Hard on the heels of the announcement this week that UK bookies and the horseracing industry had reached agreement on the quantum of this year’s racing levy, Betfair has claimed that the last-minute agreement would not have been possible without its GBP 6.5 million voluntary donation, and called on fellow off-shore operators to follow suit. …
Top online bookie Betfred has chosen the Manchester-based ad agency BJL to spearhead its forthcoming UK advertising campaign across all media. Warrington-headquartered Betfred – the world’s biggest independent bookmaker with more than 1,350 shops – has already asked the Manchester agency to start work on an integrated campaign which will incorporate TV, retail and online …
One of the top five European land-based casinos, Spain’s Casino Gran Madrid, has launched its local online gambling website and claims it is among the first to license under Spain’s new internet gambling dispensation, ensuring players of strictly regulated, fair and safe online gambling action. The online site offers a wide range of games, including …
Online gambling software developer Openbet has announced a global exclusive licensing agreement to develop and distribute new casino content on leading sports brands The company has teamed up with top sports promoters, Matchroom Sport, Professional Darts Corporation and World Snooker, to develop a range of online slot and mini-casino games, a statement from Openbet revealed …
The family of Patricia Tierney, wife of US Congressman John Tierney, appears to have strong associations with the world of online gambling, with Mrs. Tierney again scheduled for a court appearance, this time as a witness in a case against her brother, Daniel Eremian, who faces racketeering and other charges related to online gambling. The …
Swedish online gambling software supplier Net Entertainment will be adding two new slots to its growing games inventory before year-end 2011 according to a company spokesman this week. The first to appear on NetEnt licensee sites will be Fruit Shop, which will launch on November 22 in both download and instant-play format. The game is …
The Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund, the newly established entity with responsibility for managing Greece’s privatisation programme to pay down the budget deficit, has launched a tender process to award the licence to operate and manage the Hellenic Lotteries for a 12 year period. The licence will cover the exclusive right to operate and manage …
Australia’s precarious federal government continues to be driven on gambling decisions by independent MPs, it appeared this week as The Age newspaper reported that a policy discussion paper on gambling reform is being released by the opposition coalition. The paper outlines plans to boost counselling for problem gamblers, extend self-exclusion at pokie venues to allow …
Online sports content distributor Perform plc posted a successful third quarter report in its interim management statement this week, noting that revenue growth has risen 55 percent. Highlights of the company’s report include: • On track to deliver 2011 revenue and EBITDA full year forecasts in line with the board’s expectations. • Year on year …
Just inside the deadline for agreement the British horseracing industry and the nation’s bookmakers agreed the annual levy this week, signing off on a deal worth GBP72.4 million to horseracing, which is suffering from low attendances and shrinking revenues. Reporting on the agreement, the Guardian newspaper says that neither party wanted the interference of the …
The sportsbook agreement between Cantor Gaming and The Venetian in Las Vegas signed earlier this year came to fruition this week with the launch of the new sportsbook at the luxurious resort hotel and casino on The Strip. “Three years since beginning our partnership with Cantor Gaming, the launch of the state-of-the-art race and sports …
Macau casino gambling revenue rose to a new record in October, propelled by an increase in mainland visitors during China’s Golden Week national holidays. Revenue rose 42 percent to 26.9 billion patacas ($3.4 billion), the city’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau advised in a statement, reboundng from September’s 39 percent, the slowest in eight months. …
The always controversial annual level of contribution to the British horseracing industry by UK bookies was again in the spotlight Monday as negotiators tried to avoid government involvement by reaching an agreement on this year’s subsidy. Just ahead of the Monday midnight deadline, Jockey Club CEO Simon Bazalgette told delegates at a sport business conference …
Following its recent accreditation as a full testing agency by the Italian regulator AAMS, the independent player protection and standards body eCOGRA has achieved similar status with the new Spanish gambling regulator, and is now approved to test and certify both i-gaming software and information systems security for the Spanish market. eCOGRA chief executive officer, …
The public consultation phase of the South African government’s Department of Trade and Industry study on the recently presented Gambling Review Commission’s report kicked off this week in Cape Town, with industry representatives from both land and online interests in attendance. The Commission was appointed in 2009 by the trade and industry minister to investigate …
In just over a week’s time – on November 8 – New Jersey voters will have the opportunity to indicate in a public ballot whether they are for or against legalised sports betting in the state. The indications from recent opinion polls suggest that the majority will vote for the proposal, opening the way for …
Turkish businessman Emin Hitay, who is chairman of an investment holding company bearing his name which has a shareholding in the legal Turkish betting site Bilyoner.com has expressed his concerns over corruption in Turkish football, which he claims could result in a 10 percent hit to his company’s revenues. Speaking to Hurriyet Daily News over …
The government of Jersey in the Channel Isles has contracted Scientific Games Corporation subsidiary The Global Draw to introduce its new electronic instant ticket (EIT) system, making the operation the first government lottery in Europe to sell tickets from EIT terminals. Electronic instant tickets will be available in participating supermarket and pub chains, the airport …
Online punters may get a little confused over press releases this week launching a new slot, Beauty Salon, from software provider Top Game; just 3 months back a similarly themed, and even titled, game was released by NYX Interactive. In the latest offering this 5-reel, 20-payline slot machine features a beauty salon bonus game and …
Internet gambling software and games developer Rival Gaming has released its latest i-slot, a five reel, twenty pay-line game which features three bonus rounds, unique icons sets for each round, two-icon stacked wilds and an interactive map of Sherwood Forest. Branded Sherwood Forest Fortunes, the game launches this week on all Rival-powered online casinos, and …
A fraud scandal involving two employees, GBP 70 000 and The Weather Lottery (TWL) has culminated in both accused being sentenced by a Nottingham Crown Court this week. The duo were charged following a UK Gambling Commission investigation into financial irregularities at TWL between April 2008 and April 2010, the results of which were referred …
The Lottomatica Group is merging its land-based division Spielo International with its online arm GTech G2. Due to the growing convergence of online and terrestrial, streamlining will enable the firm to provide better solutions for both marketing channels and technology to further meet customer needs said a company spokesperson. The re-organisation will strengthen and consolidate …
German gaming company JAXX SE announced one of its best sets of trading results to date during its third quarter, boosted by a 50 percent growth in its online sportsbetting business. Key performance indicators for Q3/2011 include: – JAXX Group EBIT totalled Euro 1.0 million (Q3/2010: Euro -1.5 million) – Revenue from continuing operations improved …
Online gaming software provider Microgaming has announced the launch of five new games in its November release schedule. An addition to its Egyptian-themed games, “Throne of Egypt” is a five-reel, twenty-five payline graphic-rich video slot whose intricate design will take players on a journey through different chambers towards the ultimate Bonus level – the King’s …