|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defence lawyer requests postponement of bail hearing, and case is going to Missouri
Reporters from major UK newspapers were present last Friday when the detained English online gambling company executive, David Carruthers appeared in a brief 5 minute bail hearing in a Texas court. He is to remain in jail and be transferred to a court in St. Louis, Missouri.
The British citizen and chief executive of BetOnSports PLC, a major, publicly listed online sports-betting operation, faces federal racketeering and conspiracy charges along with eleven other individuals named in a 22 count federal indictment unsealed earlier this week. The U.S. government says BetOnSports fraudulently took bets from US residents by phone and the Internet, and failed to pay excise taxes.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jailed online gambling executive is "removed" by UK gambling group
Shock news from the BBC this morning (Tuesday) is that BetonSports directors have unceremoniously fired jailed CEO David Carruthers "as a consequence of [his] continued detention by US authorities."
A spokesperson said the company ended Carruthers' contract and removed him as a director after his detention in Dallas last week.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BetonSports clarifies that hard partying activities took place before the group was listed on London Exchange
Still apparently locked into reassuring investors rather than communicating with customers, the BetonSports statements announcing the departure of jailed CEO David Carruthers were further clarified today (Tuesday)
The Board told Reuters: "On July 24, the contract under which David Carruthers acted as CEO of the company was terminated ... This action was taken as a consequence of Mr Carruthers's continued detention by US authorities.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Or are we trying to read too much into some of these statements?
The huge coverage and focus on every word uttered by officials and lawyers on the BetonSports issue this week has understandably led to company execs trying to fathom what the federal action is really all about.
One of the burning questions has been whether the action taken against BetonSports and its people is company-specific (ie aimed at nailing a high profile company that has allegedly questionable origins and a sports telephone betting record) or is the start of a wider persecution of industry activities in the United States?
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
White Hat and Black Hat SEO operations is a highly topical subject up for discussion at forthcoming convention
The highly topical subject of black hat search engine optimisation tactics will be a high interest item at the forthcoming Casino Affiliate Convention, and the currently sensitive legal climate in the USA is not going to stop it, according to organisers Ticonderoga Ventures, Inc. this week.
The convention, which annually attracts a large audience of online casino affiliate marketers takes place this year at the Stardust Resort and Casino in Las Vegas between September 14-15, 2006.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why the Costa Ricans declined to assist US feds in Betonsports quest
Earlier InfoPowa bulletins on rumours that US federal officials had been denied assistance by the Costa Rican government on the BetonSports investigation were confirmed by reports in local newspapers this week.
Costa Rica Vice President Laura Chinchilla revealed to the Tico newspaper Al Dia that officers of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (GAFIC) informed the Costa Rican government of an imminent strike by the U.S. Department of Justice against Tico based businesses and their executives [BetonSports] during a meeting held in San Jose last week.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dispelling some of the disquiet over U.S. moves against online gambling, Party Gaming's top priority is extending non-US business.
Growth in non-U.S. custom has strengthened confidence in Party Gaming, which announced positive results as a turbulent week closed, due mainly to the ongoing BetonSports affair in the USA (see previous InfoPowa reports).
PartyGaming Plc spokesmen said second-quarter sales increased 49 percent as it attracted more customers from outside the U.S., where the government is trying to crack down on Internet gambling.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floor too busy to fit this one in before August 4 recess say staffers
The odds are longer this week on whether the anti online gambling legislation passed recently by the House of Reprersentatives will be debated in the Senate before the August recess
Reuters reports that the bill to outlaw most, but not all, forms of Internet gambling appears unlikely to win U.S. Senate passage before senators begin a month-long recess on August 4, quoting two Republican leadership aides.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senate passage delayed by opposition and more important issues
Reports earlier this week that the anti-online gambling legislation that Sen Jon Kyl and Rep Bob Goodlatte are trying to push through Congress were confirmed Wednesday by other sources.
Reuters reported that prospects have dimmed for the fast U.S. Senate passage Kyl hoped for as industry trade groups and lawmakers raise objections.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Betting group stopped from taking US bets
Associated Press reports that the federal court injunction that effectively put a stop to BetonSports taking American business (see earlier InfoPowa reports) has been extended until July 31.
A hearing on the new order is scheduled for next Monday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis. The new order, signed by Judge Catherine Perry, extends a July 17 order that was set to expire after 10 days.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I think we'll find out where the Senate stands very shortly," says Garber
AFX reported on some optimism on the U.S. legal situation from the top man at Party Gaming, Mitch Garber, as the week ended.
Quoting Garber, the publication claimed that the indictment against Betonsports and the arrest last weekend of its CEO is unlikely to make any difference to the manner in which the U.S. Senate handles the House of Representatives moves to prohibit rather than regulate online gambling.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Travel to USA may be restricted, but casino ads will go ahead
The BetonSports crisis in the USA may have discouraged Party Gaming executives from travel in that country, but the Gibraltar based online gambling group is to go ahead with a major advertising campaign for its PartyCasino site.
Last week at a press conference on the group's latest positive business results, PartyGaming executives admitted they had "no imminent plans" to travel to the United States and would seek legal advice if it was necessary. But they stressed they would not be driven out of the lucrative American market by the confusing legal situation.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A monster attraction, cleverly marketed....and it starts with $11.2 million in the kitty.
The Party Poker marketing machine has been firing on all cylinders over the past few weeks, cleverly using executive hints and word of mouth speculation to prepare the market for a new promo that they promised would be the biggest ever.
They're probably right, because the *official* announcement on the "PartyPoker.com Monster" showcases what is probably the biggest free-roll tournament in the short but exciting life of the Internet poker sector.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adding to the problems of the beleageured gambling group, this ex-exec wants to be paid
BetonSports group has more than its fair share of tribulations this week with a CEO in a US jail on serious anti online gambling charges, a $4 million a day website that has closed in deference to a Department of Justice injunction, suspended shares on the stock exchange, enraged investors....and now a former Chief Financial Officer with a compensation beef.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poker site is in a hurry to close accounts
Players report that the popular online site owned by Danish poker champion Gus Hansen and licensed in Malta, Poker Champs.com, is closing it's doors to U.S. players - possibly as a result of the Betonsports issue.
Poker Champs U.S. players have apparently been receiving emails from the poker room advising them as follows:
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Given the past week's declines, this float takes courage
One broker unfazed by all the doom and gloom in London this week was Collins Stewart, which confirmed its plans to go ahead with the flotation of Continent 8 Technologies, a company that supplies internet services to online gaming companies.
The broker's decision comes as online gaming stocks remained volatile in the wake of the arrest of a UK executive in America.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Selectively targeting foreign businessmen who are respected in their own country to sensationalize the issue is unfair to the individuals and our friends in the international community," says American lawyer.
The surprise airport arrest of a prominent UK internet gambling executive this week is a counter-productive application of US law that ignores complex international trade issues, says Larry Gaydos, partner in the White Collar Defense/Antitrust Practice Group at U.S. law company Haynes and Boone, LLP.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Casino Royale song will be performed by Audioslave frontman
IGN Music says that Chris Cornell, the "....screaming siren voiced frontman of Audioslave" has written the main title theme to the new James Bond movie Casino Royale.
Cornell collaborated on the song, entitled "You Know My Name," with long time Bond composer David Arnold, who has scored all the Bond films since Tomorrow Never Dies.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rep Jon Porter is the man with an investigative committee plan for online gambling
Despite the noise levels of US politicians of the "ban and be damned" persuasion when it comes to online gambling, most sensible folk share the view that it might be a good idea to actually carry out an unbiased study of the industry before lurching into ill-advised prohibition strategies.
Certainly the powerful American Gaming Association and the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) have expressed interest in an unbiased and bipartisan Congressional investigation such as has been proposed by Reps Jon Connors and more recently Rep. Jon Porter.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plenty of experience behind this newcomer
New, well funded and managed, "big" online casinos have become something of a rarity these days, but this week saw the launch of Grand Monaco Casino.com, a Microgaming-powered property owned by a partnership called Grand Gaming Group and licensed in Kahnawake. As you might expect with a new venue coming from the studios of one of the industry's top providers this online casino has all the bells and whistles, including the much-discussed EZ Bonus system which, so they say, is designed to take the pain out of bonus hunting!
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The ideal place to host and regulate online gambling, says software provider
In an interesting Asian snapshot of online gambling's Asian Casinos Executive Summit this week, the Singapore News Today says that with two major land casinos in the pipeline, online casino operators in the region are now hoping that Singapore will consider issuing Internet gaming licences as well.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Suitability enquiries preceded BoS launch
With the spotlight firmly on BetonSports group this week, it was perhaps inevitable that journalists would start digging into its past, and that of the colourful founder and still 15 percent stock holder Gary Kaplan, who is at present being sought by the FBI on a 22 count federal indictment.
The Times published an article which claimed that the broker that supervised the BoS IPO in 2004 was "closely questioned" by stock exchange regulators before the listing was permitted.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sign-ups are down for online casino and poker room operator as it moves away from US players
The second quarter results from Empire Online operations were released this week, showing a slowdown in new customer signups that could be worrying.
Empire shrugged it off with the comment that it was a seasonal drop in player recruitment figures that operators usually experience. although it admitted that it had been "more pronounced this year. Part of ther slowdown may be that Empire has shifted its client acquisition away from the US - most of its players were recruited from outside the US and the Fifa World Cup had had a more detrimental effect on its sign-up rates than it expected.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading update shows 133 percent revenue growth
Playtech second quarter results were looking buoyant in the online casino software provider's trading update released this week, with revenues for the quarter exceeding the same period last year by 133 percent.
Total revenue was up 22 percent on quarter one 2006, reaching $25.4 million. Looking at the component parts, online casino revenues (mainly royalties) rose 121 percent over the same period last year, up 21 percent on the first quarter 2006 to $22 million.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Play for fun new casino, but poker is the real money thing
CYOP Systems International Inc., a provider of online casino software and operator of games portals, has launched RedFelt.com as a new play-for-fun online casino operation, and a poker room that is fully operational for real money action.
Games on the new casino platform include Blackjack, American Roulette, Video Poker, Classic Slots, Craps and 35 other games; offered in fun mode for the time being, while Poker is available now for real cash and tournament play.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enforcement provisions of the Gambling Act will be part of this lawyer's responsibilities
The UK Gambling Commission, newly relocated to its headquarters in the Midlands city of Birmingham made an important appointment this week when it hired Neil McArthur as its first general counsel to oversee legal affairs.
MacArthur is a highly experienced lawyer who was formerly lawyer in chief at the UK General Teaching Council.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GameAccount and Pokerzone partner up to produce TV backgammon
Skill gaming provider and developer GameAccount Global Ltd. and the Pokerzone television channel will collaborate to bring viewers live Backgammon as a result of an agreement signed this week.
The broadcasts will be via Pokerzones global poker and gaming lifestyle channel which is available via satellite, cable and broadband television.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costa Rican based online casino group to pay winner $133 000
The Main Street Vegas group has reported its first major win on a progressive slot dedicated to the group's six online casino operations.
SlotsPlus.com celebrated its first 'Main Street Mania' jackpot win this month with JanisD taking home over $133,000. The exclusive game was designed for the Main Street Vegas Group of casinos and is proving a popular attrraction, according to casino management.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.1 million online casino players by 2010 predicts new survey.
ResearchandMarkets.com reports that following a new study, it is confident that online gambling spending continues to surge in the UK and that revenues will more than double in the next four years.
The report predicts: "We forecast that UK consumer spending on online gambling will increase from GBP 660 million in 2005 to GBP 1.6 billion by end 2010. At the same time the number of active UK clients will grow from 1.1 million in 2005 to 2.1million in 2010.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 different softwares make this an interesting venue
Winward Casino.com is building up its gambling suite with the addition of 20 new games from the Net Entertainment company, says manager Jon Ramsay.
This operation is interesting in that it uses three different software types - mobile gaming through Phantom Fiber, and games from Parlay Entertainment and Net Entertainment, all integrated into one administrative system.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Betting exchange departs Ongame network
The acquisition of Ongame by Bwin had a consequence this week when betting exchange and poker room BetonBet, citing conflict possibilities, moved over to the Microgaming Poker Network.
The move to Microgaming allows BetOnBet players to take advantage of one of the most aggressive tournament schedules on the Web - featuring satellites to some of the best land based tournaments in the world, as well as the guaranteed 24 hour action offered through access to thousands of additional players from over 40 card rooms worldwide.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After a few false starts, Helmuth joins the WSOP greats
After a few disappointments where being at a WSOP final table has not resulted in victory, this week Phil Helmuth joined greats Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan as the holder of 10 World Series of Poker winner's bracelets.
It's a milestone that represents hours of play, fighting through starting fields of thousands in many events and its achievement earns the respect of poker players everywhere.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Want to get a real charge out of online poker? This guy has the answer!
A Florida player looking forward to a little online poker action this week got a real charge out of the game when a nearby lightning strike sent a volt jolt through his machine.
Eddie Wilkerson was in the process of registering for an online poker tournament from his home PC, unaware that a major storm was building up in the area until a violent lightning strike on the house sent a surge of raw electricity through the computer and mouse and up his right arm.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top poker pro will be at the Doyles Room tables
Online poker players at Doyles Room.com could find themselves at the same virtual table as one of the most popular poker pros in the game following this week's announcement that six times World Series of Poker bracelet winner Men The Master Nguyen has signed on to endorse poker legend Doyle Brunsons site.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Online poker giant sets a new WSOP record with $2 700 000 worth of seats, but that IPO seems further away than ever in the wake of the Betonsports affair....
The massive Pokerstars online poker site showcased its influence and sheer financial clout this week by setting a new seat sponsorship record for the industry - 225 World Series of Poker seat sponsorships at $12 000 a pop given away in a single night of poker action.
Each of the 255 winners gets a $12,000 prize package that includes the event buy-in and $1,000 in spending money, round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, and hotel accommodations during the event.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
European poker pro evicted in WSOP incident
Drama and loud protest attended the $2000 No Limit Hold'em event at the World Series of Poker this week when European poker pro Harry Demetriou was escorted, and not quietly, from both the table and the venue of the event following a dispute over the rules.
The player was escorted out after witnesses saw him shouting loudly and angrily at a floor person during the early stages of the tournament.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As one major championship peaks, dates for another are announced
With the World Series of Poker about to peak (the main event is centred on July 28) the next big poker championship, the 2006 World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) is shaping up, and this week Pokerstars announced the full schedule.
Pokerstars is underwriting three prize pools at a minimum of $1 million, and a grand finale with a guaranteed $3 million pool. Last year's main event winner pocketed a cheque for $577 342, together with the traditional WCOOP bracelet awarded to every event winner.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No stopping 21 year old in this championship
Jeff Madsen, a 21 year old film production student is fast becoming one of the legends of the World Series of Poker, with wins totalling $1.4 million and the record of the youngest player ever to win not just one WSOP bracelet, but two!
Having carried off a bracelet and $660 948 earlier in the tournament at event 22, and fought his way through 507 other players this week, Madsen took on top players at a final table in event number 30, the $5000 Short Handed (six player) No-Limit Hold 'Em tournament.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pokerstars launches free roll tourney with a $2.5 million guaranteed prize pool
When 27 year-old Tennessee accountant Chris Moneymaker turned a $39 online satellite tournament win on PokerStars.com into a $2.5 million windfall at the World Series of Poker back in 2003, people around the world asked "Why not me?"
PokerStars.com has answered that question with the announcement of the Moneymaker Millionaire, one of the largest freeroll tournaments offered on the Web.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Were going for a higher quality of person, and the net gaming revenue per active casino member is well up," explains CEO on drop in number of players.
Share prices at 888 Holdings, which were showing signs of recovery after last week's stock exchange bloodbath in the wake of the BetonSports affair (see previous InfoPowa reports) took another 6 percent drop on the release of second quarter performance numbers that did not come up to expectations.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I just want to spend and spend!" says lucky winner
JenetteR is probably still in a daze this week after her big progressive win Monday night on Casino Grand Bay's Major Millions slot.
The 47 year old winner, who works in the finance industry is a slots player who joined Grand Bay three months back.
On Monday night she logged on and played without incident for just on an hour before redeeming $50 in loyalty rewards and giving Major Millions a run. To her astonishment she hit the $250 000 jackpot almost immediately, and was still in shock and tearful when the casino manager contacted her.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analysts assessing the recent online gambling ban in Washington state consider how players could be treated
Associated Press writer Michael Regan presenting an interesting article this week, based on the premise that in terms of Washington state's new anti-online gambling law, US citizens who gamble on the Internet commit a serious (felony) offence.
Whilst players elsewhere in the United States have little fear or liklihood of being prosecuted, since June 7 this does not apply to the state of Washington, where gamblers could be charged with a felony under recently passed legislation.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Skill gaming, bingo and fantasy sports assessed in latest MECN survey
The consulting firm MECN's new study "Casual Gaming and Gambling in the Internet" analyses some of the hottest topics in the industry skill gaming, online bingo, and fantasy sports, says an announcement from the media and entertainment expert network this week.
The study includes the results of a survey MECN conducted among more than 60 industry experts who offered their unique insights and assessments.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poker ace's business partnership with Oasys pays off
Poker ace Phil Helmuth has been developing additional income streams over and above his international poker tournament winnings, it appears. His mobile gambling game "Texas Hold'em by Phil Hellmuth", produced since May 2004 by Oasys Mobile, Inc., has achieved the unusual honour of making the top 10 list of mobile games in the United States, joining the likes of classic games Tetris and Frogger.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$2 billion this year, and $19.3 billion by 2009.
Toronto-based wireless solutions firm Phantom Fiber is a name that is increasingly being linked to mobile gambling ventures as operators eager to extend branded online games to the wireless world of game-players lock on to this sector.
In fact, Phantom claims that it numbers over 40 percent of mobile gambling sites among its client list, including Golden Palace.com, Ultimate Bet.com and Betcris.com, all of which have established partnerships with the company in order to offer secure mobile gaming in real time, integrated into the infrastructure of each participating online gaming site.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This time it's a $205 625 jackpot on Mad Hatters video slot
In the third major online jackpot win this week, a player whose friends claim has the Midas Touch has hit the big win roster with a $205 625 hit on the relatively new video slot "Mad Hatters"
MichaelA's lucky break started when he logged on to his account at Challenge Casino in the Casino Action group on July 18, and was in the middle of a bonus game when he saw the wilds line up line after line. "I just froze in disbelief," he recounted afterwards. "I had been playing on and off for a few hours and suddenly there it was - a really big jackpot."
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The stars will be out for private rock party
Spicing up the social scene at this year's World Series of Poker (WSOP) will be a private rock concert sponsored by BetUS.com and poker magazine Bluff this weekend.
Taking place at The Joint, Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas and featuring pop punk group Goldfinger, the concert will be directed into the small hours of the morning by San Francisco's legendary DJ John Howard. Among the celebrities expected to attend are NBA stars Robert Horry, Mitch Van Exell, Michael Simley and the cast of the hit HBO show, Entourage.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sportingbet plc subsidiary now offers the latest range of Flash games
Aces.com, an online gambling site acquired by the UK's Sportingbet public company in 2001 has been given a site revamp and a new suite of the latest Flash no-download games, according to a company announcement this week.
Our new games are all done with Flash technology, said Aces.com manager Rene Quesada. That means theres no downloading or installing or updating you just click and play.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Membership doubles in two short weeks since House of Representatives vote against online gambling
The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), a grassroots organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting the game, announced with some satisfaction this week that membership has more than doubled since the U.S. House of Representatives voted to ban online poker.
PPA spokesmen revealed that current membership figures are around 75 000 and growing.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cantor Gaming and Progressive sign pact to provide mobile gambling devices for use on Nevada land casino properties
It looks as if an alliance between Cantor Gaming and Progressive Gaming could be powering at least some of the handhelds that land casino gamblers will be using on Nevada land premises in the near future following approval of the concept by Nevada legislative and gaming authorities.
Cantor was active in lobbying for the services over the past 18 months or more.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High in the sky over Vegas, a poker game with a difference - when you leave the table, you leave the aircraft!
The third in InterPoker's popular Extreme Poker Challenge tournaments came to its spectacular climax this week as Nick Grudzien took on three other InterPoker.com online qualifiers and poker star Phil Laak. Grudzien was the last one still flying after some frenzied airborne poker, and was declared the champ.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insomnia and politics drive embattled monarch to the online poker and blackjack tables
According to reports from Nepal, the embattled King Gyanendra who is facing the possibility of losing his hereditary crown in the face of public and political discontent, turns to Internet gambling for some distraction.
The 60-year-old monarch, whose gamble to follow in the footsteps of his father and revive the era of all-powerful kings crashed after a nationwide revolt, is now trying his luck at poker and blackjack on the Internet, the Jana Aastha weekly reported Wednesday.
more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| PREVIOUS NEWS ARTICLES... |
|
|
| 17th June 2006
|
| 24th June 2006
|
| 1st July 2006
|
| 11th July 2006
|
| 23rd July 2006
|
|
|
|
|
