Full year 2009 results from the Rank Group showed small improvements, although the online gambling division was one of those that underperformed last year. Nevertheless, investors will be pleased to hear that a small dividend is in prospect after some tough times with the UK gambling group.
The giant Austrian online gambling group Bwin released its latest results this week, posting a small increase in net gaming revenues of 2.3 percent year-on-year to Euro 373 million (US$ 503.7 million) in 2009.
The political cancellation of a proposed lottery in Thailand continues to generate expensive fall-out among the companies involved. In the latest development, a company that sued the government to recover its losses has failed in its action.
South Dakota legislators have drafted an amendment designed to close a loophole which has complicated debt repayment obligations in the state. The change follows a court case where a local man avoided repaying a $33 000 debt on the grounds that he once lost $1 500 to the lender in a card game.
Spokesmen for the Serbian police in Belgrade told local media Wednesday that two men are being held in custody following a major Internet gambling bust. The two suspects were not named, and the allegedly unauthorised sports betting website was not identified.
The recently appointed head of the European Commission, Michel Barnier, appears to have hit the right note in his recent address to the European Parliament on free movement of goods and services across member nations and the need for harmonised regulation.
The latest Chinese multi-ministry crackdown on illegal gambling began early February and up to February 20th has already netted 918 suspects allegedly involved in 210 online gambling crimes, the China Daily reported this week, quoting officials in the Ministry of Public Security.
Police raids last August on Internet cafe premises operated by the Allied Veterans of the World Inc. & Affiliates and offering sweepstake action are currently under judicial examination, reports the Orlando Sentinel newspaper.
The advantages of the recent Playtech – Virtue Fusion deal have started to become apparent, with Titan Poker sibling Titan Bingo.com launching this week.
The Asian-facing and Isle of Man-based online gambling firm 188Bet has signed its first rugby sponsorship agreement – a one-year deal with rugby league football club Wigan Warriors, becoming the team’s official betting partner for the 2010 season.
McGill University’s International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High Risk Behaviours has released a new survey on parental concerns titled Parents as Partners and partly funded by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
Agence France Presse reports the heartbreaking Brazilian gambling story of a 40-strong lottery syndicate that rejoiced over winning $30 million, only to discover that the seller had not entered the numbers in the draw.
The Poker Players Alliance appears to think that there has been a change of heart for the good in the attitude of veteran Nevada Democrat Senator Harry Reid, a powerful and influential politician in both his home state and in Washington DC.
The Dragonfish b2b agreement to provide online poker, casino and bingo facilities to Tsogo Sun Gaming could be about to get a major boost from the South African land gambling group’s imminent $2.7 billion merger with competitor Gold Reef City.
eMoney News reports that the added security of contactless smart card payments make this facility a better bet for punters, and that it is already making inroads into the market in Las Vegas.
Dalton McGuinty, the Premier of the Ontario province in Canada, has followed up on comments earlier this week by the chairman of Ontario Lottery and Gaming that consideration should be given to the province’s involvement in online gambling .
Senators Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, and Judd Gregg, a Republican representing New Hampshire, have launched S.3018, the Bipartisan Tax Fairness and Simplification Act of 2010, which includes provisions to legalise and regulate Internet gambling in the United States.
Comments by representatives of Loto-Québec earlier this week in a statement defending its decision to enter the online gambling sector have triggered a response from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
Online gambling software developer Orbis Technology Ltd., has successfully successful launched its latest technology product, LiveOdds.
Online gambling software developer Microgaming has released a further five titles in its online bingo side games series, designed to keep players interested and entertained on MGS-powered bingo sites.
The online gambling industry can take heart from two recent EU legal opinions that show that the Advocates General at the European Court of Justice maintain an impartial approach in giving legal opinions.
The giant US land (and possibly online in the future) gambling group Harrah’s Entertainment could return to a public listing three to five years hence, according to speculation by chief executive officer Gary Loveman this week.
The running fight between online gambling affiliates and the Grand Prive group over alleged non-payment of commissions following the group’s affiliate program closure in December 2008 is almost certain to enter a new and more volatile phase following developments this week.
Australian newspapers are reporting another example of how the online betting industry can help fight corruption in sport through superior record keeping and bet tracking.