There’s almost a sense of Groundhog Day (“a situation in which a series of unwelcome or tedious events appear to be recurring in exactly the same way”) about the World Trade Organisation dispute between the United States and Antigua over online gambling, which has entered its 11th year in 2015….but here we go again. On …
The first quarter of 2015 could see a more understanding and reasonable taxation regime for online gambling operators in Italy, with better wagering options and the replacement of the heavy taxes currently levied on turnover in some categories with a more sensible tax based on gross gaming revenue as is currently applied to the online …
The troubled land and online gambling group Ladbrokes is looking at ways to improve its underperforming Irish operations, reports The Independent newspaper, which has apparently obtained information about a recently launched strategic examination of Irish operations code-named “Project Arthru.” The newspaper claims that senior Irish managers were recently briefed on the challenges faced by the …
Nevada Senator Dina Titus is taking a second run at one of her pet projects, the repeal of a federal tax on Nevada sportsbook turnover that sees between $9 and $11 million leave the state for federal coffers every year. On Friday Titus reintroduced her gambling reform bill, claiming that the levy places an undue …
The news earlier this week that 500.com had temporarily suspended online lottery operations at the request of regulating authorities (see previous report) has been followed by reports of similar suspensions on other companies in the lucrative market. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd announced Saturday that it had suspended online lottery sales due to pressure from industry …
Baccarat, the game of choice for many high roller gamblers and therefore a major contributor to overall land casino win in Nevada, delivered $137.7 million of January’s $952.7 million casino win, again raising regulator concerns at the reliance operators place on the consistent performance of the game. Nevada Gaming Control Board analyst Mike Lawton told …
CNBC’s new Primetime show “American Vice”, due to premiere late evening on March 4, is unlikely to do much for the image of online, mobile and land illegal sportsbetting and poker, judging by the pre-release hype the company is publishing and a short preview that can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=840731359321697 and here: http://www.cnbcprime.com/american-vice/ “Take an …
It’s taken around four years, but the Portuguese Council of Ministers has at last approved the nation’s gambling reform bill, which includes provisions for the legalisation and regulation of online gambling. The government hopes to gather in an additional Euro 25 million in tax revenues flowing from the bill, which is scheduled to come into …
Back in April 2014, Swedish online gambling software developer Net Entertainment signed an agreement with Full Tilt and Pokerstars parent Rational Group to deliver online casino games and services for the Full Tilt platform as the subsidiary prepared to offer casino as well as poker action (see previous reports). Since then big changes have taken …
Zynga’s real-money social poker and casino sally into the UK market with ZyngaPlusPoker and ZygaPlusCasino is drawing to a close, according to a communication to players sent out this week. The brief notice advised: “We are very sorry to announce that ZyngaPlusPoker and ZyngaPlusCasino will be closing shortly. “If you have a balance please log …
William Hill plc posted its 2014 FY results Thursday, demonstrating that its diversification strategy continues to work, and showcasing on a group basis: * Net revenue at GBP 1.60 billion, up 8 percent; * Operating profit reached GBP 372.2 million, an increase of 11 percent; * Pre-exceptional profit before tax was up 13 percent at …
With the completion of its $6.4 billion acquisition of International Game Technology now in sight (see previous reports), GTech has commenced a corporate restructuring dividing the new super-group into four divisions and moving into the future with IGT as the main corporate brand. The company announced this week that the holding company will be titled …
Last year’s hacking attack on a Sheldon Adelson Las Vegas Sands land casino in the USA (see previous reports) was the work of Iranians, the Washington Post reported Thursday, quoting a top US intelligence official. Given Adelson’s voluble and financial support for Israel, his business would appear to be a logical enough target for the …
The next Olympics will see Nevada punters allowed to bet on sports events following a positive vote by the state regulators Thursday. Industry veterans have recalled that Olympic betting was common two decades ago, and proved very popular. The US division of UK bookie William Hill was quick off the mark following the regulatory approval …
After failing to persuade French politicians that shared pools are essential to success in online poker last year and earlier this year (see previous reports) the French regulator ARJEL is taking another run at it, according to various online media reports. This week ARJEL confirmed the reports that it is to seek political support to …
Online gambling will again be front-and-centre in California later this year when the third annual Indian Country Congress meets June 10 in Pala. The intensive one day conference is organised by the Spectrum Gaming Group and Pechanga.net and will take place at the Pala Casino Spa and Resort. Attendees will include tribal gaming operators, gaming …
English online gambler Joshua Walwyn (23) was sentenced by the Bradford Crown Court this week to 2 years in jail for stealing GBP 231,383 from his telecom firm employer Abzorb over a period of two years to feed his online gambling habit. The court was told that the 23-year-old’s criminal conduct – he created false …
A no-show at an open debate on online gambling legalisation in Washington DC this week has left opponents of the concept vulnerable to jibes from the Poker Players Alliance, which spoke on behalf of the industry. The debate, “Full House: Whose Got the Winning Hand?” was arranged as part of the annual Conservative Political Action …
Thursday was an important day for all US Internet users, with the Federal Communications Commission approving 3 to 2 additional “net neutrality” regulations in what has been characterised as a “landmark decision.” The new rules prohibit Internet service providers from discriminating against legal content flowing through their wired or wireless networks, such as by charging …
With internet cafe “sweepstakes” style betting clearly in mind, the Kentucky state Senate has unanimously passed a measure adding internet-access computers to the list of proscribed gambling devices under certain circumstances. The bill, which defines internet-access computers as gambling devices when they are used by businesses in games of chance that pay rewards in money …
666BET will incorporate Metric Gaming’s SuperLive and Bettor Option products into its sportsbook offer following a licensing agreement this week. SuperLive is Metric Gaming’s flagship product which, optimised for mobile devices, deploys HTML5 and push technology for in-play betting. Metric’s Bettor Option is the company’s latest release and offers bettors the option to double their …
Fantasy sports provider DraftKings, Inc. has announced its latest partnership with the UFC, a prominent mixed martial arts organisation. As well as being named UFC’s Official Fantasy Sports Partner, DraftKings will receive prominent stadium and PPV brand placement for all major events, as well as joint promotion across all UFC web properties and social channels. …
The Netherlands gaming authority Kansspelautoriteit has introduced the slogan “Play Responsibly” giving licences and operators across the Dutch gambling sector until July 1, 2015 to integrate the slogan into all advertising and promotional activities.
Vermantia has entered into its second content supply deal this week with independent platform provider Leander Games. Vermantia will integrate its remote game server (‘RGS’) to Leander’s LeGa platform providing its full portfolio of virtual and instant win games. Following integration, Leander will be able to offer its customers an immersive gaming experience, driving player …