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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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Amendments defeated, the Goodlatte / Leach Bill to stifle
online gambling now goes to the Senate
In a rushed, crowded schedule that left little room for
debate, the merged Goodlatte/Leach Bill HR 4411 survived
various amendments designed to defeat its carve-outs on
horse racing, lotteries and fantasy sports and was passed
317 to 93 today (Tuesday)
The legislation is aimed at curbing selected sectors of
Internet gambling by blocking the use of credit cards and
bank transfers for online wagering and clarifying the Wire
Act. It also carries the threat of interference with ISPs.
Having passed the House, the Bill next moves to a busy
Senate, where similar measures in the past have failed, and
it will likely face a more strenuous and detailed debate.
Assuming it gets on to the crowded schedule at all, if it is
not passed by the time the legislative season ends later
this year, the whole process will have to be started again. more...
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Goodlatte and Leach Bills may be combined and have been
passed to the House for debate next month
Further details are now available on the surprise news that
the Goodlatte
and Leach Bills seeking to hamstring online gambling in the USA have been
forwarded on for debate on the floor of the House of Representatives -
effectively another step forward for this legislation.
Dennis Hastert, Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives,
published the list of measures this week. "The American
Values Agenda will defend Americas founding principles.
Through this agenda, we will work to protect the faith of
our people, the sanctity of life and freedoms outlined by
our founding fathers," he said. more...
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Unconfirmed reports claim online gambling banning bill will be debated in the House
After months of political manouevering, media speculation and lobbying (see previous InfoPowa reports) there were unconfirmed reports this week that the merged Goodlatte and Leach Bills, which seek to cripple online gambling in the United States, may be debated as early as July 12 in the House of Representatives.
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Standards body commissions one of the largest surveys of player perceptions yet
Researchers in the USA and UK aim to capture the opinions of over 20 000 players through a quantitative internet based survey, supplemented by qualitative focus groups in six of the online gambling industry's major markets soon, commissioned for the mammoth task by eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA).
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Plenty of 4th July cheer with $227 120.48 Treasure Nile progressive win
When U.S. player DeborahK signed up at the Trident group's King Neptune's Casino (www.kingneptunescasino.com) earlier this year she had no idea her membership would open the way to the best slice of financial good fortune she has yet experienced.
The 47 year old from Maryland is a fan of King Neptune's no-download Flash games and likes to play Treasure Nile with the ambition of one day hitting the big one.
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Scots MP wants to limit online gambling to GBP 1 000 a week
Trust a politician to jump on a topical issue; the recent case in Scotland of a wayward son who gambled a sizeable chunk of his parents' fortune away in that country (see earlier InfoPowa reports) is possibly the motivation for a restrictive online gambling proposal by a Scots member of parliament.
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Moving house, new directors and gaming machine standards
Judging by the press release output, the nascent UK Gambling Commission that is scheduled to take the British industry in hand next year has had a busy few weeks. Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in the British government, has announced that Rachel Lampard and Lord McIntosh have been appointed to the Board of the Gambling Commission. The appointments strengthen the Gambling Commission's expertise in ensuring socially responsible gambling and delivering the Gambling Act's three objectives of keeping gambling free from crime; ensuring that it's conducted in a fair and open way and that children and vulnerable people are protected from harm.
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Sounds like a powerful new portal...but that name rings a bell
Online gambling marketing guru Debbee Silverman (see previous InfoPowa reports) has confirmed that she will be remaining in the industry after departing the Gone Gambling portal recently.
Silverman revealed this week that her career move is to oversee the expansion, launch and subsequent marketing and advertising of the "non-casino" aspects of a new online gambling related venture branded "theRXcasinos.com".
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Vegas clash between online qualifiers vs poker pros
Mansion Poker will be using hi-tech poker playing facilities to the max next month in a new competition that will see poker players qualified through the Internet pitching their skills against poker pros.
The action will be captured on Fox television and takes place on Wednesday, July 12, when Mansion Poker.net will introduce its four-hour World Pro-Am Challenge, which pits three amateur online qualifiers against three of the best pros on the tournament circuit: Todd Brunson, winner of 12 career tournaments and WSOP bracelet winner; WPT champion John Gale and WPT player of the year Gavin Smith.
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Mobile poker news and entertainment from the experts
The high profile British professional poker players The Hendon Mob have expanded their involvement in the online gambling industry to portal ownership with the launch this week of a poker news and entertainment service for mobile users.
Located at Pokermob.com, the service is dedicated to providing mobile players with exclusive mobile content whilst on the move. It includes a magazine branded Pocket Poker, with WPT and WSOP news, tips and strategies, free video clips, games, tournament information and anything else a pokerhead on the go might need from the world of poker.
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Online poker firm will host a $2 million live poker event in Singapore.
Betfair has become the first gaming company granted permission to present a poker tournament in Singapore. The firm has teamed up with local operators Capital Events to host the ground-breaking contest in November this year.
The Betfair Asian Poker Tour will feature players from across the world competing for an anticipated $2 million prize fund. The event will be open to all-comers, including local players, and is sure to attract professionals as well as poker enthusiasts. Qualification will take place online at Betfair Poker as well as at live tournaments all over the world.
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British gambling group recognised by Investor Relations Magazine UK awards
UK gambling group Sportingbet picked up 4 out of a possible 5 awards in the recent Investor Relations Magazine UK Awards, making a considerable impact on its first appearance in the nominations.
The awards, held in association with the Financial Times, celebrated the country's best-performing companies in the field of shareholder communications as voted for by over 750 portfolio managers, analysts and retail investors.
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UK firm will make poker content available worldwide
The Poker Channel launched its new free broadband poker TV channel this week, offering free-to-air broadband programs to a global audience.
The new service is distinct from the SkyTV channel and will operate on itsown program schedule. will run to it's own schedule, available at www.pokerchannel.co.uk up to one month in advance of start times.
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Telling Canadians about protecting the players, regulation and standards
The popular Montreal Radio 940 interviewed the CEO of eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance CEO Andrew Beveridge this week in a boost for the online gaming standards authority.
Beveridge explained the goals of the body, which currently oversees 85 leading online casino and poker room brands, as primarily to protect the player through the achievement of superior standards of efficiency and conduct at its "Play It Safe" seal venues.
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CEO Poker Show donates a $100 000 TV sponsorship package to charity
William Peraza Jr., CEO of "The CEO Poker Show" in the States is a gambling man who believes in putting benefits up front for charity instead of just talking about it.
This week his company, which owns and produces the upcoming television show "The CEO Poker Show" is using the eBay auction Web site to sell a $100 000 television sponsorship package to benefit a Florida charity. For the right price, the successful bidder will receive television mentions, their logo on the poker tables, signage at the event and access to the CEO players.
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13 episodes of razor sharp poker action being filmed at Caesars in Las Vegas
Fire up that new High Definition TV this week, because there's a wealth of poker action being beamed from the new 14 500 sq. ft. poker room at Caesars Palace in the world's gambling capital, Las Vegas.
The organisers claim that the Vegas Open tournament will be the first major poker event to be broadcast in high definition, and it debuts this week on INHD in the first of a 13 episode series.
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Betting exchange spotted irregular betting patterns
The UK media has been abuzz over the past week with the culmination of a long-running criminal investigation into the affairs of ex-champion jockey Kieren Fallon and seven others now facing charges of conspiracy to defraud. A key element in the case is that it stems from alleged irregular betting patterns spotted on Betfair, the international online betting exchange.
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Republican moves to push online gambling ban through the House this month
Interesting perspectives on US political moves to ban online gambling were reported this week in the New York Times, which claims that several interest groups are lining up to lobby for or against Web gambling.
The article reports that an array of interest groups like casinos in the USA and abroad, as well as sports leagues, antigambling coalitions and even poker players, has dispatched lobbyists to argue what should be legal and what should not over a wide range of Internet transmitted gambling entertainment from horse racing to lotteries, and poker to fantasy sports.
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Money Casino launches innovative new game
The latest slot released at Money Casino has a Circus Side Show theme and is branded accordingly. The new game is a themed five reel 15-liner designed as a quaint side show stage featuring a troupe of curious performers such as the bearded lady, the sword swallower, lizardman, and others.
Circus Side Show is not just about strange folks, however. It includes bonus features as detailed in such as the Side Show bonus game, Scatter Pay that can pay up to 500, and 5 Wild Symbols that pay up to 10,000.
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Publicly listed online gambling group launches latest offering for players
Online sportsbetting and gaming operator Interactive Gaming Holdings Plc went live this week with its latest venue, the OpenBet Casino offering which is available on the Premier Bet website, giving users access to a selection of no-download games from the UK based Orbis provider.
Orbis claims that the new venue is one of the most comprehensive gaming platforms available on the market. A full range of casino games are on offer, including a variety of card games and multi-reel slots. The Flash games include the unique Bonus bar feature, allowing players to keep track of their bonus points, as well as animated graphics and realistic sound effects.
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New game will be carried on the Orbis OpenBet software platform
UKBetting and Totalbet have teamed up with UK games provider specialists Electracade to launch a brand new online version of Roulette, which will operate on the Orbis OpenBet platform.
Features of the game will include:
Photo realistic, 3D game wheel
Over 12,000 unique 'real life' motion, captured in outstandingly precise animations
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Hachem is on the hunt again
The Australian media were jubiliantly reporting the latest World Series of Poker truimphs of last year's multi-million dollar champion Joe Hachem (40) this week, as the 2006 action on the world's biggest poker event ran the opening competitions in its 45 event schedule. The Melbourne-based poker king is in the money again after winning $345 000, albeit as a runner up this time in a No Limit Hold Em WSOP event.
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$343 618 paycheck for poker pro
The big money tournaments were coming thick and fast in Vegas this week as the World Series of Poker juggernaut continued to provide great poker and plenty of excitement and rewards for winners.
Event 7, the $3000 Limit tournament played on the US 4 July holiday had a smaller starting field than expected at 415 players but that didn't stop some pretty intense action at the tables, leading to a final table of nine top players with Carlo "The Wizard" Lopez holding the biggest stack. Other players were Canadian Allan Puzantyan, Danny Ciasamella, circuit champ Jeff Lisandro, Yucqi Zhu, casino manager Larry Thomas and poker pros Ernie Scherer, Henry Nguyen and William Chen.
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22 year old Aussie takes home $803 274 in WSOP $2 000 buy-in No Limit Hold Em event.
Mark Vos, a 22-year old Australian online player who uses the handle PokerBok is fast earning respect as one of the world's top poker players, and he showed his class this week by becoming one of the youngest World Series of Poker bracelet winners in history.
Vos collected his first-ever WSOP bracelet in the $2,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold 'em tournament when his queen-ten made trip queens, eliminating second-place finisher Nam Le and his pocket sixes. Vos' performance earned him a $803 274 bonanza.
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Sportsbook acquisition could be worth GBP 50 million
Speculative reports in British business media this week revealed that Party Gaming, which has for some time hinted at an intention to add a sportsbook to its online gambling interests, has been involved in talks with Gamebookers. A price tag of GBP 50 million has been mentioned, and the deal could be clinched within the next two to three weeks.
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UltimateBet poker the first to introduce new mobile service
The Canadian turnkey poker and casino provider Excapsa has partnered with wireless technology provider Phantom Fiber to offer a mobile gaming service to customers.
This new distribution method for the Excapsa poker product integrates a shared eWallet with the provider's other games and is available across global communications networks to mobile users on over 1 000 wireless devices including mobile phones and PDA's.
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24 week series follows the fortunes of top players competing for big bucks
Poker fans with a penchant for fast and professional action will be tuning into the Travel Channel over the next 24 weeks as the Professional Poker Tour gets into its stride.
The 24-week series pits a select group of pro poker players against one another in invitational freeroll tournaments with $500 000 pots and big action.
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888 subsidiary will be putting up major prize money, and players can qualify online
Last year's 888.com UK Poker Open Tournament attracted many players with a $1 million prize pool that included a winner's purse of $500 000, and that is likely to be exceeded in this year's event, scheduled for September 25 to October 8.
Professional poker players and online qualifiers will participate in the televised event, and satellites have already started at Pacific Poker and will continue through Sept. 16 giving a wide range of players an opportunity to win a $7 500 prize package to the event.
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No let-up in Chinese blitz on gambling
Reuters reports this week indicate that police in China's southwestern province of Sichuan have brought down a 1 billion yuan ($125 million) soccer gambling ring, as World Cup betting reaches fever pitch. Gambling has been illegal in mainland China since the Communists took power in 1949.
An online betting Web site set up in Hong Kong by an "underground" company and run in Sichuan's capital Chengdu had over 2 000 registered users from across the country, the Beijing News revealed.
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World Cup online betting ring arrested
The Chinese anti-gambling raids (see earlier InfoPowa reports) continue to make life uncomfortable for Chinese bookies trying to take online bets on the World Cup in a country where gambling is a definite no-no.
The Beijing Evening Post reports that police tracked down four online football gambling rings and arrested 24 people, including a man alleged to be the general agent on the Chinese mainland for an overseas gambling group that the newspaper did not identify.
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Big gambling groups to have accessto Betfair system
Orbis, a British subsidiary of the NDS group, has announced an exclusive deal with betting exchange Betfair to offer a brand new service that it claims will "revolutionise the sports betting industry."
The Betfair Interface model will allow major Orbis' clients named as Ladbrokes, Sky Bet, Victor Chandler, Tote, UK Betting PLC, Paddy Power, Blue Square, IGH, Globet, Littlewoods and Betway to seamlessly interact directly with the Betfair system, through a data feed accessing Betfair markets, prices and events.
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South Africa surveys shows problem gambling has dropped by 2 percent
The South African press this week carried the good news that the number of people with a gambling problem in the country has dropped in the past two years, a recent study has found.
The professionally conducted study showed that incidents of problem gambling among adults with ready access to commercial gambling dropped to 4.8 percent from 6.8 percent in 2003.
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Famous Hard Rock restaurant chain could be up for sale
Online and land gambling interests of the British group Rank such as Blue Square could get a boost as the group focuses on bingo and casino businesses and possibly sells off the famous Hard Rock restaurant chain.
The British business press were speculating on the possibility of a GBP 500 million attempt to sell Hard Rock Cafe after the new chief executive at Rank, Ian Burke indicated the prospect by announcing that Merril Lynch had been hired to help Rank "review the potential strategic options for Hard Rock, to assess whether or not it should remain part of the Rank Group".
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Skill games to be provided and operated for TV5
GameAccount is emerging as the top supplier of skill games to television groups following its sign-up this week of the British television and media channel Five. The two companies have joined forces to launch a dedicated skill gaming portal called Five Play and Win at Play and Win.five.tv which will also be accessible via the main Five.tv site.
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Don Gleason is leaving "to pursue other business interests"
Veteran finance chief at turnkey provider Chartwell Technology, Don Gleason has resigned from the Calgary-based head office with immediate effect in order to pursue other and unspecified business interests. He will consult for the company during the takeover by his successor, real estate and IT finance manager Dale Kearns.
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U.S. player BobbyC wins $ 291 663.45 on Casino Classic.
It's been a good week for progressives, with major wins on Treasure Nile at King Neptunes and a multi millionaire created at Magic Box Casino on Gold Rally (see previous InfoPowa bulletins).
The superstitious say that good things come in threes, and that was illustrated by U.S. player BobbyC who cracked a $291 663.45 Major Millions jackpot at Casino Classic.
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Entering the bigtime
Early reports as we went to press are that Canadian turnkey provider and gambling software developer Cryptologic has been promoted to Nasdaq's new Global Select Market.
The promotion is a feather in the cap of CEO Lewis Rose and his hard working staff, and adds to the reputation of the pioneer online gambling company as a top tier corporate with a great future.
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Atlantic City budget debacle and Scotland's smoking ban is good for some....bad for others
The old saying that it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good came to mind this week with the news of two incidents that made life difficult for land gambling companies but drove more business to Internet venues.
In the first, Scots land bingo fans are reported to be increasingly turning to online bingo sites following a smoking ban in their traditional halls of entertainment. Spokesmen for Online Bingo.co.uk say that bingo fans hit by the smoking ban are flocking to online bingo sites so they can continue to smoke whilst playing.
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This affiliate needs educating
A marketing affiliate for the Playtech-powered Vegas Red casino was in the dog box this week after harvesting email addresses and then spamming one of the leading Internet portals. Unfortunately for him (or her) one of the recipients was Casinomeisters owner, Bryan Bailey who immediately investigated the spamming email traffic.
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Multi-platform ad campaign launches Mansion Poker.net promo site and TV series "Poker Dome Challenge"
U.S. advertising and design firm 72andSunny has launched the first international campaign for Gibraltar licensed and Indonesian owned Mansion gambling group.
The campaign uses six spots for television and web as well as a print campaign, all introducing the new brand idea: "Welcome to The Game." The concept behind the brand is to showcase poker's proud roots as a game of wits and human competition.
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Delegates flying in to Vegas for an upcoming marketing conference will see a familiar brand
With the Bodog Marketing Conference now only weeks away (it is scheduled for July 23 - 25) delegates landing at McCarran airport will see some familiar red branding from this week.
Bodog.com has unveiled a new billboard at 5492 Paradise Road. Reading:"Training Casno Players All Over the World to Come to Vegas", the ad has been turning heads since being erected on Saturday July 1st.
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Taking a look at the future of poker
Poker has exploded over the last twelve months. But who is making money and how? What are the secrets to developing a first-rate poker, casino and skill-based games portfolio to increase market share?
If you want to find out the answers to these questions and more, then "Poker and beyond: monetising skill-based games" is probably the place to get them on 13th - 14th September in London.
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| PREVIOUS NEWS ARTICLES... |
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| 17th June 2006
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| 24th June 2006
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| 1st July 2006
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