywhere despite the efforts of ill-informed politicians to kill the pastime off.
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G2E execs hear from a panel of 40 players
The Las Vegas Sun reports that a panel of 40 players told execs at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas recently what they would like to see in the way of innovations and improvements in the gaming business.
In an hour long session, the players told gaming company executives that they want better freebies, more engaging slot machines and fewer junk mailers.
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Duplicate Poker: A New Hope for US Facing Online Poker Operators
GamingPublic.com, the centre for investment information on internet gambling, highlighted the positive aspects of a version of online poker called, "Duplicate Poker" this week, claiming that it could be the workaround for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
Setting the scene for its pitch, the company reviews the reversal of fortunes of major listed companies as a result of the UIGEA but points out that private companies like Pokerstars.com and Fulltiltpoker.com have seen massive increases in their numbers, proving that poker remains an popular pastime.
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Blue Square to have games online early next year
GameAccount showed its increasing dominance of the UK skill games market this week by landing a deal with top Brit bookmaker site Blue Square to supply a range of sophisticated skill game products. This will allow Blue Square customers to tap into the high-liquidity GameAccount network, joining players wagering real money from over 130 countries worldwide.
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Accounting exec Henbrey has 30 years experience in all aspects of the leisure and gaming industry
Online gambling player protection and standards authority eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gambling Regulation and Assurance) has appointed a highly experienced leisure and gaming financial executive to the board as an independent director.
Chartered Accountant Bill Henbrey recently retired from BDO Stoy Hayward in London, where he was a partner and head of the betting & gaming and leisure & hospitality units, amassing over thirty years of experience in the business assurance and financial advisory fields for a wide range of tier one clients. The portfolios for the divisions he headed included UK and international companies both private and public involved in land-based gambling and, since 2000, online operations.
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Tax reductions are always welcome....
CEOs, finance directors and shareholders in online gambling companies registered and licensed by the Isle of Man will be celebrating a long anticipated reduction in an already benevolent tax structure this week.
The Isle of Man government brought its basic duty for online gaming into line with betting on a sliding scale. The main change in the duty model is a reduction from 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent in the starting rate. Duty payable on gross gaming yield below GBP20 million per annum will be 1.5 percent, 0.5 percent for between GBP20 million and 40 million per annum and 0.1 percent for annual gross gaming yield over GBP40 million.
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Five new games in this month's package
One of the industry's leading gambling software and games developers, Microgaming, has released a bigger than usual monthly package of new games to its over 70 licensees for November. The games include video poker, blackjack and a range of video slots.
All Aces 50 Play Power Poker continues to build on the firm's popular 10 Play Power Poker series, offering players a smooth-running game that plays 50 hands at a time with every hand dealt from a separate and independent deck and big jackpots that pay up to 100 000.00. With sharp graphics and generous pay tables, Microgaming predicts that this new 50 Play game will feature high on the playlists of most video poker fans.
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$600 000 win for poker ace Phil Gordon, who plans a donation for cancer research
Six of the worlds best poker professionals and one online qualifier from Full Tilt Poker.net met at the poker table on Thanksgiving Day last week to compete for a $1 million prizepool in the Full Tilt Poker.Net Championship at Red Rock Resort and Casino.
Team Full Tilt member and best selling author and television host, Phil Gordon devoured the competition taking first place, winning $600 000.
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Agreement in principle reached on new deal
Internet gambling software provider Cryptologic Inc. confirmed this week that its WagerLogic subsidiary has reached an agreement in principle on a contract renewal with key customer William Hill, the major British gambling group.
Details of the dealwere not disclosed, but CryptoLogic said the agreement with the European betting company would run three years and "builds on the companies' mutually beneficial seven-year relationship."
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Gambling group launches $250 000 Added Tournament Series
Mansion Online fuels the festive spirit throughout the month of December with added dollars and extra value through the launch of its $250 000 Added Tournament Series, boosting the prize pools of regular tournaments by $250 000 from December 4 until the New Year.
The added value series will start on Monday December 4th, and continues daily with Mansion adding $5 000 to its weekday $50+5 tournament, $10 000 added for each Saturday $100+9 tournament, plus $20 000 added to the Sunday $200+15 buy in tournament.
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New license regulations released
The U.K. Gambling Commission said Monday that it has launched its new conditions under which licences are granted to gambling operators and staff, together with new codes of practice.
The Commission said it will have significant new legal powers to monitor the industry and to prosecute illegal gambling. It will also advise central and local government on issues related to gambling.
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Gauteng judgement a warning that until changed, the law is that online gambling in South Africa is illegal
A South African judge gave online gambling optimists pause for thought this week in a judgement that unlicensed gambling in the country was illegal.
Online gamblers in South Africa could be fined up to Rands 10 million (GBP 735 000) or jailed for up to 10 years in terms of current legislation, which will hopefully be reversed if the government decides to follow recommendations to legalise the pastime following extensive research.
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Swaziland operator says second challenge will be submitted to the Court
The online casino operator in Swaziland currently challenging the claimed illegality of online gambling in the Gauteng province of South Africa has urged online gamblers to be patient as it awaits a High Court ruling on internet gambling.
The Gauteng Gambling Board this week warned that online wagering is illegal, but online operator Casino Enterprises of Swaziland says it is trying to contest this.
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New look and a new platform for former member of Leisure and Gaming group
With the separation from Leisure and Gaming group brought about by the UIGEA now out of the way, the Nine.com online gambling group has completed a significant site and software upgrade and is ready for global business, including the USA.
All online casino and sportsbook operations have now been transferred to the Vegas Technology gambling software program owned by Nine.com's new parent company, and a wide range of bonuses has been introduced to incentivise players to try the new facilities out.
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But Bodog will benefit
British group Bowmans International's online gambling operations in the United States have been halted, with all US players transferred to the fast growing Bodog betting group which operates from Costa Rica.
Although Bowman's is British-owned it is operated from the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. No details are available on the reasons for the US withdrawal, but strong speculation is that it is a consequence of the UIGEA legislation recently passed in America which seeks to disrupt the financial transactions by American players with offshore Internet casinos, poker rooms and sportsbooks.
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Republican anti-online gambling politician reaches his personal winter
The man who denied US online gamblers the right of choice in their pastime, wreaked havoc on dozens of online gambling companies and caused hundreds of job losses, US Senator Bill Frist has decided to quit public life and will not be running for President.
The Republican majority leader from Tennessee announced his decision this week, commenting: "In the Bible, God tells us for everything there is a season, and for me, for now, this season of being an elected official has come to a close. I do not intend to run for president in 2008."
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Canadian wins No Limit Texas Hold 'Em top prize
Canadian poker player David Ross White of Abbotsford, British Columbia beat out a starter field of 784 players in the second major tournament run by the River Rock Casino, a short drive from Vancouver International airport.
It took three days of tough competition in the $2 million No Limit Texas Hold 'Em event last Sunday, but after a total of 32 hours play White collected the winner's prize of $600 000 and an expensive watch.
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Pull 'misleading' scratch tickets, gambling watchdog group urges
Ontario gambling officials, already under critical scrutiny for questionable lottery retailer conduct and supporting political attempts to ban advertising for online gambling were facing further protests this week regarding the sale of already won scratch cards.
Ontario media reported that a national gambling watchdog group has claimed that current scratch card sale practices are unfair and misleading to the consumer.
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UK tournament has a top prize of $125 000
The third annual European Open poker tournament scheduled for December 4 to 11 will have a celebrity kick-off in the pleasing shape of a former Miss Great Britain and her top professional football player partner.
Danielle Lloyd and Teddy Sheringham have been contracted to play the initial hands by PartyPoker.com, hosting the tournament for the third time.
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Democrat congressman ready to deal
According to press reports in the Pennsylvania media, there are moves afoot to introduce a Bill in the state legislature that seeks to legalise poker, blackjack and other casino games in the state.
The reports claim that a Democratic congressman, Bill DeWeese is currently drafting a bill that could change existing laws that allow only slot machines in Pennsylvania's gambling halls. State Rep. DeWeese is expected to become speaker of the Democrat-controlled House of Congress in January, lending impetus to the Bill.
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Rendell wants to be sure that state gambling expansion is a safe bet
The governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell dampened hopes of a legalisation of poker in the state anytime soon when he reacted sharply to reports that a member of the state legislature was framing such a Bill.
The governor says that he would reject any legislation seeking to legalise table games before the state has a chance to gauge the success and impact of slot machines, according to an Associated Press report.
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Company spokesman denies 30 percent lay-offs
Forum allegations that the online poker provider Tribeca Tables has axed 30 percent of its labour force in the UK and North America were denied this week by a company spokesman.
The claims that the company has laid off almost 30 percent of its first and second tier support staff from UK and North American locations as a result of halting its US business were strongly denied by the spokesman who said: "I think this report is incorrect. We certainly have not released anyone from the UK. I believe we have released a couple of development engineers who were working on future projects. These were some light-weight functionality projects that were terminated by us. It is certainly nothing like 30 percent of our staff. All the customer support staff are still in place for a smooth transition of the European facing accounts to the Playtech platform."
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Winter 2007 edition of Casino City's Gaming Business Directory released
Casino City Press announced the availability of the Winter 2007 edition of the Gaming Business Directory this week.
Widely viewed as the definitive business directory for the industry, the publication is a 750-page reference containing the most current information available on over 3 500 gaming properties around the world, plus 500 property owners, with detailed property profiles and 25 000 casino and gaming executive contacts including names and titles across 40 departments.
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But resilient UK group reports European business up, and a healthy cash stash
The cost of losing the U.S. online gambling business immediately preceding the enactment of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in October this year was quantified today (Thursday) when Sportingbet plc reported its quarterlies to October 31 2006.
The Internet gaming group revealed it was taking a GBP 252.4 million ($493 million) exceptional charge after stopping its U.S. operations, leading to a first-quarter loss of 241.4 million. Sportingbet sold its U.S.-focused operations for $1 (GBP 0.51p) in October, hours before the United States effectively banned online gambling.
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World Trade Organisation hearings now in session
Antigua and the USA remained locked in dispute this week following an earlier and unilateral American declaration that it was in compliance with the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body rulings and recommendations on Internet gambling. The islanders are contesting the declaration, leading to the hearings in Geneva by a three man independent WTO panel.
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Affiliate incentives and new language sites on the launchpad
Online gambling marketing affiliates are being offered a $5 000 incentive prize this week by Hollywood Poker.com, a large site operating on the Ongame network
Combining with the top Casino Affiliate Programs website Hollywood Poker is giving one hard working affiliate the chance to walk away with a bank boosting $5 000. The top affiliate marketer to bring in the most first time deposits at Hollywood Poker between November 17, 2006 and January 20, 2007 will be awarded the cash prize at the CAP Euro conference in January 2007.
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European Commission spokesman explains inclusive policy of EU to Bulgarian media
Speaking 0n Darik Radio in Sofia this week the European Commission's spokesman Oliver Drewes touched on a subject close to the heart of the international Internet gambling industry, emphasising that as a member of the EU, Bulgaria's gambling law must be inclusive in nature.
Speaking on behalf of the EC internal markets commissioner Charlie McCreevy, the official discussed individual State laws that could be seen as discriminatory and said EU policy is governed by the basic treaties binding member states together along with some case law of the Court of Justice.
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Battling betting group has the attention of the Director of Gaming
With still no payment plan in sight for the US players that BetonSports has agreed to block in order to appease the US Department of Justice, the beleaguered betting group remains under scrutiny by its Antiguan licensing jurisdiction, the Antiguan Sun reported this week.
The newspaper reports that the Director of Gaming in the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) Kaye McDonald has given her assurance that the Commission is closely following the controversial affairs of the gaming company.
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Who you gonna call....Bunnyfoot!
A British company with the unlikely but eye-catching title of Bunnyfoot is offering a way for online marketers to assess the effectiveness of their promotional efforts through "sophisticated eyeball tracking and physiological analysis of gameplay to improve the placement and design of in-game advertising."
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Back to the Pacific
Break out the 2007 diaries and make sure this one is entered if you're re-focusing on Asia!
The PCIG (Pacific Congress on I-Gaming) is scheduled for 26 - 27 February, 2007 at the salubrious Mandarin Oriental Hotel in the gambling mecca of Macau.
PCIG is the only conference to address the strategic and operational issues in the sought-after Pacific region.
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| PREVIOUS NEWS ARTICLES... |
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