The preliminary news that the European Commission has rejected the protectionist and restrictive new German law on gambling, has been given more depth by the release by the European Gaming and Betting Association of the reasons therefore. The trade body says that the Commission’s detailed opinion on the draft German State Treaty confirms that the …
With the Czech lottery business up for grabs, the local Fortuna gambling group has partnered with Greek lottery specialist Intralot in a new 10 year deal that has seen Intralot supply Fortuna Entertainment subsidiary Fortuna sázková kancelář with a central system and plans to provide up to 3,500 lottery terminals for the operation of lottery …
Scotland’s largest independent bookmaker, Scotbet, has been bought out by its management, the BBC reports. The troubled betting company had been on the market for about 12 months, after its Edinburgh-based owner, Festival Group, sustained serious losses in the economic downturn. The existing management has bought out the 65 outlets in Scotland and its online …
In the same week that House Speaker Robert DeLeo filed legislation seeking to ban internet gambling in cyber cafes, the Massachusetts House of Assembly is poised to consider selling state lottery tickets online and by credit card, reports the Boston Herald. Backers of the proposal claim it could boost cash-strapped state coffers by as much …
Sweden’s state online and land gambling monopoly Svenska Spel released its half year 2011 results and announced the appointment of a new ceo, this week. The company revealed lower sales compared to the same period 2010 which were attributed to the general economic situation, competition and a more cautious approach from players. The company now …
The Mr Green Casino’s management structure has received a boost by the appointment of Norwegian national Karl Bjerke as chief operating officer, reporting to CEO Mikael Pawlo. Bjerke will be based in Malta, where he will oversee the Swedish operator’s continued European roll-out. Bjerke has a strong gaming background with seven years at Nordic Gaming …
Andy Hornby (44) has been appointed as the new chief executive of bookmaker Coral’s retail and remote gambling division, reports UK newspaper The Guardian. The appointment comes after a 12 month search for a replacement for Nick Rust who left Gala Coral for competitor Ladbrokes last year. Hornby is the former Group Chief Executive of …
Media reports over the weekend that the British government is to consider the tax implications of secondary licensing for offshore betting companies wishing to access the UK market were confirmed Monday by a Treasury official. Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Justine Greening, announced: “I will review the case for changing the taxation regime in line …
The much anticipated further opening up of the Italian market took place today (Monday) with the introduction of legal casino and poker cash games from AAMS-certified operators. Italian media report that a gradual launch of cash games is currently in progress and will continue throughout the week with a game window of three hours on …
The UK government appears to be moving quickly on its previously announced intention to impose secondary licensing – and taxation – on offshore internet gambling companies accessing the British market . According to reports in The Guardian newspaper over the weekend, a slot for an announcement on the tax implications has been squeezed into the …
Internet casinos in Cebu City in the Philippines are in danger of losing their permits to operate even if they are duly accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), reports the local publication Sun Star. Mayor Michael Rama has opposed the city council’s resolution allowing a new company to operate an Internet casino, …
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. has embarked on an interesting new technological initiative to identify and block problem or self-excluded gamblers from its activities. Land casinos in the province are now photographing casino visitors through a new facial recognition system that focuses on known problem punters. The OLG began rolling out the new facial …
“We are closing. We recommend that you play out your balance or request a payout prior to August 1st. In the event that you have any questions please contact customer support,” is an unlikely and sad epitaph for a group of internet sportsbook-casinos that has been around since the pioneering days of online gambling, and …
Robert DeLeo, the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Assembly, appears to have a selective approach to gambling. The Democratic Party politician supports land casinos and racetrack slots, but this week filed legislation that seeks to ban cyber cafes from selling internet time or phone cards that allow customers to play online slots and other …
Reports in The Australian newspaper that the Irish sports betting operator Betdaq has illegally been offering its services to Australian punters have been followed by further revelations in the newspaper, which appears to be on something of a crusade against online gambling. In its most recent report, The Australian again points to Betdaq and another …
A UK wine company finance manager who stole over GBP30 000 from his employers to feed an internet gambling habit has been jailed in Southampton. Paul Wyeth (30) was sentenced to imprisonment after he frittered away three times as much as he earned, a Southampton court was told this week. Wyeth had been employed at …
Ladbrokes is the new sponsor of the Saturday meeting at the launch of the Galway Races Summer Festival 2011. The bookmaker will be underwriting six of the seven races on the Saturday Card at the meeting later this month, with the penultimate afternoon of the week-long festival being designated as “Ladbrokes Red Day” and features …
Wwedish online gaming developer and provider Net Entertainment announced its results for the six month period ended June 30 2011, this week. Key performance indicators include: – Increase in Revenues by 10.2 percent to SEK 195.1 million (H1/2010: SEK 177.1 million) – Operating profit of SEK 53.5 million (H1/2010: SEK 68.6 million) – Operating margin …
Fresh off the award of an Alderney Gambling Control Commission software supplier certificate and a deal with Paddy Power.com this month, Cayetano Gaming has signed a partnership deal with eGaming platform provider OpenBet. The partnership will allow online gaming operators currently using the OpenBet platform to offer Cayetano’s suite of casino games to their players …
The Seattle-based developer of online games for mobile phones, tablets, PCs and social network sites, PopCap Games, is to be acquired by gaming software giant Electronic Arts for $650 million in cash and $100 million in shares of EA common stock, with a further $550 million payable depending on agreed performance targets being met. With …
As reported in our bulletins Wednesday, the British government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sports announced today that sweeping changes affecting the online gambling industry will be implemented in the future. However, the announcement contained little firm detail beyond confirming that the changes will involve secondary licensing for offshore operators wishing to offer their services …
The UK’s Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Ivan Lewis MP, outlined a largely positive attitude towards the gambling industry when he addressed the recent Business In Sport & Leisure (BISL) members meeting. Lewis told BISL members that he regarded gambling as a mainstream leisure activity for the vast majority of the …
European media and sources report that the European Commission will clarify its position on the proposed ‘liberalisation’ of the German online gambling market as soon as Monday July 18. The Commission has been considering plans by 15 of Germany’s 16 Länder (states) going forward following the expiration of the current monopolistic treaty that has constrained …
The British media are reporting that a parliamentary announcement yesterday (Wednesday) by a government minister heralds the imposition of the much debated ‘secondary licensing’ regime, designed to enable British-licensed online gambling firms to better compete against offshore operators who access the UK market, but pay lower taxes in their jurisdictions. John Penrose, the minister for …