Latest Online Gambling News
July 28, 2010 -
ONLINE GAMBLING REGULATIONS BILL APPROVED BY HOUSE
COMMITTEE
In a 41-22-1 vote, the House Financial Services Committee approved a bill
Wednesday that would license and regulate online gambling in the United States.
The decisive vote is a sign of a how far the Democratic Congress has come since
Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) attempted to halt the implementation
of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2008. Frank's first attempt
to halt UIGEA implementation failed to get out of Committee on a 32-32 vote. A
second bill which would have allowed UIGEA regulations for sports betting only
passed Committee on a 30-19 to vote, but was never voted on by the full House of
Representatives.
Read entire article
here.
July 23, 2010 -
Markup of Barney Frank's bill to take place next Tuesday
The House Committee on Financial Services has announced that a
markup of Barney Frank’s bill to license and regulate egaming in the US will
take place next Tuesday 27 July.
Michael Waxman, spokesperson for lobby group the Safe and Secure
Internet Gambling Initiative, said: “This mark up demonstrates that Congress is
serious about moving Chairman Frank’s bill forward and establishing a strict
regulatory framework for Internet gambling activity.”
Markup by the subcommittee, involving changes and amendments to
the bill following the hearings, precedes the full committee voting on whether
to report the bill to the House of Representatives for consideration. If HR 2267
is not acted on by the end of 2010, it will need to be reintroduced in the new
Congress in January next year.
Read entire article
here.
July 21, 2010 -
Online gambling legislation debated in House
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Today,
the House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing to discuss the Internet
Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2267). The
legislation, introduced by Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA), would regulate Internet
gambling activity in the U.S. and require licensed operators to put in place
safeguards to protect against underage and problem gambling.
"With the recent passage of financial reform legislation, it's great to see the
Financial Services Committee now with the opportunity to focus its attention on
other issues such as Internet gambling regulation", said Michael Waxman,
spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. "Today's
hearing demonstrates that regulating Internet gambling remains a top priority
for Chairman Frank. We're optimistic that this hearing will give the Committee
the final push it needs to schedule a vote on the bill."
Read entire article
here.
July 21, 2010 -
Canada breaks the governmental online gambling seal
Well, we knew it would come eventually and it’s hugely satisfying for me that it
is the Canadian province of British Columbia that is first out the gate to
compete in the lucrative online gaming industry. This is especially satisfying
after having to read a certain windbag’s vitriolic anti-online gaming rants in
the Vancouver Sun the last few years. This ranter is notably conspicuous by his
silence now, though. His employer has it on page one of today’s Vancouver Sun
that B.C. is the first government in North America to have a full channel (minus
poker for now) online gaming web site up. For you Americans reading this, yes,
there is sports betting, too… Why would there not be? This is both good and bad
news.
Read entire article
here.
July 21, 2010 -
Privacy Breach at
new online casino PlayNow.com
The head of the B.C. Lottery Corporation is defending a decision
to wait five days before telling the public about a significant privacy breach
involving its new online casino PlayNow.com.
The new casino and sports betting website was launched Thursday morning to great
fanfare, but shortly afterward the site was shut down.
It was later revealed that some gamblers had seen the personal information of
others on the site, including the names, contact information and, in some cases,
credit card and bank information.
Read entire article
here.
July 19, 2010 -
Israel to Block Overseas eGaming Websites
Israeli police have ordered internet service providers in the country to block
access to overseas egaming websites.
Sites on the banned list of website and IP addresses are understood to include
Victor Chandler’s VCBet-branded casino and sportsbook.
The move follows the arrest of 28 people three weeks ago in connection with
distributing prepaid cards in the country for play on sites belonging to Victor
Chandler and Stan James.
Read entire article
here.
July 14, 2010 -
Massachusetts Governor Calls For Gambling Compromise
Between House And Senate
Governor Duval Patrick began his quest to bring casino resorts to Massachusetts
several years ago, but his vision has never been closer to reality than now. On
Tuesday, Patrick drove that point home and insisted that lawmakers start working
together to finish gambling legislation.
The House and the Senate have both passed different versions of gambling
legislation, but since negotiations have begun, the two chambers have not made
many strides in compromising. The governor scolded House and Senate lawmakers in
his assessment of the negotiations.
Read entire article
here.
July 13, 2010 -
"Unworkable" Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, Claims
Rep. Berkley
Representative Shelley Berkley did not like the idea of the Unlawful Internet
Gambling Enforcement Act from the time even before its inception. Rep. Berkley
opposed the UIGEA, and now is one of the leading legislators looking to have the
law overturned.
Berkley has referred to the law as the "Unworkable" Internet Gambling
Enforcement Act because of the burden it places on financial institutions. The
importance of Berkley to the law changes in the state she is from, Nevada. The
state that has the largest casino gambling industry in the US has had lawmakers
hesitant to endorse online gambling.
Read entire article
here.
July 11, 2010 -
Canadian Online Gambling Committee To Prove Industry Can
Be Regulated
Online gambling has recently been legalized in Quebec, with the province
deciding to regulate and govern the games. The provincial government has created
a committee of five officials to monitor the launch of Loto Quebec’s new
Internet gambling website.
In the upcoming months, Loto Quebec will launch their online gambling site that
will initially offer a regulated and taxed form of online poker, set to
capitalize off of the already burgeoning online poker industry.
Read entire article
here.
July 9, 2010 -
Flash makeover for five Slotland.com games
Innovative online slots and video poker site Slotland.com has
announced that five of its 15 one-of-a-kind games are now available in an
enriched instant-play Flash-based format featuring enhanced sound effects and
graphics.
Slotland.com revealed that its Jacks Or Better, Reel Riot, Treasure Box,
Golden 8 and Wild Heart online video slot games have undergone a makeover while
new and improved versions of its remaining titles are to be launched over the
coming months.
Read entire article
here.
July 9, 2010 -
WSOP Main Event Update: Gamblers Come Out In
Force
The 2010
World series of Poker has
been building towards the main event, and on Thursday, the final numbers were in
for this year's tourney. Over 7,300 gamblers entered the main event, making it
the second largest tournament ever.
In 2006, the WSOP main
event attracted more players than the 7,319 that entered this week. The prize
pool is also the second largest, with the first place winner taking home
$8,944,138 this year. The total prize pool has $68,798,600.
Read entire article
here.
July 1, 2010 -
NEW MICROGAMING VIDEO SLOTS COMING
IN JULY
July 1, 2010 -
New Jersey Gaming Commission
Against Implementing Online Casinos
In
total, there are 11 casinos in the United States second-largest gaming industry
in Atlantic City, New Jersey. While the industry in Atlantic City continues to
struggle, the casinos wage another battle against Internet gambling that they
have taken on in the recent weeks.
The Casino Association of New Jersey has recently come out saying that they
would be against the set up of legal online gambling through their casinos,
eluding to the fact that it would violate laws in place on the federal level
disallowing online sports betting and gambling.
Read
entire article
here.
June 29, 2010 -
Vote on California online gambling bill delayed
State Sen. Roderick Wright, who chairs the Governmental Organization Committee
in the California Senate, elected not to have his committee vote today on a bill
that would create a licensing and regulatory structure for online gambling in
California. Instead, Wright updated the Governmental Organization Committee on
the progress of his bill, and why California needs to license and regulate
online gambling.
Read
entire article
here.
June 28, 2010 -
Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Torn Over Gambling
Debate
Over the last year the gambling scene in Alabama has been suffering due to raids
against the bingo halls in the state. Governor Bob Riley’s task force on illegal
gambling has been operating with him at the helm, but his tenure in office is
set to expire. Along with Riley could go the task force, but gambling is set to
be one of the hot topics in the debate for the succeeding governor.
According to reports, two candidates of the gubernatorial candidates running on
the Republican ballot are toting differing opinions over gambling in the state.
Robert Bentley and Bradley Byrne both have their own opinions on how the issue
should be handled.
Read entire article
here.
June 21, 2010 -
North Carolina Aiming To Close Loopholes In Gambling Laws
While some states are exploring gambling expansion, others are attempting to
keep the industry to a minimum. One such state that has been attacking one form
of gambling or another is that of North Carolina.
In 2006, the North Carolina legislature banned video poker gambling terminals. A
judge had, however, made it so two models of Internet sweepstakes machines would
remain legal by putting forth an injunction that would block law enforcement
officials from seizing said models. The state senate is now considering a new
piece of legislation that would ban these gambling machines entirely.
Read entire article
here.
June 14, 2010 -
Cyprus and Denmark Online Gambling Laws
The online gambling legislation's in Cyprus and
Denmark, which were ironically moving in different directions, have been
temporarily slowed down.
In Cyprus online gambling has been allowed under
the Betting Law since 2007, which was amended to make it compliant with European
Union (EU) regulations. However the Cyprus government lawmakers want to amend
the law again and delete online gambling from the permissible betting services.
Ionas Nicolaou, chairman of the House Legal Affairs Committee, told the Cyprus
Mail that the parliamentary discussions on the pros and cons of amending the law
had to be stopped when it was pointed out that a full public consultation had
not taken place.
Read entire
article
here.
June 14,
2010 -
Clever Duck Media to host "Women in Gaming Conference"
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Clever Duck Media has announced that it will
hold the "Women in Gaming Conference" (WIG) on 24 September 2010 at the
Millennium Hotel in London. The one-day conference includes marketing and social
media discussions and issues relevant to the gaming industry.
The WiG event will give attendees an opportunity to network with other female
professionals in the industry, listen to and share successful stories, business
expertise and ideas.
Read entire article
here.
June 11, 2010 -
32Red launches new casino Web site
GIBRALTAR -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- 32Red
Online Casino has
recently launched its new and improved online casino, giving its customers
access to over 450 of the very best casino games in a new and improved format.
The new website has been designed to bring out 32Red's
core values of excellent and personal service along with complete transparency;
the hallmarks of a true connoisseur's casino.
Improvements include a more distinctive and glamorous look, a clutter-free feel,
and more focus on messaging to players and providing information for prospective
players.
Read entire article
here.
June 8, 2010 -
WSOP to hold playoff for final TOC seat
LAS
VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The World Series of Poker Academy, the
exclusive educational provider for the World Series of Poker, announced today
that they were awarded the final sponsor exemption seat for the 2010 WSOP
Tournament of Champions. The WSOP Academy will hold a single table "sudden-death
playoff" tournament for nine players who were not eligible for the public voting
to fill the final seat. Tom "Durr" Dwan, Andy Bloch, Bertrand "ElKy" Grospellier,
Gus Hanson, actor Don Cheadle, Sorel Mizzi, Michael Mizrachi, Liv Boeree and
Paul Wasicka will battle it out to play poker in the WSOP Tournament of
Champions All-Star event and a chance at the $1 million prize pool. The WSOP
Academy tournament will be held on June 10th at 12:00 PST.
Read entire article
here.
June 4, 2010 -
New Jersey Online Bill Clears Senate Committee
In February Joe Brennan, Chairman of iMEGA had predicted that New Jersey will
have legalized online gambling by the end of 2010. Now it appears that the
prediction may well come true. The New Jersey Senate Wagering and Tourism
committee cleared a bill that would allow legalized online poker and casino
gambling within the state. This was the first such bill to be passed by any
Senate or House committee at either state or federal level. The pace at which
New Jersey is moving can be seen from the fact that this bill was introduced in
the Senate only in January 2010.
Read entire article
here.
June 4, 2010 -
Online Gambling Regulations Battle Brewing Between States
And Feds
Representative Barney Frank is looking out for millions of online gamblers when
he begins his push for regulated Internet gambling in the US in the coming
months. One group, however, is strongly opposed to Frank's legislative proposal.
Attorney general's around the US, by a large majority, are not in favor of any
regulation on a federal level of online gambling. The reason? If the federal
government licenses companies to offer US residents online gambling options,
individual states may not be able to stop the action.
Read entire article
here.
June 1, 2010 -
Anti-Online Gambling Law Goes into Effect Today, But
Changes to Industry Are Unlikely
June 1, 2010 (CAP News Wire) – After
months of debate and delays, the day has finally arrived: In the United States,
the UIGEA (2006’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) officially goes
into effect today.
But does that mean anything to the online gambling and Internet poker industries
— which weren’t previously, and currently still technically aren’t — operating
illegally? Nobody really knows for sure what’ll happen today, but plenty of
people are speculating. “This speculation ranges from no major impact at all to
a complete lockdown of US accounts,” FlopTurnRiver.com explains.
Read entire article
here.
June 1, 2010 -
California introduces long-awaited internet poker bill
California has introduced its long-awaited bill authorising the creation of an
intrastate online poker system.
Senator Rod Wright, leader of the Senate Committee with oversight for gambling,
introduced the amended version of SB 1485 late on Friday. The bill proposes the
state's Department of Justice award up to three five-year contracts to
California-based operators to run online poker websites for state residents.
The bill, to be discussed by the US panel at this month's EGR Live event by key
figures behind the intrastate initiatives in California, New Jersey and Florida,
has been designated as an urgency measure. This means it would go into effect
immediately upon legislative passage and signature by the Governor. A
non-urgency measure would not go into effect until 1 January 2011.
Read entire article
here.
May 28, 2010 -
WSOP offering more low buy-in events
LAS
VEGAS, Nevada -- If attendance at last year's special $1,000 buy-in no limit
hold 'em event was any indication, the folks running the World Series of Poker
may be on to something.
Tournament officials added the event to boost attendance and give low-limit
players a chance to compete for a championship bracelet.
The result was a whopping 6,012 entries packing the Rio that earned 24-year-old
Southern California poker professional Steven Sung a champions' bracelet and a
paycheck of $771,106. The field was the largest non-main event field in the
tournament's 40-year history.
Read entire article
here.
May 28, 2010 -
UIGEA
Deadline On The Horizon, Online Gamblers Skeptical Over Potency
While many of us will be paying our rents and mortgages on June
1st, an event of significant importance is also set to take place in the world
of online gambling – the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
In a nut shell, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or the UIGEA,
states that no financial institution, a bank or otherwise, may process the
payments of funds into online gambling sites. The UIGEA would enforce
punishments against those institutions who would ignore this legislation, while
the player would be exempt from any legal action.
Read entire article
here.
May 26, 2010 -
A Makeover for eCOGRA Website
eCOGRA has
been serving the online gaming industry for the last seven years. Its web site
has been a focal point in informing players and various service providers to the
industry of the latest policies and achievements of eCOGRA. As the industry has
grown so has the role of eCOGRA. In order to keep in touch with this growth
eCOGRA has released a revamped website. This is the second time in its history
that the eCOGRA web site has received a makeover.
Read entire article
here.
May 25, 2010 -
Phishing Scam Uses Neteller Name
Neteller is one of the oldest and most reputed online payment solutions in the
Internet gaming industry. Its credentials are impeccable and its integrity
unquestioned. Yet some, as yet unidentified, persons have recently been using
the Neteller name in order to extract sensitive financial information.
Neteller's reputation remains untarnished, but this episode comes as a warning
to online players who may be casual in divulging information they should not.
Read entire
article
here.
May 19, 2010 -
INTERNET GAMBLING DEPOSIT TAX A BONE OF
CONTENTION IN WAYS AND MEANS HEARING
This morning, the House Committee on Ways and Means held a
hearing on the taxation of Internet gambling proposed by Rep. Jim McDermott
(D-Wash.) in the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2010.
McDermott introduced the bill as a companion to a bill sponsored by Rep. Barney
Frank (D-Mass.), the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and
Enforcement Act, which would regulate the industry in the United States.
Read entire article
here.
May 19, 2010 -
Betware to licence Microgaming games to state
lotteries
Betware has signed an agreement with online gaming
software provider Microgaming under which Betware will be licensed to sell and
market Microgaming’s suite of online casino games to state and national
lotteries.
Under the agreement, Betware will supplement its
suite of lotto, instants, sports betting, bingo, racing, skill and casual and
multi-player games with over 85 online casino games from Microgaming.
“We are very proud and excited to be licensed to
sell and market Microgaming’s casino games to growing markets,” said Stefán
Hrafnkelsson, CEO of Betware. “This agreement significantly expands our product
offering, and provides our customers with a great opportunity to leverage on the
fantastic success of the Microgaming brand. Ultimately we believe that this
venture will not only be beneficial for the state lotteries we service, but for
both ourselves and Microgaming too.”
Betware has 14 years experience in providing Internet solutions for state and
national lotteries and currently offers a turnkey solution, gaming platform and
a large portfolio of games to customers including Denmark’s Danske Spil,
Canada’s British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Spain’s Sistemas Tecnicos de
Loterias del Estado, and Iceland’s Islenskar Getraunir and Islensk Getspa.
“We are delighted to be able to license our casino games to Betware, which is
truly a market leader in its field,” said Microgaming CEO Roger Raatgever.
“Betware’s long history in gaming combined with its extensive lottery network
will be beneficial in pushing the Microgaming brand into exciting new
territories and markets. We look forward to a long and successful working
relationship.”
Betware recorded a strong performance in 2009, posting a net profit of ISK181m
(€1.1m) as a result of a 50 per cent increase in revenues to ISK1,230m (€7.6m).
May 17, 2010 -
SOME BETTING ON NEW JERSEY TO BE FIRST TO REGULATE
I-GAMING
In May 2006, the keynote speaker at the Global
iGaming Summit and Expo (GIGSE),
Lawrence
Lessig told those at the conference that
they should push for regulation of the Internet gambling industry. Five months
later, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was attached to
the Safe Ports Act by then Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and passed both
houses of Congress.
Read entire article
here.
May 16, 2010 -
Microgaming USA Pullout
It looks like Microgaming are set to pullout of the USA
altogether on the 1st June 2010. Playshare Partners who look after Casinoshare
and Grand Mondial online casinos announced this week that they are migrating US
casino players to “new” software ahead of the 1st June. This ties in with
rumours circulating at the London and Amsterdam industry conferences earlier in
2010 that Microgaming will be pulling out of the USA when the UIGEA enforcement
date kicks in. Which is also (un)coincidentally now set to happen on the 1st
June, 2010.
Read
all about it here.
May 17, 2010 -
CasinoShare US, launches on the 17th of May, 2010
May 14, 2010 -
BREAKING NEWS! Microgaming Casinos Change Software For USA Players!
As of the 1st of June, 2010, play for US players on CasinoShare and Grand
Mondial will be moved off the Microgaming platform and we will begin licensing
software from a brand new software provider. The new software will have a
similar look and feel, stability and most of the features you have become
accustomed to, but with some notable changes. This change has been made in order
to ensure that we are able to continue offering safety, service and exciting
gaming to all our customers.
Read all about it
here.
May 5, 2010 -
US Federal I-Gambling Lobbying Spend Exceeds $5M in Q1 2010
Saint Louis, MO (PRWEB) May 5, 2010 -- Thirty-six different parties spent a
combined estimated $5.16 million lobbying Internet gambling in Washington, D.C.
during the first quarter of 2010, according to a new report from BolaVerde Media
Group (BVMG). The leader of the pack, Harrah’s Entertainment Inc, spent an
estimated $1.22 million during this period, increasing its lobbying spend 73
percent from the fourth quarter of 2009.
The top five was rounded out by the Poker
Players Alliance at
$785,000, UC Group at $717,239, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC) at $664,442
and the Interactive
Gaming Council at
$412,580.
Read entire article
here
May 5, 2010 -
Paddy Power teams with Unica for analytics
EGHAM, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Unica
Corporation (Nasdaq: UNCA), the recognised leader in marketing software
solutions, today announced that Paddy
Power,
one of the UK's largest gaming companies and the largest in Ireland, has
selected Unica's next-generation web analytics solution, NetInsight OnDemand, to
provide advanced player-level web analytics and optimise its online customer
experience.
Paddy Power encompasses a broad range of online offerings—from sports betting to
online poker, financial spread betting, lotteries, and more. Unica's web
analytics solution will be rolled out across the entire web property, enabling
Paddy Power to measure site performance and tailor the site to better meet the
needs of its customers.
Read entire article
here.
April 26, 2010 -
Representatives see treasure trove of cash in taxing online gambling services
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, passed in 2006 and going into
effect June 1, will prohibit financial institutions from transferring funds to
any illegal Internet gambling site (this does not include fantasy sports, online
lotteries, and horse/harness racing sites).
A group of House leaders, however, led by representatives Barney Frank (D-Mass.)
and Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), are seeking to repeal the act so as to legalize and
tax the online gaming industry. Besides stating that American adults believe
they should have the right to do what they want with their own money, including
gamble, the representatives argue that state governments could benefit immensely
from taxes generated from the online games.
Read entire article
here.
April 21, 2010 -
Senator Encourages Support For Online Casinos on Facebook
New Jersey Senator Raymond Lesniak has launched a new campaign aimed at getting
fans of online casinos and gambling to register their support on social
networking website Facebook.
The popular Democrat recently introduced new legislation in the state which
would allow residents to play table games such as poker, blackjack and baccarat
online at 4NJBets.com and also sponsored a separate bill to encourage a vote to
amend the current constitution in a bid to allow sportsbetting in Atlantic City
casinos.
Read entire article
here.
April 21, 2010 -
Poker Players Lose Lawsuit Against Casinos
Two poker players from Los Angeles have failed in their attempt to sue 5 local
casinos after they claimed the casino’s bad beat jackpot games weren’t being
offered as no-purchase-necessary, something which state law requires them to do.
Casinos in the Los Angeles area typically take a $1 fee from each pot in order
to compensate the bad beat jackpot, which pays out a prize amount if any players
have four of a kind beaten by a royal flush in a hand of Hold’em.
Read entire article
here.
April 20, 2010 -
Regulated online gambling industry would employ thousands and raise billions in
U.S.
Licensing and regulating the online gambling industry in the
United States would create 32,000 jobs and generate $57.5 billion in tax
revenues over the next five years, according to a study released by H2 Gambling
Capital Tuesday.
The study bolsters the case of Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), the Chairman of the
House Financial Services Committee, whose Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer
Protection, and Enforcement Act (HR 2267) looks to establish a regulatory
framework for Internet gambling in the United States.
Read entire article
here.
April 15, 2010 -
Hearing For Online Gambling Regulation Bill Postponed
Representative Barney Frank has been pushing to overturn the Unlawful Internet
Gambling Enforcement Act since it was created back in 2006. Now, Frank will have
to wait a little longer as his House Financial Committee has postponed a hearing
set for Friday to a later, undetermined date.
At the hearing Friday, the House Committee was set to discuss two pieces of
legislation proposed by Chairman Frank. HR 2266, the Reasonable Prudence in
Regulation Act and HR 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer
Protection, and Enforcement Act both pertain to online gambling.
Read entire article
here.
April 12, 2010 -
Hearing on Internet gambling to be held Friday
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- On
Friday, April 16, the House Committee on Financial Services will discuss the
expected challenges from enforcement of the Unlawful Internet Gambling
Enforcement Act (UIGEA) – a law that seeks to prohibit some forms of online
gambling activity while
permitting others. Previously, representatives of the financial services sector,
as well as of the Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve System,
expressed concern to Congress that UIGEA is ambiguous, burdensome for banks and
financial institutions and unlikely to achieve its main objective, stopping
Americans from gambling online. Two pending bills introduced by House Committee
on Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA), the Reasonable Prudence in
Regulation Act (H.R 2266) and Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection
and Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2267), seek to delay implementation of UIGEA
for one year or replace it with a regulatory and enforcement framework for
licensed gambling operators to accept bets and wagers from individuals in the
U.S. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 am in Room 2128 of the Rayburn
House Office Building
Read entire article
here.
April 9, 2010 -
Kahnawake Gaming Commission Suspends Grandprive Casino License
4/8/10 - The Grand Prive online casino group's woes seem to keep mounting.
Following a bitter two year war with disgruntled affiliates and an abrupt move
over the holiday weekend to a new software provider the beleaguered casino group
has now had its Kahnawake licence suspended.
In an advisory notice dated April 6th, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission advises:
"The Kahnawake Gaming Commission advises that it has suspended the Client
Provider Authorization ("CPA") held by Maricass International Holdings Inc. ("Maricass").
The suspension is effective immediately and affects the following sites
(sometimes known as the "Grand Prive group"):
Read entire article
here.
April 9,2010 -
Ladbrokescasino.com, have today doled out a bank breaking £10,000
in free cash to lucky Londoners
Ladbrokescasino.com,
have today doled out a bank breaking £10,000 in free cash to lucky Londoners.
Lady luck shined on three central London locations with the creation of the UK’s
first human cash machine, operated by sexy cashier and lad’s mag favourite, Lucy
Pinder. Those shocked commuters that located the life sized cash machine at
London Eye, London Bridge and Tottenham Court Road during the morning rush hour
bagged themselves the free cash.
Read entire article here.
April 3, 2010 -
GRANDPRIVE LEAVES MICROGAMING IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT & DOWNGRADE TO BETONSOFT
News update this group of casinos have abandoned Microgaming in the middle of
the night without notice and switch to a new software(speculation is they own
this themselves) called BetonSoft, which is a cheesy low class software.
Read all about it
here.
Apri 2, 2010 -
Player wins $134,385 playing the Genie-themed “Magic” slot machine at
Slotland.com
Even when you're no stranger to the Winner's Circle, winning a six-figure online
casino jackpot
is still quite a thrill. A player known as SURFSIDESID won $134,385 playing the
Genie-themed “Magic” slot machine at Slotland.com the
other day. Although he's won jackpots of up to $10K in the past, even he was
taken aback when he suddenly hit such a massive jackpot.
Read entire article
here.
March 24, 2010 -
Ladbrokes
Casino player celebrates €310,000 win
The award-winning Ladbrokes
Casino is
today celebrating after one of its customers scooped a staggering €310,055.59
(£279,174.05) on the progressive
slot Major
Millions - one of Microgamings progressive games. ‘Artur M’ clinched the massive
jackpot, having staked just €18 – meaning he multiplied his initial stake 17,253
times!
Speaking about his win, Artur M said:
“The jackpot came from heaven. I couldn’t believe it when it appeared. My game
plan was to only go after the big jackpots. I’m so glad I did! I think I’m going
to buy an apartment and a brand new car. “
Read entire article
here.
March 23, 2010 -
Bodog Casino Launches 20+ New Free Online Casino Games
In the world of online gaming there is one online
casino that stands out as the
best of the best - it just so happens that now it’s getting even better. Bodog
Casino (and online
poker) is pleased to announce the launching of over 20 new free
online casino games (along with
their great RTG slots)
for you to play, win and love.
Online slots fans will be delighted to hear that there is a tasty new
fruit-flavored online slots game that
is both colorful and captivating. With Freaky Fruits, you can play five reels
with up to 20 lines and you win by combining the same fruit symbols with each
other.
Read entire article
here.
March 16, 2010 -
Ladbrokes Joins Microgaming Network with 1Click
Microgaming,
one of the leading online gaming software companies, has added yet another poker
room into their family fold: Ladbrokes. They will join Betway,
BetOnBet, Eurolinx, GNUF,
and Unibet amongst others on the mighty Microgaming Network so says the latest
press release.
According to PokerScout.com, the Microgaming Network is the 12th largest with a
seven day running average of 1,180 cash players. During a seven day cycle, their
peak average of players is nearly 2,400. That's no small pocket change to
Ladbroke's who already has their own fiercely loyal following but is always
seeks out new and innovative ways to keep their brand name protected and bring
in new players.
Read entire article
here.
March 15, 2010 -Poll
Shows Online Gambling Myths Outweigh Truth
A poll conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University shows that
two-thirds of the population believes the law shouldn't be changed to allow
legal online gambling. This means that at least all those who responded that way
think there's already a law in place that makes Internet gaming illegal., while
in fact no such law exists.
Read entire article
here.
March 15, 2010 -
SlotoCash.com focuses on lucky numbers
Rival-powered online casino SlotoCash.com has
announced the launch of a numerology column that will focus on posting potential
lucky numbers for players at the site.
The Curacao-licensed online casino stated that, with this new information,
players will be able to ‘decide on their numbers and maybe use those for their
bet’.
“Many players who are regulars at an online casino have their own strategies and
superstitions that they rely upon to help them win,” read a statement from SlotoCash.com.
Read entire article
here.
March 12, 2010 -
Nevada Moves to Regulate Land Casino Ties to Online Gambling
Reports are circulating that the Nevada Gaming Control Board is
considering rules to impose on casino operators in the state vis-a-vis their
relationship to online gambling sites. According to GamingWire, board members
want to establish policies for licensees who previously were not restricted in
their overseas Internet gaming ventures.
Read entire article
here.
March 11, 2010 -
Tribal Gaming Groups Lobby Against Frank Online Gambling Bill
While there has been much coverage of the evangelical religious
organizations and sports leagues opposing Barney Frank's proposal to regulate
online gambling, other special interests working hard to block the opening of
the US gaming market have received less coverage. Among the well-heeled foes of
Internet casinos are many of the nation's tribal casinos, who are looking to
maintain their near-monopoly on gambling in my regions.
Read entire article
here.
March 2, 2010 -
Florida Bill Proposes Intrastate Online Gambling
A bill
introduced to the Florida legislature Friday would legalize intrastate online
gambling and regulate it through the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering. State
Representative Joseph Abruzzo authored the Internet Poker Consumer Protection
and Revenue Generation Act of 2010.
If the bill passes, it would create a position as Internet hub operator, which
would administer online poker rooms connecting players residing in Florida.
Players would register accounts at affiliated card rooms, which would be
responsible for providing patrons to the Internet gaming operator.
Read entire article
here.
February 26, 2010 -
Nevada gaming industry says no to higher taxes
CARSON CITY, Nevada -- The Nevada gaming industry
refused Thursday to pay higher taxes or fees to help balance the state budget, a
just-say-no stance that could derail Democratic plans to raise enough extra
revenue to avoid deep cuts to education and social services.
In public, the Senate and Assembly on Day 3 moved
ahead in a rush to adjourn the special session this weekend if possible.
Read entire article here.
February 22, 2010 -
First-Time NordicBet Player Hits €1,000,000 Jackpot!
NordicBet confirms
that a new customer, playing his first day, has won a €1,008,232.22 jackpot on
the Arabian Nights progressive
slot game, the largest single win
to date in the NordicBet casino.
The winner, Claes from Stockholm, had registered and played several rounds at
the maximum bet on Thursday before hitting the record win at 20:55, according to Net
Entertainment, the Swedish-based software company that operates the Arabian
Nights online slot game.
Read entire article here.
February 15, 2010 -
eCOGRA releases report on Grand Privé investigation
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Following a number of Internet-based
allegations concerning the closure of the Grand Privé Affiliate Program ('the
Program') on 1 December 2008, eCOGRA's Compliance and Advisory Services
department was engaged by the management of the company on 17 November 2009.
Read entire article
here.
February 15, 2010-
Playtech purchases Virtue Fusion Limited
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Playtech Ltd, the leading software provider to the online,
mobile, TV and land based gaming sector, today announces it has acquired the
business and assets of Virtue Fusion, the leading developer and licensor of
online bingo products.
Read entire article
here.
February 15,2010 -
Parlay Games launching new games with WagerWorks
LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- WagerWorks, the leading
provider of online, mobile and iDTV game content, announces the supply of online
premium branded content to European content and managed services provider,
Parlay Games Limited.
Parlay will leverage premier WagerWorks games via WagerWorks
rgs® which allows a seamless integration with Parlay's managed service and
remote gaming solution, Parlay Game Services.
Read entire article
here.
February 12,2010 -
Star Partner receives eCOGRA accrediation
(PRESS RELEASE) -- The latest major affiliate
program to achieve the eCOGRA Affiliate Trust seal accreditation is Star
Partner, a program that administers the affiliate marketing affairs of fourteen
well established, tier one online gambling destinations.
Announcing the accreditation after an extensive
inspection and monitoring process, eCOGRA chief executive Andrew Beveridge said
that to display the Affiliate Trust seal, affiliate programs must demonstrate
that their program establishes, enforces and monitors best practice standards.
Read entire article
here.
February 9, 2010 -
Online payment processing group establishes U.S. office
WILSON, Connecticut -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Anticipating the passage of federal
legislation to regulate online gambling, U.K.-based UC Group Ltd., an advocate
for regulating Internet gambling in the U.S. and a leading provider of online
payment processing services announced today the launch of its U.S. subsidiary,
SecureTrading Inc., to allow licensed companies to serve the U.S. market once
the marketplace is regulated. The company is poised to provide a complete suite
of services that ensure safe financial transactions and required consumer
protections. Leading SecureTrading Inc.'s U.S. operations are three former
senior executives from MasterCard Inc. (NYSE:MA): Chris Thom, Ted Friedman and
T.J. Sharkey who joined as Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Head of
Customer Sales and Support, respectively.
Read entire article
here.
February 3, 2010 -
MICROGAMING
ANNOUNCES LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH WARNER BROS. DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION FOR
THE LORD OF THE RINGS MOVIE TRILOGY
ISLE OF MAN : Microgaminng (Microgaming
- Together we are the game),
the world’s largest provider of online gaming software, has announced that
it has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Digital
Distribution, to create a series of cutting-edge, graphic rich video
slots, based on the popular The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, for
internet gaming to adults in countries where online gaming is permitted.
The agreement gives Microgaming permission to develop online video slot
games using animation material, themes and characters from the motion
pictures The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of
the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the
King.
Read entire article
here.
February
1, 2010 -
Hit Or Run with PartyPoker.com
With its popular Cash Machine promotion now at an end, leading
online poker room PartyPoker.com has launched a new offer for February giving
players the chance to take home over $10,000 every day.
The new Hit Or Run promotion from the Gibraltar-licensed site is offering
players another way to use their PartyPoints with a maximum prize of $10,024
available each day until February 28.
Read entire article
here.
February
1,2010-
Sega signs up for Neteller
Players at new online casinos SegaPoker.com and SegaCasino.com
will now be able to use the Neteller e-wallet from Neovia Financial to safely
and quickly deposit and withdraw funds.
Isle of Man-based Neovia signed a deal with operator Sega Games Limited last
week during the International Gaming Expo (IGE) that will see the two sites now
accept transactions from the Neteller e-wallet.
Read entire article
here.
February 1, 2010 -
Playtech launches platform for mobile gaming
ISLE OF MAN -- (PRESS RELEASE) --
Playtech, the world's largest publicly traded online gaming software supplier,
is pleased to announce its new playing platform for Mobile gaming. The new
Mobile Web Apps is the latest cross-platform solution from Playtech, allowing
players to continue playing their favourite online casino games on the go,
dispensing with the need to download first.
Read entire article
here.
January 26,2010 -
Virgin
Games sign partnership agreement with Playtech
LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Playtech,
the international designer, developer and licensor of software for the online,
mobile and land-based gaming industry, today announces that has signed a
partnership agreement with Virgin Games, a leading UK gaming operator.
Under the agreement, Playtech's soft gaming
solutions developer, Gaming Technology Solutions Limited (GTS), acquired in
December 2009, have licensed their software platform EdGE to Virgin and will
also deliver a brand new selection of game products, adding further variety to
Virgin's established offering.
Read entire article
here.
January 26, 2010 -
New live online casino launches in Spain and Greece
LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Casinos are known for excitement,
unpredictability, skill and risk. Filled with smart suits and sparkling cocktail
dresses, gathering around the roulette table and praying for that vital ace in
blackjack is one of the most vibrant and enjoyable experiences you can have. Not
all of us can get to a casino though - especially not a glamorous one like we
wish we could. Thanks to Smart
Live Casino Online,
however, you can now join in with the fun from your own living room live by TV
or online!
Read
entire article
here.
January 21, 2010 -
32Red Plc acquires Nedplay Casino
Award-winning online casino
32
Red is
today very pleased to announce that Nedplay casino becomes part of the 32Red Plc
group of casinos.
32Red has been licensed and regulated by the Government of Gibraltar since 2002
and listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market since 2005. 32Red was
yesterday declared Casinomeister’s Casino of the Decade, so you can be sure that
you are in safe hands!
Read entire article
here.
January
21, 2010 -
Harrow based Ladbrokes plans over 30,000 live sporting events
British online and land-based betting giant Ladbrokes has
launched a new version of its online sportsbook and announced plans to stream
over 30,000 live sporting events through it over 2010.
Harrow-based Ladbrokes revealed that it has invested over three million pounds
in securing Internet broadcast rights for a range of sports that, with the
exception of horseracing, will be free to view for registered customers at Ladbrokes.com
Read entire article
here.
January 20, 2010 -
All Star Slots Wins Meisters Best New Casino of 2009
All Star Slots is the Best New Casino of 2009. They entered the scene in the
beginning of this year in a fetal stage, and birthed itself into a full fledged
Accredited Casino at Casinomeister. The operators are responsive to player needs
and suggestions, and they have truly built a casino that is tuned into what
players expect. Professionalism, responsiveness, and fast hassle-free payouts.
Good going Allstarslots -
high fives all around.
January 20, 2010 -
Meisters Best And Worst Of 2009
What a year! - Casinomeister
trudged forward into its second decade of jungle warfare online casino style.
Whacking the overgrowth of spammers, crappy software, freaky players, affiliate
meltdowns, and roguish operations with my cyber machete... and then resting
under the lush canopy of good casino operations, solid games, and a wild mesh of
entertaining and fun players, I am finally able to review the events 2009. This
year proved once again that this is one of the most bizarre and engaging
businesses to be in. Never a month goes by that we aren't baffled by an idiot
spam dweeb, challenged by a player complaint, amused by a newbie operator, or
amazed at a really good win...
Read entire article
here.
January 18, 2010 -
Internet Poker Coming to New Jersey?
New Jersey state Sen. Raymond Lesniak has introduced legislation that would
bring intrastate Internet poker to New Jersey through Atlantic City casinos.
The landmark legislation, identified as New Jersey Senate Bill 490, is the first
intrastate Internet gambling bill to be introduced in the U.S. Proposed
California legislation to be discussed next month does not have a legislative
sponsor.
This could be the beginning of the movement to license and regulate Internet
poker on the state level, especially if the bill succeeds in New Jersey.
Read entire article
here.
January 12, 2010 -
Casino Rewards rejects Microgaming upgrade
LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- A
planned upgrade by game software provider Microgaming has been rejected by
CasinoRewards.com in an effort to maintain the best user experience across its
19 online casino brands.
The Microgaming upgrade aims to enhance game-play by increasing screen
resolution, but instead has led to negative player feedback due to increased
load times and distortion.
Read
entire article
here.
January 12, 2010 -
32Red Online Casino summons Hellboy
(PRESS RELEASE) -- The
award-winning 32Red Online Casino launches Hellboy - an online slot based on the
acclaimed comic and films of the same name.
32Red online Microgaming casino
is poised to launch a slot that has been dubbed as groundbreaking this January,
in an announcement made by the Gibraltar-based online gaming operator today.
Read
entire article
here.
January 12, 2010 -
Casino Coins holding $100k monthly tournament
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Casino
Coins' partners are kicking off the New Year with another $100k monthly
tournament.
Cool Winnings is running all through January 2010 till 12:01am on Feb 1st with a
guaranteed prize pool of $100,000.
The tournament game is Winter Wonderland, one of Vegas Technology's most popular
5 reel bonus slots every winter season. Entry is $10 with unlimited rebuys. 1st
prize walks away with $50,000! Tournament banners are ready in the Marketing
Tools section.
Read
entire article
here.
January 12, 2010 -
Net Entertainment releases download CasinoModule
STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Net
Entertainment is
pleased to reveal the release of a download version of the award winning
CasinoModule™. Nordicbet,
one of Net Entertainment's oldest customers and a successful, well recognized
operator, was first out to deploy the solution just before the Christmas break.
Download CasinoModule™ allows operators to target markets with low bandwidth
connectivity but equally to meet the demands of players that prefer to have the
casino application installed. The download casino is an extension of the well
proven browser-based CasinoModule™ featuring a full suite of casino games.
Read
entire article
here.
January 12, 2010 -
Bet365 Offers Range of Slot Games
(PRESS RELEASE) -- bet365 Casino's
(a popular Playtech Casino)
unbeatable range of Slot Games continues to grow, with the latest additions
being a series of exciting Slots based on popular Marvel characters. Among these
new releases is X-Men, a thrilling 25-line Slot which brings your favourite
mutant superheroes to life with impressive graphics.
Fantastic Four is another of the brand new Marvel-themed Slots offered by
bet365. You'll have a fantastic time playing this 20-line Slot Game, which
features all of the main characters from the popular film and offers some great
Free Game features.
Read
entire article
here.
January 11, 2010 -
Silverstone launches "Slots Jackpot Casino"
NETHERLANDS, Antilles -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- "Slots
Jackpot Casino"
is the new offering from Silverstone Overseas Limited. In the past, they have
brought us many other great game sites that include; Club
Vegas USA, Paradise
8 Casino and
Vegas Sky
Casino.
Now, with the premier of Slots Jackpot Casino, players can take advantage of
their special introductory offers.
Licensed in Netherlands Antilles and supported by Rival
software,
games can be played in downloadable versions or wagers can be made online,
without a download. Visit Slots Jackpot Casino - there you'll have the
opportunity to enjoy unique slots and over 70 available games."
Read
entire article
here.
January 11, 2010 -
Blackjack Ballroom gets eCogra certification
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Blackjack
Ballroom,
one of the Casino
Rewards Casinos,
has long been a favourite for online gamblers and fans of online casino games.
With much more than just online blackjack, Blackjack Ballroom keeps both new and
veteran players entertained with over 350 video slots, poker, roulette and other
table games.
In April 2008, a newcomer to online casinos hit the Mega Moolah jackpot at
Blackjack Ballroom, netting a record breaking $5.5 million after betting only 50
cents! Klaus E from Finland took advantage of the generous GBPEUR$500
complimentary BlackjackBallroom.com sign up offer to test the waters risk free
for one hour, then went on to become an overnight multi-millionaire courtesy of
a popular video slot.
Read
entire article
here.
January 6, 2010 -
WagerWorks releases new slot game
LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- WagerWorks,
(one of which is Virgin
Casino)
the leading provider of online, mobile and idTV game content makes an EPIC start
to 2010 with the release of Treasures of Troy™.
Continuing with the premier game development seen in 2009, WagerWorks is proud
to release yet another online translation of a highly successful IGT land-based
title. Offering a base game of 40-paylines with 5-reels of epic Greek themed
action, Treasures of Troy™ is the second title from WagerWorks to utilise IGT's
ground-breaking MultiWay® feature.
Read entire article
here.
January
5, 2010 -
Swedish
City to Block Online Gambling
Swedish gambling laws are a bit
fuzzy when it comes to gambling on the internet. All land-based gambling in the
country is currently monopolized by the state-run Svenska Spel, and this
company’s reach officially extends to include online gambling as well, but their
monopoly online is not strongly enforced. Loose attempts have been made by the
Swedish government to keep players from accessing foreign internet gambling
sites, but in fact no formal rules have been established, and Swedish players
find it easy to gamble online using foreign internet gambling sites.
Read entire article
here.
December 22, 2009 -
Ladbrokes Add's Poker to it's Italian Site
Italian fans of Texas hold’em will soon have a new domain to enjoy after
Ladbrokes revealed that it will be adding poker to its sportsbetting site at Ladbrokes
It in
the New Year.
The British operator has received a license from regulator Amministrazione
Autonoma Dei Monopoli Di Stato and is set to launch a dedicated Italian poker
service early next month.
Ladbrokes stated that the new service would only be available to Italian players
in accordance with local regulations, which also require all competitions to be
tournaments rather than cash games.
Read entire article
here.
December 22, 2009 -
World Poker Tour returning to France
LOS ANGELES, California -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- World Poker Tour® (WPT) is
returning to France for one of its premier annual European tour stops, WPT Grand
Prix de Paris at Aviation Club de France. Scheduled for May 8 – 13, 2010*, the
€10,000 main event will be filmed for worldwide television broadcast.
"The Aviation Club de France is delighted to welcome back a WPT event in Paris,"
said Bruno Fitoussi,poker consultant
for Aviation Club de France. "The WPT Grand Prix de Paris is guaranteed to be a
high-class tournament in the highlights of the international poker scene and
will, for sure, attract players from all around the world."
Read entire article
here.
December 14, 2009 -
NGG First to Launch Net Entertainment's Casino Client
This week Nordic
Gaming Group will
launch a unique, new, downloadable casino client for Net Entertainment games,
becoming the world's first – and for now only – online gaming company to make
such a product available.
The client, which will be rolled out on NGG's NordicBet brand under the name
NordicBet Download Casino, serves as a convenient, one-click gateway to all Net
Entertainment slot games, table games, and video poker. It allows users to
create tailored lists of their favorite games as well as a take advantage of
premium offers available only via this channel.
Read entire article
here.
December 9, 2009 -
US Congress Discusses Online Gambling
The wheels are now in motion on efforts to overturn anti-online gambling laws in
the United States, with a congressional committee beginning to hear testimony
last week.
The House Financial Services Committee, which is chaired by online casinos’ best
friend in congress – Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank – heard testimonies
last Thursday from several experts in online security and consumer safety.
One of the experts, WiredSafety director Parry Aftab, told the committee that
the regulation of online gambling was the best solution for protection customer
security.
Barney_Frank“There are a number of technologies used in other industries that
are easily adaptable to online gambling sites,” Aftab said.
Read entire article
here.
December 3, 2009 -
Study says online gambling regulation effective and attainable
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The
Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with
more than one million members nationwide, today commended the release of a study
by Harvard Professor Malcolm Sparrow showing that the best way to address the
risks of Internet gambling is through regulation, not a prohibition. The study,
commissioned by Wired Safety, a leading Internet safety non-profit, was released
during the House Financial Services Committee hearing on H.R. 2267, the Internet
Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act.
Read entire article
here.
November 30,2009 -
Obama Administration delays UIGEA implementation
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- (PRESS RELEASE) --
Department of the Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and Federal Reserve
Chairman Ben S. Bernanke today announced agreement to delay for six months,
until June 1, 2010, required compliance with the Unlawful Internet Gambling
Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA). The move blocks regulations to implement the
legislation which requires the financial services sector to comply with
ambiguous and burdensome rules in an attempt to prevent unlawful Internet
gambling transactions. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank
(D-MA) has scheduled a House Financial Services Committee hearing for December 3
to discuss Internet gambling legislation and the opportunity to effectively
regulate the industry.
Read entire article
here.
Nov 25,2009 -
Frank schedules online gambling hearing for Dec. 3
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has scheduled a
hearing on Dec. 3 before the House Financial Services Committee to hear
testimony on repealing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and
creating a regulated online gaming industry in the U.S. UIGEA regulations go
into effect on Dec. 1.
Frank, who is chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, will lead the
questioning as witnesses testify for and against the Internet Gambling
Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act (IGRCPEA) and the Reasonable
Prudence Regulation Act (RPRA). Both bills were introduced by Frank earlier this
year.
Read entire article
here.
Nov 24, 2009 -
Poker Voters of America: Florida report 'great first step'
THE FLORIDA ONLINE POKER REPORT to be presented to the state
legislature this month is “a great first step” to legalising the online game
within the state and has led to a new strategy at Poker Voters of America (PVA),
PVA chief Melanie Brenner has said.
Read entire
article
here.
Nov 24, 2009 -
Paddypowerpoker confirms that the Irish Open will return to the
Burlington Hotel
paddypowerpoker.com today
confirms that the Irish Open will return to the Burlington Hotel, Dublin for a
second time. This 4-star hotel first hosted Europe’s longest running tournament
in 2007, and was widely praised by players who appreciated the well-appointed
tournament hall and superb location in the heart of Ireland’s capital city.
Read entire
article
here.
Nov 23, 3009 -
Royal
Vegas offers help to beginner gamblers
For players that may be new to the online casino scene,
RoyalVegas.eu has
launched a Getting Started page that has been designed to open up the world of
jackpot possibilities in only five steps.
The new Getting Started page is available by clicking a tab located at the top
of the welcome screen with all of the information presented in a
simple-to-follow format allowing for quick completion.
Read entire article
here.
Nov 18, 2009 -
Fortune Lounge Group offering free gambling
STANMORE, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- As
the New Year approaches, the prospect of starting it off on the right note is a
definite possibility with the Fortune
Lounge Group of Online Casinos'
latest promotion, You Play...We Pay!. As the competition heads into the half way
mark, a total of six lucky players have already each won "Free Gambling for a
Year", with more than 1,000 free credits to be paid out every single month
during the course of 2010.
Read entire article
here.
Nov 9, 2009 -
Online Gambling Ban Has Failed
Even more than most Americans, I’ve benefited from the freedom and growth of the
Internet. Before being elected to Congress, I started several Internet-based
companies, held several Internet-related patents, and created hundreds of jobs
and millions of dollars in shareholder value. Based on my extensive experience,
it only makes sense that it is time to scrap the ineffective attempt to ban
Internet gambling in the U.S. and, instead, replace it with a regulated
environment where adult consumers can elect to place a wager online with
assurances that they are protected from fraud and abuse. The expansion of the
Internet has spurred dramatic growth of Internet-based international commerce.
With a few strokes of the keyboard, we can virtually travel the globe to
purchase anything from flowers (where I made my fortune) to stocks. And, for
those so inclined, there are sites to play poker or even bingo.
Read entire article
here.
Nov 9, 2009 -
7 Sultans offering instant play feature
STANMORE, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- 7
Sultans Casino offers ample
opportunities to enjoy a wide selection of high quality casino games enhanced
with unmatched jackpot and bonus rewards. Players can choose playing their
preferred casino games through Instant Play or Download Casino; with each
variation offering action packed entertainment with interactive features for a
top class online casino experience. Players can choose a play mode according to
their online gambling needs and preferences, which guarantees the best benefits
with added excitement and huge wins.
Read entire article
here.
Nov 9, 2009 -
21-year-old
professional poker player from Michigan hit a lucky king to cap a nearly
impossible comeback at the World Series of Poker
LAS VEGAS (AP) - A 21-year-old professional poker player from
Michigan hit a lucky king to cap a nearly impossible comeback at the World
Series of Poker Sunday morning, setting up a showdown with a self-employed
logger for $8.55 million.
Joe Cada dodged elimination several times during the longest no-limit Texas Hold
'em main event final table in history. Cada - who at 123 hands into the session
held just 1 percent of the chips in play - could become the youngest series
champion ever in the finale Monday night.
"Luck always helps," Cada said. "I'll take all the luck I can get."
Nov 6, 2009 -
JackpotCity Bingo moves to Microgaming
GIBRALTAR -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- On
Wednesday morning, players at Jackpot City Bingo logged on to an improved online
bingo experience including new games, better chances to win, progressive
jackpots and a strengthened community, all because of the site's upgrade to
Microgaming's industry-leading bingo software.
The move, motivated by player consultation and feedback, allows JackpotCity
Bingo to
offer a host of new benefits, including the latest in progressive online bingo
jackpot games, where the number of balls that can be played increases every few
days, along with the jackpot. JackpotCity Bingo is also moving three of its
popular rooms to a smaller network where less players mean better odds.
Nov 2, 2009 -
Pocket Kings wins against Kentucky
Online casino operator Pocket Kings Limited has foiled the American state of
Kentucky’s attempt to seize 141 virtual gambling domain names by winning an
action in the UK’s High Court.
Pocket Kings owns popular site FullTiltPoker.com and initiated court proceedings
in October of last year after registrar SafeNames Limited was ordered by the
American state to turn over the domain.
The highest court in the UK ruled late last month that it would not recognise or
enforce current or future orders to turn over the domains because the Kentucky
action was not enforceable in English law due to its penal and governmental
nature.
Oct 10, 2009 -
Betway Player Wins $1,242,561.85!!
Betway Player Wins $1,242,561.85!!
An enormous congratulations to Betway player, Radoslaw M from Poland, who won
$1,242,561.85 on October 5 with a tiny 25c bet on MEGA MOOLAH PROGRESSIVE.
Imagine how an incredible win like this could change your life! We have over 20
progressive jackpot games where you could WIN A FORTUNE! Be the next big winner…
Oct 10, 2009 -
Software removes need for Federal Ban on Online Gambling
Software has been developed that
allows individual PCs to be set to block online gambling, meaning a federal ban
to protect children makes less sense than ever.
Existing software, such as OpenDNS, will efficiently block online gambling sites
from individual PCs, an advancement in technology that precludes much of the
argument for a federal prohibition of Internet gaming. Internet experts say the
technologies available, which are in extensive use in Europe, allow parents to
prevent access to online casinos sites as well as other adult offerings, making
the move to use US law to ban Internet gambling the equivalent of using a tank
to kill mosquitoes.
Read entire article
here.
Oct
7, 2009 -
SC Judge Rules Poker A Game of Skill
WASHINGTON, D.C --
(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker
grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide (nearly
10,000 in South Carolina), today lauded the ruling of a South Carolina court
that confirmed that poker is a game of skill, and thus should not be considered
gambling under the law.
"Poker is not a crime in South Carolina or anywhere else, and we are grateful to
the court for compiling the overwhelming evidence that proves this case and
protects the rights of players," said John Pappas, executive director of the PPA.
"This ruling is fully consistent with the declarations of other judges and
juries across the country that Texas Hold'em is clearly a game of predominant
skill and adults who play should not be criminalized."
Read entire article
here.
Sept 24, 2009 -
All Slots Casino the First to Release Multi-Player Wheel of Wealth
October 1, 2009 –
Kahnawake, QC –
All Slots Online Casino (allslotscasino.com), a proud member of the Jackpot
Factory Group and a leading online slots casino, is the first Microgaming casino
to release Multi-Player Wheel of Wealth Special Edition, an innovative new slot
game offering play in a group environment with chat capability and a shared
bonus feature.
Multi-Player Wheel of Wealth Special Edition brings a social element to online
slots. Players joining the game will enter a room in which up to five others are
playing at the same time. While spinning for payouts and bonus multipliers, the
players will be able to interact, chat and share each other’s winning moments as
the payouts climb.
Read all about it
here.
Sept 24, 2009 -
Co-sponsor list for HR 2267 now numbers 58
The list of political co-sponsors
for Congressman Barney Frank's attempt to legalise and regulate online gambling
in the United States, HR 2267, continues to grow, with four new names added this
week.
Representatives Lynn C. Woolsey of California, Christopher S. Murphy of
Connecticut, William Lacy Clay of Missouri, and Adam B. Schiff of California are
the latest congressional representatives to give their support to the bill,
which is currently on hold due to pressure of economic legislative requirements
but which Frank wants to re-energise in October, and certainly before the end of
the current session of Congress.
Read entire article
here.
Sept 22, 2009 -
Senator Wyden wants to use Internet Gambling to fund health care
WASHINTON, D.C. -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- An increased focus on the benefits of
Internet gambling regulation are expected as the Senate Finance Committee
considers a proposal introduced on Saturday to use Internet gambling revenue to
offset the costs of health care reform. The amendment offered by Senator Ron
Wyden (D-OR) would dedicate Internet gambling tax revenue generated through
implementation of the currently pending Internet Regulation, Consumer Protection
and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2267) to increase low-income subsidies provided
through the America's Healthy Future Act of 2009. A PricewaterhouseCoopers
analysis shows that collecting taxes on regulated Internet gambling would allow
the U.S. to capture up to $62.7 billion over the next decade.
Read entire article
here.
Sept 22, 2009 -
NordicBet goes iPhone
Swedish mobile games developer Mobenga has announced the launch of a mobile
sportsbook for the iPhone for Norwegian online gaming site NordicBet.com.
Mobenga signed an agreement with NordicBet.com’s parent firm, Nordic Gaming
Group, in late-June to develop the iPhone-specific service, which includes a
mobile lobby alongside betting and gaming.
“We are very proud to continue to be in the forefront of innovation and
technology,” said Eric Johagen, Mobile Product Manager for Nordic Gaming Group.
“We have committed ourselves to giving our customers the most convenient access
to our gaming portal and the great experience they are used to as NordicBet.com
members. The iPhone more than satisfies both these requirements.”
Read entire article
here.
Sept 21, 2009 -
South Carolina poker players win appeal
CHARLESTON, South Carolina -- As reported by The (Charleston) Post and Courier:
"It isn't time to go 'all in' just yet, but five poker players busted for
gambling in Mount Pleasant three years ago apparently have scored an early
appeals win.
"The judge overseeing their case wrote this week he is reversing the outcome of
their February trial, essentially tossing out their convictions.
"In a one-page letter, Circuit Judge R. Markley Dennis Jr. said it was likely
that the players' chosen game of "Texas Hold 'em" - which relies on bluff, bet
and card know-how to be successful - would withstand the legal test of being a
game of skill versus an illegal game of chance.
Read entire article
here.
Sept 15,
2009 -
NEOVIA Financial attending EiG Copenhagen
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- NEOVIA Financial Plc (LSE: NEO), the
independent global online payments business, will be attending The European
iGaming Congress and Expo 2009 (EiG) in Copenhagen, from Tuesday September 15th
until Thursday September 17th 2009. NEOVIA will be meeting with partners and
merchants to discuss mutual business opportunities and promote the NEOVIA
Payment Suite, which is ideally suited for online gaming merchants.
Read entire article
here.
Sept 14, 2009 -
Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative runs ad campaign
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The
Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative launched a new online advertising
campaign today in support of the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer
Protection and Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2267), legislation that would
establish a framework to permit licensed gambling operators to accept wagers
from individuals in the U.S. The ads advocate regulating Internet gambling to
protect the millions of Americans who continue to gamble online despite
government attempts to prohibit the activity and to collect up to $62.7 billion
in new revenues for the federal government in the first decade.
Read entire article
here.
August 28, 2009 -
Rainbow Riches Just Released At
Virgin Online Casino
Pots of golden Irish luck await you in Rainbow Riches®, the most popular casino
game in UK history. Rainbow Riches® Win Big Shindig™ offers all the excitement
and win potential as in your favourite corner shop.
Make the most of 10 paylines of dazzling slot action as you pursue new found
wealth in the land of leprechauns and good luck. Win a super Jackpot, up to
25,000 credits, by getting a screen full of Jackpot symbols. Or get 3 Leprechaun
Hat symbols on reels 1, 3 and 5 to trigger the Pick Me™ Bonus, with a chance to
advance to the Pots of Luck Bonus too. In the Pots of Luck Bonus, watch a
leprechaun dance a jig as pots of gold, silver and bronze spin around him. One
of those loaded pots will be yours, up to 25,000 credits at max bet!
Read entire article
here.
August 24, 2009 -
Nevada prepared for online gambling
LAS VEGAS, Nevada –- Nevada,
where declining gaming and sales tax collections have ravaged the biennial
budget, could benefit financially if a bill to legalize Internet gambling in the
United States is approved by Congress.
The potential, however, rests on a big IF.
A House of Representatives resolution was introduced in May that would establish
a framework to permit licensed online gambling operators to accept wagers from
inside the United States.
Read entire article
here.
August 13, 2009 -
PartyGaming
upbeat on US licence despite Menendez bill
PARTYGAMING HAS said it will not change its lobbying focus in
America despite increasing fears among European operators that federal licences
will only be granted to US operators such as Harrah’s and MGM if the US repeals
its UIGEA online gambling ban.
The Gibraltar-based poker and casino giant said that it will continue to lobby
at federal level despite concerns from other European operators that they will
not be granted a licence if the US regulates egaming.
Read
entire article
here.
August 12, 2009 -
Poker Mogul Shot to Death
NEW YORK, New York -- As reported by the New York Post: "A SoHo Internet poker
mogul was apparently assassinated while visiting his native Sweden.
"Andreas Oscarsson was shot to death last Monday while sleeping in his father's
house, and there was no evidence that there had been any kind of dispute or that
the home had been robbed, officials said.
Read
entire article
here.
August 11, 2009 -
Mitch Garber now plans to take US casino giant Harrah's to the
egaming stratosphere
Although it seems unfair on Garber to keep going on about past events, it would
be remiss of eGaming Review not to ask about his time at the head of
Party-Gaming. What did Garber take out of the experience, is there anything that
he would have done differently?
“Party was ultimately a positive experience. I think it’s a particularly well
run company that mixes technological progress and regulatory compliance with
responsible gaming in a way that forms part of the model for how interactive
gaming should be done,” he says.
Read entire article
here.
July 7, 2009 -
Player turns
$40 to $500,000 at Casino Action
(PRESS RELEASE) --
There is sure to be celebration in one lucky household in the Netherlands this
week, as an online casino novice nets an incredible $504,934.87! What makes the
feat even more amazing is the nature of the win, with the player having
deposited only $40 of his own money to hit the massive jackpot.
Normally, such an incredible return on a single bet would not be possible via
online roulette, but herein lies the allure of the range of progressive jackpots
at
Casino Action. The progressive jackpot works by depositing a fraction of
each player's bet in a special fund which is constantly growing. This keeps the
total winnable kitty exceptionably large, and ensures that even after a big win,
the jackpot total soars back up again. Indeed, with the Mega Moolah online slot
at Casino Action, the main progressive jackpot is guaranteed never to drop below
$1 million!
Read entire article
here.
July 6, 2009 -
32Red to accept PayPal
(PRESS RELEASE) --
32Red Plc - the company behind the multi award-winning 32Red Online Casino based
in Gibraltar - has announced that it will be accepting deposits and withdrawals
using PayPal, adding to the numerous secure banking options currently available
to 32Red players.
PayPal is the UK's favorite online payment service, with 21% share of consumer
internet payments. Offering safe, fast and easy payments to over 73 million
active account holders worldwide in 19 different currencies, it is viewed as the
faster, easier way to pay online. The addition of PayPal to 32Red's banking
options will help current players deposit and claim their winnings more easily
and open up joining the Best Casino winner to thousands of potential new
players.
Read entire article
here.
July 6, 2009 -
Frank 'optimistic' repeal of UIGEA will pass
LAS VEGAS -- Barney
Frank (D-MA) sharpened his rhetoric against UIGEA proponents and promised to
move forward on bills that would suspend and ultimately repeal the UIGEA when he
visited the Main Event at the World Series of Poker Sunday.
Before ushering in play with the traditional "Shuffle up and deal call," Frank
called the UIGEA the "stupidest" bill ever and implored poker players to write
their Congressmen and Senators and ask them to repeal it.
In a press availability following his Main Event appearance, Frank was more
pointed with his criticism of the UIGEA, and offered a timetable on the his next
moves to remove it from the law books.
Read entire article
here.
July 1, 2009 -
Clubs may be key to Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey -- As reported by Metro International:
"Despite predictions that Atlantic City will never again be the end-all, be-all
adult playground for East Coasters, two investors are taking a long shot that
the nightlife will still attract young people and their cash.
"With profits down — 11 percent in the last year through June — the $7 million
Dusk, opening this weekend at Caesar's Casino, could turn out to be a referendum
on the gambling mecca's appeal beyond wagering at the slots and table games.
Read
entire article
here.
July 1, 2009 -
The Monster is Coming to Fortune Lounge
BELIZE CITY, Belize -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- On July 1st, the
Fortune Lounge Group of Online Brands will unleash a brand new affiliate
promotion, called 'The Monster is Coming'.
This exciting new promotion will allow all affiliates
associated with the Fortune Lounge and its brands to enter a lucky draw for a
massive prize. The promotion will work on an acquisition basis, with affiliates
given the space between the 1st of July and the 2nd of November 2009 to acquire
a minimum of 20 New Active Casino Players (NACPs). Any affiliate who is
successful in this venture will be eligible for the lucky draw and the chance to
win something of epic proportions.
Read entire article
here.
July 1,2009 -
R.I. Senate approves Twin River all-night gambling bill
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island -- As reported by The Providence
Journal: "The Senate has voted and sent to the governor a bill to allow
round-the-clock gambling, seven days a week at Twin River, while also forcing
the owners of the bankrupt track and slot parlor to drop their plans to suspend
live greyhound racing on Aug. 8, and run a full 200-day season.
Read
entire article
here.
June 16, 2009 -
Bodog.com domain Returns
The Morris
Mohawk Gaming Group has announced the return of the Bodog.com domain and
revealed that it will now serve as the global portal for all of its brand
licensees around the world.
Morris Mohawk acquired Bodog.com earlier this year and the iconic domain is also
set to serve as the centre of the Canadian operator’s US-facing business.
Read entire
article
here.
June 16, 2009 -
Utah Transit Authority Says Fines Coming For Internet Gambling
The state of Utah is now joining the fight against legalized
Internet gambling. Whether a person is doing so legally or not, the Utah Transit
Authority, has now adopted an ordinance that will allow fines to be handed out
for visiting gambling sites.
The Authority did not stop at gambling. They also will fine anyone who visits
pornography sites while using the Authority's free wireless Internet service. It
is basically putting the burden on the passengers instead of the Authority.
Read entire article
here.
June 12, 2009 -
EU
pressing US on online gambling legalization
Fortunately for the millions of online gambling enthusiasts in the United
States, the European Union is not letting the internet gambling issue with the
U.S. go and continue to press on a solution. The European Commission urged the
United States to drop its ban on online gambling companies this week,
maintaining the previous position held by the EU administration that the online
gambling ban passed during the Bush administration violates world trade
agreements. The EU went a step further this time around, noting that it could
seek compensation from the World Trade Organization on the online gambling
issue, claiming that banning foreign gambling websites from operating in the
U.S. violates international trade laws.
Read
entire article
here.
June 10, 2009 -
Bank Freezes Gambling Accounts Poker
An advocacy group for online poker said Tuesday
that the federal government has frozen more than $30 million in the accounts of
payment processors that handle the winnings of thousands of online poker
players.
The Justice Department has long maintained that Internet gambling is illegal, a
view that the poker group challenges.
The Poker Players Alliance told The Associated Press that the U.S. attorney for
the Southern District of New York instructed three banks to freeze the accounts.
Documents obtained by the AP show that a judge in the district issued a seizure
warrant last week for an account at a Wells Fargo bank in San Francisco, and
that a federal prosecutor told a bank in Arizona to freeze an account.
Read entire article
here.
June 10, 2009 -
Spin3 Releases Mermaids Millions For Mobile
Fans of slot games can now enjoy the Mermaids
Millions bonus slot game using their mobile telephone courtesy of leading full
service mobile gaming solutions provider Spin3.
Mermaids Millions is the first game from Spin3 to be made available on a Java
platform and as a web-based application, illustrating the firm’s commitment to
providing the most advanced titles to the industry's newest devices alongside
the traditional handset market.
Read entire article
here.
June 9,2099 -
iPoker to host celebrity bounty tournament at WSOP
DOUGLAS, Isle of Man -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Players can now go
up against the giants of the poker circuit, at this year's WSOP, and bag the
bounty!
During the WSOP Main Event, iPoker will host a celebrity tournament, where each
star will have a $13,000 bounty on his head.
This special star studded event will feature some of the biggest names in poker;
Tony G, Neil Channing, Jamie Gold, Marty Smith, Scotty Nguyen & Montel Williams.
Read entire article
here.
May 28, 2009 -
New live dealer casino ready to debut
LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Since the
relaxation of the UK's gambling laws in 2002 there has been phenomenal growth in
the online casino entertainment market. Both well known brands and new start-ups
have been quick to develop their online real estate to cater for this growth
through providing automated graphic versions of hundreds of popular casino
games.
Read entire article
here.
May 27, 2009 -
Microgaming and Intertops end longtime partnership
Following a partnership that lasted nearly 11
years, Intertops and Microgaming have parted ways.
Microgaming – which made the decision to begin
denying U.S. players last November as a result of the Kentucky domain seizure
case – made the announcement last week after Intertops decided to reenter the
U.S. market by partnering with U.S.-friendly RealTime Gaming (RTG) and opening
the new RED Casino.
"Microgaming has powered the well established
online casino for over a decade, and has enjoyed a successful relationship with
it," the press release said.
Read entire article
here.
May 4, 2009 -
Casinos Searching For Answers To Beat The Recession
At this point in the global recession, it is
simply about survival. Not many businesses can say that they are actually
turning a profit in the current economic conditions.
The casino industry, in particular, is looking for answers. How do owners sell
people on the idea of gambling, when they do not have the funds to do so? That
is the multi-million dollar question in casino circles these days.
Read entire article
here.
May 1, 2009 -
List of online gambling sites banned by Minnesota released
Minnesota's Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement
Division released Friday the list of 200 online gambling sites it wants blocked
from Minnesota residents, and it contains quite a few surprises.
On the list are several sites that don't allow
American players, including PartyCasino, Everest Poker, Ladbrokes Casino,
Intercasino, Virgin Games and William Hill Casino.
Read entire article
here.
April 26, 2009 -
Chance for Online Gambling in the U.S.
When the U.S. Congress cracked down on Internet
betting in 2006, the big, publicly traded European companies that had dominated
the business closed up shop in the United States. Growth in the booming industry
shifted away from these companies, once the darlings of the stock market, to
private operators in offshore locations like Antigua and the Isle of Man.
But now, executives of some of the European companies whisper excitedly that
they may soon get a second chance in the United States. Meanwhile, a number of
European countries that have long maintained barriers are moving, under pressure
from regulators, to legalize, and tax, online gambling.
Read entire article here.
April 22, 2009 -
California Poker Bill Unveiled
IGamingNews has obtained a copy of a highly
anticipated bill -- the California Online Poker Law Enforcement Compliance and
Consumer Protection Act -- that would see online poker regulated on an
intrastate basis in the Golden State.
The bill was submitted to the California Legislative Analyst earlier this year,
and is likely to be amended should it pass through the Legislature.
In its current form, the bill instructs the California State Gambling
Commission, in conjunction with the state Department of Justice, to draft and
adopt regulations for the implementation of an online intrastate poker network.
Read entire article here.
April 15, 2009 -
Amsterdam Affiliate Conference expected to smash records
LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Company
officials for iGaming Business, the world's leading iGaming publisher, have
confirmed that the Amsterdam Affiliate Conference has even taken them by
surprise with the amount of sponsors and exhibitors they have on board.
"We always expected the event to be big but after
the name change and re-brand we were concerned AAC might be affected, but it has
been the complete opposite with more exhibitors than ever before and a huge
number of affiliates already registered to attend" said Alex Pratt, lead
organiser for the event. "The reason the event is looking so good is down to a
number of fundamental rules we follow with our events including: All affiliates
go free, quality over quantity with speakers, networking shouldn't end with the
expo and just because it's an industry event doesn't mean you can't enjoy
yourself!"
Read entire article
here.
April 13, 2009 -
HARRAH’s Las Vegas hires former Party Gaming Exe
HARRAH’s, the Las Vegas gaming group that owns
Caesars Palace is to install Mitch Garber, a former chief executive of Party
Gaming, as the head of a new company formed to house its internet operations and
the popular World Series of Poker.
The gaming giant is spinning these businesses out into a newly-created entity.
The move is likely to fuel speculation over the possibility of Harrah’s making
acquisitions in the online-gaming sector.
Read entire article
here.
April 7, 2009 -
PARTYGAMING REMOVES U.S. THREAT OF ONLINE GAMBLING PROSECUTION
Shares in the London-listed online gambling group
PartyGaming are expected to soar following the group's announcement Tuesday that
it has reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice, removing the
threat of prosecution for pre-UIGEA activities.
Read entire article
here.
April 6, 2009 -
Gambling and the Law: Of Course It's A Depression
"Buy when there is blood in the streets, even if
the blood is your own." Baron Nathan Rothschild
There is a generally accepted definition of an
economic recession – a decline in gross domestic product for two consecutive
quarters. But people don't agree on what is a depression until years after the
fact.
There is a difference, like the distinction
between neurosis and psychosis. A neurotic may have problems, even severe,
distressing ones. But a psychotic has at least temporarily lost touch with
reality.
The legal gaming industry is facing a psychotic
global economy.
Read entire article
here.
March 31, 209 -
Florida gaming industry holds sway
TALLAHASSEE, Florida --
As reported by The Miami Herald: "No legislator is immune when it comes to the
influence of the gambling industry in Florida.
"All 160 members of the Florida Legislature have either accepted a campaign
check from the industry or benefited from its contributions to their parties. In
the 2006-08 election cycle alone, horse and dog tracks, jai alai frontons and
the Seminole Indian Tribe gave nearly $5 million to legislators and political
parties -- more than double the $2.2 million gambling interests contributed to
lawmakers in the previous election.
Read entire article
here.
March 26, 2009 -
EU says US online gambling laws breach WTO
BRUSSELS, Belgium --
As reported by Reuters: "A U.S crackdown on European online gambling breaches
World Trade Organisation rules and would justify action at the World Trade
Organisation, the European Commission said on Thursday.
"The European Union executive, which oversees trade policy for the 27-nation
bloc, said its draft report found that such U.S. laws hampered trade and thus
were inconsistent with WTO rules but stressed it would seek a negotiated
solution.
Read entire article
here.
March 16, 2009 -
US Online Casino Laws Made Obsolete by Tech Advances
The reasons given by
red-faced, shrieking politicians to ban online gambling in the US usually
revolve around protecting children and problem gamblers. Well, those legislators
can rejoice and vote to repeal the UIGEA now, for Internet security companies
have developed software that allows parents to control access to online casinos.
Trend Micro Security Systems had already reported a breakthrough establishing
them as the first in the online security business to capably give computer
owners control of what sites can be accessed at their terminals. Now Dutch
software company Unicaresoft claims to have its own product.
Read entire article
here.
March 2, 2009 -
New Top Gaming Casino Launched
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA, February 27, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- February 2009 online casino software provider Top Gaming
added a new brand to its catalogue of online casinos, the name is
Gold
Vegas Casino. Players from the US can now play the casino despite the
havoc that ensued last year around the Kentucky gambling legislation and its
domain name censorship.
Apart from its US player status,
Gold
Vegas Casino has one other major important facet on its side: the
enthusiasm of the new kid on the block. Chad Brooks, manager of the new online
casino said that the excitement within the company is relentless.
Read entire article
here.
Feb 19, 2009 -
Judge in SC rules poker a skill
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The Poker
Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more
than one million members nationwide (nearly 10,000 in South Carolina), today
expressed cautious optimism with a ruling in the Mount Pleasant, S.C. poker case
and applauded the Court's findings that poker is a game of skill, not chance.
Though disappointed with the Court's initial conclusion that the defendants had
committed a crime, PPA expects to prevail on further review.
"We are humbled by Judge Duffy's thoughtful decision and applaud the effort put
forth by the legal team defending these poker players," said John Pappas,
executive director of the PPA. "The positive language in this ruling comes on
heels of other key legal victories for the rights of poker players in Kentucky,
Colorado, and Pennsylvania. It's becoming quite clear the legal community agrees
that this great American pastime is a game of predominant skill, not luck, and
should not be considered gambling under the law."
Read entire article
here.
Feb 19, 2009 -
EC TO RECOMMEND ACTION AGAINST THE UNITED STATES
According to a report from Reuters, the European
Commission could be on the verge of recommending action against the United
States at the World Trade Organization regarding its stance on online gambling.
The United States has greatly hindered Europe's online gambling industry thanks
to its Unlawful Illegal Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which limits payment
options for online gamblers in America—no credit cards or bank transfers among
other things.
"Many publicly traded European companies, such as PartyGaming and 888.com,
withdrew from the United States after Congress passed the 2006 [UIGEA], but they
face possible criminal prosecution for activities before then," said Reuters.
The report said that while action against the U.S. was recommended, the European
Union is hopeful that it can find an amicable solution with the Obama
administration, which recently took office.
Read entire article
here.
Feb 4, 2009 -
New moves to legalise online poker in USA.
US Democrat, Barney Frank, has revealed to a
major British newspaper his plans to turn back the clock on stringent
anti-online gambling laws in the US. The UIGEA was hurriedly pushed through by
the leaving Republican government just one day before President Obama was
inaugurated.
Since the law was passed in 2006 the ramifications have been felt across the
industry. The laws against online gambling were severely tightened and even
resulted in arrests of some executives in US airports. The laws have caused
major sites and networks such as PartyGaming, OnGame and Microgaming to cease
accepting US players to their sites.
Read entire article
here.
Feb 3, 2009 -
More US online casinos using eCheck payment system
COLLINGWOOD, Ontario -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- With the UIGEA, and the
closure of Microgaming casinos, players from the United States are finding it
incredibly difficult when seeking out US friendly casinos and payment options.
Because of this, a number of online casinos have adopted the eCheck payment
system, which is in itself one of the easiest methods for USA players to deposit
and from their casino player account.
Echeck casinos are not just limited to the American slots player either, as many
of the Canadian banks recognize and process these payments as well. Not all
online casinos support the use of instant checks, however a number of them do.
Below is a quick list of the leading US approved online casinos that are
accepting and processing instant checks from American players. The eCheck
casinos listed below support over 80 slot machines; online table games and
provide a Mac compatible software for their American players.
Read all about it
here.
Feb 1, 2009 -
CAP Award Winners 2009 Announced
The second annual CasinoAffiliatePrograms Awards were unveiled yesterday in a
black-tie ceremony at London’s award-winning The Brewery. This also launched CAP
Euro London 2009, the industry’s largest conference.
“We want to extend our most enthusiastic congratulations to each and every
winner of this year’s CAP Awards,” stated Lou Fabiano,
CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com’s Founder and President. “These are truly the
brightest stars in the CAP community. But honestly, each of the dozens of
nominated programs and individuals deserve congratulations, as does our stellar
community of more than 8,000 affiliates and webmasters who not only voted for
this year’s winners, but who also make the entire CAP experience possible each
and every day.”
See winners
here.
Jan 30, 2009 -
Kentucky Appealing Against Ruling
In America, the administration of Kentucky Governor
Steve Beshear is to contest last week’s ruling by the Court of Appeals in
Louisville that stopped the state seizing 141 domain names associated with
online gambling.
The Secretary of the state’s Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, J. Michael
Brown, released a statement late last week revealing that an appeal would be
lodged against the ruling and that the administration would be taking the matter
to the Kentucky Supreme Court.
'The evidence demonstrated that illegal and unregulated activity is occurring in
Kentucky and that millions of dollars are being lost as a result of that
activity, a fact that wasn't disputed in Tuesday's ruling,' said Brown.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 30, 2009 -
European bookmaker Interwetten goes live with casino
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Microgaming, the world's largest online gaming software
provider, today announces that top European bookmaker Interwetten, has gone live
with its market leading casino software.
The partnership with industry giant Interwetten further strengthens
Microgaming's elite portfolio of operators and arrives on the back of an
unprecedented series of successful product launches last year.
Interwetten are now live with Microgaming's full complement of over 400
multilingual casino games including the new and incredibly popular multiplayer
BlackJack tournaments and renowned Casino management tools. Interwetten will
also be making use of over 160 exciting flash games launched directly from their
website.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 29, 2009 -
iMEGA Case To Be Heard In April
The Interactive Media Entertainment And Gaming
Association (iMEGA) has announced that its legal action questioning the
Constitutionality of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA)
could be heard in April.
The Washington, DC-based non-profit lobby group revealed that its legal team was
recently contacted by the US Third Circuit Court Of Appeals and asked to provide
notice of their availability in April in order to provide oral arguments in the
suit.
The Court also provided a list of possible dates to Eric Bernstein, lead counsel
for iMEGA, and to the US Department Of Justice, a defendant in the suit
alongside the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Reserve.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 26, 2009 -
Bet24 now offering tax-free poker
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Leading online casino and
poker room Bet24.com has announced that it has become the latest site to obtain
a European Union license after being accredited by the British overseas
territory of Gibraltar.
For the last few years, European online poker
players have not been required to pay tax on their winnings as long as the site
they were competing on was licensed by a nation or territory within the European
Union. Now poker players at Bet24.com can compete without having to pay tax on
any takings, something they should find very attractive.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 26, 2009 -
Long-awaited WSOP schedule finally released
LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The 40th
annual World Series of Poker® (WSOP®) -- a set of poker tournaments open to
anyone 21 years of age or older -- will commence Wednesday, May 27 with the
first of 57 gold bracelet events, and the next day a special $40,000 buy-in No
Limit Hold'em tournament will commemorate the gaming industry's most illustrious
event.
The annual poker extravaganza, which dates back
to 1970, is televised exclusively on ESPN from the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino
in Las Vegas and consists of a comprehensive slate of the game's most popular
variations.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 26, 2009 -
Advocates want to legalize poker in Texas
DALLAS, Texas -- As reported by the Dallas Morning
News: "Behind a mirrored plate-glass window, a metal security barricade and
several surveillance cameras, an illegal Thursday night Texas Hold 'em group
huddles around a felt table in a Northeast Dallas storefront, cradling cards and
tossing chips under blinding fluorescent lights.
"Young men who learned poker watching ESPN tournaments swill Mountain Dew to
stay alert, their business clothes sweaty and wrinkled. Retirees with dip-packed
gums and dark sunglasses talk trash from under low-slung ball caps, reveling in
the freedom of a night out.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 22, 2009 -
Obama brings hope, but the UIGEA is here to stay
for now
In the opening days of the Obama administration,
there has been a flurry of activity, including a halt on all pending
regulations. But one thing that is not likely to be reopened for debate is the
UIGEA regulations.
While President Barack Obama can easily halt all pending regulations from being
implemented, which he did on Tuesday, reversing rules that went into effect
prior to his inauguration -- like the UIGEA -- is much more difficult.
Once a rule (which is essentially a set of regulations) is announced and in the
books for 60 days, it becomes law. And by finalizing and announcing the UIGEA
regulations in early November, the Bush administration easily beat the deadline.
That means the regulations that went into effect January 19 can not be
overturned easily.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 20, 2009 -
Kentucky appeals court blocks seizure of online gambling domains
In a 2-1 decision, the Kentucky Court of Appeals
ruled today that the state could not seize 141 online gambling domains because
domain names are not gambling devices under Kentucky law.
The ruling overturns an October decision made by
Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate that asserted online gambling
domains could be seized by the state because online gambling domains constituted
illegal gambling devices that were prohibited by Kentucky law.
Among the sites targeted by Kentucky were
PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker, Bodog and Slotocash.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 20,
2009 -
PartyGaming director to step down
(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Board of PartyGaming Plc has been given
notice by John O'Malia, Group Managing Director, of his intention to leave the
Company in order to pursue other business interests. Mr O'Malia will remain with
the Group until the end of February 2009 when he will step down from the Board
and his duties as Managing Director will be assumed by Jim Ryan, Group Chief
Executive.John O'Malia was Chief Executive of
Gamebookers, until it was acquired by PartyGaming in August 2006. Having agreed
to remain with the Group following the integration of Gamebookers, he became a
member of the senior management team and was appointed to the Board of
PartyGaming in May 2008.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 19,
2009 -
Penn. judge: Poker is a skill game
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Pennsylvania -— As reported by
Poker News Daily: "In a ruling handed down by Pennsylvania Judge Thomas A. James
Jr. in Columbia County on Friday, it was ruled that Texas Hold'em is a game of
skill and therefore not gambling under state law. The ruling sets an 'excellent
bar' for future poker litigation, according to Poker Players Alliance (PPA)
Executive Director John Pappas.
"The basic question, according to Judge James'
ruling, is whether poker is dominated by chance or skill. He commented 'Simply,
if chance predominates, Texas Hold'em is gambling. If skill predominates, it is
not gambling.'
Read entire article
here.
Jan 19,
2009 -
Bluff Europe And Online Casino To Host $5,000 Freeroll
The website of Europe’s most popular poker magazine
and the multiple award-winning casino 32Red.com have arranged for an amazing
$5,000 poker tournament – completely free!
The tournament is hosted by 32Red, whose online casino has been awarded the
prestigious Best Online Casino award on three consecutive occasions. The
tournament can be accessed by going to http://www.bluffeurope.com/cardgang and
following the instructions.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 19, 2009 -
Online Casino Produce Brand New Slot Machine
It seems as though new games are being released
every week. However, here’s one you can be sure will be a winner –
Cherry Red online casino are a trusted and well-established site; which
means that a slot bearing their own name has to deliver.
The slot is an interesting one with a variety of different logos including
bells, cards, a 1920s-style “flapper” woman and the Cherry Red logo. Five of the
latter will release the bonus jackpot.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 19, 2009 -
New Attorney-General Is Gunning For Online Gambling
The Obama administration might not be the Messiah
it was hoped for with regards to the online gambling industry. Despite the
President-elect’s lenient stance on the matter, as well as his love of Texas
Hold ‘em, soon-to-be-Attorney-General Derek Holder is a supporter of the UIGEA.
In a conversation with US Senator Jon Kyl, Holder confirmed his belief in the
controversial anti-gambling laws. Holder agreed with Kyl’s prediction that
“under [Holder’s] leadership the Department of Justice would continue to
aggressively enforce the law against the forms of Internet gambling that DOJ
considers illegal.”
Read entire article
here.
Jan 19, 2009 -
Titan Poker
players race for $1 million
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Titan Poker, the largest online
poker room on the iPoker Network, is giving away $1,000,000 in cash prizes to
poker players competing in the Million Dollar Race. To participate in the race,
all players have to do is play poker at Titan Poker's cash tables. The more a
player plays, the better his chances to win a share of the million dollars in
the prize pool.
The Million Dollar Race launched on January 12 and will run through the end of
April 2009. A series of races, based on game play at TitanPoker.com's cash
tables, is being staged simultaneously, dealing out prizes to top finishers and
to those players who hit specific hot spots in the leaderboard standings.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 19, 2009 -
UltimateBet
ready for $1 Million UBOC Championship
MIAMI, Florida -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The felt is
shaping up to be a lot greener at UltimateBet this weekend. The leading online
poker site hosts the final $1 million Guaranteed UBOC Championship Main Event
and gets ready to give away 10 tickets to this year's Super Bowl as part of its
Wild Cards promotion. The two events are expected to attract a record number of
online poker players looking to capitalize on two lucrative prize pools.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 16, 2009 -
Purple Lounge unveils new website
LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Purple-lounge.com,
luxury poker room and casino has entered the new year with a revitalised look
and feel to their website and a new suite of payment options to give members old
and new an even better entertainment experience.
Utilising a simple to operate tabbed arrangement
for their different products, and a revamped colour scheme, the site is sleek,
simple and provides an ease of navigation lacking in many other gaming related
websites. Says Purple Lounge representative Alex Miller: "The new purple-lounge.com
site offers far more than just a great new look and feel, we now have a suite of
payment options which is second to none and the capacity to launch an exciting
range of new products and for our members."
Read entire article
here.
Jan 8, 2009 -
Kentucky Online Gambling Domain Name Ruling Will Be Unenforceable
The Kentucky Court of Appeals Court is expected to
rule in the next few weeks on the Internet gambling domain name seizure case
that has been ongoing. Regardless of their ruling, there is a common opinion
that the ruling will not be enforceable.
Governor Steve Beshear has successfully seized the domain names to 141
online gambling
sites. The ruling by a Kentucky judge has caused quite a stir in the Internet
world and it has sent lawyers scurrying for precedent to form opinions off of.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 8, 2009 -
Kentucky legislator pushes for expanded gambling
FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- As reported by the
Lexington Herald-Leader: "Using his new bully pulpit as speaker of the House,
Greg Stumbo immediately began pushing anew for expanded gambling at Kentucky
racetracks.
"Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said Wednesday during
his first day as the top leader in the House that he will file a bill this week
that would allow video slot machines year-round at tracks in hopes of raising
$700 million a year for the state's coffers.
"Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville,
said he opposes any expansion of gambling in the state and sees no sentiment for
doing so in the Senate.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 8, 2009 -
New Online Slot Offers 100x Payout At Slotland.com
One of the major changes to the game is the fact
that the whole structure has been re-worked, allowing players to make it through
four rounds for each game. In addition to this the maximum payout has been
increased – if players can guess the suit and rank of all four cards dealt in
the video-poker-style game; they will win 100x their wager.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 8, 2009 -
Online Casino Boasts Biggest Jackpot Available To US Players
Jackpot Piñatas has not been won for over a year,
since $290,000 was dished out to one lucky player just one week after the game’s
launch. Currently it stands at $1,093,000 and increases every time someone tries
their luck.
“We were excited when Jackpot Piñatas first went over a million dollars a couple
of weeks ago,” said
JackpotCapital.com manager Oliver Smith. “No one knows when the next spin
will show five Bull Piñata symbols and make someone an instant millionaire, but
a lot of players feel like it could happen any minute!”
Read entire article
here.
Jan 8, 2009 -
Guinness Record For PokerStars.com
Online poker site PokerStars.com closed out 2008
with a special tournament that has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World
Records for setting a new mark for the number of players taking part at the same
time.
PokerStars.com revealed that 35,000 players pre-registered to compete in its
special $11 buy-in tournament with a guaranteed prize pool of $500,000. The
event took place over the last weekend of December and broke its previous record
set in July of 2007 by some 15,000 players.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 7, 2009 -
Ladbrokes hits back over ad ban with spoof 'missing persons' poster
LONDON, England -- As reported by the Guardian:
"Ladbrokes has launched a tongue-in-cheek press campaign in the style of a
missing persons poster offering a £20 reward to find the one viewer who
complained to the advertising regulator and got the betting company's TV ad
campaign banned.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 7, 2009 -
Carlos Poker reaches agreement with Microgaming
LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Carlos Poker
has from the start been a fast growing Poker room, well established on the
iPoker network. Through its close cooperation with customers, attractive
offerings and edgy profile, Carlos Poker has managed to create a big name in the
Poker community. In order to take the development of Carlos Poker to the next
level, an agreement has now been reached with Microgaming as the home for Carlos
Poker.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 6, 2009 -
Vegas casinos warming to idea of online gambling
LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- As reported by KLAS-TV:
"Strip casinos have been struggling lately to keep up their gaming revenues.
Fewer people are visiting Las Vegas and that means even less are gambling. But
could the cure for the downturn be reaching out to would-be gamblers in their
own homes?
"Online gambling sites offer the same variety of
games that most Strip casinos do -- from sports betting, to poker and even
bingo. But current laws keep online gambling out of the U.S., something that
many casinos supported. But some are now seeing it as an opportunity.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 6, 2009 -
UK gambling rules relaxed to boost industry and economy
LONDON, England -- As reported by the Digital
Journal: "England has just relaxed the gambling laws of the country in order to
generate more funds for the government and to boost the local gaming industry.
"In Britain, beer joints, clubs and similar
establishments are allowed to install slot machines in their premises for adult
customers to place their bets on, and gamble with their money.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 6, 2009 -
Internet Gaming Fight Among 21 Industry Trends for 2009
Spectrum Gaming Group,
which authors the Gaming Industry Observer newsletter, recently identified the
Top 21 Industry Trends for 2009. Among them is the continued fight for the
legalization and regulation of online poker in the United States. In addition,
the continued globalization of the industry is expected to take center stage in
the New Year.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 6, 2009 -
Wall Street Journal Opinion Article Attacks Gambling Industry
In an opinion piece that appeared in the Wall
Street Journal newspaper on Tuesday, Dale Buss authored “Will
Gambling Continue to Grow? All Bets Are Off.” In it, he described the apparent
downfall of gambling and quoted Annenberg Public Policy Center Director Dan
Romer, who labeled poker as a “fad.”
Read entire article
here.
Jan 5, 2009 -
ESPN to broadcast WSOP Europe
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Beginning on Sunday, Feb. 1,
ESPN will devote eight original hours of coverage to the World Series of Poker –
Europe Main Event from the Casino at the Empire in the heart of downtown
London's theater district.
This tournament was among the most grueling and
exciting of all of the tournaments played in the WSOP, and attracted an
extremely formidable field of 362 top players from Europe, the United States,
and around the world. Play took place over a six-day period, with the initial
field divided into two starting days, and culminated in a final table which took
more than 19 hours to complete. At stake was the first place prize of more than
$1.5 million and the highly coveted WSOP – Europe Main Event bracelet.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 5, 2009 -
Online gambling could be legalized in Czech Republic
CZECH REPUBLIC -- As reported by iGamingBusiness:
"The five biggest bookmakers in the Czech Republic could be about to receive
permits from the Finance Ministry to offer online gambling following years of
lobbying and promises to prevent minors from betting on their sites.
"According to a report from Radio Praha, one of
the firms thought to be in contention for a license is Fortuna Group, which
operates land-based sportsbetting in the Czech Republic alongside lotteries,
games and telephone betting services. It is also active in Poland, Croatia and
Slovakia and sponsors the giant Sparta Prague football team.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 2, 2009 -
Birmingham mayor disagrees with governor on gambling operations
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- As reported by WBRC:
"Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford is openly opposing a plan created by Governor
Bob Riley to crack down on gambling operations stating that the city could use
the revenue that comes from some Bingo Parlors.
"Governor Riley created a task force to investigate gambling operations
throughout the state.
"The governor contends that many electronic bingo machines are actually illegal
slot machines. Riley also says he will oppose any efforts in the upcoming
Legislative session to expand and tax gambling.
Read entire article
here.
Jan 2, 2009 -
Online bingo site bet365 better with friends
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Bingo is all about having fun
with friends - and winning along the way of course! Now Bingo at bet365 are
offering the best Team Bingo online.
Recruit and register a team of up to 4 players,
and every time a team member calls bingo in any 90 ball room at bet365, your
team will earn valuable points in the race to the top of the Team Bingo
leaderboard.
The winning team will get an amazing holiday for
two worth £2000 for each team member, and for the teams placed second to fifth,
there are cash prizes of between £200 and £1000 to be won.
Read entire article
here.
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