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Florida's gambling regulators are fending off legal challenges on two fronts today, both because of their decision to issue new pari-mutuel permits -- one to a barrel-racing track in North Florida and another to a summer Jai Alai permit in Miami.
The state's Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering argued in the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee Monday that it's decision to issue a barrel racing permit to a new horse track in Gretna should not be put on hold. The stay is being sought by the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association which is challenging the permit as illegal, claiming barrel racing is not a legitimate pari-mutuel activity.
Owners of the track, however, argue that the state never defined what constitutes horse racing, allowing for the liberal interpretation employed to allow for barrel racing.
Meanwhile, in Leon County Circuit Court, the owners of the Mardi Gras Casino filed suit against the state on Friday for issuing a summer jai alai permit to the owners of Magic City Casino arguing that the never-used loophole written into state law in 1992 is unconstitutional. After Magic City obtained its permit, the owner of the barrel race track applied for a permit to build a jai alai fronton in western Broward County on property owned by developer Ron Bergeron. The state last week rejected the permit because it was incomplete.
Both cases have this in common: the holders of the new pari-mutuel permits see it as a way to leapfrog into more lucrative gambling offerings, such as poker rooms and slot machines. As these loopholes widened, Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, last week called for legislation to close the loopholes before lawmakers consider bringing resort casinos to South Florida.
The state's Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering argued in the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee Monday that it's decision to issue a barrel racing permit to a new horse track in Gretna should not be put on hold. The stay is being sought by the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association which is challenging the permit as illegal, claiming barrel racing is not a legitimate pari-mutuel activity.
Owners of the track, however, argue that the state never defined what constitutes horse racing, allowing for the liberal interpretation employed to allow for barrel racing.
Meanwhile, in Leon County Circuit Court, the owners of the Mardi Gras Casino filed suit against the state on Friday for issuing a summer jai alai permit to the owners of Magic City Casino arguing that the never-used loophole written into state law in 1992 is unconstitutional. After Magic City obtained its permit, the owner of the barrel race track applied for a permit to build a jai alai fronton in western Broward County on property owned by developer Ron Bergeron. The state last week rejected the permit because it was incomplete.
Both cases have this in common: the holders of the new pari-mutuel permits see it as a way to leapfrog into more lucrative gambling offerings, such as poker rooms and slot machines. As these loopholes widened, Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, last week called for legislation to close the loopholes before lawmakers consider bringing resort casinos to South Florida.
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2006/12/07
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Groups of eager casino backers are talking about playing more games in Miami-Dade, but not everyone wants them here.
Billionaire car mogul Norman Braman was among those at the Miami-Dade College campus in downtown Miami for a forum, Monday afternoon, to discuss the idea of bringing casino-style resorts to Miami. He said he stands strongly opposed to the idea, but those in support of the gambling said these casinos will bring thousands of jobs to the area. "This is a regulatory process and a cleaning up process where you get the best of the gaming industry, not the worst of the gaming industry," said Andrew Abboud, Vice President of the Las Vegas Sands.
There is currently a bill in Tallahassee to create the Florida Gaming Commission, which would regulate resort-style gaming in the state. The question remains whether city leaders and citizens would support this issue.
A resort group bought waterfront property in downtown Miami, where the Miami Herald building currently stands. They have unveiled lavish, multi-billion-dollar plans to build resorts on the property, which would offer nightclubs and restaurants, in addition to gambling.
Those in support of the proposal said it would give a huge boost to the economy in Miami, bringing business from as far as Asia. Those opposed to the gambling resorts said these things will also bring an element that would lead to an increase in crime, from break-ins to rape.
Billionaire Car mogul and local activist Norman Braman was on the panel against the plan. "Miami doesn't need gambling, Miami doesn't need you. You need us," he told Abboud and others supporting the proposed industry.
Braman stands against the casino culture, as he thinks the bill would transform Miami into las Vegas. "We don't want to become another Las Vegas," he said. "I mean, it's nice to visit Las Vegas. I don't want to live in Las Vegas. I don't want my kids or my grand kids brought up in Las Vegas."
Opponents said the theoretical economic surge would not have a big, long-term pay out to Miami, pointing out statistics that show increased crime and even unemployment in the long term. "I believe that bringing casino gambling here is also bringing crime, burglary, rape, prostitution," Braman said. "That's what the numbers indicate all over the country."
Braman and many others against the casinos attended the forum, as well as local commissioners. One of those commissioners said this is an issue that should go to the voters of Miami-Dade County for the people to decide whether they want to see Miami become a resort destination or a place to raise their families.
Billionaire car mogul Norman Braman was among those at the Miami-Dade College campus in downtown Miami for a forum, Monday afternoon, to discuss the idea of bringing casino-style resorts to Miami. He said he stands strongly opposed to the idea, but those in support of the gambling said these casinos will bring thousands of jobs to the area. "This is a regulatory process and a cleaning up process where you get the best of the gaming industry, not the worst of the gaming industry," said Andrew Abboud, Vice President of the Las Vegas Sands.
There is currently a bill in Tallahassee to create the Florida Gaming Commission, which would regulate resort-style gaming in the state. The question remains whether city leaders and citizens would support this issue.
A resort group bought waterfront property in downtown Miami, where the Miami Herald building currently stands. They have unveiled lavish, multi-billion-dollar plans to build resorts on the property, which would offer nightclubs and restaurants, in addition to gambling.
Those in support of the proposal said it would give a huge boost to the economy in Miami, bringing business from as far as Asia. Those opposed to the gambling resorts said these things will also bring an element that would lead to an increase in crime, from break-ins to rape.
Billionaire Car mogul and local activist Norman Braman was on the panel against the plan. "Miami doesn't need gambling, Miami doesn't need you. You need us," he told Abboud and others supporting the proposed industry.
Braman stands against the casino culture, as he thinks the bill would transform Miami into las Vegas. "We don't want to become another Las Vegas," he said. "I mean, it's nice to visit Las Vegas. I don't want to live in Las Vegas. I don't want my kids or my grand kids brought up in Las Vegas."
Opponents said the theoretical economic surge would not have a big, long-term pay out to Miami, pointing out statistics that show increased crime and even unemployment in the long term. "I believe that bringing casino gambling here is also bringing crime, burglary, rape, prostitution," Braman said. "That's what the numbers indicate all over the country."
Braman and many others against the casinos attended the forum, as well as local commissioners. One of those commissioners said this is an issue that should go to the voters of Miami-Dade County for the people to decide whether they want to see Miami become a resort destination or a place to raise their families.
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2006/12/07
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Minnesotans might begin to wonder if a new Vikings stadium is really feasible if lawmakers intend to rely on gambling revenues to fund the state’s portion of the multimillion-dollar project. Stadium talks this week in St. Paul focused on ways to generate stadium funds via various gambling-expansion schemes, most involving the state’s American Indian tribes.
It all looks a little tentative because tribes have their own priorities that often have little to do with Vikings football, and a proliferation of competing gambling proposals has the potential to scuttle all of them. Consider the wish list that emerged during Tuesday’s meeting of the Senate Taxes and State Government Committees:
* White Earth Tribal Nation, which operates a casino on the rural reservation at Mahnomen, wants a Twin Cities casino.
* Iron Range developers sought the OK to add gambling to a race track.
* An Alexandria lawmaker said the state should approve a money-making video lottery.
* Another lawmaker said a downtown Minneapolis casino is the way to go.
* And the old idea of adding casinos to the state’s two horse-racing tracks, so-called racino, was discussed again.
While there was no shortage of ideas to expand gambling, those interests already big into gambling, particularly American Indian tribes, were against adding casinos that would compete with existing venues. For example, the White Earth idea of a new casino/motel complex at Arden Hills (one of the sites under consideration for a stadium) was vigorously opposed by the Mille Lacs band, which operates two casinos north of the Twin Cities. And a representative of the Prairie Island Indian Community Council, another tribal casino operator, said gamblers should not fund a Vikings stadium.
If expanded gambling is the apparent fallback option for generating the public share of funding for a Vikings stadium, the entire stadium enterprise is on squishy ground. Even if a case can be made that expanded gambling can generate sufficient revenue for stadium financing, there clearly is no consensus that expansion can or should be done. Tribal opposition alone is significant. Lawmakers who believe gambling is wrong to begin with certainly will not endorse what they believe to be moral turpitude in order to support, of all things, professional football.
As Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, said, “Every idea has an opponent.” Lanning has been working, probably harder than anyone else in the Legislature, to find a way to finance a new stadium. The gambling option is but one factor in an immensely complicated challenge. The competing and conflicting interests affecting just that single factor suggest lawmakers and the team are not close to solving the equation.
It all looks a little tentative because tribes have their own priorities that often have little to do with Vikings football, and a proliferation of competing gambling proposals has the potential to scuttle all of them. Consider the wish list that emerged during Tuesday’s meeting of the Senate Taxes and State Government Committees:
* White Earth Tribal Nation, which operates a casino on the rural reservation at Mahnomen, wants a Twin Cities casino.
* Iron Range developers sought the OK to add gambling to a race track.
* An Alexandria lawmaker said the state should approve a money-making video lottery.
* Another lawmaker said a downtown Minneapolis casino is the way to go.
* And the old idea of adding casinos to the state’s two horse-racing tracks, so-called racino, was discussed again.
While there was no shortage of ideas to expand gambling, those interests already big into gambling, particularly American Indian tribes, were against adding casinos that would compete with existing venues. For example, the White Earth idea of a new casino/motel complex at Arden Hills (one of the sites under consideration for a stadium) was vigorously opposed by the Mille Lacs band, which operates two casinos north of the Twin Cities. And a representative of the Prairie Island Indian Community Council, another tribal casino operator, said gamblers should not fund a Vikings stadium.
If expanded gambling is the apparent fallback option for generating the public share of funding for a Vikings stadium, the entire stadium enterprise is on squishy ground. Even if a case can be made that expanded gambling can generate sufficient revenue for stadium financing, there clearly is no consensus that expansion can or should be done. Tribal opposition alone is significant. Lawmakers who believe gambling is wrong to begin with certainly will not endorse what they believe to be moral turpitude in order to support, of all things, professional football.
As Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, said, “Every idea has an opponent.” Lanning has been working, probably harder than anyone else in the Legislature, to find a way to finance a new stadium. The gambling option is but one factor in an immensely complicated challenge. The competing and conflicting interests affecting just that single factor suggest lawmakers and the team are not close to solving the equation.
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2006/12/07
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Arizona voters could get to decide next year if they want to be able to gamble closer to home.
An initiative petition drive launched late last week would allow private corporations to set up full-blown casinos in the state's major cities. The measure also would separately permit casino gaming at racetracks.
Initiative organizer Carl Nicholson said he already has promises of financial backing for the plan from what he said are some of the major players in gaming in nearby Nevada. He would not provide names; funding sources for ballot measures legally do not have to be made public until next summer.
But Nicholson said they have a good reason to back the plan: If approved, he said those who put up the cash would have first crack at getting the required state licenses.
He needs 172,809 valid signatures on petitions by July 5 to put the issue before voters next November.
Nicholson acknowledged that voters rejected off-reservation gaming nearly a decade ago, defeating a measure in 2002 to let the tracks having gaming machines. Instead, voters adopted a plan to give tribes the exclusive right to operate casinos in exchange for a share of the profits.
Nicholson said, though, this plan would provide a better financial deal for the state. He said companies and tracks would pay twice as much in profits to the state than is now required of tribes.
If approved, the measure would not permit anyone to open a casino anywhere they wanted.
Aside from the gaming operations at tracks, Phoenix and Bullhead City each could have two casinos, with one each in Apache Junction, Lake Havasu City, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tucson and Yuma. There also could be a single casino located somewhere in Avondale, Goodyear or Litchfield Park.
He said cities would not have the power to reject a casino. But Nicholson said communities would not want to, as they would share in the revenues.
An initiative petition drive launched late last week would allow private corporations to set up full-blown casinos in the state's major cities. The measure also would separately permit casino gaming at racetracks.
Initiative organizer Carl Nicholson said he already has promises of financial backing for the plan from what he said are some of the major players in gaming in nearby Nevada. He would not provide names; funding sources for ballot measures legally do not have to be made public until next summer.
But Nicholson said they have a good reason to back the plan: If approved, he said those who put up the cash would have first crack at getting the required state licenses.
He needs 172,809 valid signatures on petitions by July 5 to put the issue before voters next November.
Nicholson acknowledged that voters rejected off-reservation gaming nearly a decade ago, defeating a measure in 2002 to let the tracks having gaming machines. Instead, voters adopted a plan to give tribes the exclusive right to operate casinos in exchange for a share of the profits.
Nicholson said, though, this plan would provide a better financial deal for the state. He said companies and tracks would pay twice as much in profits to the state than is now required of tribes.
If approved, the measure would not permit anyone to open a casino anywhere they wanted.
Aside from the gaming operations at tracks, Phoenix and Bullhead City each could have two casinos, with one each in Apache Junction, Lake Havasu City, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tucson and Yuma. There also could be a single casino located somewhere in Avondale, Goodyear or Litchfield Park.
He said cities would not have the power to reject a casino. But Nicholson said communities would not want to, as they would share in the revenues.
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2006/12/07
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29893
Microgaming online casinos software provider surely knows how to keep its players happy. It knows that the best should always be saved for the last and that is why it has come up with the best game it has in store, the Immortal Romance, in the last month of the year. Microgaming says it is "A Dark Tale of Love and Intrigue is a Heartbeat away…" the hype is high and it has already been compared to the amazing online video slots like the Lord of the Rings.
Immortal Romance is actually the first game of what is going to be a series. In this game, the players will be able to live in the story of a dark desire and forbidden love of supernatural characters of the likes of Twilight and Vampire. The graphics do immense justice to the dark theme of the game and so does the music that is extremely enticing. The overall experience is indeed going to be hard to forgo for the players. Hence, Microgaming online casinos software provider says it is "undoubtedly the most highly anticipated game release of the year".
The game lives up to the expectations that players have from online video slots. It pays high and has numerous new features. It has 243 Ways to Win the game. Alongside, there is the brand new feature caked the Player Achievements that acts as an incentive for you to keep going and finally achieve the Gold status. Wild Desire is yet another brand new feature which may be activated at any time randomly. This feature has the ability to turn a maximum of 5 reels wild. Chamber of Spins can be entered when you have three door knockers with the lion’s head.
Amber, the sorceress will give you 10 free spins that come with 5x multiplier. Troy gives 15 free spins and the fluttering bats can covert symbols into multipliers. Michael is a vampire lover who can offer you 20 free spins and finally, the heroine, Sarah will give you 25 free spins along with randomly re-triggering 4 extra spins.
The new video slot Immortal Romance is going to be launched in every casino powered by the Microgaming online casinos software provider on December 2011.
This news was brought to you by casino bonus map, online gambling portal featuring new online video slots and other gambling games as well as the casino games strategies. All casino bonuses and casino bonus promotions offered by the most trusted online casinos.
Immortal Romance is actually the first game of what is going to be a series. In this game, the players will be able to live in the story of a dark desire and forbidden love of supernatural characters of the likes of Twilight and Vampire. The graphics do immense justice to the dark theme of the game and so does the music that is extremely enticing. The overall experience is indeed going to be hard to forgo for the players. Hence, Microgaming online casinos software provider says it is "undoubtedly the most highly anticipated game release of the year".
The game lives up to the expectations that players have from online video slots. It pays high and has numerous new features. It has 243 Ways to Win the game. Alongside, there is the brand new feature caked the Player Achievements that acts as an incentive for you to keep going and finally achieve the Gold status. Wild Desire is yet another brand new feature which may be activated at any time randomly. This feature has the ability to turn a maximum of 5 reels wild. Chamber of Spins can be entered when you have three door knockers with the lion’s head.
Amber, the sorceress will give you 10 free spins that come with 5x multiplier. Troy gives 15 free spins and the fluttering bats can covert symbols into multipliers. Michael is a vampire lover who can offer you 20 free spins and finally, the heroine, Sarah will give you 25 free spins along with randomly re-triggering 4 extra spins.
The new video slot Immortal Romance is going to be launched in every casino powered by the Microgaming online casinos software provider on December 2011.
This news was brought to you by casino bonus map, online gambling portal featuring new online video slots and other gambling games as well as the casino games strategies. All casino bonuses and casino bonus promotions offered by the most trusted online casinos.
Join:
2006/12/07
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29893
Online casinos are
taking the Internet by storm. Such websites are going from strength to strength
simply by offering a multitude of gaming options from the comfort of our own
homes. It is no secret that poker and roulette are popular among dedicated
gamers but with many other members of the general public opting to spend a
night in it seems that free
slots and bingo cards are the perfect at-home entertainment we
were looking for.
What is out there for those who want to try their hand at online casinos? For those who feel poker and roulette are a little out of their depth, here are five games worth trying.
Sic bo
Sic bo, despite its literal translation being ‘dice pair’, is an ancient Chinese game involving three dice. Players predict the outcome of the dice by placing various wagers on a playing table. Although the game’s many outcomes can seem complex, sic bo is a favourite among new players as it is fast-moving and easy to pick up. Both real-life and online casinos provide tables which light up from underneath meaning that winning wagers are instantly lit and the game is easy to follow.
Craps
Craps is very similar to sic bo in that it involves predicting outcomes from dice which are shaken and rolled. Despite the simplicity of craps, many new players are often put off playing when they visit real casinos as there is often a great energy and enthusiastic players surrounding the table. Online casinos are the perfect way for getting to grips with craps before you play in a casino. This is also a fabulous game to play online alongside the chat rooms, which can help keep the adrenaline pumping. A great Saturday night out, in.
Slots
Slots are one of the easiest, if not the easiest, of all casino games. Slot machines have, as standard, at least three reels and traditionally an arm to the right hand side of the machine. This arm is pulled to spin the reels in hope that a pattern of three matching symbols will emerge. More contemporary video machines have a button, rather than an arm, to enable players to spin their reels; old and new choices are available online. It is usually the three sevens which indicate that a player has hit the jackpot, but this can also vary now depending on the theme of the more modern machines.
Bingo
Bingo originated in America where cards were marked with beans, rather than dots, as cigar disc numbers were called. It is now played around the world and more recently has become one of online casinos’ most popular games. Bingo is easy to follow, numbers are called and if the called number matches a number on your card you mark it off. The aim is to mark all of your card’s numbers to gain a full house. Online casinos have made this game simpler than ever by offering an automatic marking service. As the numbers are called your card is marked by the computer, leaving you free to socialise with online friends via the gaming chat rooms.
Baccarat
Although a card game, baccarat is a game of chance which (unlike poker) requires no gaming strategy. It originates from Italy and is now played in real and online casinos worldwide. Another attraction for those who are new to the gambling scene is that baccarat has only three outcomes; games can end in the ‘banker’ winning, the ‘player’ winning or as a tie. Baccarat is straight forward, two cards are dealt, the player views the cards, hands them back to the banker and the cards are revealed. If the play is neutral (an eight or nine is revealed) then another card is dealt. The hand with the highest count wins. The payoff is equal regardless of outcome.
taking the Internet by storm. Such websites are going from strength to strength
simply by offering a multitude of gaming options from the comfort of our own
homes. It is no secret that poker and roulette are popular among dedicated
gamers but with many other members of the general public opting to spend a
night in it seems that free
slots and bingo cards are the perfect at-home entertainment we
were looking for.
What is out there for those who want to try their hand at online casinos? For those who feel poker and roulette are a little out of their depth, here are five games worth trying.
Sic bo
Sic bo, despite its literal translation being ‘dice pair’, is an ancient Chinese game involving three dice. Players predict the outcome of the dice by placing various wagers on a playing table. Although the game’s many outcomes can seem complex, sic bo is a favourite among new players as it is fast-moving and easy to pick up. Both real-life and online casinos provide tables which light up from underneath meaning that winning wagers are instantly lit and the game is easy to follow.
Craps
Craps is very similar to sic bo in that it involves predicting outcomes from dice which are shaken and rolled. Despite the simplicity of craps, many new players are often put off playing when they visit real casinos as there is often a great energy and enthusiastic players surrounding the table. Online casinos are the perfect way for getting to grips with craps before you play in a casino. This is also a fabulous game to play online alongside the chat rooms, which can help keep the adrenaline pumping. A great Saturday night out, in.
Slots
Slots are one of the easiest, if not the easiest, of all casino games. Slot machines have, as standard, at least three reels and traditionally an arm to the right hand side of the machine. This arm is pulled to spin the reels in hope that a pattern of three matching symbols will emerge. More contemporary video machines have a button, rather than an arm, to enable players to spin their reels; old and new choices are available online. It is usually the three sevens which indicate that a player has hit the jackpot, but this can also vary now depending on the theme of the more modern machines.
Bingo
Bingo originated in America where cards were marked with beans, rather than dots, as cigar disc numbers were called. It is now played around the world and more recently has become one of online casinos’ most popular games. Bingo is easy to follow, numbers are called and if the called number matches a number on your card you mark it off. The aim is to mark all of your card’s numbers to gain a full house. Online casinos have made this game simpler than ever by offering an automatic marking service. As the numbers are called your card is marked by the computer, leaving you free to socialise with online friends via the gaming chat rooms.
Baccarat
Although a card game, baccarat is a game of chance which (unlike poker) requires no gaming strategy. It originates from Italy and is now played in real and online casinos worldwide. Another attraction for those who are new to the gambling scene is that baccarat has only three outcomes; games can end in the ‘banker’ winning, the ‘player’ winning or as a tie. Baccarat is straight forward, two cards are dealt, the player views the cards, hands them back to the banker and the cards are revealed. If the play is neutral (an eight or nine is revealed) then another card is dealt. The hand with the highest count wins. The payoff is equal regardless of outcome.
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2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
While Belgium may be heaven for most when it comes to food and beer, it has been one hell of a nightmare as far as online gambling has been concerned.
Beginning in January of 2012, Base, Belgacom, Mobistar, and Telenet, four of the major internet service providers in Belgium, will begin to block access to any illegal gambling websites. Working alongside the Gaming Commission in Belgium, two lists will be created, known as the ‘white list’ and the ‘black list.’ The white list will contain all the gambling websites that have current licenses with the Gaming Commission, and can therefore continue on with their legal online activities. The black list, on the other hand, will contain all the gambling websites that currently do not have a license from the Gaming Commission, or have a license that is currently suspended. The internet service providers have received these lists from the Gaming Commission so they will have the ability to block all illegal gambling websites.
It is currently estimated that approximately 30,000 to 40,000 online gambling players throughout Belgium utilized websites that have a license. However, there are around 150,000 players that are using gambling websites that do not have a license. This is exactly where the Gaming Commission looks to target. According to Peter Naessens, the Gaming Commission’s head of their regulatory unit, the commission has already received a number of official reports from the police that indicate which online casino websites are currently running illegal operations. The Gaming Commission is going to determine which of these illegal websites have more players, and target those ones first as they are a bit more relevant.
Under the Belgium Gaming Act, while betting services and gambling operations are still majorly prohibited, licensed groups will be the primary exception. The act requires licensing for all gambling services, which will be controlled through the Gaming Commission in the country.
Beginning in January of 2012, Base, Belgacom, Mobistar, and Telenet, four of the major internet service providers in Belgium, will begin to block access to any illegal gambling websites. Working alongside the Gaming Commission in Belgium, two lists will be created, known as the ‘white list’ and the ‘black list.’ The white list will contain all the gambling websites that have current licenses with the Gaming Commission, and can therefore continue on with their legal online activities. The black list, on the other hand, will contain all the gambling websites that currently do not have a license from the Gaming Commission, or have a license that is currently suspended. The internet service providers have received these lists from the Gaming Commission so they will have the ability to block all illegal gambling websites.
It is currently estimated that approximately 30,000 to 40,000 online gambling players throughout Belgium utilized websites that have a license. However, there are around 150,000 players that are using gambling websites that do not have a license. This is exactly where the Gaming Commission looks to target. According to Peter Naessens, the Gaming Commission’s head of their regulatory unit, the commission has already received a number of official reports from the police that indicate which online casino websites are currently running illegal operations. The Gaming Commission is going to determine which of these illegal websites have more players, and target those ones first as they are a bit more relevant.
Under the Belgium Gaming Act, while betting services and gambling operations are still majorly prohibited, licensed groups will be the primary exception. The act requires licensing for all gambling services, which will be controlled through the Gaming Commission in the country.
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2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
The recently liberalized online gambling industry in France has been a mixed bag of ups for some operators and downs for others. Arjel the French gambling authority has been strict in maintaining its original guidelines that for some operators has been costly and not very profitable.
For those that have seen issues resolved and have moved forward the French market has paid handsomely. One such company Unibet is back enjoying the best France has to offer after ARJEL presented them with three new licenses.
Soon after the Unibet firm acquired Solfive Group recently the Unibet .fr domain wil now be able to service the regulated sports wagering, horse racing, and poker markets in that country. Unibet was one of the first on the French online gambling licensing bandwagon obtaining a license quickly, even though the taxes were ultra high. The firm pulled out of the French jurisdiction because of a lack of profitability. Unibet has returned none the less although not much has changed. Christophe Dhaisne, who is the Chief in charge of licensed markets was quoted by eGR as saying “The conditions in the French market are very tough, and a large marketing spend will make it almost impossible to achieve positive EBITDA. We are going to be cautious, as the current situation in the market forces us to be cautious.”
Cautious indeed the Unibet company will be forced to relinquish the Eurosportbet and Eurosportpoker domains acquired from Solfive as of January first 2012.
On the other side of the coin, Intralot is leaving the French jurisdiction after ARJEL accepted their request to repeal a sports betting license with four years left on the timer. Intralot which is headquartered in Greece obtained a five-year license with the option of an extension. Disappointing returns attributed to high payouts to stimulate business is the reasoning behind the withdrawal.
For those that have seen issues resolved and have moved forward the French market has paid handsomely. One such company Unibet is back enjoying the best France has to offer after ARJEL presented them with three new licenses.
Soon after the Unibet firm acquired Solfive Group recently the Unibet .fr domain wil now be able to service the regulated sports wagering, horse racing, and poker markets in that country. Unibet was one of the first on the French online gambling licensing bandwagon obtaining a license quickly, even though the taxes were ultra high. The firm pulled out of the French jurisdiction because of a lack of profitability. Unibet has returned none the less although not much has changed. Christophe Dhaisne, who is the Chief in charge of licensed markets was quoted by eGR as saying “The conditions in the French market are very tough, and a large marketing spend will make it almost impossible to achieve positive EBITDA. We are going to be cautious, as the current situation in the market forces us to be cautious.”
Cautious indeed the Unibet company will be forced to relinquish the Eurosportbet and Eurosportpoker domains acquired from Solfive as of January first 2012.
On the other side of the coin, Intralot is leaving the French jurisdiction after ARJEL accepted their request to repeal a sports betting license with four years left on the timer. Intralot which is headquartered in Greece obtained a five-year license with the option of an extension. Disappointing returns attributed to high payouts to stimulate business is the reasoning behind the withdrawal.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Gov. Steve Beshear used his inaugural address Tuesday to lay out an ambitious agenda for his second term, pledging to push both for reform of the state tax code and a constitutional amendment to expand gambling.
In contrast to his re-election campaign — in which he conveyed an upbeat message about the accomplishments the past four years under his administration — the governor focused his second inaugural on the problems confronting the commonwealth.
“Too many children enter schools with preventable health problems, with undeveloped minds, with no sense of curiosity or engagement in life around them,” he said, before taking a ceremonial oath of office from Kentucky Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. “They start out behind and never catch up. We must do better.”
In a nearly 20-minute speech under overcast skies to a small crowd on the Capitol steps, the governor urged that political differences be put aside.
“We must find the political courage and the will to lay the foundation for a better tomorrow,” he said.
Near the end of his speech, Beshear said the foundation he envisions will require “the restructuring of our tax system to make it more fair and efficient to meet the needs of our people.”
Moreover, he said, it “requires allowing the people of Kentucky to vote on expanded gaming within our borders.”
The inaugural address was the highlight of a day of celebration that also saw former Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson sworn in as Kentucky’s lieutenant governor.
It constituted a clear statement that Beshear wants to leave a legacy of having bolstered the state’s revenue to pay for improvements to education and other areas that have suffered budget cuts during the economic downturn.
Beshear, a Democrat, didn’t trumpet the need for tax reform during this year’s campaign against Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville. In fact, the governor said the state’s economy remains too fragile to tackle the issue immediately.
On Tuesday, Beshear did not say he would try to pass a tax-reform plan during the 2012 General Assembly, only that it should be done “as we come out of this recession.” After the speech he declined to say when he would move forward with a tax-reform plan or explain the form it will take.
“We’ll be announcing more of our plans as we move along in the next few weeks or months,” he said.
But Beshear did tell reporters before his speech that he wants the 2012 session to pass a constitutional amendment to expand gambling so the voters can decide the question next November.
He said he believes an amendment is a better way to proceed on the issue than a bill that would simply change current law — an approach more likely to face a major challenge in court.
An amendment must be approved by three-fifths vote in each chamber of the legislature, and then by passed by voters in the next general election.
“We’re going to go all out to try to get expanded gaming on the ballot this year,” Beshear said.
He said he’s working on a strategy and the details of the amendment, which he should be able to discuss in the next few days.
He had said previously that he would be for any expanded gambling measure that could pass and help the horse industry, particularly its racetracks. But his comments Tuesday marked the first time he has committed to proposing an amendment.
“I think more senators and representatives will feel comfortable voting for an amendment than just regular legislation,” he said.
But Beshear said he will not assume, within the 2012-14 budget he proposes to lawmakers next month, any new revenue from expanded gambling.
Williams said the wording of any amendment will be critical.
“It‘s all in how he words it on whether there’s enough votes,” Williams said.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, agreed with Beshear that the Senate, where an expanded gambling bill died in committee in 2009, needs to act first on a gambling amendment.
“We’ve shown our good faith” by passing the 2009 bill, Stumbo said. “We want to see some positive action from the Senate side.”
Stumbo said he told Beshear, “Even though I have reservations about it, that if the Senate sends us one, we’ll keep an open mind on it and try to work with them. I think everybody wants this issue to be moved forward.” Williams declined to say which chamber should consider the amendment first.
And while he advocated tax reform in his gubernatorial campaign, Williams said there was little he could say about Beshear’s comments on the topic because the governor gave no details.
Rep. Rick Rand, the Bedford Democrat who is chairman of the House budget committee, said he doesn’t think tax reform can be passed this session because no groundwork has been laid. But if both sides agree to work on it in the interim, legislation could pass in 2013, he said.
Rand said such reforms don’t have to be revenue-neutral because there will be “winners and losers in any tax-reform effort.”
In his speech, Beshear contended that his first term saw progress in improving Frankfort’s ethical climate, keeping the state budget balanced and creating jobs during a bad economy.
But the theme for this year’s inauguration was “Kentucky Tomorrow,” and his address focused on the future.
“Hard times are not over,” he said. “... Difficult decisions loom. And more sacrifice lies ahead because our next budget may be the most challenging yet.”
Beshear and Abramson were officially sworn in during a private ceremony in the Capitol at midnight Monday. Tuesday’s events began with a worship service at the Frankfort Convention Center. Beshear, with wife, Jane, and Abramson, with wife, Madeline, then rode in horse-drawn carriages near the front of a parade that featured 54 high school marching bands.
The afternoon swearing-in ceremony, along with speeches by Beshear and Abramson, were followed by a reception, a formal presentation of newly elected statewide officers at the Capitol
In contrast to his re-election campaign — in which he conveyed an upbeat message about the accomplishments the past four years under his administration — the governor focused his second inaugural on the problems confronting the commonwealth.
“Too many children enter schools with preventable health problems, with undeveloped minds, with no sense of curiosity or engagement in life around them,” he said, before taking a ceremonial oath of office from Kentucky Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. “They start out behind and never catch up. We must do better.”
In a nearly 20-minute speech under overcast skies to a small crowd on the Capitol steps, the governor urged that political differences be put aside.
“We must find the political courage and the will to lay the foundation for a better tomorrow,” he said.
Near the end of his speech, Beshear said the foundation he envisions will require “the restructuring of our tax system to make it more fair and efficient to meet the needs of our people.”
Moreover, he said, it “requires allowing the people of Kentucky to vote on expanded gaming within our borders.”
The inaugural address was the highlight of a day of celebration that also saw former Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson sworn in as Kentucky’s lieutenant governor.
It constituted a clear statement that Beshear wants to leave a legacy of having bolstered the state’s revenue to pay for improvements to education and other areas that have suffered budget cuts during the economic downturn.
Beshear, a Democrat, didn’t trumpet the need for tax reform during this year’s campaign against Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville. In fact, the governor said the state’s economy remains too fragile to tackle the issue immediately.
On Tuesday, Beshear did not say he would try to pass a tax-reform plan during the 2012 General Assembly, only that it should be done “as we come out of this recession.” After the speech he declined to say when he would move forward with a tax-reform plan or explain the form it will take.
“We’ll be announcing more of our plans as we move along in the next few weeks or months,” he said.
But Beshear did tell reporters before his speech that he wants the 2012 session to pass a constitutional amendment to expand gambling so the voters can decide the question next November.
He said he believes an amendment is a better way to proceed on the issue than a bill that would simply change current law — an approach more likely to face a major challenge in court.
An amendment must be approved by three-fifths vote in each chamber of the legislature, and then by passed by voters in the next general election.
“We’re going to go all out to try to get expanded gaming on the ballot this year,” Beshear said.
He said he’s working on a strategy and the details of the amendment, which he should be able to discuss in the next few days.
He had said previously that he would be for any expanded gambling measure that could pass and help the horse industry, particularly its racetracks. But his comments Tuesday marked the first time he has committed to proposing an amendment.
“I think more senators and representatives will feel comfortable voting for an amendment than just regular legislation,” he said.
But Beshear said he will not assume, within the 2012-14 budget he proposes to lawmakers next month, any new revenue from expanded gambling.
Williams said the wording of any amendment will be critical.
“It‘s all in how he words it on whether there’s enough votes,” Williams said.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, agreed with Beshear that the Senate, where an expanded gambling bill died in committee in 2009, needs to act first on a gambling amendment.
“We’ve shown our good faith” by passing the 2009 bill, Stumbo said. “We want to see some positive action from the Senate side.”
Stumbo said he told Beshear, “Even though I have reservations about it, that if the Senate sends us one, we’ll keep an open mind on it and try to work with them. I think everybody wants this issue to be moved forward.” Williams declined to say which chamber should consider the amendment first.
And while he advocated tax reform in his gubernatorial campaign, Williams said there was little he could say about Beshear’s comments on the topic because the governor gave no details.
Rep. Rick Rand, the Bedford Democrat who is chairman of the House budget committee, said he doesn’t think tax reform can be passed this session because no groundwork has been laid. But if both sides agree to work on it in the interim, legislation could pass in 2013, he said.
Rand said such reforms don’t have to be revenue-neutral because there will be “winners and losers in any tax-reform effort.”
In his speech, Beshear contended that his first term saw progress in improving Frankfort’s ethical climate, keeping the state budget balanced and creating jobs during a bad economy.
But the theme for this year’s inauguration was “Kentucky Tomorrow,” and his address focused on the future.
“Hard times are not over,” he said. “... Difficult decisions loom. And more sacrifice lies ahead because our next budget may be the most challenging yet.”
Beshear and Abramson were officially sworn in during a private ceremony in the Capitol at midnight Monday. Tuesday’s events began with a worship service at the Frankfort Convention Center. Beshear, with wife, Jane, and Abramson, with wife, Madeline, then rode in horse-drawn carriages near the front of a parade that featured 54 high school marching bands.
The afternoon swearing-in ceremony, along with speeches by Beshear and Abramson, were followed by a reception, a formal presentation of newly elected statewide officers at the Capitol
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2006/12/07
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29893
Gov. Deval Patrick today named Stephen Crosby, a veteran of Beacon Hill and the dean of a University of Massachusetts policy center, to the high-stakes position of chairman of the five-member commission that will set up and regulate the state’s gambling industry.
Crosby, 66, is independent, works well with Democrats and Republicans, and takes a clear-eyed view of gambling and its impact. In 2003, for example, he wrote an op-ed for the Boston Globe in which he suggested casinos and slots might bring in more money to state government than the state Lottery because the prize payout for slots and casinos would be less than it is at the Lottery. He characterized the Lottery’s approach as “promoting gambling for the sake of gambling.”
Crosby indicated his position on gambling has evolved over time. He didn’t go into detail at a brief press conference outside the governor’s office, but he indicated his reservations about casino gambling had given way to gradual acceptance. “Ultimately, I came to the conclusion you might as well do it and do it right,” he said.
In his new post, Crosby will oversee a five-member commission plus a staff that will have sweeping authority to select casino and slot parlor operators, regulate them, and keep track of the billions of dollars they will bring in and spend. The five-member commission will take action by majority vote. State Treasurer Steve Grossman and Attorney General Martha Coakley will each choose another member of the commission and the remaining two members will be chosen jointly by Patrick, Grossman, and Coakley.
Crosby indicated the commission chair’s job is one he couldn’t turn down. He said his goal will be to maximize the public good that can come from gambling and minimize the negative consequences.
In the past, Crosby served as the secretary of administration and finance under former governor Paul Cellucci and chief of staff to former governor Jane Swift. He has served on a number of government commissions appointed by Gov. Patrick and worked on Patrick’s transition team at the start of his first term.
Crosby indicated he will work a minimum of two years, get the gambling industry and the commission up and running, and then return to his position as dean of the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at UMass Boston. His pay as chairman of the gambling commission will be $150,000, about $43,000 less than his current annual salary, according to the state’s Open Checkbook website.
Setting salaries is one policy area where Crosby has demonstrated his independence. In 2009, Patrick, who at the time was taking heat for trying to stash a state senator at a quasi-public authority with a $175,000 annual salary, brought Crosby in to review the salaries paid by all of the authorities. Crosby concluded the salaries were reasonable, but said a wide assortment of perks needed to be moderated.
Patrick largely ignored Crosby’s findings and proceeded to slash salaries and benefits at most – but not all – of the state’s authorities. He even began mischaracterizing the Crosby report’s conclusions to justify his actions. In a CommonWealth article on the subject, Crosby held his ground, criticizing the governor for his heavy-handedness and his unwillingness to pay people what they are worth.
Crosby, 66, is independent, works well with Democrats and Republicans, and takes a clear-eyed view of gambling and its impact. In 2003, for example, he wrote an op-ed for the Boston Globe in which he suggested casinos and slots might bring in more money to state government than the state Lottery because the prize payout for slots and casinos would be less than it is at the Lottery. He characterized the Lottery’s approach as “promoting gambling for the sake of gambling.”
Crosby indicated his position on gambling has evolved over time. He didn’t go into detail at a brief press conference outside the governor’s office, but he indicated his reservations about casino gambling had given way to gradual acceptance. “Ultimately, I came to the conclusion you might as well do it and do it right,” he said.
In his new post, Crosby will oversee a five-member commission plus a staff that will have sweeping authority to select casino and slot parlor operators, regulate them, and keep track of the billions of dollars they will bring in and spend. The five-member commission will take action by majority vote. State Treasurer Steve Grossman and Attorney General Martha Coakley will each choose another member of the commission and the remaining two members will be chosen jointly by Patrick, Grossman, and Coakley.
Crosby indicated the commission chair’s job is one he couldn’t turn down. He said his goal will be to maximize the public good that can come from gambling and minimize the negative consequences.
In the past, Crosby served as the secretary of administration and finance under former governor Paul Cellucci and chief of staff to former governor Jane Swift. He has served on a number of government commissions appointed by Gov. Patrick and worked on Patrick’s transition team at the start of his first term.
Crosby indicated he will work a minimum of two years, get the gambling industry and the commission up and running, and then return to his position as dean of the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at UMass Boston. His pay as chairman of the gambling commission will be $150,000, about $43,000 less than his current annual salary, according to the state’s Open Checkbook website.
Setting salaries is one policy area where Crosby has demonstrated his independence. In 2009, Patrick, who at the time was taking heat for trying to stash a state senator at a quasi-public authority with a $175,000 annual salary, brought Crosby in to review the salaries paid by all of the authorities. Crosby concluded the salaries were reasonable, but said a wide assortment of perks needed to be moderated.
Patrick largely ignored Crosby’s findings and proceeded to slash salaries and benefits at most – but not all – of the state’s authorities. He even began mischaracterizing the Crosby report’s conclusions to justify his actions. In a CommonWealth article on the subject, Crosby held his ground, criticizing the governor for his heavy-handedness and his unwillingness to pay people what they are worth.
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2006/12/07
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29893
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2006/12/07
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An internet gambling portal are to turn the late Michael Jackson’s hair into a roulette ball.
OnlineGamblingPal.com have purchased some of the King of Pop’s hair at auction with the intention of turning it into the unique ball by way of tribute.
Bidding on the hair, which was collected at New York City’s Carlyle Hotel where Jackson had stayed during a charity event, opened at $1,000 and received 15 bids before eventually being sold to the website for $10,871. The auction was overseen by specialist memorabilia merchant Gottahaverockandroll.com.
A statement from the buyers read: “OnlineGamblingPal.com had been looking for a fitting way in which to celebrate this entertainment colossus’ life since his tragic death in 2009. And upon hearing of the auction, OnlineGamblingPal.com seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immortalise a small part of the King of Pop in a truly unique way.”
Site spokesman Jack Mason added: “Since we’re big Michael Jackson fans, we want Michael to continue to rock and ‘roll’ forever.”
OnlineGamblingPal.com have purchased some of the King of Pop’s hair at auction with the intention of turning it into the unique ball by way of tribute.
Bidding on the hair, which was collected at New York City’s Carlyle Hotel where Jackson had stayed during a charity event, opened at $1,000 and received 15 bids before eventually being sold to the website for $10,871. The auction was overseen by specialist memorabilia merchant Gottahaverockandroll.com.
A statement from the buyers read: “OnlineGamblingPal.com had been looking for a fitting way in which to celebrate this entertainment colossus’ life since his tragic death in 2009. And upon hearing of the auction, OnlineGamblingPal.com seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immortalise a small part of the King of Pop in a truly unique way.”
Site spokesman Jack Mason added: “Since we’re big Michael Jackson fans, we want Michael to continue to rock and ‘roll’ forever.”
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2006/12/07
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29893
A surge in betting on mobile phones and the growing popularity of wagers on football helped online gambling firm Betfair post record first-half profits.
The company, which allows punters to set their own odds and bet against one another, said it had made "a very strong start" to the football season, while bets on tennis, cricket and golf also saw growth.
Revenues were also boosted by a doubling in the number of bets made from mobile phones to 16 million after it introduced an app especially for horse racing.
These trends helped underlying profits rise 36% to £42.4 million in the six months to October 31 as the company which floated on the stock market just over a year ago announced a maiden interim dividend.
Betfair said the growth of mobile gaming continued in its third quarter, with 41% of customers using a phone to place a bet in November, accounting for about 9% of its revenues.
Betting revenues through its online exchange increased 7% in the six months.
Betfair claimed its exchange continued to offer customers a better chance of winning than a traditional bookmaker even after it takes its commission. It said 28% of the punters on its exchange made an overall profit in the first half.
Its most recent profits were also boosted after it implemented price changes for a small number of customers.
The group is trialling a much faster website and plans to introduce mobile gaming to allow customers to play casino games on the move.
James Cooke, an analyst at Panmure Gordon, said the group's profits were higher than City expectations and forecast that it will make full-year bottom-line profits of £49 million, rising to £72.5 million the following year.
The company, which allows punters to set their own odds and bet against one another, said it had made "a very strong start" to the football season, while bets on tennis, cricket and golf also saw growth.
Revenues were also boosted by a doubling in the number of bets made from mobile phones to 16 million after it introduced an app especially for horse racing.
These trends helped underlying profits rise 36% to £42.4 million in the six months to October 31 as the company which floated on the stock market just over a year ago announced a maiden interim dividend.
Betfair said the growth of mobile gaming continued in its third quarter, with 41% of customers using a phone to place a bet in November, accounting for about 9% of its revenues.
Betting revenues through its online exchange increased 7% in the six months.
Betfair claimed its exchange continued to offer customers a better chance of winning than a traditional bookmaker even after it takes its commission. It said 28% of the punters on its exchange made an overall profit in the first half.
Its most recent profits were also boosted after it implemented price changes for a small number of customers.
The group is trialling a much faster website and plans to introduce mobile gaming to allow customers to play casino games on the move.
James Cooke, an analyst at Panmure Gordon, said the group's profits were higher than City expectations and forecast that it will make full-year bottom-line profits of £49 million, rising to £72.5 million the following year.
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2006/12/07
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29893
Arizona voters could expand casino and racetrack/casino gaming to the entire state next year.
The Arizona Secretary of State released information about an initiative petition filed by Arizonans for Fair Gambling to expand casino and racetrack/casino gambling to the rest of the state. Currently, casino gambling is only allowed on tribal lands.
According to the organization's filing statement, the tribes have had a "monopoly" on the gambling industry for the last several years. Permitting racetracks and casinos to operate in areas outside of tribal lands will provide jobs and funding for various state programs.
According to the proposed ballot language, the casinos would be approved by a citizens committee and run under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Gaming.
The department would collect the state's share of the proceeds on a quarterly basis. The amount of money collected by the state would depend on how much the casino made. According to the initiative language, the state would collect 2 percent of the first $25 million made, 6 percent of the next $50 million, 12 percent of the next $25 million and 16 percent of all proceeds over $100 million.
Proceeds would be collected not only from gambling machines, card tables and other games of chance but also from restaurants, gift shops, movie theaters, hotels and other activities.
If the initiative is approved, the funds collect by the department would be split amongst a number of funds that would be created, including:
• 10 percent to the department of Gaming for administrative costs.
• 10 percent to a instructional improvement fund that offers funding to school districts to reduce class sizes, increase teacher pay and pay for dropout prevention programs.
• 2 percent for gambling addiction and addiction prevention programs.
• 10 percent to a trauma and emergency services fund.
• 5 percent to the Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund.
• 10 percent to a tourism fund.
• 20 percent to the Arizona College Scholarship Fund. The fund would pay for 25 percent of the cost of tuition to a state college, university or community college for eligible students. The Legislature would be prohibited from sweeping money from this fund.
• 10 percent to an organ transplant fund for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. This would help patients on AHCCCS who need help paying for an organ transplant. The Legislature would be prohibited from sweeping money from this fund.
• 6 percent to cities, towns and counties that have casinos in their jurisdiction. At least one half of 1 percent of the money given to local governments would have to be used on law enforcement and first responders. The Legislature would be prohibited from sweeping money from this fund.
• 3 percent to the Cactus League to help pay for tickets to league baseball games and Diamondback home games for special needs children under 18.
• 5 percent to a healthcare fund to assist veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
• 3 percent to Child Protective Services to fund adoptions and assist pregnant teens.
• 6 percent to the Arizona General Fund to be distributed to cities, towns and counties.
The Legislature would not be able to sweep money from most of the funds, however it could, on the first year anniversary of a casino opening, ask the department for a two year loan of 50 percent of the proceeds of that casino at zero percent interest. At least one public hearing would have to be held before the money could be loaned and a two-thirds vote of approval by both houses of the Legislature would be needed to override any veto from the governor's office.
Also the Legislature would be prohibited from borrowing money from the following funds: the Department of Gaming's administration fund, the prevention of gambling addiction fund, the organ transplant fund, the trauma fund, the scholarship fund, the funding to local governments, the veteran's fund and the CPS fund.
New casinos would have their income tax reduced by 50 percent for the first five years of operations as an incentive to open. They would also have to pay a $10,000 contract fee in order to operate in Arizona.
The initiative would also limit the types of games casinos and racetracks could operate to: slots, blackjack, jackpot poker, Kino, the state lottery, off-track betting for horse and dog races, baccarat, dice/craps and roulette. Casinos would be limited to 150 card tables and 1,000 gaming machines, such as slots. They could purchase more table or machine allotments from other casinos and those allotments could be increased during the renewal of the casino's license. There are also wager limits on the various games, which would increase every five years in sync with the consumer price index.
Casinos would also be required to keep and submit a list of people banned from their property. They would also be required to keep a self-exclusion list, a list of people who want the casino to prevent them from gambling.
The initiative would also require that casinos confiscate the winnings of people who have not paid child support.
One casino would be allowed in each of the following areas: Apache Junction, Lake Havasu City, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tucson, Yuma and one in Avondale or Goodyear or Litchfield Park. Two casinos would be allowed in Phoenix and Bullhead City. Additional casinos could be licensed in 2020 in Bullhead City, Peoria, Tucson and Yuma. Two racetrack casinos can not be built within 10 miles of each other except in Bullhead City or if circumstances dictated otherwise.
A casino's license would be renewed every 5 years with the Arizona Attorney General's Office as the final arbiter of conflicts between casinos and the Gaming Department.
The Arizona Secretary of State released information about an initiative petition filed by Arizonans for Fair Gambling to expand casino and racetrack/casino gambling to the rest of the state. Currently, casino gambling is only allowed on tribal lands.
According to the organization's filing statement, the tribes have had a "monopoly" on the gambling industry for the last several years. Permitting racetracks and casinos to operate in areas outside of tribal lands will provide jobs and funding for various state programs.
According to the proposed ballot language, the casinos would be approved by a citizens committee and run under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Gaming.
The department would collect the state's share of the proceeds on a quarterly basis. The amount of money collected by the state would depend on how much the casino made. According to the initiative language, the state would collect 2 percent of the first $25 million made, 6 percent of the next $50 million, 12 percent of the next $25 million and 16 percent of all proceeds over $100 million.
Proceeds would be collected not only from gambling machines, card tables and other games of chance but also from restaurants, gift shops, movie theaters, hotels and other activities.
If the initiative is approved, the funds collect by the department would be split amongst a number of funds that would be created, including:
• 10 percent to the department of Gaming for administrative costs.
• 10 percent to a instructional improvement fund that offers funding to school districts to reduce class sizes, increase teacher pay and pay for dropout prevention programs.
• 2 percent for gambling addiction and addiction prevention programs.
• 10 percent to a trauma and emergency services fund.
• 5 percent to the Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund.
• 10 percent to a tourism fund.
• 20 percent to the Arizona College Scholarship Fund. The fund would pay for 25 percent of the cost of tuition to a state college, university or community college for eligible students. The Legislature would be prohibited from sweeping money from this fund.
• 10 percent to an organ transplant fund for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. This would help patients on AHCCCS who need help paying for an organ transplant. The Legislature would be prohibited from sweeping money from this fund.
• 6 percent to cities, towns and counties that have casinos in their jurisdiction. At least one half of 1 percent of the money given to local governments would have to be used on law enforcement and first responders. The Legislature would be prohibited from sweeping money from this fund.
• 3 percent to the Cactus League to help pay for tickets to league baseball games and Diamondback home games for special needs children under 18.
• 5 percent to a healthcare fund to assist veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
• 3 percent to Child Protective Services to fund adoptions and assist pregnant teens.
• 6 percent to the Arizona General Fund to be distributed to cities, towns and counties.
The Legislature would not be able to sweep money from most of the funds, however it could, on the first year anniversary of a casino opening, ask the department for a two year loan of 50 percent of the proceeds of that casino at zero percent interest. At least one public hearing would have to be held before the money could be loaned and a two-thirds vote of approval by both houses of the Legislature would be needed to override any veto from the governor's office.
Also the Legislature would be prohibited from borrowing money from the following funds: the Department of Gaming's administration fund, the prevention of gambling addiction fund, the organ transplant fund, the trauma fund, the scholarship fund, the funding to local governments, the veteran's fund and the CPS fund.
New casinos would have their income tax reduced by 50 percent for the first five years of operations as an incentive to open. They would also have to pay a $10,000 contract fee in order to operate in Arizona.
The initiative would also limit the types of games casinos and racetracks could operate to: slots, blackjack, jackpot poker, Kino, the state lottery, off-track betting for horse and dog races, baccarat, dice/craps and roulette. Casinos would be limited to 150 card tables and 1,000 gaming machines, such as slots. They could purchase more table or machine allotments from other casinos and those allotments could be increased during the renewal of the casino's license. There are also wager limits on the various games, which would increase every five years in sync with the consumer price index.
Casinos would also be required to keep and submit a list of people banned from their property. They would also be required to keep a self-exclusion list, a list of people who want the casino to prevent them from gambling.
The initiative would also require that casinos confiscate the winnings of people who have not paid child support.
One casino would be allowed in each of the following areas: Apache Junction, Lake Havasu City, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tucson, Yuma and one in Avondale or Goodyear or Litchfield Park. Two casinos would be allowed in Phoenix and Bullhead City. Additional casinos could be licensed in 2020 in Bullhead City, Peoria, Tucson and Yuma. Two racetrack casinos can not be built within 10 miles of each other except in Bullhead City or if circumstances dictated otherwise.
A casino's license would be renewed every 5 years with the Arizona Attorney General's Office as the final arbiter of conflicts between casinos and the Gaming Department.
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2006/12/07
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29893
Governor Beshear, after failing miserably to deliver on a critical campaign promise his last term to get gambling approved in Kentucky, appears to be pushing the topic again. I think this would be a boon to KY, not because it needs it, but because it would reassert Churchill and Keeneland as the preeminent race courses in the Midwest.
There is a huge disparity between the tracks with and without gambling in terms of total purses, not quality of racing. However, imagine if you could bump the purses at KEE and CD by 20, 30, or even 50% for the current racing days? ATJ I've included a chart from DRF.com that shows all of the purses and handles for all tracks in 2010 and then I break out the "best quality" racing, in terms of daily purses. Santa Anita is just off this list at 399k/day. I'm also not sure if Woodbine is in Canadian dollars or not.
I think that matches up (roughly) with what we could agree on being some of the best racing in the country. Notice the relative short (boutique) meets though when talking about Saratoga, Keeneland, and Delmar. Churchill's numbers will not include any Breeder's Cup Races. It is interesting to see the differences between the Overall Purses and daily purses and how those tracks are viewed differently.
With the addition of VLTs, you could realistically see a 50% jump in purses in KY (see slide 19 here) without an increase in racing days at the two major tracks. Realistically, I would bet that you would see a major increase in racing days at Turfway and Ellis Park, a moderate increase in racing days at Kentucky Downs, and a minimal increase at CD and KEE (with these two focusing on an increase in purses for races, if given the choice by the legislature). A 50% increase shoots both major tracks to the top of the daily purse list immediately. I know Churchill has a slots parlor completely built, they just need to plug the machines in. I'm pretty sure Keeneland/The Red Mile has theirs figured out as well, but I can't be sure. So the turn around on the effectiveness of the decision is minimal to the two keystone facilities. (Considering that Keeneland's facility would not be on the Keeneland-proper grounds, I'm not really sure how that positively affects the attendance on racing days, but with KEE's focus on sales, I think that's the right choice. But again, it is not clear to me where exactly their joint VLT facility is located.)
Currently, Indiana racing and breeding is pretty reliant on the fact that Kentucky's program is less lucrative at the lower levels of racing. If you increase both racing days and daily purses, I think Indiana takes the brunt of the impact. A statistically relevant number of breeders sent mares to Indiana the last few years to foal, so the impacts are off-track as well. I would be willing to bet the breeder's incentive programs in other Midwest states would take a pretty hefty hit too if KY has a lucrative program subsidized by VLTs/slots.
I would love to see this finally get done. With all of the increases of breeders' incentives that come along with VLTs, I'd be a happy man.
But, I sincerely doubt it will ever pass. The Legislature shut it down pretty easily last time around, so this is yet another improbability, I'm sure. Gov. Beshear showed an unwillingness to really challenge the Legislature before, but maybe with his reelection he will show some more guts in doing what's best for KY thoroughbred racing (which is ultimately good for the national industry as well, which means more breeding, which means more business for KY).
All that being said, VLTs are not the saving grace of racing, we all know that. The systemic issues with the decline of popularity, an aging betting public, and a lack of serviceable national media coverage will still need to be addressed. However, I think having two of the cornerstone national tracks be able to enhance their purses, increase the quality of their programs, and attract more business/money/bettors is an overwhelmingly good thing.
There is a huge disparity between the tracks with and without gambling in terms of total purses, not quality of racing. However, imagine if you could bump the purses at KEE and CD by 20, 30, or even 50% for the current racing days? ATJ I've included a chart from DRF.com that shows all of the purses and handles for all tracks in 2010 and then I break out the "best quality" racing, in terms of daily purses. Santa Anita is just off this list at 399k/day. I'm also not sure if Woodbine is in Canadian dollars or not.
I think that matches up (roughly) with what we could agree on being some of the best racing in the country. Notice the relative short (boutique) meets though when talking about Saratoga, Keeneland, and Delmar. Churchill's numbers will not include any Breeder's Cup Races. It is interesting to see the differences between the Overall Purses and daily purses and how those tracks are viewed differently.
With the addition of VLTs, you could realistically see a 50% jump in purses in KY (see slide 19 here) without an increase in racing days at the two major tracks. Realistically, I would bet that you would see a major increase in racing days at Turfway and Ellis Park, a moderate increase in racing days at Kentucky Downs, and a minimal increase at CD and KEE (with these two focusing on an increase in purses for races, if given the choice by the legislature). A 50% increase shoots both major tracks to the top of the daily purse list immediately. I know Churchill has a slots parlor completely built, they just need to plug the machines in. I'm pretty sure Keeneland/The Red Mile has theirs figured out as well, but I can't be sure. So the turn around on the effectiveness of the decision is minimal to the two keystone facilities. (Considering that Keeneland's facility would not be on the Keeneland-proper grounds, I'm not really sure how that positively affects the attendance on racing days, but with KEE's focus on sales, I think that's the right choice. But again, it is not clear to me where exactly their joint VLT facility is located.)
Currently, Indiana racing and breeding is pretty reliant on the fact that Kentucky's program is less lucrative at the lower levels of racing. If you increase both racing days and daily purses, I think Indiana takes the brunt of the impact. A statistically relevant number of breeders sent mares to Indiana the last few years to foal, so the impacts are off-track as well. I would be willing to bet the breeder's incentive programs in other Midwest states would take a pretty hefty hit too if KY has a lucrative program subsidized by VLTs/slots.
I would love to see this finally get done. With all of the increases of breeders' incentives that come along with VLTs, I'd be a happy man.
But, I sincerely doubt it will ever pass. The Legislature shut it down pretty easily last time around, so this is yet another improbability, I'm sure. Gov. Beshear showed an unwillingness to really challenge the Legislature before, but maybe with his reelection he will show some more guts in doing what's best for KY thoroughbred racing (which is ultimately good for the national industry as well, which means more breeding, which means more business for KY).
All that being said, VLTs are not the saving grace of racing, we all know that. The systemic issues with the decline of popularity, an aging betting public, and a lack of serviceable national media coverage will still need to be addressed. However, I think having two of the cornerstone national tracks be able to enhance their purses, increase the quality of their programs, and attract more business/money/bettors is an overwhelmingly good thing.
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Following the ultimate success of the foray of British Columbia into online gambling, other provinces of Canada have been contemplating following suit. This week there has been news from the provinces of Quebec and Ontario.
The Montreal based Amaya Gaming group, which includes the online gambling software developer Chartwell Technology, has signed an agreement with the Societe du jeu virtuel du Quebec (SJVQ), a subsidiary of Loto-Quebec, to provide online gaming content for its gaming website, Espace-jeux. Loto-Quebec is owned by the Canadian provincial government of Quebec. A spokesman for Amaya said that the company is now one of the authorized providers chosen by Loto-Quebec. Amaya was chosen on the basis of its depth of online content and experience, and more specifically because of its acquisition of Chartwell Technology in July 2011. Chartwell specializes in the development of quality gaming platforms and content for the online, wireless and other methods of remote gambling. Its portfolio consists of over 140 proprietary and branded online casino games and is committed to deliver about 40 new games to customers this year. David Baazov, president and chief executive of Amaya Gaming Group, stressed the importance of this deal, stating that it is their first opportunity to provide content to a North American online gaming website.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) has estimated that Ontarians wager C$450 million in online gambling every year. It has predicted that the provincial government could benefit by around C$100 million in tax revenues over a five year period. The OLGC has issued a Request for Proposals that invites interested online gambling companies to submit their proposals for operating the new program. OLGC spokesman Tony Bitonti told the Toronto Sun on Friday that the proposals would be reviewed in detail, because the commission wants to get it right the first time. Probably he was referring to the start up fiasco of online gambling in British Columbia. Bitonti said that the aim was to start phasing in online gambling next year, to boost the $1.9 billion annual contribution of OLGC to the provincial coffers from its lotteries and casinos.
Bitonti stressed that installing responsible gambling practices and effective measures to prevent underage gambling and money laundering would be the top priority for the provincial government. Precautions would include self-control options that pop up on the screen asking gamblers if they are playing too much and online chats with counselors. The OLGC has been studying the online gambling industry and preparing for its online gambling launch over the past year. It has already seen the success of this initiative in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Quebec.
The Montreal based Amaya Gaming group, which includes the online gambling software developer Chartwell Technology, has signed an agreement with the Societe du jeu virtuel du Quebec (SJVQ), a subsidiary of Loto-Quebec, to provide online gaming content for its gaming website, Espace-jeux. Loto-Quebec is owned by the Canadian provincial government of Quebec. A spokesman for Amaya said that the company is now one of the authorized providers chosen by Loto-Quebec. Amaya was chosen on the basis of its depth of online content and experience, and more specifically because of its acquisition of Chartwell Technology in July 2011. Chartwell specializes in the development of quality gaming platforms and content for the online, wireless and other methods of remote gambling. Its portfolio consists of over 140 proprietary and branded online casino games and is committed to deliver about 40 new games to customers this year. David Baazov, president and chief executive of Amaya Gaming Group, stressed the importance of this deal, stating that it is their first opportunity to provide content to a North American online gaming website.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) has estimated that Ontarians wager C$450 million in online gambling every year. It has predicted that the provincial government could benefit by around C$100 million in tax revenues over a five year period. The OLGC has issued a Request for Proposals that invites interested online gambling companies to submit their proposals for operating the new program. OLGC spokesman Tony Bitonti told the Toronto Sun on Friday that the proposals would be reviewed in detail, because the commission wants to get it right the first time. Probably he was referring to the start up fiasco of online gambling in British Columbia. Bitonti said that the aim was to start phasing in online gambling next year, to boost the $1.9 billion annual contribution of OLGC to the provincial coffers from its lotteries and casinos.
Bitonti stressed that installing responsible gambling practices and effective measures to prevent underage gambling and money laundering would be the top priority for the provincial government. Precautions would include self-control options that pop up on the screen asking gamblers if they are playing too much and online chats with counselors. The OLGC has been studying the online gambling industry and preparing for its online gambling launch over the past year. It has already seen the success of this initiative in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Quebec.
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American online gamblers can no longer gamble on Bodog, as of Wednesday morning.
Players accessing Bodog-eu from the United States find a note stating, "Access to this site is not available from your current location. The Morris Mohawk Gaming Group no longer offers its services under license from the Bodog Brand. You can find their services now available at www-bovada-lv-"
There is a note at the bottom of the page which explains that users will automatically be redirected to bovada.lv, but as of 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the site did not actually redirect visitors to the new site.
Other than the domain name change (a combination of the words "Bodog" and "Nevada") and a new landing page (complete with a picture of the Las Vegas skyline), not much has changed for U.S. players. Players can sign into the new site with existing usernames and passwords, and existing balances have been transferred to the new site. Players can access the same games that are available at Bodog Casino, and the sports betting menu looks identical to what is offered at the Bodog Sportsbook and Racebook.
U.S. poker players who open up the Bodog Poker client are told that it is no longer supported and an update will be available soon. They can, however, download a new version of the client at bovada.lv and resume playing immediately. The software, published by Trident BPO Trading Limited, appears to be identical to Bodog Poker software.
Players accessing Bodog-eu from the United States find a note stating, "Access to this site is not available from your current location. The Morris Mohawk Gaming Group no longer offers its services under license from the Bodog Brand. You can find their services now available at www-bovada-lv-"
There is a note at the bottom of the page which explains that users will automatically be redirected to bovada.lv, but as of 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the site did not actually redirect visitors to the new site.
Other than the domain name change (a combination of the words "Bodog" and "Nevada") and a new landing page (complete with a picture of the Las Vegas skyline), not much has changed for U.S. players. Players can sign into the new site with existing usernames and passwords, and existing balances have been transferred to the new site. Players can access the same games that are available at Bodog Casino, and the sports betting menu looks identical to what is offered at the Bodog Sportsbook and Racebook.
U.S. poker players who open up the Bodog Poker client are told that it is no longer supported and an update will be available soon. They can, however, download a new version of the client at bovada.lv and resume playing immediately. The software, published by Trident BPO Trading Limited, appears to be identical to Bodog Poker software.
Join:
2006/12/07
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29893
High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email [email]ftsales-support@ft-com[/email] to buy additional rights. Betfair predicts mobile betting boom - FT-com
Betfair, the online gambling exchange, has predicted that punters using mobile phones and iPads could account for up to half of total revenue by 2016, as the company reported interim profits up by nearly half.
“It’s a mass market play [for us] – this is not a niche product,” said Stephen Morana, Betfair’s chief financial officer. “There is a huge shift towards the mobile world – in five years’ time, 50 per cent of our business could be through smart phones.” High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email [email]ftsales-support@ft-com[/email] to buy additional rights. Betfair predicts mobile betting boom - FT-com
Roaming punters using mobile devices helped boost pre-tax interim profits, before exceptional charges, by 46 per cent to £24.7m in the six months to October 31, prompting management to propose an interim dividend of 3.2p per share.
The results are a welcome boost for the company, whose share price has struggled since it floated at £13 per share last year.
“It’s fair to say we had a couple of wobbles [making the transition] from private to public company,” said Mr Morana. “What these results do is give more confidence we are back on track and we’re delivering with a positive momentum to the business.”
Diluted earnings per share rose 173 per cent to 16.9p, boosted by the company buying back £23.7m of shares.
Underlying revenue rose 1 per cent to £191.3m compared to the year before, due to growing activity on Betfair’s peer-to-peer betting exchange, which enjoyed a 7 per cent increase in aggregate bet values. While revenue from mobile products accounted for only £9.1m, an increase of 88 per cent, Mr Morana said customers using mobile devices tended to bet more.
Nick Batram, an analyst at Peel Hunt, said the results showed Betfair was turning its fortunes round after “losing its way over the past 18 months”.
“The greatest competition is from the fixed-odds bookmakers – the likes of William Hill have significantly stepped up their game,” he said. “Betfair made a lot of mistakes but they were mistakes that were addressable ... and it is now making its interface a lot smoother and more enjoyable.”
Betfair said Mr Morana would become interim chief executive on January 1, following the departure of David Yu. Mr Morana will stay in the post until Breon Corcoran, formerly chief operating officer of Paddy Power, takes over on August 1 next year.
Betfair, the online gambling exchange, has predicted that punters using mobile phones and iPads could account for up to half of total revenue by 2016, as the company reported interim profits up by nearly half.
“It’s a mass market play [for us] – this is not a niche product,” said Stephen Morana, Betfair’s chief financial officer. “There is a huge shift towards the mobile world – in five years’ time, 50 per cent of our business could be through smart phones.” High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email [email]ftsales-support@ft-com[/email] to buy additional rights. Betfair predicts mobile betting boom - FT-com
Roaming punters using mobile devices helped boost pre-tax interim profits, before exceptional charges, by 46 per cent to £24.7m in the six months to October 31, prompting management to propose an interim dividend of 3.2p per share.
The results are a welcome boost for the company, whose share price has struggled since it floated at £13 per share last year.
“It’s fair to say we had a couple of wobbles [making the transition] from private to public company,” said Mr Morana. “What these results do is give more confidence we are back on track and we’re delivering with a positive momentum to the business.”
Diluted earnings per share rose 173 per cent to 16.9p, boosted by the company buying back £23.7m of shares.
Underlying revenue rose 1 per cent to £191.3m compared to the year before, due to growing activity on Betfair’s peer-to-peer betting exchange, which enjoyed a 7 per cent increase in aggregate bet values. While revenue from mobile products accounted for only £9.1m, an increase of 88 per cent, Mr Morana said customers using mobile devices tended to bet more.
Nick Batram, an analyst at Peel Hunt, said the results showed Betfair was turning its fortunes round after “losing its way over the past 18 months”.
“The greatest competition is from the fixed-odds bookmakers – the likes of William Hill have significantly stepped up their game,” he said. “Betfair made a lot of mistakes but they were mistakes that were addressable ... and it is now making its interface a lot smoother and more enjoyable.”
Betfair said Mr Morana would become interim chief executive on January 1, following the departure of David Yu. Mr Morana will stay in the post until Breon Corcoran, formerly chief operating officer of Paddy Power, takes over on August 1 next year.
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2006/12/07
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Not everyone is familiar with the country of Georgia which is located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of Georgia is Tbilisi. Georgia covers a territory of 69,700 km² and its population is almost 4.7 million. Georgia is a unitary, semi-presidential republic, with the government elected through a representative democracy.
It is also becoming a country that has a lot of online gamblers. A recent article in the Financial suggests the spread of online casinos is bringing poker and other games to people there who love to play but don’t have the resources to go to a land based casino. Nazim Izmailov, Executive Director of Europe-bet commented on the trend, “The popularity of online games is increasing. Internet access is growing; the number of internet users is increasing at the same time. Many locals prefer online games to visiting a real casino. Georgians are very reckless,”
Georgian legislation requires a five million GEL license for casino registration. This fee allows you to run a real casino which is obligatory for running an online casino.
Bacho Gviniashvili, Director of Lariwin which has been operating in Georgia since September 2011 said, “Gambling has a wide range of users in Georgia. Most people who are already eighteen years old begin to play online games. This new generation adds to the older players in the country and that increases the total number of gambling players,” the Director continued, “International research shows that this increase will continue till 2016. I would say that higher growth is expected in Georgia than abroad. If for example the number of players increases by eight percent in the world, it increases two times more here. Economical opportunities in Georgia are much higher now than in previous years as well,”
It is also becoming a country that has a lot of online gamblers. A recent article in the Financial suggests the spread of online casinos is bringing poker and other games to people there who love to play but don’t have the resources to go to a land based casino. Nazim Izmailov, Executive Director of Europe-bet commented on the trend, “The popularity of online games is increasing. Internet access is growing; the number of internet users is increasing at the same time. Many locals prefer online games to visiting a real casino. Georgians are very reckless,”
Georgian legislation requires a five million GEL license for casino registration. This fee allows you to run a real casino which is obligatory for running an online casino.
Bacho Gviniashvili, Director of Lariwin which has been operating in Georgia since September 2011 said, “Gambling has a wide range of users in Georgia. Most people who are already eighteen years old begin to play online games. This new generation adds to the older players in the country and that increases the total number of gambling players,” the Director continued, “International research shows that this increase will continue till 2016. I would say that higher growth is expected in Georgia than abroad. If for example the number of players increases by eight percent in the world, it increases two times more here. Economical opportunities in Georgia are much higher now than in previous years as well,”
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2006/12/07
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In addition, offshore companies will be slapped with a 15% charge on all Irish bets, according to a statement issued by the Fine Gael government.
The statement said that the government was at an "advanced stage" to present the changes in Ireland's gambling legislation and go ahead with an increase in the Irish online betting tax, with hopes to raise €20 million a year. The government wants to use part of the money to tackle gambling addiction in Ireland.
Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy Noel Harrington said in a statement: "It was confirmed to me that legislation that will extend betting duties to include remote betting and betting exchanges is currently at an advanced stage."
"The Minister [of Finance] reiterated this in his budget speech," said Harrington. "To date betting duties have only applied to bets placed in betting shops with bets placed by Irish punters either online or over the phone, essentially with offshore entities, falling outside the tax net."
He said that the Irish Minister of Finance had been working on widening the tax base in this area and extending betting duties to offshore bookie, "as well as introducing a betting intermediaries' duty for betting exchanges."
Harrington admitted that had often been considered an area that was difficult to tackle.
Irish Gambling Turnover €4.5 Billion in 2011
Gambling turnover in Ireland is expected to reach €4.5 billion this year, up from €1.1 billion a decade ago and only €370 million in 1991.
However, 1991 saw €37 million earned by the government in duties, a figure that is expected to drop to just €26 million this year, due to the expansion of phone and online betting.
"It is estimated that the Exchequer could benefit by up to €20 million in a full year by extending betting duty," said Harrington, "This money could, and should, be ring-fenced for addiction services and supports."
The government said that due to the increase in online betting and the growth of the Smartphone market, it made sense to "tap into this sector" in order to help those who had gambling addictions.
The Irish government also said that it wanted to send a message to offshore gambling companies that the country has "an appropriate licensing framework" which makes it an attractive possibility for investment and employment opportunities, as well as relatively low taxes.