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2006/12/07
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With the Legislature set to consider allowing Vegas-style casinos, even as smaller operators seek a rash of new pari-mutuel permits, Florida finds itself at a gambling crossroads.
The state could explode with more gambling options, from glitzy, high-end resorts in South Florida that offer slots, card games and craps to barrel racing — and maybe slot machines — in areas such as tiny Gadsden County in Florida's Panhandle. Or the courts, now considering several lawsuits challenging gambling expansion, could force all the new projects back to the drawing board. "This obviously has a lot of moving pieces to it," said Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, who opposes gambling expansion efforts.
Last month, Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, and Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, unveiled legislation that would bring three "destination casino" resorts to the state. At about the same time, the state approved a license for betting on barrel racing in the tiny city of Gretna, and the county put a referendum on the ballot that could allow slot machines at the facility as well.
Then, a lawyer for Magic City Casino in Miami found a loophole in the law that he said would allow it to get a license for summer jai alai; another attorney wants to exploit the same loophole to put jai alai in Weston. And most recently, the owners of Hamilton Downs, a jai alai and poker room in Jasper in north Florida, also filed for a barrel-racing permit for their quarter-horse track.
Finally, Internet cafes — offering "sweepstakes" that critics say are akin to slot machines — are continuing to pop up in strip malls all over the state.
For Bogdanoff, this explosion of gambling is reason enough to pass her bill — to get control of the industry through a new state gambling commission. Bogdanoff said she wants to create a "strategic vision" that starts with high-end resorts — and then decide how these facilities fit that vision: Seminole Indian casinos; slot-machine "racinos"; pari-mutuel tracks, frontons and poker rooms; and Internet cafes.
"We have to decide they're here. Do we protect them? Do we give them parity? Do we want to continue to expand through clever lawyering? Or do we want to say, 'This is it, this is the strategic vision: up to three destination gaming resorts,' " she said last week.
"Let the gaming commission make the decisions on the nitty-gritty, how it gets done. But we don't want any more Internet cafes; we don't want any other counties expanding," she said.
For the backers of destination resorts and the smaller gambling venues, the expressed motivation is the same: jobs.
In Gretna, plans are under way to hire 178 people, a significant amount in a city of about 1,700 people that is poor and largely black.
"For us, this is just the tip of the iceberg," said Clarence Jackson, mayor of Gretna. "We're sure that we'll have some opportunities. The main thing for people around here, they're looking for jobs."
Casino executives from Las Vegas and Asia are making the same promises using bigger numbers: up to 100,000 if three megaresort-casinos open in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Plus, they say, they'll attract millions of new tourists who will shop at local restaurants and travel to other Florida destinations such as Disney World.
"The potential here is exciting," said Jessica Hoppe, general counsel for Genting, which has spent more than $300 million for bay-front property in Miami to build a $3.8 billion resort, including the world's largest casino.
But the Florida Supreme Court — and the Legislature — could bring all these plans to a screeching halt.
Last week, owners of Miami Jai Alai and Calder Casino and Race Course asked the court to hear their appeal of a judicial decision allowing Hialeah Park racetrack to open a racino. More significantly, they're also challenging whether the Legislature has the authority to expand gambling or whether expansion requires a statewide constitutional amendment.
They argue that a 2004 referendum allowing slots in Miami-Dade and Broward applied only to pari-mutuels that were open at the time; Hialeah was closed. But in 2009, legislators authorized slots at Hialeah, and in 2010 a Leon County circuit judge said the Legislature could allow gambling anywhere in the state.
The case is crucial to the destination-casino bill. If the Supreme Court were to side with Calder, it would mean casino executives would need a constitutional amendment — passed by 60 percent of voters — to go forward. Three attempts in the past 33 years to pass such an amendment have failed.
If a statewide referendum were required, said Las Vegas Sands lobbyist Nick Iarossi, the company would "probably take our ball and go home" rather than wage an expensive campaign that had a high probability of failing.
Gretna's facility has also drawn a legal challenge from critics who say wagering barrel racing — normally a rodeo contest, not a betting event — was never authorized by the Legislature and therefore can't be permitted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
In December, an administrative-law judge is set to hear a challenge by the Quarter Horse Racing Association, which called barrel racing an "entirely new form of activity never before authorized or approved for pari-mutuel wagering in this state."
Dan Adkins, vice president of Hollywood's Mardi Gras Casino, called the Gretna plan a "scam."
"All of this is patently illegal," he said.
The Legislature is watching the court cases but will move forward with destination-casino discussion. A full Senate vote is expected in mid- to late January.
But Bogdanoff admitted that the Legislature has shied for decades from making big changes to the gambling industry and might not agree this year.
"I don't know that the bill passes," she said. "That's why we're having the discussion."
The state could explode with more gambling options, from glitzy, high-end resorts in South Florida that offer slots, card games and craps to barrel racing — and maybe slot machines — in areas such as tiny Gadsden County in Florida's Panhandle. Or the courts, now considering several lawsuits challenging gambling expansion, could force all the new projects back to the drawing board. "This obviously has a lot of moving pieces to it," said Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, who opposes gambling expansion efforts.
Last month, Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, and Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, unveiled legislation that would bring three "destination casino" resorts to the state. At about the same time, the state approved a license for betting on barrel racing in the tiny city of Gretna, and the county put a referendum on the ballot that could allow slot machines at the facility as well.
Then, a lawyer for Magic City Casino in Miami found a loophole in the law that he said would allow it to get a license for summer jai alai; another attorney wants to exploit the same loophole to put jai alai in Weston. And most recently, the owners of Hamilton Downs, a jai alai and poker room in Jasper in north Florida, also filed for a barrel-racing permit for their quarter-horse track.
Finally, Internet cafes — offering "sweepstakes" that critics say are akin to slot machines — are continuing to pop up in strip malls all over the state.
For Bogdanoff, this explosion of gambling is reason enough to pass her bill — to get control of the industry through a new state gambling commission. Bogdanoff said she wants to create a "strategic vision" that starts with high-end resorts — and then decide how these facilities fit that vision: Seminole Indian casinos; slot-machine "racinos"; pari-mutuel tracks, frontons and poker rooms; and Internet cafes.
"We have to decide they're here. Do we protect them? Do we give them parity? Do we want to continue to expand through clever lawyering? Or do we want to say, 'This is it, this is the strategic vision: up to three destination gaming resorts,' " she said last week.
"Let the gaming commission make the decisions on the nitty-gritty, how it gets done. But we don't want any more Internet cafes; we don't want any other counties expanding," she said.
For the backers of destination resorts and the smaller gambling venues, the expressed motivation is the same: jobs.
In Gretna, plans are under way to hire 178 people, a significant amount in a city of about 1,700 people that is poor and largely black.
"For us, this is just the tip of the iceberg," said Clarence Jackson, mayor of Gretna. "We're sure that we'll have some opportunities. The main thing for people around here, they're looking for jobs."
Casino executives from Las Vegas and Asia are making the same promises using bigger numbers: up to 100,000 if three megaresort-casinos open in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Plus, they say, they'll attract millions of new tourists who will shop at local restaurants and travel to other Florida destinations such as Disney World.
"The potential here is exciting," said Jessica Hoppe, general counsel for Genting, which has spent more than $300 million for bay-front property in Miami to build a $3.8 billion resort, including the world's largest casino.
But the Florida Supreme Court — and the Legislature — could bring all these plans to a screeching halt.
Last week, owners of Miami Jai Alai and Calder Casino and Race Course asked the court to hear their appeal of a judicial decision allowing Hialeah Park racetrack to open a racino. More significantly, they're also challenging whether the Legislature has the authority to expand gambling or whether expansion requires a statewide constitutional amendment.
They argue that a 2004 referendum allowing slots in Miami-Dade and Broward applied only to pari-mutuels that were open at the time; Hialeah was closed. But in 2009, legislators authorized slots at Hialeah, and in 2010 a Leon County circuit judge said the Legislature could allow gambling anywhere in the state.
The case is crucial to the destination-casino bill. If the Supreme Court were to side with Calder, it would mean casino executives would need a constitutional amendment — passed by 60 percent of voters — to go forward. Three attempts in the past 33 years to pass such an amendment have failed.
If a statewide referendum were required, said Las Vegas Sands lobbyist Nick Iarossi, the company would "probably take our ball and go home" rather than wage an expensive campaign that had a high probability of failing.
Gretna's facility has also drawn a legal challenge from critics who say wagering barrel racing — normally a rodeo contest, not a betting event — was never authorized by the Legislature and therefore can't be permitted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
In December, an administrative-law judge is set to hear a challenge by the Quarter Horse Racing Association, which called barrel racing an "entirely new form of activity never before authorized or approved for pari-mutuel wagering in this state."
Dan Adkins, vice president of Hollywood's Mardi Gras Casino, called the Gretna plan a "scam."
"All of this is patently illegal," he said.
The Legislature is watching the court cases but will move forward with destination-casino discussion. A full Senate vote is expected in mid- to late January.
But Bogdanoff admitted that the Legislature has shied for decades from making big changes to the gambling industry and might not agree this year.
"I don't know that the bill passes," she said. "That's why we're having the discussion."
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2006/12/07
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29893
Lawmakers are pushing a new plan to expand gambling, even before the state has rolled out its last plan to expand gambling.
Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law two years ago approving video gambling in bars, restaurants, fraternal organizations and truck stops. But the timetable was derailed by a lawsuit, and the state still doesn't have all the regulations or a computer system in place to launch the network.
The Illinois Gaming Board said it's working on it. But advocates note that the lawsuit was settled four months ago, and accuse the board of dragging its feet.
In the meantime, pro-gambling lawmakers won't give up on their next plan, which includes five new casinos and slots at racetracks. They promised to seek another vote, maybe later this month.
Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law two years ago approving video gambling in bars, restaurants, fraternal organizations and truck stops. But the timetable was derailed by a lawsuit, and the state still doesn't have all the regulations or a computer system in place to launch the network.
The Illinois Gaming Board said it's working on it. But advocates note that the lawsuit was settled four months ago, and accuse the board of dragging its feet.
In the meantime, pro-gambling lawmakers won't give up on their next plan, which includes five new casinos and slots at racetracks. They promised to seek another vote, maybe later this month.
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2006/12/07
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29893
Ashton Kutcher's first alleged mistress, Brittney Jones, is giving the world a bit, fat "I told you so."
Jones had claimed that she met Kutcher at a bowling alley and began a torrid affair with the star. She claims that Ashton had told her he and his wife Demi Moore had "an open relationship," but Jones' credibility was called into question when she released a porn flick with another guy.
At the time, Kutcher was less than pleased, after 22-year-old Jones used his name to sell the flick, produced by Vivid Entertainment.
A press release for the film read, "Ashton's fans will undoubtedly enjoy seeing what the star himself may have experienced."
Luckily for Ashton, the release of the film actually made her lose credibility and people lost interest in the story. However, since his affair with Sara Leal came to light and Moore has filed divorce papers, Jones says she feels "vindicated" by Moore's divorce statement, telling TMZ she hopes people will finally believe her story about sleeping with Ashton.
Now, Jones is saying, "Although divorce is often sad I do feel somewhat vindicated."
She adds, "For so long people have thought that I was dishonest or just making up my passionate nights with Ashton, when in fact I was being used."
"Ashton told me that both he and Demi had an 'open relationship' and that he was not in fact cheating. Now I can tell all the facts about how Ashton really was, and hopefully people will believe my side of the story."
At the time Jones' story broke in Star magazine, Kutcher had tweeted, "I think Star magazine calling me a 'cheater; qualifies as defamation of character. I hope my lawyer agrees." He later added "STAR magazine – you don't get to stand behind 'freedom of the press' when you are writing fiction."
Jones had claimed that she met Kutcher at a bowling alley and began a torrid affair with the star. She claims that Ashton had told her he and his wife Demi Moore had "an open relationship," but Jones' credibility was called into question when she released a porn flick with another guy.
At the time, Kutcher was less than pleased, after 22-year-old Jones used his name to sell the flick, produced by Vivid Entertainment.
A press release for the film read, "Ashton's fans will undoubtedly enjoy seeing what the star himself may have experienced."
Luckily for Ashton, the release of the film actually made her lose credibility and people lost interest in the story. However, since his affair with Sara Leal came to light and Moore has filed divorce papers, Jones says she feels "vindicated" by Moore's divorce statement, telling TMZ she hopes people will finally believe her story about sleeping with Ashton.
Now, Jones is saying, "Although divorce is often sad I do feel somewhat vindicated."
She adds, "For so long people have thought that I was dishonest or just making up my passionate nights with Ashton, when in fact I was being used."
"Ashton told me that both he and Demi had an 'open relationship' and that he was not in fact cheating. Now I can tell all the facts about how Ashton really was, and hopefully people will believe my side of the story."
At the time Jones' story broke in Star magazine, Kutcher had tweeted, "I think Star magazine calling me a 'cheater; qualifies as defamation of character. I hope my lawyer agrees." He later added "STAR magazine – you don't get to stand behind 'freedom of the press' when you are writing fiction."
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2006/12/07
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29893
While momentum continues to build for the regulation of online poker in the United States, at least one influential gambling group has raised concerns with the current state of legislative efforts. Native American tribes said last week that they wanted a share of the Internet gambling pie when such activities are legalized in the United States, if their tribes choose to engage in online casino or poker room operations.
The online gambling situation would be clouded due to the issue of sovereignty. Should online gambling of any kind be allowed in the United States, one of the major motivating factors would be the fact that the federal government could collect significant tax revenues from the companies operating the gambling sites. However, Native American tribes would like to be able to collect their own taxes and institute their own licensing procedures, rather than cede that authority to the United States government.
The concerns of Native Americans were on display during a hearing by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which met last week. While there was no Senate legislation in particular to discuss at the hearing, tribal leaders did make their opposition to online poker bills currently working their way through the House of Representatives clear.
For instance, the bill sponsored by Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas) would allow states and tribes to opt out of the internet poker program if they wished to do so. However, the bill would allow the Department of Commerce to regulate online poker, while Native American tribes want to keep control of any potential Indian online gambling sites with the National Indian Gaming Commission.
As in other sectors of the gambling industry, Native American tribes that currently operate brick-and-mortar casinos have had mixed reactions to the potential for offering online gambling to Americans. While online poker or casino games would certainly be a new income stream, some fear that they will compete against existing Native American casinos throughout the United States. Currently, 28 different states feature Indian casinos, with the Associated Press reporting a total of 422 facilities operated by 236 different tribes.
The online gambling situation would be clouded due to the issue of sovereignty. Should online gambling of any kind be allowed in the United States, one of the major motivating factors would be the fact that the federal government could collect significant tax revenues from the companies operating the gambling sites. However, Native American tribes would like to be able to collect their own taxes and institute their own licensing procedures, rather than cede that authority to the United States government.
The concerns of Native Americans were on display during a hearing by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which met last week. While there was no Senate legislation in particular to discuss at the hearing, tribal leaders did make their opposition to online poker bills currently working their way through the House of Representatives clear.
For instance, the bill sponsored by Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas) would allow states and tribes to opt out of the internet poker program if they wished to do so. However, the bill would allow the Department of Commerce to regulate online poker, while Native American tribes want to keep control of any potential Indian online gambling sites with the National Indian Gaming Commission.
As in other sectors of the gambling industry, Native American tribes that currently operate brick-and-mortar casinos have had mixed reactions to the potential for offering online gambling to Americans. While online poker or casino games would certainly be a new income stream, some fear that they will compete against existing Native American casinos throughout the United States. Currently, 28 different states feature Indian casinos, with the Associated Press reporting a total of 422 facilities operated by 236 different tribes.
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2006/12/07
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29893
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians told Rep. Mary Bono Mack on Friday that Congress has failed to talk with tribal governments about the potential for Internet gambling to be legalized.
But Bono Mack told reporters her House subcommittee is nowhere close to concluding an examination of the issues related to legalization, making any possible legislation a long way off.
And she said she is hearing from increasing numbers of lawmakers who want to be heard.
“More and more members are talking to me about the issue,” she said after the second hearing on Internet gambling held by the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
One of those members, Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., told the subcommittee on Friday he couldn't believe his fellow Republicans were even considering legalization of online gambling.
“For a party that champions families and traditional values, I assure you that Internet gambling is contrary to family values,” he said.
Bono Mack, a Palm Springs Republican, said she hasn't even decided whether to hold more hearings.
Lawmakers' crowded end-of- the-year schedule, she said, would likely push any such hearings into next year.
And while online poker consumed much of the discussion at the first two hearings, it's not clear whether legislation would focus on that game or would also include other forms of gambling, Bono Mack said.
Representatives of the Morongo Band were not present Friday, but Bono Mack received written testimony from Robert Martin, their chairman. The reservation is located just west of Palm Springs.
“Tribes are important stakeholders in the current gaming market and must be afforded the same opportunities as all other operators,” Martin wrote.
“To be sure, 100 percent of the tribes would face new competition with the authorization of online gaming, while only a few will likely have the financial strength to compete with those who are granted new online gaming franchises.” And so far, Martin said, “we have not seen any federal online gaming bill that puts tribes on equal footing with other potential online poker operators.”
Still, he wrote, “With the right legislation, Internet poker can be a fantastic opportunity for Indian Country to continue along the road to self-reliance.”
Bono Mack spokesman Ken Johnson said later she has met with Martin several times and that his complaint was directed at other members.
Bono Mack has gotten Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, one of the authors of online poker legislation, to agree to meet with Martin sometime after Thanksgiving, the aide said.
The emergence of tribal casinos following the passage of federal legislation in 1988 has been widely viewed as significantly improving education and general living conditions on tribal lands. Indian casinos now bring in more than $26 billion annually.
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing Thursday dealing with the potential impact of online gambling on tribes, but the Morongo Band was not on the witness list.
Advocates for online poker say Americans already spend $16 billion a year playing on websites operated offshore. Enabling domestic sites to offer interstate games would keep that money in the U.S. economy and enable regulators to provide consumer protections.
Wolf told Bono Mack's subcommittee that all estimates of potential tax revenue from online gaming fail to consider the social costs.
“What little tax revenue it would generate, taxpayers would pay out far more in the criminal justice system, gambling treatment programs and social services,” he said.
Rachel A. Volberg, a social scientist at the University of Chicago, told the subcommittee the nature of online gambling “makes it inherently more problematic than most other forms of gambling.”
Those factors include, she said, the greater convenience and easier access, the solitary nature of play and the ability to play while intoxicated.
Some research indicates problem gambling is three to four times more likely among Internet gamblers, Volberg said.
But other research, she said, found rates of problem gambling eventually level out and decline, even as accessibility continues to increase.
Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., president of the American Gaming Association, said “it is settled science” that pathological gamblers represent only 1 percent of the U.S. adult population.
He said the number hasn't changed even as the access to legalized gambling has expanded over the past 35 years.
After her first hearing on Internet gambling on Oct. 25, Bono Mack expressed confidence Internet gambling could be effectively regulated and social problems could be minimized.
But Bono Mack told reporters her House subcommittee is nowhere close to concluding an examination of the issues related to legalization, making any possible legislation a long way off.
And she said she is hearing from increasing numbers of lawmakers who want to be heard.
“More and more members are talking to me about the issue,” she said after the second hearing on Internet gambling held by the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
One of those members, Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., told the subcommittee on Friday he couldn't believe his fellow Republicans were even considering legalization of online gambling.
“For a party that champions families and traditional values, I assure you that Internet gambling is contrary to family values,” he said.
Bono Mack, a Palm Springs Republican, said she hasn't even decided whether to hold more hearings.
Lawmakers' crowded end-of- the-year schedule, she said, would likely push any such hearings into next year.
And while online poker consumed much of the discussion at the first two hearings, it's not clear whether legislation would focus on that game or would also include other forms of gambling, Bono Mack said.
Representatives of the Morongo Band were not present Friday, but Bono Mack received written testimony from Robert Martin, their chairman. The reservation is located just west of Palm Springs.
“Tribes are important stakeholders in the current gaming market and must be afforded the same opportunities as all other operators,” Martin wrote.
“To be sure, 100 percent of the tribes would face new competition with the authorization of online gaming, while only a few will likely have the financial strength to compete with those who are granted new online gaming franchises.” And so far, Martin said, “we have not seen any federal online gaming bill that puts tribes on equal footing with other potential online poker operators.”
Still, he wrote, “With the right legislation, Internet poker can be a fantastic opportunity for Indian Country to continue along the road to self-reliance.”
Bono Mack spokesman Ken Johnson said later she has met with Martin several times and that his complaint was directed at other members.
Bono Mack has gotten Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, one of the authors of online poker legislation, to agree to meet with Martin sometime after Thanksgiving, the aide said.
The emergence of tribal casinos following the passage of federal legislation in 1988 has been widely viewed as significantly improving education and general living conditions on tribal lands. Indian casinos now bring in more than $26 billion annually.
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing Thursday dealing with the potential impact of online gambling on tribes, but the Morongo Band was not on the witness list.
Advocates for online poker say Americans already spend $16 billion a year playing on websites operated offshore. Enabling domestic sites to offer interstate games would keep that money in the U.S. economy and enable regulators to provide consumer protections.
Wolf told Bono Mack's subcommittee that all estimates of potential tax revenue from online gaming fail to consider the social costs.
“What little tax revenue it would generate, taxpayers would pay out far more in the criminal justice system, gambling treatment programs and social services,” he said.
Rachel A. Volberg, a social scientist at the University of Chicago, told the subcommittee the nature of online gambling “makes it inherently more problematic than most other forms of gambling.”
Those factors include, she said, the greater convenience and easier access, the solitary nature of play and the ability to play while intoxicated.
Some research indicates problem gambling is three to four times more likely among Internet gamblers, Volberg said.
But other research, she said, found rates of problem gambling eventually level out and decline, even as accessibility continues to increase.
Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., president of the American Gaming Association, said “it is settled science” that pathological gamblers represent only 1 percent of the U.S. adult population.
He said the number hasn't changed even as the access to legalized gambling has expanded over the past 35 years.
After her first hearing on Internet gambling on Oct. 25, Bono Mack expressed confidence Internet gambling could be effectively regulated and social problems could be minimized.
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2006/12/07
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29893
Banks in Australia have come out against proposed changes to online gaming laws
There is trouble brewing between the government and banks in Australia as Visa and several large high street banks launch a campaign against proposed changes to the regulation of the online gaming industry. The proposed regulation is for an American style law that would prevent or restrict certain forms of payment processing. The Australian Bankers Association is arguing that it would be very difficult to enforce such laws and that payments having nothing to do with online gaming could well be blocked by mistake owing to the complicated nature of blocking online gaming payments. It is also being strongly argued by the Australian Bankers Association that Australia would become much less competitive in the world market.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Banking Association is quoted as having said that''[If] Australia was identified as a jurisdiction where payment obligations may not be fulfilled in a certain and timely manner, it is possible that merchants and online service providers will refuse to accept business and payments from customers designated as originating from Australia,''
In the USA these laws are called the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA). For years that law was found to be very difficult to enforce. These difficulties lead to the events known as Black Friday which saw the US Department of justice come down very hard on the online gaming industry, specifically online poker. Black Friday lead to the eventual demise of Full Tilt Poker. The collapse of that site saw players all over the world lose access to their online poker accounts and a total of hundreds of millions of dollars.
There is trouble brewing between the government and banks in Australia as Visa and several large high street banks launch a campaign against proposed changes to the regulation of the online gaming industry. The proposed regulation is for an American style law that would prevent or restrict certain forms of payment processing. The Australian Bankers Association is arguing that it would be very difficult to enforce such laws and that payments having nothing to do with online gaming could well be blocked by mistake owing to the complicated nature of blocking online gaming payments. It is also being strongly argued by the Australian Bankers Association that Australia would become much less competitive in the world market.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Banking Association is quoted as having said that''[If] Australia was identified as a jurisdiction where payment obligations may not be fulfilled in a certain and timely manner, it is possible that merchants and online service providers will refuse to accept business and payments from customers designated as originating from Australia,''
In the USA these laws are called the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA). For years that law was found to be very difficult to enforce. These difficulties lead to the events known as Black Friday which saw the US Department of justice come down very hard on the online gaming industry, specifically online poker. Black Friday lead to the eventual demise of Full Tilt Poker. The collapse of that site saw players all over the world lose access to their online poker accounts and a total of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
After one of the craziest breakup stories ever – Michaele Salahi tells her husband Tareq she's going to a hair appointment, only to run off with Journey guitarist Neal Schon – Tareq, embarrassed and jilted, now wants a payout.
The former Real Housewives of DC hubby and infamous White House party crasher is now demanding his estranged wife and Schon compensate him with cold, hard cash – $17 million to be exact.
Tareq's attorney just fired off a letter to lawyers for Michaele and Neal, claiming the adulterous couple profited unfairly off Tareq's misery and also sabotaged his budding reality TV career.
According to Tareq's lawyer, the publicity surrounding Michaele's affair with Schon heavily impacted ticket sales for Journey's most recent tour. However, TV deals Tareq had previously made with his Michaele fell through. Tareq claims he has $2 million in debt.
TMZ managed to interview Neal and Michaele at Dulles International, with Neal saying, "I think some people need to get a grip and move on."
The former Real Housewives of DC hubby and infamous White House party crasher is now demanding his estranged wife and Schon compensate him with cold, hard cash – $17 million to be exact.
Tareq's attorney just fired off a letter to lawyers for Michaele and Neal, claiming the adulterous couple profited unfairly off Tareq's misery and also sabotaged his budding reality TV career.
According to Tareq's lawyer, the publicity surrounding Michaele's affair with Schon heavily impacted ticket sales for Journey's most recent tour. However, TV deals Tareq had previously made with his Michaele fell through. Tareq claims he has $2 million in debt.
TMZ managed to interview Neal and Michaele at Dulles International, with Neal saying, "I think some people need to get a grip and move on."
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2006/12/07
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The new version of the expanded gaming bill that lawmakers could vote on in January includes the following statement of purpose: "New Hampshire has an interest in promoting economic recovery, small business development, tax relief, and job creation, as soon as possible, through the development of regulated gaming in order to preserve the quality of life for New Hampshire residents."
The fight over expanded gambling is about competing visions of economic development, job creation and quality of life. How lawmakers view the promise or peril of setting up two casinos in the state could determine the outcome.
Sen. Nancy Stiles, R-Hampton, was an original co-sponsor of House Bill 593, which calls for using the tax on net casino proceeds to decrease business taxes. Stiles said a responsible expansion of gaming would promote economic development and job creation.
"It's a revenue source that isn't imposed as a tax on residents," Stiles said. "People aren't forced to gamble." She said her analysis of the bill and its economic impact leads her to conclude that two casinos would create construction jobs, permanent casino jobs and a steady revenue stream for the state.
Gov. John Lynch has already vowed to veto expanded gaming legislation. "I do not believe the monetary benefits of expanded gambling outweigh the risks it poses to New Hampshire's quality of life, its existing businesses and workers, and its economic future," Lynch said last week.
"That's most unfortunate," Stiles said of Lynch's veto threat. "We could expand an entertainment choice if you want to gamble and have the disposable income to do it."
The gambling debate in New Hampshire had accelerated because lawmakers in Massachusetts have approved a major proposal for four large casinos. According to the language in HB 593, the only guarantee of income for New Hampshire is that two $50 million licenses would be auctioned off and would allow up to 5,000 video slot machines and table games. The amended version of the House proposal calls for no minimal capital investment on the part of casino operators and decreasing the casino tax rate from 49 percent in the earlier version to 40 percent.
The New Hampshire Senate has its own proposal open on legalizing four casinos, with a maximum of 10,000 video slot machines. The Senate bill would not use the state's profits to cut taxes.
The casino debate is familiar territory for House Minority Leader Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth. Norelli has seen casino bills come and go over the past decade, with the House fighting back every bid by the Senate. Norelli said the issue isn't a partisan one for either side, and she personally won't support expanded gaming legislation because she believes it would lead to a net job loss.
The disposable income used to gamble, Norelli said, will "cannibalize other local businesses for the sake of big, out-of-state (gambling) concerns." While she understands the need to create construction jobs, Norelli believes it's unlikely the state can ever create the destination casino infrastructure to realize the promise of steady revenue or economic development.
"Who would we draw if Massachusetts builds big casinos in Boston and north of Boston?" Norelli said.
Critics of expanded gambling cite a state study from 2008. The study found that for every $1 million in disposable spending taken out of the state economy, more than nine jobs would be lost. Norelli said it's possible that for the first time, the House could pass an expanded gambling bill, but she isn't sure whether there's enough support to override a potential Lynch veto.
Stiles said she understands the concerns but believes the state and local communities have the right to find out whether a casino is a good fit. "I'm sure Portsmouth wouldn't vote to approve one, but maybe Hampton or Hampton Falls might consider it," she said. Stiles would like the two casino licenses to be bid on and issued at once, instead of on a one-year lag time between the first and the second. She also wants construction and operations to begin as soon as possible.
If the gaming experiment fails, Stiles said, "that's not the state's problem."
The fight over expanded gambling is about competing visions of economic development, job creation and quality of life. How lawmakers view the promise or peril of setting up two casinos in the state could determine the outcome.
Sen. Nancy Stiles, R-Hampton, was an original co-sponsor of House Bill 593, which calls for using the tax on net casino proceeds to decrease business taxes. Stiles said a responsible expansion of gaming would promote economic development and job creation.
"It's a revenue source that isn't imposed as a tax on residents," Stiles said. "People aren't forced to gamble." She said her analysis of the bill and its economic impact leads her to conclude that two casinos would create construction jobs, permanent casino jobs and a steady revenue stream for the state.
Gov. John Lynch has already vowed to veto expanded gaming legislation. "I do not believe the monetary benefits of expanded gambling outweigh the risks it poses to New Hampshire's quality of life, its existing businesses and workers, and its economic future," Lynch said last week.
"That's most unfortunate," Stiles said of Lynch's veto threat. "We could expand an entertainment choice if you want to gamble and have the disposable income to do it."
The gambling debate in New Hampshire had accelerated because lawmakers in Massachusetts have approved a major proposal for four large casinos. According to the language in HB 593, the only guarantee of income for New Hampshire is that two $50 million licenses would be auctioned off and would allow up to 5,000 video slot machines and table games. The amended version of the House proposal calls for no minimal capital investment on the part of casino operators and decreasing the casino tax rate from 49 percent in the earlier version to 40 percent.
The New Hampshire Senate has its own proposal open on legalizing four casinos, with a maximum of 10,000 video slot machines. The Senate bill would not use the state's profits to cut taxes.
The casino debate is familiar territory for House Minority Leader Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth. Norelli has seen casino bills come and go over the past decade, with the House fighting back every bid by the Senate. Norelli said the issue isn't a partisan one for either side, and she personally won't support expanded gaming legislation because she believes it would lead to a net job loss.
The disposable income used to gamble, Norelli said, will "cannibalize other local businesses for the sake of big, out-of-state (gambling) concerns." While she understands the need to create construction jobs, Norelli believes it's unlikely the state can ever create the destination casino infrastructure to realize the promise of steady revenue or economic development.
"Who would we draw if Massachusetts builds big casinos in Boston and north of Boston?" Norelli said.
Critics of expanded gambling cite a state study from 2008. The study found that for every $1 million in disposable spending taken out of the state economy, more than nine jobs would be lost. Norelli said it's possible that for the first time, the House could pass an expanded gambling bill, but she isn't sure whether there's enough support to override a potential Lynch veto.
Stiles said she understands the concerns but believes the state and local communities have the right to find out whether a casino is a good fit. "I'm sure Portsmouth wouldn't vote to approve one, but maybe Hampton or Hampton Falls might consider it," she said. Stiles would like the two casino licenses to be bid on and issued at once, instead of on a one-year lag time between the first and the second. She also wants construction and operations to begin as soon as possible.
If the gaming experiment fails, Stiles said, "that's not the state's problem."
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Global Online Gambling industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market share, market size (value 2006-10, and forecast to 2015). The profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market. Essential resource for top-line data and analysis covering the Global online gambling market. Includes market size and segmentation data, textual and graphical analysis of market growth trends, leading companies and macroeconomic information.
Highlights:
The online gambling industry comprises remote gaming activities by means of the internet, mobile/WAP capabilities. The market is valued in terms of gross gaming wins. This is the total amount waged by customers minus the total amount paid out to customers as winnings, but before the payment of any applicable taxes, disbursements to charitable or other causes by games established for those purposes, or other expenses.
The global online gambling market had total gross gaming wins of $29.8 billion in 2010, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7% between 2006 and 2010.
The Sports Betting segment was the market's most lucrative in 2010, with total gross gaming wins of $12.2 billion, equivalent to 41% of the market's overall value.
The performance of the market is forecast to decelerate, with an anticipated CAGR of 9.1% for the five-year period 2010 - 2015, which is expected to drive the market to a value of $46.1 billion by the end of 2015.
Highlights:
The online gambling industry comprises remote gaming activities by means of the internet, mobile/WAP capabilities. The market is valued in terms of gross gaming wins. This is the total amount waged by customers minus the total amount paid out to customers as winnings, but before the payment of any applicable taxes, disbursements to charitable or other causes by games established for those purposes, or other expenses.
The global online gambling market had total gross gaming wins of $29.8 billion in 2010, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7% between 2006 and 2010.
The Sports Betting segment was the market's most lucrative in 2010, with total gross gaming wins of $12.2 billion, equivalent to 41% of the market's overall value.
The performance of the market is forecast to decelerate, with an anticipated CAGR of 9.1% for the five-year period 2010 - 2015, which is expected to drive the market to a value of $46.1 billion by the end of 2015.
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2006/12/07
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For the second time in a year, the convicted wife of U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney will be on the hot seat of a federal witness stand today — this time fielding questions about how much she and her husband knew of the Internet betting empire that prosecutors and witnesses say was run by her gambling kingpin brothers.
It was unclear last night whether the 6th District congressman will accompany his wife of 14 years to court. Attorneys for Patrice Tierney, 60, warned prosecutors last week she will refuse to testify about any conversations she and her husband may have had about Sports Off Shore. The Salem couple claim to have been largely ignorant of the operation’s business.
Boston criminal defense lawyer William Kickham, who is not affiliated with the racketeering and money laundering trial of Patrice Tierney’s brother Daniel Eremian, 61, said spousal privilege can be as ironclad as attorney-client privilege. Even asking whether the Tierneys discussed the gambling operation “is dancing on the line of objectionable,” he said.
“John Tierney is not on trial here,” Kickham said, “but it seems as though the prosecution may well be interested in asking questions about what, if anything, he knew. And that’s a big if. Prosecutors probably see this case as a ball of yarn: If they tug hard enough on the string, it will all unravel.”
Online gambling is illegal in the United States. But prosecutors say Sports Off Shore, headquartered in Antigua, made millions of dollars off of U.S. clients, who ranged from billionaire businessmen to suburban fathers.
Patrice Tierney pleaded guilty last year and was sentenced to a month in prison for helping her fugitive brother Robert Eremian, 59, file false tax returns when she was managing a multimillion-dollar bank account that he told the Internal Revenue Service he amassed as a software consultant.
Patrice Tierney’s spokeswoman declined to comment yesterday. The congressman’s spokespeople have not returned calls from the Herald.
It was unclear last night whether the 6th District congressman will accompany his wife of 14 years to court. Attorneys for Patrice Tierney, 60, warned prosecutors last week she will refuse to testify about any conversations she and her husband may have had about Sports Off Shore. The Salem couple claim to have been largely ignorant of the operation’s business.
Boston criminal defense lawyer William Kickham, who is not affiliated with the racketeering and money laundering trial of Patrice Tierney’s brother Daniel Eremian, 61, said spousal privilege can be as ironclad as attorney-client privilege. Even asking whether the Tierneys discussed the gambling operation “is dancing on the line of objectionable,” he said.
“John Tierney is not on trial here,” Kickham said, “but it seems as though the prosecution may well be interested in asking questions about what, if anything, he knew. And that’s a big if. Prosecutors probably see this case as a ball of yarn: If they tug hard enough on the string, it will all unravel.”
Online gambling is illegal in the United States. But prosecutors say Sports Off Shore, headquartered in Antigua, made millions of dollars off of U.S. clients, who ranged from billionaire businessmen to suburban fathers.
Patrice Tierney pleaded guilty last year and was sentenced to a month in prison for helping her fugitive brother Robert Eremian, 59, file false tax returns when she was managing a multimillion-dollar bank account that he told the Internal Revenue Service he amassed as a software consultant.
Patrice Tierney’s spokeswoman declined to comment yesterday. The congressman’s spokespeople have not returned calls from the Herald.
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2006/12/07
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Say it together, poker players: We're good enough, we're smart enough, and doggone it, people on Capitol Hill like us.
Two congressional hearings addressed the prospects of Internet poker last week in a mostly positive way.
Watching Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), known for his character of self-help guru Stuart Smalley on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s, at Thursday's hearing in the Senate Indian Affairs Committee brought to mind his character's daily affirmations, paraphrased in the opening paragraph.
Perhaps we are reading too much into these hearings and trying, much like Stuart Smalley in repeating his mantra into a mirror, to talk ourselves into believing that the U.S. government really is coming around to recognize our right to participate in this activity. But every discussion of poker on Capitol Hill this year has given the impression that lawmakers are trying to figure out how, not if, to best license and regulate online poker.
The main theme of the Indian Affairs Committee hearing was that the tribes want to be included in the planning stages of any bill before it is passed and want the equal opportunity to begin offering online poker at the same time as the Nevada casinos. A video of the hearing and written testimony from each of the witnesses, including Poker Players Alliance chairman Alfonse D'Amato, can be viewed at the official committee website.
Friday's House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade hearing had a couple of surprise witnesses. Barney Frank] (D-Mass.) joined John Campbell (R-Calif.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.) on the panel of congressmen.
In her opening statement, chairman Mary Bono Mack asked: “When it comes to the debate over legalizing Internet gambling, is it time for Congress to let the genie out of the bottle? Or is the genie already online with a pile of chips playing Texas hold'em?”
Wolf was the first truly anti-poker witness to testify on Capitol Hill this year. He focused on gambling being a dangerous and addictive activity, claiming that the legalization of Internet poker would be “a windfall to the most powerful gambling interests in this country at the expense of American families and taxpayers.” He even pulled a Spencer Bachus and called Internet gambling the “crack cocaine of gambling.”
As Stuart Smalley would say to Wolf, “Denial ain't just a river in Egypt!”
Frank effectively neutered Wolf's arguments by noting that he is a co-sponsor of Wolf's bill to establish and implement programs for the prevention, treatment and research of problem gambling, and that regulation would better address that issue while not preventing the majority of people without a gambling problem from partaking in the activity.
“Enacting legislation to license, regulate, and tax online gambling as well as implement problem gambling programs, would bring this industry out of the shadows, benefit consumers, create American jobs, capture revenue and allow adults to enjoy freedom from unnecessary government interference,” Frank said.
The second panel featured American Gaming Association president Frank Fahrenkopf, Nevada Gaming Control Board chairman Mark Lipparelli, New Hampshire Lottery Commission executive director Charles McIntyre and, a late addition, Rachel Volberg, a research scientist at the University of Chicago with a specialization in the study of problem gambling.
Fahrenkopf, in his first in-person congressional testimony on the topic, proved to be an engaging speaker for the cause. He admitted that the AGA had previously opposed online poker but claimed that technological advances have proven to the organization that the industry could be regulated to protect Americans.
“At the last hearing, you asked whether licensing and regulation of online poker is a safe bet,” Fahrenkopf said. “Our industry believes it is. The risky bet would be to leave unchanged current law that leaves consumers, minors and those with gambling problems vulnerable to unregulated offshore companies.”
Asked if strengthening the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act should take precedence or happen prior to regulation, Fahrenkopf answered that he believed both could be accomplished at the same time.
Lipparelli testified that Nevada is ready to effectively regulate online poker and that regulation can, under modern technologies, effectively deal with underage gaming, problem gambling, money laundering and collusion.
The full written testimonies from the House hearing can be viewed at the subcommittee's official website and video of the hearing can be viewed on USTREAM.
“Most people, including members of the subcommittee, seemed to be supportive of the concept of a poker-only bill,” Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.), a member of the subcommittee who introduced a poker licensing and regulation bill earlier this year, said in a statement following the hearing.
“I think we moved the ball forward and are getting closer to making this bill a law. I think the votes are there in the subcommittee, the whole committee and on the House floor.”
It's enough to make the Stuart Smalleys in all of us confident in the future of online poker.
Two congressional hearings addressed the prospects of Internet poker last week in a mostly positive way.
Watching Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), known for his character of self-help guru Stuart Smalley on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s, at Thursday's hearing in the Senate Indian Affairs Committee brought to mind his character's daily affirmations, paraphrased in the opening paragraph.
Perhaps we are reading too much into these hearings and trying, much like Stuart Smalley in repeating his mantra into a mirror, to talk ourselves into believing that the U.S. government really is coming around to recognize our right to participate in this activity. But every discussion of poker on Capitol Hill this year has given the impression that lawmakers are trying to figure out how, not if, to best license and regulate online poker.
The main theme of the Indian Affairs Committee hearing was that the tribes want to be included in the planning stages of any bill before it is passed and want the equal opportunity to begin offering online poker at the same time as the Nevada casinos. A video of the hearing and written testimony from each of the witnesses, including Poker Players Alliance chairman Alfonse D'Amato, can be viewed at the official committee website.
Friday's House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade hearing had a couple of surprise witnesses. Barney Frank] (D-Mass.) joined John Campbell (R-Calif.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.) on the panel of congressmen.
In her opening statement, chairman Mary Bono Mack asked: “When it comes to the debate over legalizing Internet gambling, is it time for Congress to let the genie out of the bottle? Or is the genie already online with a pile of chips playing Texas hold'em?”
Wolf was the first truly anti-poker witness to testify on Capitol Hill this year. He focused on gambling being a dangerous and addictive activity, claiming that the legalization of Internet poker would be “a windfall to the most powerful gambling interests in this country at the expense of American families and taxpayers.” He even pulled a Spencer Bachus and called Internet gambling the “crack cocaine of gambling.”
As Stuart Smalley would say to Wolf, “Denial ain't just a river in Egypt!”
Frank effectively neutered Wolf's arguments by noting that he is a co-sponsor of Wolf's bill to establish and implement programs for the prevention, treatment and research of problem gambling, and that regulation would better address that issue while not preventing the majority of people without a gambling problem from partaking in the activity.
“Enacting legislation to license, regulate, and tax online gambling as well as implement problem gambling programs, would bring this industry out of the shadows, benefit consumers, create American jobs, capture revenue and allow adults to enjoy freedom from unnecessary government interference,” Frank said.
The second panel featured American Gaming Association president Frank Fahrenkopf, Nevada Gaming Control Board chairman Mark Lipparelli, New Hampshire Lottery Commission executive director Charles McIntyre and, a late addition, Rachel Volberg, a research scientist at the University of Chicago with a specialization in the study of problem gambling.
Fahrenkopf, in his first in-person congressional testimony on the topic, proved to be an engaging speaker for the cause. He admitted that the AGA had previously opposed online poker but claimed that technological advances have proven to the organization that the industry could be regulated to protect Americans.
“At the last hearing, you asked whether licensing and regulation of online poker is a safe bet,” Fahrenkopf said. “Our industry believes it is. The risky bet would be to leave unchanged current law that leaves consumers, minors and those with gambling problems vulnerable to unregulated offshore companies.”
Asked if strengthening the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act should take precedence or happen prior to regulation, Fahrenkopf answered that he believed both could be accomplished at the same time.
Lipparelli testified that Nevada is ready to effectively regulate online poker and that regulation can, under modern technologies, effectively deal with underage gaming, problem gambling, money laundering and collusion.
The full written testimonies from the House hearing can be viewed at the subcommittee's official website and video of the hearing can be viewed on USTREAM.
“Most people, including members of the subcommittee, seemed to be supportive of the concept of a poker-only bill,” Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.), a member of the subcommittee who introduced a poker licensing and regulation bill earlier this year, said in a statement following the hearing.
“I think we moved the ball forward and are getting closer to making this bill a law. I think the votes are there in the subcommittee, the whole committee and on the House floor.”
It's enough to make the Stuart Smalleys in all of us confident in the future of online poker.
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2006/12/07
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At the recent U.S. Online Gaming Law conference held in Nevada; legal issues involved with online gambling in the USA were under discussion. In a presentation to delegates, a leading legal expert on the panel – Prof. I. Nelson Rose – was pessimistic about the passage of legislation to facilitate the start-up of this industry. He has also been heard to say that no-one who matters in seats of power, are really all that interested in the online gambling issue, which is actually quite disheartening. The gambling industry in the USA seems to disagree however, and they are gearing up to see a lift on the 2006 Federal ban that we know as UIGEA.
Lawmakers from opposite ends of the political spectrum testified Friday in favor of federal legislation to authorize online gambling in the United States. Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif., who heads up the Energy and Commerce Trade subcommittee, held court again on online poker/gambling, and the legislation of the industry. Her subcommittee has heard from industry stakeholders and now is also hearing from lawmakers. She offers a few insights into where she stands regarding the online gambling industry and was quoted as saying ~ “This is an important issue which I have been following very closely in hopes of making certain that everyone is dealt a fair hand.” She also went on to say, “It’s very important to be deliberate in our process,” said Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, who said her priority is to ensure those with a stake in the debate are treated fairly!
She has been seen to be weighing up pros and cons, and it is sincerely believed by this industry that her input and that of her committee, will play a crucial role in deciding either, for or against this new industry; the path of which in the USA, has seen detour after detour. At the very least stakeholders are praying for the passage of a bill which will allow online poker, possibly opening doors along the way for other online gambling games. According to people in the know – it is a safe bet now that technology is suitably advanced, and the passage of this legislation “would foster the development and growth of a new American industry, together with thousands of jobs and billions of dollars worth of economic activity.”
Bono Mack indicated that a third hearing on the topic — potentially including witnesses from states and the U.S. Justice Department — may be necessary before moving forward with any one bill.
Lawmakers from opposite ends of the political spectrum testified Friday in favor of federal legislation to authorize online gambling in the United States. Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif., who heads up the Energy and Commerce Trade subcommittee, held court again on online poker/gambling, and the legislation of the industry. Her subcommittee has heard from industry stakeholders and now is also hearing from lawmakers. She offers a few insights into where she stands regarding the online gambling industry and was quoted as saying ~ “This is an important issue which I have been following very closely in hopes of making certain that everyone is dealt a fair hand.” She also went on to say, “It’s very important to be deliberate in our process,” said Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, who said her priority is to ensure those with a stake in the debate are treated fairly!
She has been seen to be weighing up pros and cons, and it is sincerely believed by this industry that her input and that of her committee, will play a crucial role in deciding either, for or against this new industry; the path of which in the USA, has seen detour after detour. At the very least stakeholders are praying for the passage of a bill which will allow online poker, possibly opening doors along the way for other online gambling games. According to people in the know – it is a safe bet now that technology is suitably advanced, and the passage of this legislation “would foster the development and growth of a new American industry, together with thousands of jobs and billions of dollars worth of economic activity.”
Bono Mack indicated that a third hearing on the topic — potentially including witnesses from states and the U.S. Justice Department — may be necessary before moving forward with any one bill.
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2006/12/07
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Mobile gambling apps have become a very safe bet for the online gambling industry. In fact this sector of i-gambling commerce was punted to possibly be one of the largest growth sectors ever, and this was said more than a decade ago. While it took some time to appeal to mass popularity, this year it has really gotten off the ground well, having been inspired by the use of smart phones together with social networking. It has quite literally hit the ground running at top speed. The success story is massive news because it is creating real value for users, as well as massive revenue for online gambling operators.
The UK has become the centre of the world for online gambling and betting operations; we could easily call it the Mecca of online and mobile gambling. There are many companies at the forefront of mobile gambling software development, for example Playtech recently purchased Mobenga, who are industry leaders that specialize in taking betting and gaming companies’ business to mobile media, for approximately €23 million to create a new mobile software development division. Microgaming has Spin 3, another big leading developer of online gaming solutions, to provide turnkey solutions for the mobile gaming arena. Quickfire and a couple of other fingers in the mobile pie, and virtually every UK gambling op worth its salt offers mobile gaming on iOS, Android and HTML; some even offer dedicated Blackberry apps.
The UK online gambling industry is without a doubt the leader in mobile, and while this form of gaming has been tipped to take off a few times in the past without success; it’s time is finally here. Java applications on small-screen-feature and smart phones, is the name of the game today and the best businesses have their smart-money on it too. In particular the nature of sports betting and playing bingo, slots and other casino games, has lent itself well to the mobile experience, so, sports betting by mobile has taken off like a bat out of hell! Mobile gambling is here, and it looks like it’s here to stay; finally having tipped the odds – it’s a very safe bet!
The UK has become the centre of the world for online gambling and betting operations; we could easily call it the Mecca of online and mobile gambling. There are many companies at the forefront of mobile gambling software development, for example Playtech recently purchased Mobenga, who are industry leaders that specialize in taking betting and gaming companies’ business to mobile media, for approximately €23 million to create a new mobile software development division. Microgaming has Spin 3, another big leading developer of online gaming solutions, to provide turnkey solutions for the mobile gaming arena. Quickfire and a couple of other fingers in the mobile pie, and virtually every UK gambling op worth its salt offers mobile gaming on iOS, Android and HTML; some even offer dedicated Blackberry apps.
The UK online gambling industry is without a doubt the leader in mobile, and while this form of gaming has been tipped to take off a few times in the past without success; it’s time is finally here. Java applications on small-screen-feature and smart phones, is the name of the game today and the best businesses have their smart-money on it too. In particular the nature of sports betting and playing bingo, slots and other casino games, has lent itself well to the mobile experience, so, sports betting by mobile has taken off like a bat out of hell! Mobile gambling is here, and it looks like it’s here to stay; finally having tipped the odds – it’s a very safe bet!
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Study also says Chicago would draw $139M annually
A study commissioned by Gov. Pat Quinn's office found that a major gambling expansion approved by lawmakers would bring in far less than the $1 billion a year supporters estimated, but notes that a Chicago casino could pull in more money without competition from slot machines at racetracks.
According to the report, unveiled Monday, the state would get an additional $160 million a year under the proposal lawmakers passed in the spring. However, much of that is set aside to pay for increased regulation and a variety of agriculture and other programs, leaving just $45 million a year in new dollars for education and construction. A Chicago casino would generate $139 million a year for the city, but could pull in an additional $7 million to $17 million if horse tracks do not get slot machines and the facility is taxed at a higher rate, the report said.
Billed as an independent analysis, the findings support Quinn's argument that the gambling measure is too large and would lead to casinos and racetracks fighting for the same dollars. The governor has threatened to veto the legislation and suggested lawmakers craft a new bill that does not include slots at tracks. That idea is a nonstarter for many legislators.
The governor is "open to a bill," but it "needs to be measured, moderate expansion," Quinn's chief of staff, Jack Lavin, said during a meeting with the Tribune editorial board. Lavin said he believes there could be enough support to pass a plan without racetrack slots if it includes additional money for tracks.
But gambling supporters disagree and have unveiled a modified package that keeps the slot machines but includes some of the regulatory reforms Quinn wants. That measure failed to gain enough support when called for a vote this month, though sponsoring Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, says he hasn't given up on the plan.
Lang said he received a copy of the report but hasn't had time to thoroughly analyze the data. Still, he questioned the numbers and said casinos historically bring in more money than initial estimates. Lang called on the governor's office to begin direct negotiations with lawmakers on the topic.
Lavin said he believes that can take place now that there's been an outside examination of revenue projections. The administration said the report cost just under $20,000 and was conducted by Louisiana-based consultant The Innovation Group.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been lobbying for a city-owned casino as a way to overhaul outdated infrastructure. His office had no immediate comment on the report.
A study commissioned by Gov. Pat Quinn's office found that a major gambling expansion approved by lawmakers would bring in far less than the $1 billion a year supporters estimated, but notes that a Chicago casino could pull in more money without competition from slot machines at racetracks.
According to the report, unveiled Monday, the state would get an additional $160 million a year under the proposal lawmakers passed in the spring. However, much of that is set aside to pay for increased regulation and a variety of agriculture and other programs, leaving just $45 million a year in new dollars for education and construction. A Chicago casino would generate $139 million a year for the city, but could pull in an additional $7 million to $17 million if horse tracks do not get slot machines and the facility is taxed at a higher rate, the report said.
Billed as an independent analysis, the findings support Quinn's argument that the gambling measure is too large and would lead to casinos and racetracks fighting for the same dollars. The governor has threatened to veto the legislation and suggested lawmakers craft a new bill that does not include slots at tracks. That idea is a nonstarter for many legislators.
The governor is "open to a bill," but it "needs to be measured, moderate expansion," Quinn's chief of staff, Jack Lavin, said during a meeting with the Tribune editorial board. Lavin said he believes there could be enough support to pass a plan without racetrack slots if it includes additional money for tracks.
But gambling supporters disagree and have unveiled a modified package that keeps the slot machines but includes some of the regulatory reforms Quinn wants. That measure failed to gain enough support when called for a vote this month, though sponsoring Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, says he hasn't given up on the plan.
Lang said he received a copy of the report but hasn't had time to thoroughly analyze the data. Still, he questioned the numbers and said casinos historically bring in more money than initial estimates. Lang called on the governor's office to begin direct negotiations with lawmakers on the topic.
Lavin said he believes that can take place now that there's been an outside examination of revenue projections. The administration said the report cost just under $20,000 and was conducted by Louisiana-based consultant The Innovation Group.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been lobbying for a city-owned casino as a way to overhaul outdated infrastructure. His office had no immediate comment on the report.
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* Greek gambling monopoly posts 16 pct profit drop
* Austerity hits gambling
ATHENS, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Austerity-hit Greeks spurned gambling as their economy nosedived over the summer, punching a hole in quarterly profit at OPAP, Europe's biggest betting company.
Unlike some recession-hit countries where more people turn to lotteries as their last hope for quick cash, Greeks have been gambling less after being hit with wage cuts and tax hikes by a debt-laden government trying to avoid default.
OPAP's third-quarter net profit fell 16 percent to 135.4 million euros ($183 million), compared with a forecast for 130.5 million in a Reuters poll.
"What they say about poverty boosting gambling is a myth," said Kyriakos Toptsidis, head of OPAP's sales agents and who has been operating his own outlet in northern Greece for 27 years.
"When people do not have enough to eat, they do not buy lottery tickets. They may not stop altogether, but they cut down," he said.
OPAP, 34 percent state-owned and slated for a government share sale next year, has been coping with recession better than the broader Greek economy.
Retail sales, adjusted for inflation, have dropped about 25 percent from their peak in 2008, when Greece entered recession, while OPAP sales are down about 20 percent.
OPAP's third-quarter sales fell 11.4 percent to 1.01 billion euros, as people turned away from its two flagship games -- Kino and Stihima, which account for about 85 percent of total revenues.
"Our sales drop is certainly lower than other retail sectors, like electronics and clothing," said one OPAP official who declined to be named. "But actual revenue growth is impossible in such tough times."
Turnover from sports betting game Stihima fell 20.3 percent to 346 million euros, while the popular Kino lottery dropped 14.4 percent to 516 million.
NO INTERIM DIVIDEND
OPAP has been trying to attract punters by offering new games. In spring, it launched a string of new gambling products, such greyhound racing, which improved its top line by 51 million euros in the quarter.
"People are still coming to gamble, but they are placing one or two-euro bets instead of five or 10 as they did before," Toptsidis said.
OPAP, which has a market value of about 2 billion euros, did not announce an interim dividend, for the first time since listing in 2000.
Last month the company said it would cut its dividend payout to at least 50 percent of total profit this year, compared with a usual payout of about 90 percent.
This comes after the government's decision to use OPAP as a cash cow to boost state coffers. The company spent about 475 million euros this month to acquire an exclusive videolotto licence in Greece and will pay another 375 million by end-December to renew its betting monopoly for 10 years to 2030.
"I do not see any profit growth before VLTs are fully rolled out in 2013," said Stamatis Draziotis, an analyst at EFG Eurobank Equities. OPAP expects videolotto to become its single biggest profit driver by 2015.
The company's shares have halved in value this year, in line with the Athens bourse's benchmark index. OPAP trades at 4 times estimated 2011 earnings versus a multiple of 9 for British group William Hill and 9.4 for Ladbrokes . ($1 = 0.739 euro) (Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Dan Lalor)
* Austerity hits gambling
ATHENS, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Austerity-hit Greeks spurned gambling as their economy nosedived over the summer, punching a hole in quarterly profit at OPAP, Europe's biggest betting company.
Unlike some recession-hit countries where more people turn to lotteries as their last hope for quick cash, Greeks have been gambling less after being hit with wage cuts and tax hikes by a debt-laden government trying to avoid default.
OPAP's third-quarter net profit fell 16 percent to 135.4 million euros ($183 million), compared with a forecast for 130.5 million in a Reuters poll.
"What they say about poverty boosting gambling is a myth," said Kyriakos Toptsidis, head of OPAP's sales agents and who has been operating his own outlet in northern Greece for 27 years.
"When people do not have enough to eat, they do not buy lottery tickets. They may not stop altogether, but they cut down," he said.
OPAP, 34 percent state-owned and slated for a government share sale next year, has been coping with recession better than the broader Greek economy.
Retail sales, adjusted for inflation, have dropped about 25 percent from their peak in 2008, when Greece entered recession, while OPAP sales are down about 20 percent.
OPAP's third-quarter sales fell 11.4 percent to 1.01 billion euros, as people turned away from its two flagship games -- Kino and Stihima, which account for about 85 percent of total revenues.
"Our sales drop is certainly lower than other retail sectors, like electronics and clothing," said one OPAP official who declined to be named. "But actual revenue growth is impossible in such tough times."
Turnover from sports betting game Stihima fell 20.3 percent to 346 million euros, while the popular Kino lottery dropped 14.4 percent to 516 million.
NO INTERIM DIVIDEND
OPAP has been trying to attract punters by offering new games. In spring, it launched a string of new gambling products, such greyhound racing, which improved its top line by 51 million euros in the quarter.
"People are still coming to gamble, but they are placing one or two-euro bets instead of five or 10 as they did before," Toptsidis said.
OPAP, which has a market value of about 2 billion euros, did not announce an interim dividend, for the first time since listing in 2000.
Last month the company said it would cut its dividend payout to at least 50 percent of total profit this year, compared with a usual payout of about 90 percent.
This comes after the government's decision to use OPAP as a cash cow to boost state coffers. The company spent about 475 million euros this month to acquire an exclusive videolotto licence in Greece and will pay another 375 million by end-December to renew its betting monopoly for 10 years to 2030.
"I do not see any profit growth before VLTs are fully rolled out in 2013," said Stamatis Draziotis, an analyst at EFG Eurobank Equities. OPAP expects videolotto to become its single biggest profit driver by 2015.
The company's shares have halved in value this year, in line with the Athens bourse's benchmark index. OPAP trades at 4 times estimated 2011 earnings versus a multiple of 9 for British group William Hill and 9.4 for Ladbrokes . ($1 = 0.739 euro) (Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Dan Lalor)
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2006/12/07
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When Gov. Deval Patrick signs a new gambling bill into law, control over the three planned casinos and one slots parlor will quickly shift from state lawmakers to an as-yet-unnamed five-member commission, whose members will all make more than $100,000 a year.
Top lawmakers said they deliberately set out to give the commission as much leeway as possible to regulate the new industry.
"You have to have someone to give the authority to, to make those difficult ... decisions," said House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, a strong supporter of expanded gambling.
"I think it's best left for an independent commission to take a look at who's qualified to have one of these facilities, to make sure that the people who are operating them have not only the fiscal management to do so, but they pass all of the necessary qualifications," he added.
The law gives the commission sweeping powers to:
-- Approve or deny casino licenses.
-- Inspect financial reports.
-- Hire and fire commission employees.
-- Conduct investigations.
-- Impound slot machines and other gambling equipment.
-- Issue subpoenas.
-- Act as trustees for gambling-related trust funds.
The commission will also have the power to levy and collect assessments, fees and fines associated with the casinos and provide assistance to the governor in negotiating a compact with a federally recognized Indian tribe. In return, the full-time commissioners will receive six-figure salaries.
Under the bill, the chairman of the commission will receive a salary equal to that of the state secretary of administration and finance -- $150,000 -- while the remaining four commissioners will receive $112,500 each, or three-quarters the salary.
Patrick, whose earns about $140,000 as governor, is expected to sign the bill as early as Tuesday.
The commissioners are appointed by three of the state's top elected officials.
Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley and state Treasurer Steven Grossman, all Democrats, will each name one member to the commission. The remaining two members will be appointed by a majority vote of the governor, attorney general and treasurer.
Patrick's pick will serve as commission chairman.
Members of the commission will serve five-year terms and can be appointed to a second term. No more than three can be from the same political party. The governor can remove a member only for specific reasons including malfeasance, conviction of a felony or neglect of duty.
Casino critics say the bill stacks too much clout in the hands of the commission.
"We and all citizens, including legislators ... should be very concerned about the sweeping powers of this new bureaucracy," Kathleen Conley Norbut, a longtime critics of casino gambling, said in a statement.
"We proposed development of a `watchdog' group that would monitor the establishment and growth of the industry, as well as the concentrated powers of the commission. This is something that is still needed," she added, saying lawmakers "intentionally have washed their hands of future responsibility."
The bill places restrictions on the outside activities of commissioners.
The commissioners are expected to work full time for the board and are barred from owning any stock in a business that holds a casino license or from providing any professional services to any regulated firms. Commissioners are also barred from wagering in a casino except as part of the job.
While state lawmakers prohibited one another from working for a casino for at least one year after leaving public office, commissioners are held to a three-year "cooling-off" period after leaving the board.
The lengthy bill goes into great detail about just what authority the commission wields. The most critical is the power to "determine which applicants shall be awarded gaming licenses."
The bill appears to leave little room to appeal that decision once it is made, short of going to court.
"The commission shall have full discretion as to whether to issue a license," the bill states. "Applicants shall have no legal right or privilege to a gaming license and shall not be entitled to any further review if denied by the commission."
Under the bill, one casino will be in each of three broad geographic locations across the state. It will be up to the commission to weigh each proposal and pick the one they think is the best -- or to deny all proposals if none meet their criteria.
The commission also has the authority to suspend or revoke a license for specific reasons, including breaching a condition of the license or if a licensee commits a felony.
Picking the winning casino bidders is a choice that could be extremely lucrative -- to the state and the casino company.
Each winning casino firm must show it has enough money to pour at least $500 million into a gambling facility while also covering a licensing fee of at least $85 million. For the slots parlor, the winning company will have to show it can spend $125 million developing the facility and also cover a $25 million fee.
Overseeing it all is the commission, empowered to weigh not just a company's financial stability, but also its "integrity, honesty, good character and reputation."
The commission's power doesn't stop there.
The board will also have its own law enforcement agency -- an "investigations and enforcement bureau" that will be the primary enforcement agent for regulatory matters.
The commission even has power to regulate casino "junkets" designed to lure those willing to bet at a higher level in exchange for the casino picking up the cost of transportation, food and lodging.
To cover the costs of the commission, the bill establishes the Massachusetts Gaming Control Fund. The commission is named the trustee of the fund and is empowered to use the money to pay for the operational expenses of the commission.
The money for the fund comes in part from certain fees levied on the indus
Top lawmakers said they deliberately set out to give the commission as much leeway as possible to regulate the new industry.
"You have to have someone to give the authority to, to make those difficult ... decisions," said House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, a strong supporter of expanded gambling.
"I think it's best left for an independent commission to take a look at who's qualified to have one of these facilities, to make sure that the people who are operating them have not only the fiscal management to do so, but they pass all of the necessary qualifications," he added.
The law gives the commission sweeping powers to:
-- Approve or deny casino licenses.
-- Inspect financial reports.
-- Hire and fire commission employees.
-- Conduct investigations.
-- Impound slot machines and other gambling equipment.
-- Issue subpoenas.
-- Act as trustees for gambling-related trust funds.
The commission will also have the power to levy and collect assessments, fees and fines associated with the casinos and provide assistance to the governor in negotiating a compact with a federally recognized Indian tribe. In return, the full-time commissioners will receive six-figure salaries.
Under the bill, the chairman of the commission will receive a salary equal to that of the state secretary of administration and finance -- $150,000 -- while the remaining four commissioners will receive $112,500 each, or three-quarters the salary.
Patrick, whose earns about $140,000 as governor, is expected to sign the bill as early as Tuesday.
The commissioners are appointed by three of the state's top elected officials.
Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley and state Treasurer Steven Grossman, all Democrats, will each name one member to the commission. The remaining two members will be appointed by a majority vote of the governor, attorney general and treasurer.
Patrick's pick will serve as commission chairman.
Members of the commission will serve five-year terms and can be appointed to a second term. No more than three can be from the same political party. The governor can remove a member only for specific reasons including malfeasance, conviction of a felony or neglect of duty.
Casino critics say the bill stacks too much clout in the hands of the commission.
"We and all citizens, including legislators ... should be very concerned about the sweeping powers of this new bureaucracy," Kathleen Conley Norbut, a longtime critics of casino gambling, said in a statement.
"We proposed development of a `watchdog' group that would monitor the establishment and growth of the industry, as well as the concentrated powers of the commission. This is something that is still needed," she added, saying lawmakers "intentionally have washed their hands of future responsibility."
The bill places restrictions on the outside activities of commissioners.
The commissioners are expected to work full time for the board and are barred from owning any stock in a business that holds a casino license or from providing any professional services to any regulated firms. Commissioners are also barred from wagering in a casino except as part of the job.
While state lawmakers prohibited one another from working for a casino for at least one year after leaving public office, commissioners are held to a three-year "cooling-off" period after leaving the board.
The lengthy bill goes into great detail about just what authority the commission wields. The most critical is the power to "determine which applicants shall be awarded gaming licenses."
The bill appears to leave little room to appeal that decision once it is made, short of going to court.
"The commission shall have full discretion as to whether to issue a license," the bill states. "Applicants shall have no legal right or privilege to a gaming license and shall not be entitled to any further review if denied by the commission."
Under the bill, one casino will be in each of three broad geographic locations across the state. It will be up to the commission to weigh each proposal and pick the one they think is the best -- or to deny all proposals if none meet their criteria.
The commission also has the authority to suspend or revoke a license for specific reasons, including breaching a condition of the license or if a licensee commits a felony.
Picking the winning casino bidders is a choice that could be extremely lucrative -- to the state and the casino company.
Each winning casino firm must show it has enough money to pour at least $500 million into a gambling facility while also covering a licensing fee of at least $85 million. For the slots parlor, the winning company will have to show it can spend $125 million developing the facility and also cover a $25 million fee.
Overseeing it all is the commission, empowered to weigh not just a company's financial stability, but also its "integrity, honesty, good character and reputation."
The commission's power doesn't stop there.
The board will also have its own law enforcement agency -- an "investigations and enforcement bureau" that will be the primary enforcement agent for regulatory matters.
The commission even has power to regulate casino "junkets" designed to lure those willing to bet at a higher level in exchange for the casino picking up the cost of transportation, food and lodging.
To cover the costs of the commission, the bill establishes the Massachusetts Gaming Control Fund. The commission is named the trustee of the fund and is empowered to use the money to pay for the operational expenses of the commission.
The money for the fund comes in part from certain fees levied on the indus
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Fans of pop star Lady Gaga just may be lining up to rent Lady Gaga’s first New York City apartment where the transformation from Stefani Germanotta into the pop monster that she is today supposedly occurred. The Lower East Side one-bedroom apartment is reportedly still on the market for $1,850 per month and it could be yours.
Lady Gaga is originally from New York City and grew up on the Upper West Side with her family. Once she graduated from high school she moved into the said one-bedroom with a little help from her father who fronted some of the cash after making a special deal with her that if her musical career didn’t take off in a year’s time, she would promise to return to New York University.
This is the apartment where she developed the unique style we know from the singer today where according to her once producer Rob Fusari, she was once incredibly fond of wearing oversized sweat shirts and tights which just didn’t cut it for an up and coming pop star.
According to US Magazine, the apartment is listed with New York City realtor Citi Habitats that is using its link to the pop star to rent the place. Without sounding too much like a realtor, the apartment is described as, one-bedroom with a spacious floor plan all within steps from the hottest nightlife in NYC; a perfect place for her to start her career.
Lady Gaga is originally from New York City and grew up on the Upper West Side with her family. Once she graduated from high school she moved into the said one-bedroom with a little help from her father who fronted some of the cash after making a special deal with her that if her musical career didn’t take off in a year’s time, she would promise to return to New York University.
This is the apartment where she developed the unique style we know from the singer today where according to her once producer Rob Fusari, she was once incredibly fond of wearing oversized sweat shirts and tights which just didn’t cut it for an up and coming pop star.
According to US Magazine, the apartment is listed with New York City realtor Citi Habitats that is using its link to the pop star to rent the place. Without sounding too much like a realtor, the apartment is described as, one-bedroom with a spacious floor plan all within steps from the hottest nightlife in NYC; a perfect place for her to start her career.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
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From February 2012, the Nevada Gaming Control Board will start accepting applications to offer online poker services to players located within state borders.
This is good news not only for the thousands of Nevada residents who play online poker, but also for the state, which will be able to raise much-needed revenue by legalising and taxing online poker within its borders.
With Goldman Sachs estimating that the US market for online casinos and poker could be worth $12bn and individual states - like Nevada - now beginning to liberalise, both US and overseas gaming operators are starting to execute their market entry strategies. In April, William Hill announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire American Wagering, which operates mobile sports betting services under the Leroy's brand.
Commenting on the announcement, Russell Carter, founder of Interactive Mobile Broadband, which helps state and other legal remote gambling operators validate the ages and locations of prospective customers, said: "While the rewards for regulatory compliant online operators in Nevada could be huge, so will be the downside for any who fail to meet the NGCB's stringent legal, regulatory and technical standards. This includes making sure that online gambling services are not made available to anyone located outside Nevada state borders, where they remain illegal. Taking a bet from a player located outside Nevada could mean losing your licence."
This is good news not only for the thousands of Nevada residents who play online poker, but also for the state, which will be able to raise much-needed revenue by legalising and taxing online poker within its borders.
With Goldman Sachs estimating that the US market for online casinos and poker could be worth $12bn and individual states - like Nevada - now beginning to liberalise, both US and overseas gaming operators are starting to execute their market entry strategies. In April, William Hill announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire American Wagering, which operates mobile sports betting services under the Leroy's brand.
Commenting on the announcement, Russell Carter, founder of Interactive Mobile Broadband, which helps state and other legal remote gambling operators validate the ages and locations of prospective customers, said: "While the rewards for regulatory compliant online operators in Nevada could be huge, so will be the downside for any who fail to meet the NGCB's stringent legal, regulatory and technical standards. This includes making sure that online gambling services are not made available to anyone located outside Nevada state borders, where they remain illegal. Taking a bet from a player located outside Nevada could mean losing your licence."
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There appears to be a number of very large member states who jealously guard their gambling business – in particular online, against any encroachment by foreign operators. Ostensibly these Governments don’t want to ‘let go’ of monopolistic gambling policies – often supposedly in place to protect the public, when nothing could be more obviously further from the truth. Gambling and online gambling is massive revenue boosting business, and it has become blatant that certain EU states function under circumstances of double standards. The EU marketplace has strict free-market policies.
The Remote Gambling Association, (The RGA represents most of the world’s largest licensed, and stock market-listed remote gambling companies and provides the industry with a single voice on all the issues of importance to regulators, legislators, and key decision makers around the world.) is understandably full of praise for the new resolution. It certainly offers a refreshing outlook for many licensed online gambling private sector operators; guaranteeing compliance with EU laws. Clive Hawkswood – CEO of the RGA said ~ ‘The European Parliament’s resolution demonstrates a marked change in approach. It now wants to regulate rather than prohibit; and it is pressing the Commission to act against Member States which do no comply.’
The resolution makes it clear regarding the duties of the European Commission to act when member states violate the ‘freedoms’ entrenched in EU treaties. In a recent European Court of Justice Landmark decision, Italy was taken to tasks after refusing a license to operate an online gambling site to a British company. Theirs is a newly regulated industry, and their refusal was seen in a very bad light by EU courts.