Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Select your timezone:
AUGUSTA - With just over a week to go before the November election, groups hoping to influence voters have raised more than $5 million, a review of campaign finance reports filed with the state shows.
Well more than half of that total is being spent to try to win support for Question 2, which would allow new harness racing tracks with slot machines in Biddeford and Calais. Ocean Properties of Portsmouth, N.H., one of the developers behind the Biddeford project, has loaned the campaign $3.2 million, according to records on file with the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices.
In addition to Question 2, voters will also be asked if they want to support Question 3, which would allow a new casino in Lewiston.
Opponents to the expansion of gambling have raised nearly $670,000, with significant contributions coming from supporters or owners of the state's other two gambling facilities. Penn National Gaming, which owns Hollywood Slots in Bangor, gave more than $250,000 to fight the proposals and Friends of Oxford Casino gave $50,000. Voters last November approved plans for a new casino in Oxford, which is currently under construction.
Other opponents include Black Bear Funding, investors who backed the Oxford casino. Black Bear Funding gave about $200,000.
The other gambling initiative, Question 3, has drawn just over $365,000 in money raised by supporters. The primary supporter is GT Source, a Georgia gaming company that wants to provide slots for the facility, which has given $358,200 to the campaign so far.
When it comes to Question 1, a people's veto of a new law passed earlier this year that would ban same-day voting registration, money raised by supporters far outpaces that of opponents.
The reports show those urging a yes vote have raised more than $560,000, while those in opposition have raised just over $50,000. Major donors to the yes campaign include Donald Sussman, a hedge fund manager who recently married U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, and the National Education Association.
Sussman donated $185,000 while the NEA gave $40,000. Other labor unions, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union, gave a combined $45,000.
Also, Obama for America, the re-election fund for President Barack Obama, donated $2,345 in staff time to the "yes" campaign.
On the other side, the Maine Republican Party recently spent more than $9,000 on newspaper ads in northern Maine, according to the reports.
Well more than half of that total is being spent to try to win support for Question 2, which would allow new harness racing tracks with slot machines in Biddeford and Calais. Ocean Properties of Portsmouth, N.H., one of the developers behind the Biddeford project, has loaned the campaign $3.2 million, according to records on file with the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices.
In addition to Question 2, voters will also be asked if they want to support Question 3, which would allow a new casino in Lewiston.
Opponents to the expansion of gambling have raised nearly $670,000, with significant contributions coming from supporters or owners of the state's other two gambling facilities. Penn National Gaming, which owns Hollywood Slots in Bangor, gave more than $250,000 to fight the proposals and Friends of Oxford Casino gave $50,000. Voters last November approved plans for a new casino in Oxford, which is currently under construction.
Other opponents include Black Bear Funding, investors who backed the Oxford casino. Black Bear Funding gave about $200,000.
The other gambling initiative, Question 3, has drawn just over $365,000 in money raised by supporters. The primary supporter is GT Source, a Georgia gaming company that wants to provide slots for the facility, which has given $358,200 to the campaign so far.
When it comes to Question 1, a people's veto of a new law passed earlier this year that would ban same-day voting registration, money raised by supporters far outpaces that of opponents.
The reports show those urging a yes vote have raised more than $560,000, while those in opposition have raised just over $50,000. Major donors to the yes campaign include Donald Sussman, a hedge fund manager who recently married U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, and the National Education Association.
Sussman donated $185,000 while the NEA gave $40,000. Other labor unions, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union, gave a combined $45,000.
Also, Obama for America, the re-election fund for President Barack Obama, donated $2,345 in staff time to the "yes" campaign.
On the other side, the Maine Republican Party recently spent more than $9,000 on newspaper ads in northern Maine, according to the reports.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
No matter the question at the state Capitol of late, it seems, somebody says that the answer is more gambling.
A Vikings stadium-casino nexus seemed to grow stronger by the day last week. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak -- once known as a staunch opponent of more gambling -- popped up twice at the statehouse to talk stadium, and both times wound up talking casino at Block E, in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.
Hard on Rybak's heels Thursday was a release from Republican Sen. Al DeKruif of Madison Lake. A racino at privately owned Canterbury Park is the way to go, he insisted.
Meanwhile, the idea of allowing bars to offer "electronic pulltabs," as well as (or instead of) the paper kind, floated through the Capitol, buoyed in part by a surprisingly mild reaction from the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, which encompasses the only entities who now have license to run casinos.
Proponents say that idea could generate $40 million more per year for the state treasury. That's enough not only to house the Vikings in the style they fancy, but also to shore up the bottom lines of needy charities/schools/good causes galore, the argument went.
See how quickly gaming proposals can be linked to notions that run far afield of NFL football?
The case for a casino that stuck in my mental recorder was the one uttered by Minneapolis City Council President Barb Johnson on Monday. She reported that seven votes might already be in hand on the 13-member City Council to approve the installation of a casino in downtown Minneapolis. The reason:
"One of the things that's become clear to us as a city is that with declining local government aid (from state government) and declining support from the federal government, we need to rely more on the resources that we produce as a city. This is one of the ways. Because we are the entertainment center of the region, capturing revenues generated in our city is really important to us. This would be another source of revenue."
Do Minnesotans really hold that gambling is "just another source of revenue?" Because if they do, Johnson has come up with plausible excuse for a casino on just about every Main Street in Minnesota.
Every regional center has budget woes, caused in considerable measure by state government's retreat from its 1971 commitment to share state tax revenues with cities. Every local politician is feeling more heat about property taxes. Every one wants to shield city finances from state economic and political storms.
The circumstances tempt otherwise clear-eyed officials to see gambling as a fiscal lifeline -- even though there is abundant research-derived evidence that it is not.
"Casino gambling fails a cost-benefit test by a wide margin," concluded economist Earl Grinols of the University of Illinois in his 2004 book, "Gambling in America: Costs and Benefits." By his analysis, the costs gambling imposes on society in increased poverty, crime, family disintegration and lost work productivity outweigh tax gains by more than six to one.
That's not to mention gambling's less tangible side effects. When government relies on gambling revenue, it needs to promote gambling. That invites people to believe in something for nothing. It says that public goods and services ought to be paid for by "losers," not by all.
Further: Casinos drain revenue from other nearby businesses. They aren't desirable residential neighbors. Their business model relies heavily on repeat visits by compulsive gamblers. That amounts to preying on vulnerable people -- people government is supposed to protect.
It was good to hear those arguments at the Capitol, too, last week, courtesy of as disparate a group of legislators as any topic has attracted in recent years. The whole political spectrum, from Tea Party to MoveOn.org, was represented by the Anti-Gambling Nine.
"People should get acquainted with the idea that there are costs to this, and not get fixated on the fact that this is somehow free money," said the group's ringleader, Republican Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie.
"We should have a debate on those costs. If people want to challenge the reality of [Grinols'] figures, we ought to do that. But there's been hardly any recognition that there may be a cost to doing this."
These nine legislators vow to bring those costs into the many Capitol conversations about gambling that are popping up. That may not make them popular. Polls have found considerable support for more legally sanctioned gambling in Minnesota.
But they have notable allies. Among the people most exercised about the Block E casino idea are the clergy who lead downtown churches. The Rev. Tim Hart-Andersen of Westminster Presbyterian joined the legislators Thursday to say downtown churches intend to "fight it with all we've got."
That's quite a threat, from an interesting source. One of Hart-Andersen's parishioners is Gov. Mark Dayton.
A Vikings stadium-casino nexus seemed to grow stronger by the day last week. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak -- once known as a staunch opponent of more gambling -- popped up twice at the statehouse to talk stadium, and both times wound up talking casino at Block E, in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.
Hard on Rybak's heels Thursday was a release from Republican Sen. Al DeKruif of Madison Lake. A racino at privately owned Canterbury Park is the way to go, he insisted.
Meanwhile, the idea of allowing bars to offer "electronic pulltabs," as well as (or instead of) the paper kind, floated through the Capitol, buoyed in part by a surprisingly mild reaction from the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, which encompasses the only entities who now have license to run casinos.
Proponents say that idea could generate $40 million more per year for the state treasury. That's enough not only to house the Vikings in the style they fancy, but also to shore up the bottom lines of needy charities/schools/good causes galore, the argument went.
See how quickly gaming proposals can be linked to notions that run far afield of NFL football?
The case for a casino that stuck in my mental recorder was the one uttered by Minneapolis City Council President Barb Johnson on Monday. She reported that seven votes might already be in hand on the 13-member City Council to approve the installation of a casino in downtown Minneapolis. The reason:
"One of the things that's become clear to us as a city is that with declining local government aid (from state government) and declining support from the federal government, we need to rely more on the resources that we produce as a city. This is one of the ways. Because we are the entertainment center of the region, capturing revenues generated in our city is really important to us. This would be another source of revenue."
Do Minnesotans really hold that gambling is "just another source of revenue?" Because if they do, Johnson has come up with plausible excuse for a casino on just about every Main Street in Minnesota.
Every regional center has budget woes, caused in considerable measure by state government's retreat from its 1971 commitment to share state tax revenues with cities. Every local politician is feeling more heat about property taxes. Every one wants to shield city finances from state economic and political storms.
The circumstances tempt otherwise clear-eyed officials to see gambling as a fiscal lifeline -- even though there is abundant research-derived evidence that it is not.
"Casino gambling fails a cost-benefit test by a wide margin," concluded economist Earl Grinols of the University of Illinois in his 2004 book, "Gambling in America: Costs and Benefits." By his analysis, the costs gambling imposes on society in increased poverty, crime, family disintegration and lost work productivity outweigh tax gains by more than six to one.
That's not to mention gambling's less tangible side effects. When government relies on gambling revenue, it needs to promote gambling. That invites people to believe in something for nothing. It says that public goods and services ought to be paid for by "losers," not by all.
Further: Casinos drain revenue from other nearby businesses. They aren't desirable residential neighbors. Their business model relies heavily on repeat visits by compulsive gamblers. That amounts to preying on vulnerable people -- people government is supposed to protect.
It was good to hear those arguments at the Capitol, too, last week, courtesy of as disparate a group of legislators as any topic has attracted in recent years. The whole political spectrum, from Tea Party to MoveOn.org, was represented by the Anti-Gambling Nine.
"People should get acquainted with the idea that there are costs to this, and not get fixated on the fact that this is somehow free money," said the group's ringleader, Republican Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie.
"We should have a debate on those costs. If people want to challenge the reality of [Grinols'] figures, we ought to do that. But there's been hardly any recognition that there may be a cost to doing this."
These nine legislators vow to bring those costs into the many Capitol conversations about gambling that are popping up. That may not make them popular. Polls have found considerable support for more legally sanctioned gambling in Minnesota.
But they have notable allies. Among the people most exercised about the Block E casino idea are the clergy who lead downtown churches. The Rev. Tim Hart-Andersen of Westminster Presbyterian joined the legislators Thursday to say downtown churches intend to "fight it with all we've got."
That's quite a threat, from an interesting source. One of Hart-Andersen's parishioners is Gov. Mark Dayton.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Thousands of New Yorkers waited hours on Friday morning to be part of opening day at New York City's first casino.
"It's beautiful!" said one woman as she walked into the $800 million facility, which was built in one year by the Asia-based firm The Genting Group.
An array of state and city elected officials cut a ribbon, formally opening Resorts World Casino, which overlooks the historic Aqueduct racetrack in Ozone Park and houses close to 2,500 electronic gambling machines, with more to come.
It also features a food court, with other restaurants and event rooms scheduled to be opened later this year.
On Day One, however, the big crowds came simply to play.
"I have a lot of bills to pay so I'm here to win some money, hit it big!" said Sherry Winston of Rockaway.
State and city officials hope to hit it big here, too. The casino is expected to generate $300 million in tax revenue and provide more than a thousand jobs.
"I was unemployed for three months," said casino chef David Otero. "This is the perfect opportunity for me to excel."
Community leaders from the Ozone Park neighborhood around the track are cheering the casino as well. After a decade of debate and discussion on what to do at the track, the casino has restored life to an aging and often empty property, local leaders explained.
"I know there may be problems, like traffic," said Community Board 10 official, Betty Braton. "But we will deal with them. I think, in the long run, this will be a good thing."
While the casino houses only electronic games now, its operators said, if live gambling is ever approved in New York state, the facility could be upgraded to accommodate those games.
"We're just here celebrating," said a smiling Elaine Tellstone of Woodhaven. "And donating my money to the city."
"It's beautiful!" said one woman as she walked into the $800 million facility, which was built in one year by the Asia-based firm The Genting Group.
An array of state and city elected officials cut a ribbon, formally opening Resorts World Casino, which overlooks the historic Aqueduct racetrack in Ozone Park and houses close to 2,500 electronic gambling machines, with more to come.
It also features a food court, with other restaurants and event rooms scheduled to be opened later this year.
On Day One, however, the big crowds came simply to play.
"I have a lot of bills to pay so I'm here to win some money, hit it big!" said Sherry Winston of Rockaway.
State and city officials hope to hit it big here, too. The casino is expected to generate $300 million in tax revenue and provide more than a thousand jobs.
"I was unemployed for three months," said casino chef David Otero. "This is the perfect opportunity for me to excel."
Community leaders from the Ozone Park neighborhood around the track are cheering the casino as well. After a decade of debate and discussion on what to do at the track, the casino has restored life to an aging and often empty property, local leaders explained.
"I know there may be problems, like traffic," said Community Board 10 official, Betty Braton. "But we will deal with them. I think, in the long run, this will be a good thing."
While the casino houses only electronic games now, its operators said, if live gambling is ever approved in New York state, the facility could be upgraded to accommodate those games.
"We're just here celebrating," said a smiling Elaine Tellstone of Woodhaven. "And donating my money to the city."
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
To further crackdown on the growing number of unlicensed offshore online casino operations, the Independent Administration of State Monopolies (Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato), the Italian regulation board, is declaring that all financial institutions, including banks, need to report every single transaction made by players or companies with any blacklisted online casino websites. While online casinos just became legal recently in the European country, the Independent Administration of State Monopolies just recently began providing licenses as early as July as well as putting a number of websites on a blacklist due to not having a license.
For all online gamblers living in Italy, there are going to be extremely high stakes should they choose to utilize offshore online gambling websites that do not have a license. Names will find out because all financial institutions and banks will now be required by a new law to turn over all the contact information of these individuals. The head of the Independent Administration of State Monopolies, Francesco Rodano, recently said that the licensing board wants to place a number of measures that will ensure that all financial institutions will send the name of all players using any illegal offshore gambling websites.
One of the primary reasons for the creation of this new law by the Independent Administration of State Monopolies was in response to what happened earlier with Full Tilt Poker. Full Tilt Poker was actually just about to secure an online gambling license from the Independent Administration of State Monopolies when the events surrounding Black Friday took place. The Independent Administration of State Monopolies is trying to guarantee that a problem such as Full Tilt Poker’s does not occur within the country.
Online casino goers in Italy will now all have to double check if the online casino websites they frequent has a license or not!
For all online gamblers living in Italy, there are going to be extremely high stakes should they choose to utilize offshore online gambling websites that do not have a license. Names will find out because all financial institutions and banks will now be required by a new law to turn over all the contact information of these individuals. The head of the Independent Administration of State Monopolies, Francesco Rodano, recently said that the licensing board wants to place a number of measures that will ensure that all financial institutions will send the name of all players using any illegal offshore gambling websites.
One of the primary reasons for the creation of this new law by the Independent Administration of State Monopolies was in response to what happened earlier with Full Tilt Poker. Full Tilt Poker was actually just about to secure an online gambling license from the Independent Administration of State Monopolies when the events surrounding Black Friday took place. The Independent Administration of State Monopolies is trying to guarantee that a problem such as Full Tilt Poker’s does not occur within the country.
Online casino goers in Italy will now all have to double check if the online casino websites they frequent has a license or not!
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
There are many companies in the online gambling industry that are positioning them selves to enter the American market should the country finally regulate and license operators. Many see the big land based casinos from Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Native Jurisdictions making serious moves to capitalize on the possibility of internet wagering legislation in the future. All are eager to find out more from lawyers who specialize in e-gaming law and have a handle on just how things in the States may play out.
A perfect opportunity to network with those experts is to attend the US Online Gaming Law 2011 conference Thursday, November 10 to Friday, November 11, 2011 at the Aria Resort & Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada USA.
There are many indicators that suggest the advent of a new law to legalize the online gambling industry federally is making its way through the legislature after which there are sure to be many legal questions to be answered and new rules to formulate. The US gaming Law 2011 is a must attend for European ans well as domestic operators who want a piece of the American pie. Not to mention the governments of many American States that need the tax revenues to support their ailing budgets.
The focus of the event is totally on the legal and regulatory aspects of online gambling in the States, with senior executives discussing the many issues including, what opportunities exist for American internet gaming operators to enter the European market and vice versa and where do the very latest developments leave the operators with regards to their potential for a new customer base and revenue stream?
Issues that deal with technology and cost effectiveness and how likely is the possibility that companies that were operating in the USA prior to the UIGEA will be allowed licenses in the future. Should America change the existing situation the law will definitely be a complex and difficult road to negotiate.
A perfect opportunity to network with those experts is to attend the US Online Gaming Law 2011 conference Thursday, November 10 to Friday, November 11, 2011 at the Aria Resort & Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada USA.
There are many indicators that suggest the advent of a new law to legalize the online gambling industry federally is making its way through the legislature after which there are sure to be many legal questions to be answered and new rules to formulate. The US gaming Law 2011 is a must attend for European ans well as domestic operators who want a piece of the American pie. Not to mention the governments of many American States that need the tax revenues to support their ailing budgets.
The focus of the event is totally on the legal and regulatory aspects of online gambling in the States, with senior executives discussing the many issues including, what opportunities exist for American internet gaming operators to enter the European market and vice versa and where do the very latest developments leave the operators with regards to their potential for a new customer base and revenue stream?
Issues that deal with technology and cost effectiveness and how likely is the possibility that companies that were operating in the USA prior to the UIGEA will be allowed licenses in the future. Should America change the existing situation the law will definitely be a complex and difficult road to negotiate.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Online gambling companies have signalled they could take fresh legal action against what they say is an over-cautious opening of the German gambling market, agreed by the federal states last week.
“The majority of the EU Commission’s concerns appear to have been ignored by the 15 states and we therefore expect more legal wrangling to ensue as a result,” Betfair said.
Some 15 of 16 German states agreed late last week to open the betting market – dominated by state betting monopolies and a host of illegal foreign operators – further than originally planned.
Instead of a tax of 16.67 per cent on all bets, the prime ministers of most of the federal states agreed to levy only 5 per cent, bringing German plans into line with the regime adopted by France.
Kurt Beck, the premier of Rhineland-Palatinate, said the number of national concessions would be raised to 20, from an initial seven licences, with the states eyeing a final deal in December. This followed a complaint from the European Commission that initial changes would still hamper the right of every company in the European Union to offer services freely across the bloc.
Brussels in July also said the high tax rate would cripple online betting business models, while the cap on the number of licences would not give all interested operators access to the German market.
This first step towards deregulating the German market came after a ruling by the European Court of Justice last year. It said the state betting monopoly contravened EU rules. But even last week’s changes do not go far enough for commercial operators, with Betfair, for example, warning even the lower tax rate would “cripple the new market in Germany”.
While lower than the 8.5 per cent France levies on each bet, the German tax would still be higher than in recently-liberalised markets such as Denmark or Greece, which tax operators’ gross profits.
Betting companies argue that taxing only the operator – and not the punter – will give customers more incentive to stop using illegal betting sites, which pipe services into Germany from abroad.
A PwC report for Betfair estimates a 20 per cent tax on gross profits would lift the share of legal bets from zero to 80 per cent by 2016; a 4 per cent tax on bets would render only 50 per cent.
Short of legal action, the operators’ last hope is the state of Schleswig-Holstein, which plans no cap on online concessions and a tax of 20 per cent on gross profits from early next year.
Operators could offer national services from the state, although the 15 other states would challenge this practice in court.
“The majority of the EU Commission’s concerns appear to have been ignored by the 15 states and we therefore expect more legal wrangling to ensue as a result,” Betfair said.
Some 15 of 16 German states agreed late last week to open the betting market – dominated by state betting monopolies and a host of illegal foreign operators – further than originally planned.
Instead of a tax of 16.67 per cent on all bets, the prime ministers of most of the federal states agreed to levy only 5 per cent, bringing German plans into line with the regime adopted by France.
Kurt Beck, the premier of Rhineland-Palatinate, said the number of national concessions would be raised to 20, from an initial seven licences, with the states eyeing a final deal in December. This followed a complaint from the European Commission that initial changes would still hamper the right of every company in the European Union to offer services freely across the bloc.
Brussels in July also said the high tax rate would cripple online betting business models, while the cap on the number of licences would not give all interested operators access to the German market.
This first step towards deregulating the German market came after a ruling by the European Court of Justice last year. It said the state betting monopoly contravened EU rules. But even last week’s changes do not go far enough for commercial operators, with Betfair, for example, warning even the lower tax rate would “cripple the new market in Germany”.
While lower than the 8.5 per cent France levies on each bet, the German tax would still be higher than in recently-liberalised markets such as Denmark or Greece, which tax operators’ gross profits.
Betting companies argue that taxing only the operator – and not the punter – will give customers more incentive to stop using illegal betting sites, which pipe services into Germany from abroad.
A PwC report for Betfair estimates a 20 per cent tax on gross profits would lift the share of legal bets from zero to 80 per cent by 2016; a 4 per cent tax on bets would render only 50 per cent.
Short of legal action, the operators’ last hope is the state of Schleswig-Holstein, which plans no cap on online concessions and a tax of 20 per cent on gross profits from early next year.
Operators could offer national services from the state, although the 15 other states would challenge this practice in court.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Progress has been made in America in regards to the legalisation of some forms of online gambling. A hearing took place last Tuesday where lawmakers and industry players agreed that it was time to let America’s casinos and racetracks begin operating online. Presently there is some form of gambling legal in every state except Hawaii and Utah. In 2006 a law was passed which banned U.S. financial institutions from processing payments for online gambling sites, however, this has been almost impossible to enforce and it is thought that up to $6 billion a year is spent by Americans on offshore sights.
Representative Joe Barton once again stressed that poker is a game of skill and pointed out that President Nixon financed his first congressional campaign through his poker winnings and that President Obama has a reputation as an excellent card player. He has submitted a poker bill to the house which has extremely wide support.
However, not everyone fully supports the bill in its current form. The Native American Fair Commerce Coalition (NAFCC) have pointed out that some details in the bill are not fair to the tribe’s interest. There are two details in the bill which they wish to challenge and defeat.
The first is the federal tax scheme the bill will create for poker sites. At present American Indian tribes are exempt from paying federal income tax which means that if tribal gaming operations were forced to participate under the bill it would be an impingement to their tribal sovereignty.
The second issue is in the licensing rules, at present the bill would take the authority away from the National Indian Gaming Commission to issue licenses; in essence it restricts which type of tribes can operate poker sites.
Native American tribes rely upon gambling to maintain their economy and keep them out of poverty. Because of this they are determined not to be excluded from their participation in any lawful economic activity.
Representative Joe Barton once again stressed that poker is a game of skill and pointed out that President Nixon financed his first congressional campaign through his poker winnings and that President Obama has a reputation as an excellent card player. He has submitted a poker bill to the house which has extremely wide support.
However, not everyone fully supports the bill in its current form. The Native American Fair Commerce Coalition (NAFCC) have pointed out that some details in the bill are not fair to the tribe’s interest. There are two details in the bill which they wish to challenge and defeat.
The first is the federal tax scheme the bill will create for poker sites. At present American Indian tribes are exempt from paying federal income tax which means that if tribal gaming operations were forced to participate under the bill it would be an impingement to their tribal sovereignty.
The second issue is in the licensing rules, at present the bill would take the authority away from the National Indian Gaming Commission to issue licenses; in essence it restricts which type of tribes can operate poker sites.
Native American tribes rely upon gambling to maintain their economy and keep them out of poverty. Because of this they are determined not to be excluded from their participation in any lawful economic activity.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
When Jim Ryan joined Party Gaming, PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker took over the US online market in 2008, and Party had to leave the US online poker market based on legal recommendations. For a private organization, Party Gaming took a very big step and they had to pay a huge price as they lost player traffic from an entire country. After its merger with Bwin, Bwin.party has been wanting to return to the US marketplace ever since. Jim Ryan is the co-CEO of Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment concern and he thinks the company has to prepare itself to be ready for any legislation that will be passed regarding the status of online gambling in the US.
Based on the current status of online poker in the US, Bwin.Party needs a US partner to re-enter the market, and Jim Ryan is looking to find just that. While Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment has officially stated that it is interested in offering its services to the US online gamblers it has also confirmed that they were negotiating with US based gambling groups for the same.
“We have to be ready for both federal or state. It feels good to have American taxpaying companies finally driving this.” Jim Ryan stated.
Ryan is confident that the company will find its way back into the US market and that, “It’s not a question of ‘if’, but ‘when’,” he said. He also included that he was not in denial regarding the competition that the company will have to face in the gambling industry, especially since many other companies will want a large chunk of this cake once online gambling is legalized in the US. He said that, “We have to realistic about where we sit in the food chain,” and that “If the US regulated online poker, it would be unlikely that we would secure a license directly.”
At one point in time before the merger of Bwin.Party, Party Gaming was considered to be the top dog in the US online poker market. But, ever since the UIGEA was introduced in 2006, the company had to quit the market and leave the country to re-establish itself and start from scratch in Europe and other places. They also settled with the US Authorities and paid them $105 million for escaping prosecution. Finally, they decided to create the merger and ended up creating Party.Bwin. Whether this company re-enters the US market and gains the same stand is yet to be seen.
Based on the current status of online poker in the US, Bwin.Party needs a US partner to re-enter the market, and Jim Ryan is looking to find just that. While Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment has officially stated that it is interested in offering its services to the US online gamblers it has also confirmed that they were negotiating with US based gambling groups for the same.
“We have to be ready for both federal or state. It feels good to have American taxpaying companies finally driving this.” Jim Ryan stated.
Ryan is confident that the company will find its way back into the US market and that, “It’s not a question of ‘if’, but ‘when’,” he said. He also included that he was not in denial regarding the competition that the company will have to face in the gambling industry, especially since many other companies will want a large chunk of this cake once online gambling is legalized in the US. He said that, “We have to realistic about where we sit in the food chain,” and that “If the US regulated online poker, it would be unlikely that we would secure a license directly.”
At one point in time before the merger of Bwin.Party, Party Gaming was considered to be the top dog in the US online poker market. But, ever since the UIGEA was introduced in 2006, the company had to quit the market and leave the country to re-establish itself and start from scratch in Europe and other places. They also settled with the US Authorities and paid them $105 million for escaping prosecution. Finally, they decided to create the merger and ended up creating Party.Bwin. Whether this company re-enters the US market and gains the same stand is yet to be seen.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Hilary Swank is going on a firing spree – firing various agents and managers since she received some bad press for attending a 35th birthday concert in Chechnya for president Ramzan Kadyrov on October 5, who has been linked to murders and tortures, including journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was working on an article to expose human rights abuses at the hands of Kadyrov when she was shot and killed in an unsolved assassination.
After wishing Kadyrov “happy birthday Mr President”, she reportedly claimed knowledge about Kadyrov saying: “I read. I do my research”. She then said on the microphone, "I could feel the spirit of the people, and I could see that everyone was so happy."
Human rights groups claimed they informed the actress of the human rights abuses in Chechnya prior to the event, asking her to reconsider her participation, which she was paid a six-figure fee for attending. At the time, her manager claimed that she had no plans to attend. But she did. And after the debacle hit the presses, Swank said she was unaware that Kadyrov had been accused of human rights violations and that she “deeply regrets” taking part in the lavish concert, and will donate her personal appearance fees “to various charitable organizations."
Now, the Oscar-winning liberal actress is fighting back by firing the staff who put her in that position. The Independent on Sunday reports that Swank fired Jason Weinberg, her friend and manager of eight years. Meanwhile, Amie Yavor and Josh Lieberman, two of Swank's representatives at Hollywood's most powerful talent agency, CAA, and the people who made the Chechen booking, are also on the chopping block.
After wishing Kadyrov “happy birthday Mr President”, she reportedly claimed knowledge about Kadyrov saying: “I read. I do my research”. She then said on the microphone, "I could feel the spirit of the people, and I could see that everyone was so happy."
Human rights groups claimed they informed the actress of the human rights abuses in Chechnya prior to the event, asking her to reconsider her participation, which she was paid a six-figure fee for attending. At the time, her manager claimed that she had no plans to attend. But she did. And after the debacle hit the presses, Swank said she was unaware that Kadyrov had been accused of human rights violations and that she “deeply regrets” taking part in the lavish concert, and will donate her personal appearance fees “to various charitable organizations."
Now, the Oscar-winning liberal actress is fighting back by firing the staff who put her in that position. The Independent on Sunday reports that Swank fired Jason Weinberg, her friend and manager of eight years. Meanwhile, Amie Yavor and Josh Lieberman, two of Swank's representatives at Hollywood's most powerful talent agency, CAA, and the people who made the Chechen booking, are also on the chopping block.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
At the end of September, European Union online gaming regulators approved the new online gambling taxes in Denmark. This approval paves the way for Denmark to further along the liberalization of its burgeoning online gaming industry.
In a previous statement given by the European Commission, it said that after a full in-depth investigation was completed and found a law removing a number of restrictions associated with online gambling in the country of Denmark, which meant lower taxes based by online casinos than any land-based casinos, complied with the rules set forth by the European Union.
The European Union stated that the current gambling laws in Denmark are compatible with their laws because the advantageous effects caused by the liberalization of the gambling market outweighed any of the distortions of competition that were brought about.
Many online gambling interest groups and operators have been praising the initiative taken by Denmark. They believe that this will set an example that the rest of the European nations should follow. Now many online casino and sportsbook companies are looking to start the application process to obtain a Danish license. Many believe that this is what gambling legislation should look like across the entire European continent. The structure offered by the Danish legislation offers Danish customers as well as international operators with a number of clear benefits, including a transparent, competitive, and above all else, safe online gaming market for all.
On the downside, however, European Lotteries, a national lotteries body, does not see the advantages of the new Danish legislation. European Lotteries slammed the European Commission for showing favor toward liberalization of the growing online gambling industry over the possibility of an increased risk of gambling addiction by the masses. European Lotteries believes that both online gambling operations as well as all land-based need to be taxed equally.
In a previous statement given by the European Commission, it said that after a full in-depth investigation was completed and found a law removing a number of restrictions associated with online gambling in the country of Denmark, which meant lower taxes based by online casinos than any land-based casinos, complied with the rules set forth by the European Union.
The European Union stated that the current gambling laws in Denmark are compatible with their laws because the advantageous effects caused by the liberalization of the gambling market outweighed any of the distortions of competition that were brought about.
Many online gambling interest groups and operators have been praising the initiative taken by Denmark. They believe that this will set an example that the rest of the European nations should follow. Now many online casino and sportsbook companies are looking to start the application process to obtain a Danish license. Many believe that this is what gambling legislation should look like across the entire European continent. The structure offered by the Danish legislation offers Danish customers as well as international operators with a number of clear benefits, including a transparent, competitive, and above all else, safe online gaming market for all.
On the downside, however, European Lotteries, a national lotteries body, does not see the advantages of the new Danish legislation. European Lotteries slammed the European Commission for showing favor toward liberalization of the growing online gambling industry over the possibility of an increased risk of gambling addiction by the masses. European Lotteries believes that both online gambling operations as well as all land-based need to be taxed equally.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Two years ago Richard Bronson, a former Mirage Resorts executive, came to the conclusion that the Internet would be the next big thing in the casino industry. He co-founded U.S. Digital Gaming to provide software and advertising services to gaming operators and government agencies in the belief that regulated online gambling, especially poker, would eventually be introduced by cash-strapped states seeking revenue.
When it came to raising money for his venture, Bronson found that some of the richest people in America were keen to invest in his Internet gambling business. Bronson secured investments from billionaires like real estate mogul Steven Roth, chairman of Vornado Realty Trust, and shopping mall magnate Herbert Simon, the owner of the Indiana Pacers. “They are all in it for the long haul,” says Bronson, who also signed up Robert and William Taubman, sons of billionaire Alfred Taubman. “Not one of them thinks this will be a sprint, they think it will be a marathon.”
The American land rush for Internet gambling is on and it’s being led by the richest people in the country in anticipation that a regulatory regime for online gambling is coming at either the federal or state level. The U.S. online gambling market has long been the world’s biggest, but for years it has operated in the shadows of the law and a disapproving Department of Justice. Prominent U.S. billionaires and casino companies stayed out of the business, leaving its riches for offshore companies like PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Bodog. But now the casino industry is strongly pushing to get Internet gambling regulation through Congress and lawmakers in states like Nevada and New Jersey are also trying to get something done. It is widely believed that first-mover advantage will be key in seizing the Internet if and when online gambling gets regulated, leading to a mad mobilization.
Last week Donald Trump publicly threw his hat in the ring, saying “we have been looking at this for a while.” What makes Trump’s entry into online gambling even more interesting is that his effort includes Marc Lasry, the billionaire hedge fund manager who controls Avenue Capital Group, which manages $12 billion. The two make a bit of an odd couple, given Trump’s recent alignment with the Republican Party and Lasry’s staunch support of Democratic Party causes, including the reelection of President Barack Obama. But Avenue Capital controls Trump Entertainment Resorts, which will own 10% of the joint venture Lasry and Trump are planning if online gambling regulation comes into effect. “This has to happen because many other countries are doing it and like usual the U.S. is just missing out,” Trump said.
Still, billionaire joint ventures for online gambling don’t always work out as planned. Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn announced a deal in April that he had struck with PokerStars, but had to backtrack and terminate the partnership days later when PokerStars got caught up in the Justice Department’s crackdown on online poker firms operating U.S. facing web sites. Wynn has not publicly disclosed any new plans for the Internet, but he has said that he supports online poker regulation. “We are convinced that the lack of regulation of Internet gaming within the U.S. must change,” Wynn said earlier this year.
Indeed, billionaires who were burned by the Justice Department’s indictment of some of the key executives behind PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker have not been scared away from online gambling. Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, billionaire brothers who own Station Casinos, ripped up their partnership agreement with Full Tilt following the government crackdown on Full Tilt. But Fertitta Interactive, a company the brothers co-founded in 2010, is still going strong and just purchased CyberArts, an Oakland, Calif., outfit that produces online gambling software. “Fertitta Interactive fully supports the federal regulation of online poker in the United States,” Lorenzo Fertitta said in a statement in October.
It is not just the casino titans who are looking at Internet gambling as a potential goldmine. As Lasry’s move into this game shows, Wall Street’s Masters of the Universe are also paying close attention. In 2008 private equity firm Apollo Global Management, run by billionaires Leon Black, Joshua Harris and Marc Rowan, joined with TPG, the buyout shop run by billionaire David Bonderman, to purchase Harrah’s Entertainment in a massive $30 billion leveraged buyout. The deal has so far not been a good one, but Black and Bonderman are still trying to make it work. The company, now called Caesars Entertainment, has been invested heavily in its online operations and backing a new Washington D.C. lobbying effort that includes former FBI Director Louis Freeh. If online gambling in the U.S. opens for business, it would certainly help Black and Bonderman, two investing legends, get out of a tough spot.
When it came to raising money for his venture, Bronson found that some of the richest people in America were keen to invest in his Internet gambling business. Bronson secured investments from billionaires like real estate mogul Steven Roth, chairman of Vornado Realty Trust, and shopping mall magnate Herbert Simon, the owner of the Indiana Pacers. “They are all in it for the long haul,” says Bronson, who also signed up Robert and William Taubman, sons of billionaire Alfred Taubman. “Not one of them thinks this will be a sprint, they think it will be a marathon.”
The American land rush for Internet gambling is on and it’s being led by the richest people in the country in anticipation that a regulatory regime for online gambling is coming at either the federal or state level. The U.S. online gambling market has long been the world’s biggest, but for years it has operated in the shadows of the law and a disapproving Department of Justice. Prominent U.S. billionaires and casino companies stayed out of the business, leaving its riches for offshore companies like PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Bodog. But now the casino industry is strongly pushing to get Internet gambling regulation through Congress and lawmakers in states like Nevada and New Jersey are also trying to get something done. It is widely believed that first-mover advantage will be key in seizing the Internet if and when online gambling gets regulated, leading to a mad mobilization.
Last week Donald Trump publicly threw his hat in the ring, saying “we have been looking at this for a while.” What makes Trump’s entry into online gambling even more interesting is that his effort includes Marc Lasry, the billionaire hedge fund manager who controls Avenue Capital Group, which manages $12 billion. The two make a bit of an odd couple, given Trump’s recent alignment with the Republican Party and Lasry’s staunch support of Democratic Party causes, including the reelection of President Barack Obama. But Avenue Capital controls Trump Entertainment Resorts, which will own 10% of the joint venture Lasry and Trump are planning if online gambling regulation comes into effect. “This has to happen because many other countries are doing it and like usual the U.S. is just missing out,” Trump said.
Still, billionaire joint ventures for online gambling don’t always work out as planned. Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn announced a deal in April that he had struck with PokerStars, but had to backtrack and terminate the partnership days later when PokerStars got caught up in the Justice Department’s crackdown on online poker firms operating U.S. facing web sites. Wynn has not publicly disclosed any new plans for the Internet, but he has said that he supports online poker regulation. “We are convinced that the lack of regulation of Internet gaming within the U.S. must change,” Wynn said earlier this year.
Indeed, billionaires who were burned by the Justice Department’s indictment of some of the key executives behind PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker have not been scared away from online gambling. Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, billionaire brothers who own Station Casinos, ripped up their partnership agreement with Full Tilt following the government crackdown on Full Tilt. But Fertitta Interactive, a company the brothers co-founded in 2010, is still going strong and just purchased CyberArts, an Oakland, Calif., outfit that produces online gambling software. “Fertitta Interactive fully supports the federal regulation of online poker in the United States,” Lorenzo Fertitta said in a statement in October.
It is not just the casino titans who are looking at Internet gambling as a potential goldmine. As Lasry’s move into this game shows, Wall Street’s Masters of the Universe are also paying close attention. In 2008 private equity firm Apollo Global Management, run by billionaires Leon Black, Joshua Harris and Marc Rowan, joined with TPG, the buyout shop run by billionaire David Bonderman, to purchase Harrah’s Entertainment in a massive $30 billion leveraged buyout. The deal has so far not been a good one, but Black and Bonderman are still trying to make it work. The company, now called Caesars Entertainment, has been invested heavily in its online operations and backing a new Washington D.C. lobbying effort that includes former FBI Director Louis Freeh. If online gambling in the U.S. opens for business, it would certainly help Black and Bonderman, two investing legends, get out of a tough spot.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
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, Andrew Beveridge, applauded the licensing opportunities adopted by the Spanish regulator in the newly liberalised online gambling market in Spain, commenting:
"It appears that a harmonised EU regulatory environment is unlikely to be achieved in the near future, and operators, software suppliers and testing agencies are currently faced with a formidable challenge in meeting the different jurisdictions’ compliance requirements.
In this environment eCOGRA is very conscious of the need to fulfil our clients’ expectations and the associated audit risks, and we are continually developing our auditing approach to ensure that operator and software supplier clients realise benefits that include:
A streamlined and efficient audit process ensuring reduced delays in licensing in new jurisdictions and minimal disruptions to the rollout of new products and system changes;
Reduced testing through a single audit of common regulations across multiple jurisdictions, with possible and consequential annual cost benefits;
Compliance work performed by professional and industry experienced auditors with a thorough understanding of the operational and regulatory environments;
Comfort that a familiar testing agency with a proven reputation for integrity and competence is performing the testing work; and
Competitive testing agency fees."
Founded in 2003, eCOGRA tests, reviews and monitors the operational activities of almost 200 tier one online gambling venues operated by some of the largest companies in the industry. Its audit and IT professional staff is experienced in the testing and certification of platforms, games, online casino, bingo, mobile and poker networks and sports books to best practice standards that meet international regulatory requirements, including the safe storage database demands enshrined in the new Spanish regulations.
The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego recently emphasised the importance of comprehensive and professional testing as a prerequisite for a stage one Spanish licence.
Applicants will be required to successfully undergo an assessment process of both games and platform by a testing agency recognised by the Spanish authorities. Once the licence has been issued, the applicant has four months in which to prepare for a final and all-embracing inspection of operational systems, games and hosting facilities, leading to a full licence.
The burgeoning Spanish market represents a significant business opportunity for operators committed to, and able to meet, high standards, and the demand for testing and advisory services is expected to be considerable.
eCOGRA chief executive officer, Andrew Beveridge, applauded the licensing opportunities adopted by the Spanish regulator in the newly liberalised online gambling market in Spain, commenting:
"It appears that a harmonised EU regulatory environment is unlikely to be achieved in the near future, and operators, software suppliers and testing agencies are currently faced with a formidable challenge in meeting the different jurisdictions’ compliance requirements.
In this environment eCOGRA is very conscious of the need to fulfil our clients’ expectations and the associated audit risks, and we are continually developing our auditing approach to ensure that operator and software supplier clients realise benefits that include:
A streamlined and efficient audit process ensuring reduced delays in licensing in new jurisdictions and minimal disruptions to the rollout of new products and system changes;
Reduced testing through a single audit of common regulations across multiple jurisdictions, with possible and consequential annual cost benefits;
Compliance work performed by professional and industry experienced auditors with a thorough understanding of the operational and regulatory environments;
Comfort that a familiar testing agency with a proven reputation for integrity and competence is performing the testing work; and
Competitive testing agency fees."
Founded in 2003, eCOGRA tests, reviews and monitors the operational activities of almost 200 tier one online gambling venues operated by some of the largest companies in the industry. Its audit and IT professional staff is experienced in the testing and certification of platforms, games, online casino, bingo, mobile and poker networks and sports books to best practice standards that meet international regulatory requirements, including the safe storage database demands enshrined in the new Spanish regulations.
The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego recently emphasised the importance of comprehensive and professional testing as a prerequisite for a stage one Spanish licence.
Applicants will be required to successfully undergo an assessment process of both games and platform by a testing agency recognised by the Spanish authorities. Once the licence has been issued, the applicant has four months in which to prepare for a final and all-embracing inspection of operational systems, games and hosting facilities, leading to a full licence.
The burgeoning Spanish market represents a significant business opportunity for operators committed to, and able to meet, high standards, and the demand for testing and advisory services is expected to be considerable.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Real estate mogul Donald Trump has partnered with a New York hedge fund to announce plans to launch a Trump-branded gambling website once Congress legalizes and regulates the controversial activity of online gambling.
The high-profile debate over the legalization of online gambling has an important ally in Trump. “Internet gaming makes total sense,” Trump explained, expressing interest in keeping keep Americans’ gambling dollars within U.S. borders. “There is so much money leaving the U.S. and the country is losing potential revenues,” he added.
Trump has since made his support for online gambling very public. The Union Gaming Group estimated that Americans spent approximately $3 billion annually on online poker before April 15, when three online poker website owners were indicted and their operations shut down.
In total, the group reported that online gaming took in $24 billion in revenue last year, with the American commercial casino industry raking in $34.6 billion – funds Trump believes should be kept within the U.S.
“Other countries are taking a lot of business away from the U.S.,” Trump said. He already owns and operates two casinos in Atlantic City and is only one of a growing list of casino industry executives to support the legalization of online poker.
The high-profile debate over the legalization of online gambling has an important ally in Trump. “Internet gaming makes total sense,” Trump explained, expressing interest in keeping keep Americans’ gambling dollars within U.S. borders. “There is so much money leaving the U.S. and the country is losing potential revenues,” he added.
Trump has since made his support for online gambling very public. The Union Gaming Group estimated that Americans spent approximately $3 billion annually on online poker before April 15, when three online poker website owners were indicted and their operations shut down.
In total, the group reported that online gaming took in $24 billion in revenue last year, with the American commercial casino industry raking in $34.6 billion – funds Trump believes should be kept within the U.S.
“Other countries are taking a lot of business away from the U.S.,” Trump said. He already owns and operates two casinos in Atlantic City and is only one of a growing list of casino industry executives to support the legalization of online poker.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Kim Kardashian is kissing her short-lived marriage goodbye to Kris Humprhies. The pair, who were married in August in a lavish $10 million ceremony, are calling it quits just months after they said, "til death do us part."
Apparently, the source of contention was that Kris figured he could move Kim to Minnesota, but curiously they didn't really discuss this giant elephant in the room until after their union. Also, who in their right mind thinks this Hollywood glamour girl is going to live in Minnesota?
Want to bet on a Kardashian? Bet on Kim's brother to win Dancing with the Stars in Bodog's Dancing with the Stars odds. If you need an account, Join Bodog today.
According to sources, the end of their relationship isn't a bitter one and that although the marriage was short, Kim will still file for a divorce rather than an annulment, in which she cites "irreconcilable differences."
Kim, armed with a iron clad prenup, has hired attorney Laura Wasser, who has repped big names including Britney Spears, Maria Shriver, Angelina Jolie and Ryan Reynolds.
Trouble has been brewing for the couple for a while after Humphries was spotted partying in both Miami and New York without Kim, getting his flirt on with other ladies.
Also, seriously? Kris Humphries thought Kim Kardashian was gonna move to Minnesota?
Apparently, the source of contention was that Kris figured he could move Kim to Minnesota, but curiously they didn't really discuss this giant elephant in the room until after their union. Also, who in their right mind thinks this Hollywood glamour girl is going to live in Minnesota?
Want to bet on a Kardashian? Bet on Kim's brother to win Dancing with the Stars in Bodog's Dancing with the Stars odds. If you need an account, Join Bodog today.
According to sources, the end of their relationship isn't a bitter one and that although the marriage was short, Kim will still file for a divorce rather than an annulment, in which she cites "irreconcilable differences."
Kim, armed with a iron clad prenup, has hired attorney Laura Wasser, who has repped big names including Britney Spears, Maria Shriver, Angelina Jolie and Ryan Reynolds.
Trouble has been brewing for the couple for a while after Humphries was spotted partying in both Miami and New York without Kim, getting his flirt on with other ladies.
Also, seriously? Kris Humphries thought Kim Kardashian was gonna move to Minnesota?
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Independent player protection organisation eCOGRA has received accreditation as a full testing agency by the Spanish National Gaming Commission, allowing the company to test and certify both online gaming software and information systems security for the regulated Spanish gaming market.
The approval from the Spanish National Gaming Commission follows eCOGRA‘s accreditation by the Italian regulator AAMS earlier this year.
eCOGRA is one of eight companies to receive accreditation as an online gaming test facility for the Spanish market, alongside the likes of GLI Europe, NMI Metrology & Gaming Limited, BMM Spain Testlabs SLU, and Gaming Associates UK Limited.
eCOGRA chief executive officer, Andrew Beveridge, applauded the licensing opportunities adopted by the Spanish regulator in the newly liberalised online gambling market in Spain.
“It appears that a harmonised EU regulatory environment is unlikely to be achieved in the near future, and operators, software suppliers and testing agencies are currently faced with a formidable challenge in meeting the different jurisdictions’ compliance requirements,” said Beveridge.
Beveridge said that eCOGRA was conscious of the need to fulfil its clients’ expectations and the associated audit risks, with the company continually developing its auditing approach to ensure that operator and software supplier clients realise a number of benefits.
These include a streamlined and efficient audit process ensuring reduced delays in licensing in new jurisdictions and minimal disruptions to the rollout of new products and system changes, and reduced testing through a single audit of common regulations across multiple jurisdictions, with possible and consequential annual cost benefits.
Other benefits include compliance work being performed by professional and industry experienced auditors with a thorough understanding of the operational and regulatory environments, comfort that a familiar testing agency with a proven reputation for integrity and competence is performing the testing work, as well as competitive testing agency fees.
Under the new Spanish gaming licenses, applicants will be required to successfully undergo an assessment process of both games and platform by a testing agency recognised by the Spanish authorities.
Once the licence has been issued, the applicant has four months in which to prepare for a final and all-embracing inspection of operational systems, games and hosting facilities, leading to a full licence.
eCOGRA said that the Spanish market represents a significant business opportunity for operators committed to, and able to meet, high standards, and the demand for testing and advisory services is expected to be considerable.
The approval from the Spanish National Gaming Commission follows eCOGRA‘s accreditation by the Italian regulator AAMS earlier this year.
eCOGRA is one of eight companies to receive accreditation as an online gaming test facility for the Spanish market, alongside the likes of GLI Europe, NMI Metrology & Gaming Limited, BMM Spain Testlabs SLU, and Gaming Associates UK Limited.
eCOGRA chief executive officer, Andrew Beveridge, applauded the licensing opportunities adopted by the Spanish regulator in the newly liberalised online gambling market in Spain.
“It appears that a harmonised EU regulatory environment is unlikely to be achieved in the near future, and operators, software suppliers and testing agencies are currently faced with a formidable challenge in meeting the different jurisdictions’ compliance requirements,” said Beveridge.
Beveridge said that eCOGRA was conscious of the need to fulfil its clients’ expectations and the associated audit risks, with the company continually developing its auditing approach to ensure that operator and software supplier clients realise a number of benefits.
These include a streamlined and efficient audit process ensuring reduced delays in licensing in new jurisdictions and minimal disruptions to the rollout of new products and system changes, and reduced testing through a single audit of common regulations across multiple jurisdictions, with possible and consequential annual cost benefits.
Other benefits include compliance work being performed by professional and industry experienced auditors with a thorough understanding of the operational and regulatory environments, comfort that a familiar testing agency with a proven reputation for integrity and competence is performing the testing work, as well as competitive testing agency fees.
Under the new Spanish gaming licenses, applicants will be required to successfully undergo an assessment process of both games and platform by a testing agency recognised by the Spanish authorities.
Once the licence has been issued, the applicant has four months in which to prepare for a final and all-embracing inspection of operational systems, games and hosting facilities, leading to a full licence.
eCOGRA said that the Spanish market represents a significant business opportunity for operators committed to, and able to meet, high standards, and the demand for testing and advisory services is expected to be considerable.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Did you bet it all on black only for it to come up red? If this has happened to you again and again yet you just can’t stop betting on the Roulette table then maybe it’s time to insist to yourself that you take a break. Player Verify has created a self-exclude tool for players to help them take that break if they find that they enjoy the games a little bit too much. Online gambling just isn’t fun if your whole life depends on the spin of an electronic wheel or the next card that gets dealt on the virtual tables.
The good news for players who find it hard to stop is that there is now a call for casinos to get together to offer a player the chance to ban themselves from online casinos on the internet completely rather than just the ones they are members of. Often people who have a gambling problem will exclude themselves from one casino but will feel compelled to gamble in another one. Mark Dalton the manager at Verify claims to have the solution.
Verify offers players a space where players can exclude themselves from online gaming completely. With the industry all set for a shakeup there are more and more demands for casinos to be seen to be acting responsibly and Verify is offering them a way to do just that. Verify is the space that online casinos can check for vulnerable players who have attempted to self exclude from the games but just can’t keep their promises to themselves, now the casinos will be able to help. This tool is going to become essential to casinos looking to smarten up their image. It is industry standard for all respectable online casinos to support and promote responsible gambling, so it is likely that Verify will be a hit.
The good news for players who find it hard to stop is that there is now a call for casinos to get together to offer a player the chance to ban themselves from online casinos on the internet completely rather than just the ones they are members of. Often people who have a gambling problem will exclude themselves from one casino but will feel compelled to gamble in another one. Mark Dalton the manager at Verify claims to have the solution.
Verify offers players a space where players can exclude themselves from online gaming completely. With the industry all set for a shakeup there are more and more demands for casinos to be seen to be acting responsibly and Verify is offering them a way to do just that. Verify is the space that online casinos can check for vulnerable players who have attempted to self exclude from the games but just can’t keep their promises to themselves, now the casinos will be able to help. This tool is going to become essential to casinos looking to smarten up their image. It is industry standard for all respectable online casinos to support and promote responsible gambling, so it is likely that Verify will be a hit.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
The legal status of online gambling services in the United States is, at best, extremely uncertain. Nevertheless, online gambling services are broadly available to U.S. residents. Advocates for online gaming and consumer protection continue to use this fact as a platform for arguing that it is time for clear and equitable regulation.
While lawmakers continue to weigh options for balancing the budget and reducing the federal deficit, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade recently convened a hearing to explore the possibility of regulated federal Internet gambling, and what such regulation would entail.
Quick History Lesson
In 2006, Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (the “Act”) which restricts the flow of payments for gambling activities that are illegal where a wager is made or received. The Act requires banks to conduct due diligence and bar commercial customers from processing illegal transactions.
It excludes intrastate transactions from its definition of “unlawful internet gambling,” provided certain conditions are met. Financial institutions have complained that the law unrealistically charges them with a law enforcement-like role in blocking illegal gambling.
Since that time, federal lawmakers have held a series of hearings on proposals to undo or limit its restrictions on Internet gambling services in the United States. Although the Act specifically aimed to curtail Internet gambling by restricting the payments for gambling services, lawmakers have acknowledged that U.S. consumers still have the ability to gamble online, and that many U.S. do.
Regulatory Haze
It is difficult to argue with the notion that if online gambling is regulated in the United States, it will result in safer, regulated alternatives. That said, any experienced Internet law attorney will tell you that whether online gambling is illegal depends, in large part, upon who you ask. Gambling policy and regulation is traditionally handled by the states, but the federal government has been involved in shaping the limits of permissible conduct.
The Department of Justice has taken the position that online gambling is illegal under the Wire Act because it prohibits the use of wire communications for the interstate facilitation of wagers. With the exception of Hawaii and Utah, all states have legalized some form of gambling.
In fact, several states, including California and the District of Columbia, are considering the legalization of intrastate Internet gambling, as well. Not surprisingly, this development has promoted calls from lawmakers for the Department of Justice to reiterate that the Wire Act reaches intrastate internet gambling, too.
Further complicating the legal status of Internet gambling is the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act which gives tribes the authority to establish gaming on their lands.
Looming Legislation
Proposed legislation would regulate and tax online gambling. One bill was introduced in June and is designed to protect consumers who legally play a skill-based game online from fraud and other potential harms. The foregoing bill proposes to modify the Act’s restrictions to authorize financial services providers to process transactions for licensed gambling activities. The proposed bill would make it a crime to operate an Internet gambling facility that accepts bets or wagers from individuals within the United States without a license.
The Commerce Department would be charged with the responsibility and authority to qualify state agencies to issue licenses to qualified Internet poker facilities. States could opt-out of the program and restrict the placement of Internet bets or wagers within their borders.
The proposal is limited to Internet poker services and would not apply to sports bets or other games. Licensees would be required to implement a number of safeguards, including protections for minors, blocking of transactions from locations where a transaction is prohibited, collection of applicable taxes, and anti-fraud systems.
Another proposed bill would regulate and tax Internet gambling, but is broader than the proposed legislation described above. This bill would not be limited to online poker. Rather, it would establish federally regulated online gambling services and be administered by the Treasury Department. Similar to the foregoing proposed legislation, states would have the ability to opt-out.
Regulation Needed
While many are concerned with risks they perceive to be associated with Internet gambling, most predict that the regulation of these services would do more to protect consumers than the current unregulated environment. As it stands today, consumers are accessing online gambling websites with no protections against various risks, including identity fraud, money laundering, privacy invasions and data breaches.
Regulation of these services, along with the implementation of additional consumer protections such as money or time limits, prevention messages, limits on advertisements targeting children and problem gamblers, appear to be a sensible way to raise revenue while protecting U.S. residents.
While lawmakers continue to weigh options for balancing the budget and reducing the federal deficit, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade recently convened a hearing to explore the possibility of regulated federal Internet gambling, and what such regulation would entail.
Quick History Lesson
In 2006, Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (the “Act”) which restricts the flow of payments for gambling activities that are illegal where a wager is made or received. The Act requires banks to conduct due diligence and bar commercial customers from processing illegal transactions.
It excludes intrastate transactions from its definition of “unlawful internet gambling,” provided certain conditions are met. Financial institutions have complained that the law unrealistically charges them with a law enforcement-like role in blocking illegal gambling.
Since that time, federal lawmakers have held a series of hearings on proposals to undo or limit its restrictions on Internet gambling services in the United States. Although the Act specifically aimed to curtail Internet gambling by restricting the payments for gambling services, lawmakers have acknowledged that U.S. consumers still have the ability to gamble online, and that many U.S. do.
Regulatory Haze
It is difficult to argue with the notion that if online gambling is regulated in the United States, it will result in safer, regulated alternatives. That said, any experienced Internet law attorney will tell you that whether online gambling is illegal depends, in large part, upon who you ask. Gambling policy and regulation is traditionally handled by the states, but the federal government has been involved in shaping the limits of permissible conduct.
The Department of Justice has taken the position that online gambling is illegal under the Wire Act because it prohibits the use of wire communications for the interstate facilitation of wagers. With the exception of Hawaii and Utah, all states have legalized some form of gambling.
In fact, several states, including California and the District of Columbia, are considering the legalization of intrastate Internet gambling, as well. Not surprisingly, this development has promoted calls from lawmakers for the Department of Justice to reiterate that the Wire Act reaches intrastate internet gambling, too.
Further complicating the legal status of Internet gambling is the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act which gives tribes the authority to establish gaming on their lands.
Looming Legislation
Proposed legislation would regulate and tax online gambling. One bill was introduced in June and is designed to protect consumers who legally play a skill-based game online from fraud and other potential harms. The foregoing bill proposes to modify the Act’s restrictions to authorize financial services providers to process transactions for licensed gambling activities. The proposed bill would make it a crime to operate an Internet gambling facility that accepts bets or wagers from individuals within the United States without a license.
The Commerce Department would be charged with the responsibility and authority to qualify state agencies to issue licenses to qualified Internet poker facilities. States could opt-out of the program and restrict the placement of Internet bets or wagers within their borders.
The proposal is limited to Internet poker services and would not apply to sports bets or other games. Licensees would be required to implement a number of safeguards, including protections for minors, blocking of transactions from locations where a transaction is prohibited, collection of applicable taxes, and anti-fraud systems.
Another proposed bill would regulate and tax Internet gambling, but is broader than the proposed legislation described above. This bill would not be limited to online poker. Rather, it would establish federally regulated online gambling services and be administered by the Treasury Department. Similar to the foregoing proposed legislation, states would have the ability to opt-out.
Regulation Needed
While many are concerned with risks they perceive to be associated with Internet gambling, most predict that the regulation of these services would do more to protect consumers than the current unregulated environment. As it stands today, consumers are accessing online gambling websites with no protections against various risks, including identity fraud, money laundering, privacy invasions and data breaches.
Regulation of these services, along with the implementation of additional consumer protections such as money or time limits, prevention messages, limits on advertisements targeting children and problem gamblers, appear to be a sensible way to raise revenue while protecting U.S. residents.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
The congressional hearing held recently, invited a tribal delegate of NIGA (National Indian Gaming Association) to participate. In the testimony, the delegate made demands for certain rights to be conferred upon the tribes, in case the legalization of online gambling becomes a reality. He told the sub-committee that the manner in which the present proposed legislation of online poker has been worded is not acceptable, as far as the interests of tribes are concerned.
Tribes Fear Internet Gambling’s Legalization will Threaten their Gains
The proposed bill on online poker’s legalization HR2366 states that individual states will have regulatory power. The bill also proposed that the land casinos of the US receive the first set of licenses. Firms offering gambling products in countries like Nevada will be allowed to accept players from others states operating under regulated jurisdictions. Tribes claim that the proposed bill will be in direct conflict with the IGRA or Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed in the year 1988.
The key purpose behind the enactment of the IGRA was to protect the interests of tribes. It proposed that gaming regulations be designed in a way that is capable of generating revenues for tribes. The development of the NIGA was also a result of IGRA.
IGRA had distinguished three classes of games offered in the industry. The act established different sets of regulations for games falling under each category. Card games and bingo belonged to a group which is played against players and not the house. IGRA allowed tribes become the regulators of such games.
Tribes Request Rights to Regulate Themselves if Internet Poker Legalizes
The tribes have requested certain rights to be conferred of them, if internet gambling becomes legalized. It has been stated that the legislation should be willing to acknowledge tribes as entities eligible to regulate themselves. It has also been requested that tribes be freed from taxation for participating as regulators and operators. Internet operations of tribes should be made available to players of countries where online gambling is legal. The tribes also claimed that legislation should make IGRA free from amendments of all types. The legalization act should be designed in a way that the interests of Indian tribes can be addressed.
Lawmakers Raise Questions on Proposal to treat Tribes Differently
Stevens, the NIGA chairman, was questioned by legislators regarding the reason for tribes to be treated differently from the rest. In reply, Stevens stated that the tribes are experienced in the field of regulating online gambling in the US, and they want to be recognized as a group capable of ruling themselves.
Tribes Fear Internet Gambling’s Legalization will Threaten their Gains
The proposed bill on online poker’s legalization HR2366 states that individual states will have regulatory power. The bill also proposed that the land casinos of the US receive the first set of licenses. Firms offering gambling products in countries like Nevada will be allowed to accept players from others states operating under regulated jurisdictions. Tribes claim that the proposed bill will be in direct conflict with the IGRA or Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed in the year 1988.
The key purpose behind the enactment of the IGRA was to protect the interests of tribes. It proposed that gaming regulations be designed in a way that is capable of generating revenues for tribes. The development of the NIGA was also a result of IGRA.
IGRA had distinguished three classes of games offered in the industry. The act established different sets of regulations for games falling under each category. Card games and bingo belonged to a group which is played against players and not the house. IGRA allowed tribes become the regulators of such games.
Tribes Request Rights to Regulate Themselves if Internet Poker Legalizes
The tribes have requested certain rights to be conferred of them, if internet gambling becomes legalized. It has been stated that the legislation should be willing to acknowledge tribes as entities eligible to regulate themselves. It has also been requested that tribes be freed from taxation for participating as regulators and operators. Internet operations of tribes should be made available to players of countries where online gambling is legal. The tribes also claimed that legislation should make IGRA free from amendments of all types. The legalization act should be designed in a way that the interests of Indian tribes can be addressed.
Lawmakers Raise Questions on Proposal to treat Tribes Differently
Stevens, the NIGA chairman, was questioned by legislators regarding the reason for tribes to be treated differently from the rest. In reply, Stevens stated that the tribes are experienced in the field of regulating online gambling in the US, and they want to be recognized as a group capable of ruling themselves.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Last week the Minister Presidents of the German Lander urged the adoption of the draft State Treaty on online gambling. This proposal has been rejected by the European Commission (EC) and has been criticized by the online gambling industry. Therefore the repeat call to enact this proposal drew a sharp response from the Remote Gambling Association (RGA).
RGA is the largest trade association for online gambling operators in the world. Its Chief Executive Clive Hawkswood expressed deep disappointment at the continuing ostrich like attitude of the German states. The proposal that the German states want to implement by July 2012 limits the number of licenses issued to operators to 20, imposes an uncompetitive and unviable 5% turnover tax regime, severely limits betting amounts and prohibits online casinos and poker rooms and live betting. Hawkswood pointed out that this is completely out of line with the more rational approach taken by European Union Member States such as Denmark and Spain. These countries will shortly introduce regulated regimes that will allow nearly all forms of online gambling and which are based on the much more viable gross profits taxation model.
Hawkswood said, "There appears to be no connection between the desire to provide German citizens with a regulated market and the actual text of the State Treaty." He added that the Minister Presidents say on one hand that they want to encourage sports betting with regulated German operators, but at the same time deny this to citizens who wish to participate in online casinos and poker games. Hawkswood made it clear that the proposed online gambling model in Germany will have no effect in curbing the large number of German citizens gambling at online casinos licensed in other jurisdictions. Policies to restrict players from accessing such online casinos have proven ineffective in the past.
Hawkswood emphasized that the EC has made it clear that the draft State Treaty violates EU law and the statement from the Minister Presidents will do little to allay the EC concerns. "In fact, such an approach simply makes the Schleswig-Holstein proposal more attractive and creates a fragmented, confusing and undesirable situation for German consumers," stated Mr. Hawkswood. The German state of Schleswig-Holstein was the only state that passed its own online gambling law earlier this year after it could not reach an agreement on several issues with the other German states. Its proposal regulates all gambling products on a gross profits basis and has already been approved by the EU through the normal notification process.
RGA is the largest trade association for online gambling operators in the world. Its Chief Executive Clive Hawkswood expressed deep disappointment at the continuing ostrich like attitude of the German states. The proposal that the German states want to implement by July 2012 limits the number of licenses issued to operators to 20, imposes an uncompetitive and unviable 5% turnover tax regime, severely limits betting amounts and prohibits online casinos and poker rooms and live betting. Hawkswood pointed out that this is completely out of line with the more rational approach taken by European Union Member States such as Denmark and Spain. These countries will shortly introduce regulated regimes that will allow nearly all forms of online gambling and which are based on the much more viable gross profits taxation model.
Hawkswood said, "There appears to be no connection between the desire to provide German citizens with a regulated market and the actual text of the State Treaty." He added that the Minister Presidents say on one hand that they want to encourage sports betting with regulated German operators, but at the same time deny this to citizens who wish to participate in online casinos and poker games. Hawkswood made it clear that the proposed online gambling model in Germany will have no effect in curbing the large number of German citizens gambling at online casinos licensed in other jurisdictions. Policies to restrict players from accessing such online casinos have proven ineffective in the past.
Hawkswood emphasized that the EC has made it clear that the draft State Treaty violates EU law and the statement from the Minister Presidents will do little to allay the EC concerns. "In fact, such an approach simply makes the Schleswig-Holstein proposal more attractive and creates a fragmented, confusing and undesirable situation for German consumers," stated Mr. Hawkswood. The German state of Schleswig-Holstein was the only state that passed its own online gambling law earlier this year after it could not reach an agreement on several issues with the other German states. Its proposal regulates all gambling products on a gross profits basis and has already been approved by the EU through the normal notification process.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
.jpg?v=1.014689161)
.png?v=1.014689161)
Two Republicans filed a long-expected measure Wednesday that would bring casinos to Broward and Miami-Dade counties and will likely also trigger a heated lobbying and political battle early next year at the state Capitol.
Florida already allows a wide array of gambling, including horse and dog tracks and casinos operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
But the new proposal would set the stage for large resort casinos intended to attract visitors from out of state and other countries and draw in large trade shows and conventions. Licenses would only be given to companies that pledge to spend at least $2 billion on each facility.
Backers of the legislation argue they are creating a "strategic direction" for gambling in Florida, which now ranges from a state-authorized lottery to hundreds of storefront Internet cafes that offer sweepstakes games and have been shut down in some counties.
"This is not about bringing casinos to Florida, because they are already here," said Sen. Ellyn Bodganoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, one of the sponsors of the legislation. "The vast majority of gaming we have preys on the lowest common denominator ... It only takes dollars and removes them from local restaurants and local retailers. If we are going to be the fourth largest gaming state in the nation, it needs to be the kind of gaming that brings in tourists."
A push last spring for similar legislation didn't go very far. Still the effort has been revived in the wake of favorable court rulings and a decision by Malaysia-based Genting Group to buy the Miami Herald building in downtown Miami. Genting wants to put a massive mixed-use development that includes a casino on the bayside property.
But there's no guarantee that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will pass the bill.
High-powered business groups have already voiced opposition amid fears that the large casinos could detract from Florida's other tourism magnets, including Walt Disney World in Central Florida. A coalition opposed to the proposal called No Casinos has already begun speaking out against the proposal.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos has promised an up-or-down vote on the bill, but House Speaker Dean Cannon remains cool to the legislation. Gov. Rick Scott has remained relatively neutral, only saying he does not want to use gambling as a way to balance the state budget.
Cannon, R-Winter Park, repeated his position on Wednesday.
"At this point, my philosophy has not changed, I am opposed to any expansion of gaming in our state but I will look forward to reviewing the bill," Cannon said.
In an effort to win over House Republicans there has been talk about putting provisions in the casino bill that would highly regulate or even outlaw Internet cafes. The measure as it now stands could also take away business from the state's existing dog and horse tracks and create a "net reduction" in gambling in the state even with the new mega-casinos.
No Casinos President John Sowinski said lawmakers should ban Internet cafes, but he said tying it together with the fate of casinos would be "cynical and self-serving to the casino gambling industry."
Cannon added that he was "skeptical about the possibility of a policy package that achieves that goal of passing both houses."
Part of the reason is that Florida's existing dog and horse tracks have enjoyed years of good will and clout in the Legislature.
Eight facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties now operate race tracks and slot machines after voters in those counties approved referendums allowing slots. Tracks in other parts of the state hope that they too will one day get to install slot machines.
Dan Adkins, chief operating officer of the Mardi Gras track and casino in Hallandale Beach, said the proposal filed Wednesday would put existing South Florida horse and dog tracks out of business.
He pointed out the proposed legislation offers the mega-casinos a much lower tax rate and other advantages, like being able to offer types of casino games such as craps, roulette and blackjack that aren't available at the South Florida tracks.
"How can you compete with that?" Adkins asked.
Adkins said lawmakers should slow down and let an outside group review and study the impact of such massive changes to Florida's gaming industry.
The bill, as filed, would not only bring casinos but would upend the way the state regulates gambling. The legislation calls for creating a new state agency to oversee gambling and a new statewide gaming commission. Members of the seven-member commission would be paid $125,000 a year while the chairman would be paid $135,000.