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What would happen if the world's leading provider of social gaming, and the leading international real money gaming operator got together? They might just produce an amazing set of real money online Poker and Casino games for social media sites. Zynga, and bwin.party have announced such a strategic partnership for players in the UK. The plan is to offer a full suite of 180 casino games including Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, and a long list of Slots over the next 10 months.
"Bringing together Zynga's expertise in social gaming with the top international real money gaming operator is the best way to create the highest quality gaming experiences for our players in the UK," relates Barry Cottle, Zynga's Executive Vice President of Corporate and Business Development. "Partnering with an established leader like bwin.party is a strategic and prudent way for us to enter a key RMG market while giving local players the real money games they've been asking us for."
UK poker customers playing Zynga's real money games will join bwin.party dotcom player liquidity pool. In-turn they will get all the benefits of playing at the largest regulated poker network and a full suite of Poker and Casino games. Local players of FarmVille, will be able to play the first-ever branded real money slots game.
This innovation in the world of social media real money gambling is a turning point for the entire industry. With more and more companies realizing the potential of social media it will be no time at all before all of the best titles are on the same site as your status updates.
Zynga x bwin.party = Big Money for Social Gaming - Opinions - Onlinecasinoreports-com
"Bringing together Zynga's expertise in social gaming with the top international real money gaming operator is the best way to create the highest quality gaming experiences for our players in the UK," relates Barry Cottle, Zynga's Executive Vice President of Corporate and Business Development. "Partnering with an established leader like bwin.party is a strategic and prudent way for us to enter a key RMG market while giving local players the real money games they've been asking us for."
UK poker customers playing Zynga's real money games will join bwin.party dotcom player liquidity pool. In-turn they will get all the benefits of playing at the largest regulated poker network and a full suite of Poker and Casino games. Local players of FarmVille, will be able to play the first-ever branded real money slots game.
This innovation in the world of social media real money gambling is a turning point for the entire industry. With more and more companies realizing the potential of social media it will be no time at all before all of the best titles are on the same site as your status updates.
Zynga x bwin.party = Big Money for Social Gaming - Opinions - Onlinecasinoreports-com
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Traditionally a get-together for the big beasts of the land-based slot supply industry, the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), which takes place towards the end of the year in Las Vegas, has taken its time to come to terms with the distinctive challenge, and indeed the opportunity, posed by online gambling. Much of this is due to the understandable fears over legitimacy, particularly with regards to the US. But after attending this year’s G2E, we find ourselves agreeing with the view of one New York-based analyst that the competitive marketplace for gaming suppliers – helped by the convergence of online and offline already witnessed elsewhere around the world – is now very much heating up.
The analyst at Wells Fargo commented: “Just looking at the booths at this year’s G2E, it was clear that it is no longer just the big five. The reality is that there is a huge amount of content out there, making it harder for suppliers to differentiate themselves.” In this respect, the land-based world is just catching up with its online cousins.
As with other leading names in the field of online supply, we see a heightened competitive environment as a positive. OpenBet very much prides itself on the first word of our name; our platform is open for a reason and “a huge amount of content” means greater potential for our clients.
Third-party content is at the heart of our proposition. As much as we take pride in our own world-class games, the central proposition of our platform is that we can integrate the content from other developers and suppliers – including, intriguingly, some of those land-based behemoths such as IGT and Aristocrat. Third-party content is key to anyone in online gaming. As the Wells Fargo analyst suggested, third-party development “increases the variety of games in the market”. This is good news for operators as much as suppliers. The online consumer will always be choosy, and will always seek out the games and experiences which offer them the greatest entertainment.
Online gaming has taught the land-based operators to expect more, and competition for share of wallet is driving further innovation. Suppliers too, in online as well of offline, are locked in this competitive struggle. One last thought; the analyst at Wells Fargo closed by suggesting that the “…reality is that there is just a huge amount of content out there.” The cost of producing that content is becoming ever more significant, and this is one of the other resounding messages that we heard on the show floor in Vegas. Read More: The competitive marketplace after G2E | Blog | InterGame
The analyst at Wells Fargo commented: “Just looking at the booths at this year’s G2E, it was clear that it is no longer just the big five. The reality is that there is a huge amount of content out there, making it harder for suppliers to differentiate themselves.” In this respect, the land-based world is just catching up with its online cousins.
As with other leading names in the field of online supply, we see a heightened competitive environment as a positive. OpenBet very much prides itself on the first word of our name; our platform is open for a reason and “a huge amount of content” means greater potential for our clients.
Third-party content is at the heart of our proposition. As much as we take pride in our own world-class games, the central proposition of our platform is that we can integrate the content from other developers and suppliers – including, intriguingly, some of those land-based behemoths such as IGT and Aristocrat. Third-party content is key to anyone in online gaming. As the Wells Fargo analyst suggested, third-party development “increases the variety of games in the market”. This is good news for operators as much as suppliers. The online consumer will always be choosy, and will always seek out the games and experiences which offer them the greatest entertainment.
Online gaming has taught the land-based operators to expect more, and competition for share of wallet is driving further innovation. Suppliers too, in online as well of offline, are locked in this competitive struggle. One last thought; the analyst at Wells Fargo closed by suggesting that the “…reality is that there is just a huge amount of content out there.” The cost of producing that content is becoming ever more significant, and this is one of the other resounding messages that we heard on the show floor in Vegas. Read More: The competitive marketplace after G2E | Blog | InterGame
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Veteran actor Harrison Ford could reprise his role as Han Solo in "Star Wars" in a new movie set for release in 2015 after Disney bought the studio behind the sci-fi saga, a report said.
The 70-year-old has previously appeared cool on the character he played in the first three "Star Wars" movies. But he has not ruled out returning for what will be the seventh movie in the series, according to Entertainment Weekly.
"Harrison is open to the idea of doing the movie and he's upbeat about it, all three of them are," a "highly-placed" source told the magazine, referring to Ford and fellow actors Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher.
Ford found fame in the first "Star Wars" movie in 1977, and played his part again in the second and third installments, which made up the initial trilogy.
He did not appear in the second trilogy, made between 1999-2005, and has been generally dismissive of his character, telling an ABC interviewer in 2010: "As a character he was not so interesting to me."
"I don't know that I understood it very well," he said of the "Star Wars" phenomenon, adding: "I'm not sure I understand it yet. I was very happy to be involved. I was pleased to be a part of an ensemble."
Entertainment Weekly said in its Monday report that Ford -- who went on to big screen success including megastardom in the blockbuster "Indiana Jones" movies -- will not commit to the new "Star Wars" film until a director and script are confirmed.
Either could be a deal breaker, it said.
A spokeswoman for the star declined to comment on the report.
Walt Disney Company announced last week that it was buying "Star Wars" director George Lucas's movie company for $4 billion, and plans to revive the classic sci-fi series.
"Star Wars 7" will be released in 2015, "with more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga and grow the franchise well into the future," said Disney in announcing the deal to buy Lucasfilm
The 70-year-old has previously appeared cool on the character he played in the first three "Star Wars" movies. But he has not ruled out returning for what will be the seventh movie in the series, according to Entertainment Weekly.
"Harrison is open to the idea of doing the movie and he's upbeat about it, all three of them are," a "highly-placed" source told the magazine, referring to Ford and fellow actors Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher.
Ford found fame in the first "Star Wars" movie in 1977, and played his part again in the second and third installments, which made up the initial trilogy.
He did not appear in the second trilogy, made between 1999-2005, and has been generally dismissive of his character, telling an ABC interviewer in 2010: "As a character he was not so interesting to me."
"I don't know that I understood it very well," he said of the "Star Wars" phenomenon, adding: "I'm not sure I understand it yet. I was very happy to be involved. I was pleased to be a part of an ensemble."
Entertainment Weekly said in its Monday report that Ford -- who went on to big screen success including megastardom in the blockbuster "Indiana Jones" movies -- will not commit to the new "Star Wars" film until a director and script are confirmed.
Either could be a deal breaker, it said.
A spokeswoman for the star declined to comment on the report.
Walt Disney Company announced last week that it was buying "Star Wars" director George Lucas's movie company for $4 billion, and plans to revive the classic sci-fi series.
"Star Wars 7" will be released in 2015, "with more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga and grow the franchise well into the future," said Disney in announcing the deal to buy Lucasfilm
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2006/12/07
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29893
kennex wrote:
Obama will win this election....
Pm me I will send you an Iphone 4 😡
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2006/12/07
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Constitutional experts are giving their two cents about online First Nation's casinos a day after a former White Bear First Nation chief launched an online gambling site.
"There is definitely constitutional room under section 35 for a First Nation to assert that it has the right to conduct or regulate gaming," said Mary Eberts, a professor with the University of Saskatchewan.
Bernie Shepherd's site northerbearcasino-com has received a lot of attention due to the vague nature of the Canadian Constitution surrounding aboriginal rights.
Eberts, however, says Shepherd and other First Nations can have grounds to legally operate an online casino on reserves, despite the servers being located in the British Virgin Islands.
She explains that the test for what is legal on a reserve is whether the First Nations can prove they have a history or tradition of performing a certain activity.
This means if Shepherd can prove the Bear First Nation had a history of practicing or regulating gaming then he would have a First Nations right to operate his casino, Eberts said.
"It varies from nation to nation but it's open to any first nation's in the country to establish that," she said.
However, professor of law at the U of S, Dwight Newman said that doesn't mean the government won't be careful with the case.
"Just given the challenges it poses in international relations and so on, I think the Supreme Court would be somewhat skeptical towards it," he said.
In addition, if the Bear First Nations cannot provide sufficient evidence to prove a history of gaming regulation Eberts says the province could have a larger constitutional conflict on their hands.
"If a major gaming case goes to the supreme court of Canada, the likelihood is that the court will say some things that will be of interest to governments and First Nations about where First Nations' sovereignty begins and ends [in other contexts as well]," she said.
When Canada repatriated the constitution in 1982, it recognized aboriginal rights under section 35, but did not define them.
In addition, the Criminal Code of Canada says gambling is illegal unless conducted by a province and the province has decided against online gambling sites.
Previous governments, such as Premier Roy Romanow avoided conflict by simple telling First Nations that land casinos could be built and the province and bands would share the profits.
The current Brad Wall administration has referred the current case to the RCMP and an investigation is underway. Shepherd said he has prepared his own iGaming act for the province's review.
"[Shepherd is] putting forth a sincere claim that he believes in the existence of this jurisdiction and is asking that to be tested," Newman said.
Online gaming brings forward constitutional questions | News Talk 980 CJME
"There is definitely constitutional room under section 35 for a First Nation to assert that it has the right to conduct or regulate gaming," said Mary Eberts, a professor with the University of Saskatchewan.
Bernie Shepherd's site northerbearcasino-com has received a lot of attention due to the vague nature of the Canadian Constitution surrounding aboriginal rights.
Eberts, however, says Shepherd and other First Nations can have grounds to legally operate an online casino on reserves, despite the servers being located in the British Virgin Islands.
She explains that the test for what is legal on a reserve is whether the First Nations can prove they have a history or tradition of performing a certain activity.
This means if Shepherd can prove the Bear First Nation had a history of practicing or regulating gaming then he would have a First Nations right to operate his casino, Eberts said.
"It varies from nation to nation but it's open to any first nation's in the country to establish that," she said.
However, professor of law at the U of S, Dwight Newman said that doesn't mean the government won't be careful with the case.
"Just given the challenges it poses in international relations and so on, I think the Supreme Court would be somewhat skeptical towards it," he said.
In addition, if the Bear First Nations cannot provide sufficient evidence to prove a history of gaming regulation Eberts says the province could have a larger constitutional conflict on their hands.
"If a major gaming case goes to the supreme court of Canada, the likelihood is that the court will say some things that will be of interest to governments and First Nations about where First Nations' sovereignty begins and ends [in other contexts as well]," she said.
When Canada repatriated the constitution in 1982, it recognized aboriginal rights under section 35, but did not define them.
In addition, the Criminal Code of Canada says gambling is illegal unless conducted by a province and the province has decided against online gambling sites.
Previous governments, such as Premier Roy Romanow avoided conflict by simple telling First Nations that land casinos could be built and the province and bands would share the profits.
The current Brad Wall administration has referred the current case to the RCMP and an investigation is underway. Shepherd said he has prepared his own iGaming act for the province's review.
"[Shepherd is] putting forth a sincere claim that he believes in the existence of this jurisdiction and is asking that to be tested," Newman said.
Online gaming brings forward constitutional questions | News Talk 980 CJME
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2006/12/07
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Online gambling group Betfair has withdrawn its online sports betting exchange in Germany, blaming the country's gambling tax regime for making its main product unviable.
The company has been arguing with German tax authorities that its main product should not attract the 5% tax on stakes, as it does not actually take bets but allows punters to bet with each other.
Shares in the group initially slumped on the news - although they have recovered since and are trading slightly down on the day at around 750p. The company floated in 2010 at £13 a share on the back of a growth strategy that included geographic expansion.
The gambling group said:
Betfair has been working with the relevant tax authorities to seek clarification on interpretation of the law and its applicability to exchanges. The company is disappointed, however, that to date the tax authorities have not been able to agree to an interpretation of the law that would allow Betfair to continue to offer the exchange product. Consequently, Betfair has decided to withdraw its exchange product from the German market.
It added:
In FY12, approximately 4% of [betting exchange] revenue came from Germany and this revenue delivered a contribution of approximately £6m before the allocation of central costs.
Betfair said that the remaining part of its business in Germany - which includes poker, casino and more traditional fixed-odds betting - would now be minimal following the withdrawal of the product. It has been paying the small amount of tax it owes on those businesses, but has been filing returns for its betting exchange product which state no tax is due. Analysts estimate that if the German authorities force Betfair to pay tax on the betting exchange business, it will retrospectively owe as much as £25m.
James Hollins, an analyst with Investec, which was one of the few brokers not to fall for the Betfair flotation spin, said:
Betfair is to withdraw its betting exchange product from the German market. The negative impact on our earnings is c10%. Sadly, this is not an issue of a lack of legislation (Germany has regulated sports betting), but an issue around the type of taxation that makes Betfair's exchange model uneconomic. Hence, even if the EC were to direct Germany to regulate casino and poker, it is unlikely to challenge the wager tax, as per regulation in France.
While Betfair-friendly gross profits taxes have been favoured elsewhere in territories such as Spain and Italy (but not France), this is a blow to Betfair's model and a clear negative. We retain our SELL recommendation on Betfair and move our [price target] from 625p to 600p.
Betting companies prefer to be taxed on their gross profits – in effect, the profits they make from punters – rather than turnover. Turnover is classified as the total amount of money staked with a bookmaker, but that figure will include money that a successful gambler has already won. For example, a winning £5 bet at 2-1 would return £15 to a gambler (£10 winnings and the return of the £5 stake); if he then bets the £15 and loses, he makes a net loss of £5. Under a gross profits tax the bookmaker would be taxed on the £5. Under a turnover tax, it is taxed on both bets, or £20.
For Betfair that equation gets worse as its punters tend to place lots of bets during a sporting event as the action unfolds, rather than the more traditional method of a few bets before the start of an event.
Betfair retreats from Germany | Business | guardian.co.uk
The company has been arguing with German tax authorities that its main product should not attract the 5% tax on stakes, as it does not actually take bets but allows punters to bet with each other.
Shares in the group initially slumped on the news - although they have recovered since and are trading slightly down on the day at around 750p. The company floated in 2010 at £13 a share on the back of a growth strategy that included geographic expansion.
The gambling group said:
Betfair has been working with the relevant tax authorities to seek clarification on interpretation of the law and its applicability to exchanges. The company is disappointed, however, that to date the tax authorities have not been able to agree to an interpretation of the law that would allow Betfair to continue to offer the exchange product. Consequently, Betfair has decided to withdraw its exchange product from the German market.
It added:
In FY12, approximately 4% of [betting exchange] revenue came from Germany and this revenue delivered a contribution of approximately £6m before the allocation of central costs.
Betfair said that the remaining part of its business in Germany - which includes poker, casino and more traditional fixed-odds betting - would now be minimal following the withdrawal of the product. It has been paying the small amount of tax it owes on those businesses, but has been filing returns for its betting exchange product which state no tax is due. Analysts estimate that if the German authorities force Betfair to pay tax on the betting exchange business, it will retrospectively owe as much as £25m.
James Hollins, an analyst with Investec, which was one of the few brokers not to fall for the Betfair flotation spin, said:
Betfair is to withdraw its betting exchange product from the German market. The negative impact on our earnings is c10%. Sadly, this is not an issue of a lack of legislation (Germany has regulated sports betting), but an issue around the type of taxation that makes Betfair's exchange model uneconomic. Hence, even if the EC were to direct Germany to regulate casino and poker, it is unlikely to challenge the wager tax, as per regulation in France.
While Betfair-friendly gross profits taxes have been favoured elsewhere in territories such as Spain and Italy (but not France), this is a blow to Betfair's model and a clear negative. We retain our SELL recommendation on Betfair and move our [price target] from 625p to 600p.
Betting companies prefer to be taxed on their gross profits – in effect, the profits they make from punters – rather than turnover. Turnover is classified as the total amount of money staked with a bookmaker, but that figure will include money that a successful gambler has already won. For example, a winning £5 bet at 2-1 would return £15 to a gambler (£10 winnings and the return of the £5 stake); if he then bets the £15 and loses, he makes a net loss of £5. Under a gross profits tax the bookmaker would be taxed on the £5. Under a turnover tax, it is taxed on both bets, or £20.
For Betfair that equation gets worse as its punters tend to place lots of bets during a sporting event as the action unfolds, rather than the more traditional method of a few bets before the start of an event.
Betfair retreats from Germany | Business | guardian.co.uk
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2006/12/07
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In four years, fans of online poker and casino gambling in the Netherlands will be able to play freely and quietly from home, online. If local players can rely on the Holland Casino, known as the National Lottery and Lotto Staatsloterij in this sector, only entities allowed to offer gambling in the country, the choice could greatly extend shortly. Indeed, the country's new government decided to set up a procedure that will officially legalize online gambling market on its territory as part of a financial recovery in the Netherlands. Poker, sports betting and casino games can be part of this regulatory framework. According to studies, 500,000 to 800,000 Dutch are in fact playing illegally on the internet. The official opening of the market could reduce or even wipe out illegal gambling and also boost the country's economy.
The Regulatory Authority of the Dutch games, the Kansspelautoriteit is already active. It asked to 40 operators of online poker room to deny the access of Dutch players. Some of these operators agreed to this request in order to be eligible to obtain a legal license in the near future. Regarding the regulatory model to adopt, no decision has yet been taken. The government and relevant professionals think about a levy of 29% on gross gaming revenue.
Poker News - Netherlands: Towards a regulation of online gambling
The Regulatory Authority of the Dutch games, the Kansspelautoriteit is already active. It asked to 40 operators of online poker room to deny the access of Dutch players. Some of these operators agreed to this request in order to be eligible to obtain a legal license in the near future. Regarding the regulatory model to adopt, no decision has yet been taken. The government and relevant professionals think about a levy of 29% on gross gaming revenue.
Poker News - Netherlands: Towards a regulation of online gambling
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2006/12/07
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Tim Schaaff came over to Sony from Apple back in 2005 with a mission of aligning its vast consumer electronics and entertainment interests, and today the company has announced he's retiring from his post as Sony Network Entertainment President at the end of the year. Schaaf's responsibilities will be taken over by current Sony Computer Entertainment president Andrew House to start 2013, although Schaaf will retain his seat on Sony Network's board of directors. In place and SNEI prez since 2010, he was around for the infamous PSN hack and subsequent outage in 2011, calling it a "great experience"... that he would not like to do again, of course. While Sony has made great strides in reorganizing the way its disparate arms work together since '05 (remember Sony Connect? No one else does either.) his departure comes amidst new company head Kaz Hirai's "One Sony" turnaround efforts along the same lines. A rebranding of PlayStation Network to Sony Entertainment Network hasn't pushed the Music and Movie Unlimited properties to the top just yet, nor connected devices like its tablets and phones -- we'll see if this executive shuffling has any effect on the company's fortunes going forward.
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GAMBLING on the work computer or telephone should be banned for occupational health and safety reasons, just as smoking has been banned, according to a workplace relations specialist.
A massive increase in online gambling opportunities, including those on social media sites, have led to warnings that businesses need to develop new IT and social media policies to protect workers and employers.
The potential health risk to staff from gambling has been recognised by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, with workers to be offered education and training programs to reduce the risk of developing a gambling problem as part of its occupational health and safety policies.
Gambling from the desk at work has never been easier - The Age ran a prominent full-page advertisement on Melbourne Cup Day from a gambling company explaining how it took just two minutes to set up an online gambling account and begin gambling with a credit card.
And while some of Australia's biggest companies, including Telstra, have social media policies explaining what is an appropriate use of social media by employees, few social media or IT policies address gambling specifically.
Instead, companies, including Telstra, often block gambling websites from work computers.
Holding Redlich senior associate and workplace relations specialist Joel Zyngier said it was time to ban gambling on company time using company equipment.
''Due to the increased trend of gambling via social media, it is clear that unacceptable behaviour must include using an employer's resources to engage in gambling via social media,'' he said.
''As far as I am aware it [gambling] is not being looked at, at least to the same extent, that pornography or race-hate sites are being looked at.''
''An employer's duty under OH&S law is to do everything it practically can to eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety in the workplace.
''Unfettered access to the internet coupled with knowledge that employees have the potential to cause themselves harm by gambling, may trigger an employer's OH&S duty.''
Mr Zyngier said employer IT and social media policies varied from allowed unlimited use of the internet to ''you must not use your computer for non-business related activities''.
He advises companies against a total social media ban, saying it would be unrealistic, suggesting instead that companies should have clear policies based on ''reasonable use'', and clearly state what is banned, such as gambling.
Mr Zyngier warned that a company could find itself in trouble if an employee developed or increased a gambling addiction while at work.
''It wouldn't be a common situation … but if they continued to allow the person access to something that harmed them then it could very well be an occupational health and safety breach,'' he said.
Gambling reform advocate Tom Cummings said social media was particularly popular with 20 to 30-year-old men - the target market of many sports betting companies.
''Social media has been identified as the next wave or battleground of gambling,'' he said.
''The growth in gambling apps, simulated and real money gambling apps is staggering, every bookmaker is embracing social media,'' he said.
Push to ban online gambling at work
A massive increase in online gambling opportunities, including those on social media sites, have led to warnings that businesses need to develop new IT and social media policies to protect workers and employers.
The potential health risk to staff from gambling has been recognised by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, with workers to be offered education and training programs to reduce the risk of developing a gambling problem as part of its occupational health and safety policies.
Gambling from the desk at work has never been easier - The Age ran a prominent full-page advertisement on Melbourne Cup Day from a gambling company explaining how it took just two minutes to set up an online gambling account and begin gambling with a credit card.
And while some of Australia's biggest companies, including Telstra, have social media policies explaining what is an appropriate use of social media by employees, few social media or IT policies address gambling specifically.
Instead, companies, including Telstra, often block gambling websites from work computers.
Holding Redlich senior associate and workplace relations specialist Joel Zyngier said it was time to ban gambling on company time using company equipment.
''Due to the increased trend of gambling via social media, it is clear that unacceptable behaviour must include using an employer's resources to engage in gambling via social media,'' he said.
''As far as I am aware it [gambling] is not being looked at, at least to the same extent, that pornography or race-hate sites are being looked at.''
''An employer's duty under OH&S law is to do everything it practically can to eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety in the workplace.
''Unfettered access to the internet coupled with knowledge that employees have the potential to cause themselves harm by gambling, may trigger an employer's OH&S duty.''
Mr Zyngier said employer IT and social media policies varied from allowed unlimited use of the internet to ''you must not use your computer for non-business related activities''.
He advises companies against a total social media ban, saying it would be unrealistic, suggesting instead that companies should have clear policies based on ''reasonable use'', and clearly state what is banned, such as gambling.
Mr Zyngier warned that a company could find itself in trouble if an employee developed or increased a gambling addiction while at work.
''It wouldn't be a common situation … but if they continued to allow the person access to something that harmed them then it could very well be an occupational health and safety breach,'' he said.
Gambling reform advocate Tom Cummings said social media was particularly popular with 20 to 30-year-old men - the target market of many sports betting companies.
''Social media has been identified as the next wave or battleground of gambling,'' he said.
''The growth in gambling apps, simulated and real money gambling apps is staggering, every bookmaker is embracing social media,'' he said.
Push to ban online gambling at work
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Over the past decade, some games have grown considerably in popularity for a variety of reasons., and they also have a social aspect where players can communicate during games. This is certainly the case with bingo, which has moved beyond the dusty bingo halls and onto the net.
Playing bingo on sites like Ladbrokes can be very entertaining for everyone from experienced players to novices who’ve always wanted to try it but worry about understanding the rules. Online bingo seems to be more popular amongst single people and stay-at-home moms, although people from other backgrounds and occupations have also begun to play, perhaps because it’s more relaxing than other games such as blackjack and roulette.
There are a number of advantages that playing bingo online has over playing it in a hall or community centre. The main one is that you can play at any time of the day, which for people with busy lifestyles who don’t have the time to go outside and play can simply log on and start playing within a minute or two. Also, when playing online, players can talk amongst each other in chat rooms of by using instant messaging, can choose from a variety of themed games and can even play for big money jackpots, all of which add up to a fun gaming experience.
Online Gambling Industry: The Change in the Industry | CS Report
Playing bingo on sites like Ladbrokes can be very entertaining for everyone from experienced players to novices who’ve always wanted to try it but worry about understanding the rules. Online bingo seems to be more popular amongst single people and stay-at-home moms, although people from other backgrounds and occupations have also begun to play, perhaps because it’s more relaxing than other games such as blackjack and roulette.
There are a number of advantages that playing bingo online has over playing it in a hall or community centre. The main one is that you can play at any time of the day, which for people with busy lifestyles who don’t have the time to go outside and play can simply log on and start playing within a minute or two. Also, when playing online, players can talk amongst each other in chat rooms of by using instant messaging, can choose from a variety of themed games and can even play for big money jackpots, all of which add up to a fun gaming experience.
Online Gambling Industry: The Change in the Industry | CS Report
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Casino supplier International Game Technology today reported a higher profit for its fourth fiscal quarter as revenue improved from slot machine sales to land-based casinos, as well as from social and online gaming.
The company, based in Reno with major Las Vegas operations, said it earned $88.1 million or 33 cents per share in the quarter ending Sept. 30, up from $53.4 million or 18 cents per share in the year-ago period.
IGT's $631.1 million revenue over the period was up from $539.8 million a year earlier.
IGT said that during the just-concluded fiscal year, it shipped 44,200 new and replacement gaming devices to casinos and other customers, an increase of 23 percent. In North America, the average price of those machines increased 2 percent to $14,500.
Full-year interactive revenue, including social gaming and online gaming, grew 293 percent to $144 million.
Future online revenue may be affected by the launch of intrastate online poker in Nevada, where IGT is licensed to participate, as well as the shutdown during the fourth quarter of the company’s Entraction online business in Europe because of market conditions.
While some analysts have questioned IGT’s agreement earlier in the year to pay as much as $500 million for the Double Down casino business on Facebook, IGT executives said today they expect Double Down to add to earnings by 2014.
Double Down has play-for-fun games like blackjack, slots, video poker and roulette. Customers can buy virtual chips for more action on the site.
Double Down now has 1.415 million daily users spending an average of 28 cents per day on the social, non-gambling site, the company said. The user count is up 4 percent, while average daily spending increased 3 cents from the third fiscal quarter.
For the year, the company’s adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations amounted to $1.04 and today, IGT projected that would grow to $1.20 to $1.30 in fiscal year 2013, which would amount to growth of 15 percent to 25 percent.
IGT reports profit due to slot sales and online gaming - VEGAS INC
The company, based in Reno with major Las Vegas operations, said it earned $88.1 million or 33 cents per share in the quarter ending Sept. 30, up from $53.4 million or 18 cents per share in the year-ago period.
IGT's $631.1 million revenue over the period was up from $539.8 million a year earlier.
IGT said that during the just-concluded fiscal year, it shipped 44,200 new and replacement gaming devices to casinos and other customers, an increase of 23 percent. In North America, the average price of those machines increased 2 percent to $14,500.
Full-year interactive revenue, including social gaming and online gaming, grew 293 percent to $144 million.
Future online revenue may be affected by the launch of intrastate online poker in Nevada, where IGT is licensed to participate, as well as the shutdown during the fourth quarter of the company’s Entraction online business in Europe because of market conditions.
While some analysts have questioned IGT’s agreement earlier in the year to pay as much as $500 million for the Double Down casino business on Facebook, IGT executives said today they expect Double Down to add to earnings by 2014.
Double Down has play-for-fun games like blackjack, slots, video poker and roulette. Customers can buy virtual chips for more action on the site.
Double Down now has 1.415 million daily users spending an average of 28 cents per day on the social, non-gambling site, the company said. The user count is up 4 percent, while average daily spending increased 3 cents from the third fiscal quarter.
For the year, the company’s adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations amounted to $1.04 and today, IGT projected that would grow to $1.20 to $1.30 in fiscal year 2013, which would amount to growth of 15 percent to 25 percent.
IGT reports profit due to slot sales and online gaming - VEGAS INC
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All gambling fans remember Black Friday in April 2011, however, despite the effects of it, online gambling and poker had very little to do with the Presidential election. Instead issues such as the economy and the Middle East took centre stage.
At present Senators Harry Reid and Jon Kyl are backing an effort to legalise online poker, however, it is not necessary for a federal bill to be passed in order for individual states to move forwards with the idea.
Nonetheless, casinos in Nevada would certainly prefer a federal bill, in the mean time they are hedging their bets with intrastate models.
So far Nevada and Delaware have already allowed online gambling and other states are expected to follow next year.
Legalising online gambling is a very contentious issue at a federal level, not only because many politicians disagree with it, but also because it is extremely hard to find a compromise that the casino and lottery industry would be happy with.
Obama has never addressed the idea of legalising online gambling at a federal level, however, unlike the Republicans, he has never suggested reversing the legal opinion given by the DoJ on the 1961 Interstate Wire Act.
Presidential Candidates Failed to Address Online Gambling - Online Casino Archives
At present Senators Harry Reid and Jon Kyl are backing an effort to legalise online poker, however, it is not necessary for a federal bill to be passed in order for individual states to move forwards with the idea.
Nonetheless, casinos in Nevada would certainly prefer a federal bill, in the mean time they are hedging their bets with intrastate models.
So far Nevada and Delaware have already allowed online gambling and other states are expected to follow next year.
Legalising online gambling is a very contentious issue at a federal level, not only because many politicians disagree with it, but also because it is extremely hard to find a compromise that the casino and lottery industry would be happy with.
Obama has never addressed the idea of legalising online gambling at a federal level, however, unlike the Republicans, he has never suggested reversing the legal opinion given by the DoJ on the 1961 Interstate Wire Act.
Presidential Candidates Failed to Address Online Gambling - Online Casino Archives
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Andrea Shovan, left, Heather Themm, Larry Davis and Michael Toeniskoetter play secretary Freda Booker, private detective Cactus O'Reily, escaped convicted embezzler Neville Smedley and escaped illegal alien Ramon Ramirez during a rehearsal for "A Christmas Cactus."
Described by a cast-member as "funny" and "well-connected," the River City Players Christmas dinner theater "A Christmas Cactus" opens tonight at Port Cape Girardeau's Yacht Club.
"We really want to get people in the Christmas spirit," director Brenda Ferguson said. "We have a great cast that has worked hard and we want to get everyone in the right spirit."
"A Christmas Cactus" is a murder mystery comedy set in detective Cactus O'Reily's office on Christmas Eve. Cactus (Heather Themm) and her secretary Freda (Andrea Shovan) are trying to avoid deputy district attorney Stuart Windsor (Mike Craig) and Freda's mother Adelaide (Tana Howard), when two fugitives, Neville Smedley (Larry Davis) and Ramon Ramirez (Michael Toeniskoetter), break into the office and force Cactus to take their case to prove their innocence. Adelaide enters the office to find the confrontation only to believe it is a surprise Christmas murder mystery for her.
According to Ferguson, the audience can expect to be surprised and can relax and enjoy great food and entertainment. She said "A Christmas Cactus" is a family-friendly play that is full of comedy, mystery and romance.
"The actors transport you, and you'll feel like you are right there with them," Ferguson said.
"A Christmas Cactus" is Ferguson's directorial debut, which she described as "a wonderful experience."
"We have a good range of talent that has needed very little directing," she said.
Also making her debut is Themm, who plays the title character.
"This has been an exciting challenge," she said. "I have spent several years as a stay-at-home mother and needed an outlet. I've always had an interest in acting and to step out of the mommy zone has been a fun and rewarding challenge. I'm really excited for my children to see what I've been working on."
Themm said she was surprised when she received the lead role but said it's vindicating to be successful at something she has an interest in. She said she has become more nervous as opening day approaches, but the cast has been very supportive and she used her nervousness to fuel working hard and becoming her character.
"Cactus is dedicated to what she does," Themm said. "She finds her career as a detective can be rewarding if she works for it. She gets her big payoff and it renews her."
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. each day, with the curtain rising at 8 p.m. Dinner theater shows will take place tonight, Saturday and Nov. 16 and 17. There will be a show-only performance at 7 p.m. Nov. 15. Tickets are $35 for the dinner theater or $15 (or $10 with a Southeast Missouri State University student ID) for the show only. To make show reservations, call 334-0954.
Described by a cast-member as "funny" and "well-connected," the River City Players Christmas dinner theater "A Christmas Cactus" opens tonight at Port Cape Girardeau's Yacht Club.
"We really want to get people in the Christmas spirit," director Brenda Ferguson said. "We have a great cast that has worked hard and we want to get everyone in the right spirit."
"A Christmas Cactus" is a murder mystery comedy set in detective Cactus O'Reily's office on Christmas Eve. Cactus (Heather Themm) and her secretary Freda (Andrea Shovan) are trying to avoid deputy district attorney Stuart Windsor (Mike Craig) and Freda's mother Adelaide (Tana Howard), when two fugitives, Neville Smedley (Larry Davis) and Ramon Ramirez (Michael Toeniskoetter), break into the office and force Cactus to take their case to prove their innocence. Adelaide enters the office to find the confrontation only to believe it is a surprise Christmas murder mystery for her.
According to Ferguson, the audience can expect to be surprised and can relax and enjoy great food and entertainment. She said "A Christmas Cactus" is a family-friendly play that is full of comedy, mystery and romance.
"The actors transport you, and you'll feel like you are right there with them," Ferguson said.
"A Christmas Cactus" is Ferguson's directorial debut, which she described as "a wonderful experience."
"We have a good range of talent that has needed very little directing," she said.
Also making her debut is Themm, who plays the title character.
"This has been an exciting challenge," she said. "I have spent several years as a stay-at-home mother and needed an outlet. I've always had an interest in acting and to step out of the mommy zone has been a fun and rewarding challenge. I'm really excited for my children to see what I've been working on."
Themm said she was surprised when she received the lead role but said it's vindicating to be successful at something she has an interest in. She said she has become more nervous as opening day approaches, but the cast has been very supportive and she used her nervousness to fuel working hard and becoming her character.
"Cactus is dedicated to what she does," Themm said. "She finds her career as a detective can be rewarding if she works for it. She gets her big payoff and it renews her."
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. each day, with the curtain rising at 8 p.m. Dinner theater shows will take place tonight, Saturday and Nov. 16 and 17. There will be a show-only performance at 7 p.m. Nov. 15. Tickets are $35 for the dinner theater or $15 (or $10 with a Southeast Missouri State University student ID) for the show only. To make show reservations, call 334-0954.
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The United Chinese Association (UCA) Sibu had expressed its deep concern about rampant illegal online gambling here.
According to the association, Sibu has more than 300 illegal internet gambling outlets while Kuching, Miri and Bintulu each has more than 100.
It said the illegal activities had adversely affected the family and social life of those involved and wanted affirmative action to put a stop to it.
The association observes that there is also an increasing trend among housewives addicted to the menace now.
During a recent meeting, UCA resolved to let its current affairs, and associations and societies sections to arrange for a dialogue with the police with the hope to help tackle and solve the problem.
Recently, Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai King has called on the relevant authorities to clamp down on illegal Internet gambling centres in major towns in Sarawak.
Making the call during the vote of thanks at the Parliament debate on Budget 2013 in Kuala Lumpur , he said the illegal activity was mushrooming in major towns throughout the state.
He said it not only posed serious implications on the lives of those involved but was also threatening national development in the long run.
He warned that it might get out of hand should no affirmative actions were taken.
He noted that the operators had been setting up centres without the need to obtain any proper licence.
He also noted that many had fallen victims, adding: “In order to pay off their debts, some of the gamblers have resorted to selling off their homes, borrowing from unlicensed loan sharks and are constantly under death threats.”
“There are also those who resorted to threatening relatives and family members just to fleece money from them to pay off their gambling debts.”
Tiong urged the Home Ministry and the Police Department to launch an all-out war against the centres operating in commercial premises in every town throughout the state.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated issue, UCA has also called on the authorities to clamp down on some health centres/massage parlours which it claimed had clearly breached the law by being involved in offering or allowing vice activities within their business premises.
Housewives also get hooked with online gambling activities - Story | The Star Online
According to the association, Sibu has more than 300 illegal internet gambling outlets while Kuching, Miri and Bintulu each has more than 100.
It said the illegal activities had adversely affected the family and social life of those involved and wanted affirmative action to put a stop to it.
The association observes that there is also an increasing trend among housewives addicted to the menace now.
During a recent meeting, UCA resolved to let its current affairs, and associations and societies sections to arrange for a dialogue with the police with the hope to help tackle and solve the problem.
Recently, Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai King has called on the relevant authorities to clamp down on illegal Internet gambling centres in major towns in Sarawak.
Making the call during the vote of thanks at the Parliament debate on Budget 2013 in Kuala Lumpur , he said the illegal activity was mushrooming in major towns throughout the state.
He said it not only posed serious implications on the lives of those involved but was also threatening national development in the long run.
He warned that it might get out of hand should no affirmative actions were taken.
He noted that the operators had been setting up centres without the need to obtain any proper licence.
He also noted that many had fallen victims, adding: “In order to pay off their debts, some of the gamblers have resorted to selling off their homes, borrowing from unlicensed loan sharks and are constantly under death threats.”
“There are also those who resorted to threatening relatives and family members just to fleece money from them to pay off their gambling debts.”
Tiong urged the Home Ministry and the Police Department to launch an all-out war against the centres operating in commercial premises in every town throughout the state.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated issue, UCA has also called on the authorities to clamp down on some health centres/massage parlours which it claimed had clearly breached the law by being involved in offering or allowing vice activities within their business premises.
Housewives also get hooked with online gambling activities - Story | The Star Online
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2006/12/07
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29893
The administration of Gov. Tom Corbett said Friday that expanding Pennsylvania Lottery gambling to keno and online games will be one of the best ways to produce more revenue from the $3.5 billion lottery system that funds programs for the elderly.
The administration made the statement as part of an update on its talks with companies about privatizing the management of the lottery under a 20-year agreement. Asked about it Friday, Corbett would only say that the ideas are "on the table."
Corbett's administration believes it has the legal authority to allow keno and online games without the Legislature's approval, but Senate lawyers have said they do not agree.
Bidders will have to say how much profit they will promise to the state each year. However, the Corbett administration continues to keep secret which companies it is talking with. Other states, such as Indiana and New Jersey, have shown no need to keep such secrets while exploring private lottery management contracts. Companies that have shown interest or have won contracts in other states include GTECH Corp., Camelot Group, Scientific Games and Intralot.
The move to privatize is being opposed by Democratic lawmakers and the state's largest employee union, who question why it is appropriate to pay a private company to run the lottery when the state employees who do it now are producing increased sales and are capable of overseeing the expansion of lottery gambling. Lottery sales increased last fiscal year by 8.5 percent and, after paying prizes and expenses, it returned slightly more than $1 billion for state programs.
Corbett said Friday that privatization will only happen if the state can guarantee itself more money.
"If we can ensure increased funding and protect our seniors who are the recipients of the lottery ... then we have our obligation to take a look at privatizing," Corbett said.
The state would retain full rights to conduct, control, inspect and audit the lottery, while the manager would earn an incentive fee, the Corbett administration has said.
In addition to online gambling and allowing keno terminals in bars or restaurants, other options to expand gambling could include online ticket sales or an aggressive new search to add more lottery retailers.
In April, the Corbett administration issued a request for qualifications from interested companies.
Currently, the 40-year-old Pennsylvania Lottery is run by the Department of Revenue, and profits benefit programs for the elderly, including transit, rent and property tax rebates, prescription drug assistance, senior centers and long-term care services.
Northstar Lottery Group, a partnership between GTECH and Scientific Games, took over management of Illinois' lottery with promises to boost sales and revenue. The group gets a $15 million-a-year management fee and a percentage of profits it produces above a certain level. In its first year, Northstar Lottery Group brought in record revenue but fell nearly $100 million short of the $825 million it had promised to Illinois officials.
Pennsylvania would require the winning bidder to set aside $150 million should the bidder fall short of its profit promise.
The Pennsylvania Lottery does not include keno in its lineup of games, as do some states _ Georgia, Massachusetts and New York _ with higher per-capita lottery sales, according to the administration's request for qualifications. Michigan, for instance, counted $490 million in Club Keno revenue in 2010 _ about 20 percent of its total _ after introducing it in 2003.
Online gambling is considered the new frontier for a more lucrative lottery, thanks to a U.S. Justice Department opinion issued in December in response to a query by Illinois and New York about whether federal law prevented them from selling lottery tickets online to adults within their states. The department answered that the Wire Act only prevents players from wagering on sports outcomes, but other bets are OK.
Pa. considers expanding lottery gambling to Web - Timesonline-com: State:
The administration made the statement as part of an update on its talks with companies about privatizing the management of the lottery under a 20-year agreement. Asked about it Friday, Corbett would only say that the ideas are "on the table."
Corbett's administration believes it has the legal authority to allow keno and online games without the Legislature's approval, but Senate lawyers have said they do not agree.
Bidders will have to say how much profit they will promise to the state each year. However, the Corbett administration continues to keep secret which companies it is talking with. Other states, such as Indiana and New Jersey, have shown no need to keep such secrets while exploring private lottery management contracts. Companies that have shown interest or have won contracts in other states include GTECH Corp., Camelot Group, Scientific Games and Intralot.
The move to privatize is being opposed by Democratic lawmakers and the state's largest employee union, who question why it is appropriate to pay a private company to run the lottery when the state employees who do it now are producing increased sales and are capable of overseeing the expansion of lottery gambling. Lottery sales increased last fiscal year by 8.5 percent and, after paying prizes and expenses, it returned slightly more than $1 billion for state programs.
Corbett said Friday that privatization will only happen if the state can guarantee itself more money.
"If we can ensure increased funding and protect our seniors who are the recipients of the lottery ... then we have our obligation to take a look at privatizing," Corbett said.
The state would retain full rights to conduct, control, inspect and audit the lottery, while the manager would earn an incentive fee, the Corbett administration has said.
In addition to online gambling and allowing keno terminals in bars or restaurants, other options to expand gambling could include online ticket sales or an aggressive new search to add more lottery retailers.
In April, the Corbett administration issued a request for qualifications from interested companies.
Currently, the 40-year-old Pennsylvania Lottery is run by the Department of Revenue, and profits benefit programs for the elderly, including transit, rent and property tax rebates, prescription drug assistance, senior centers and long-term care services.
Northstar Lottery Group, a partnership between GTECH and Scientific Games, took over management of Illinois' lottery with promises to boost sales and revenue. The group gets a $15 million-a-year management fee and a percentage of profits it produces above a certain level. In its first year, Northstar Lottery Group brought in record revenue but fell nearly $100 million short of the $825 million it had promised to Illinois officials.
Pennsylvania would require the winning bidder to set aside $150 million should the bidder fall short of its profit promise.
The Pennsylvania Lottery does not include keno in its lineup of games, as do some states _ Georgia, Massachusetts and New York _ with higher per-capita lottery sales, according to the administration's request for qualifications. Michigan, for instance, counted $490 million in Club Keno revenue in 2010 _ about 20 percent of its total _ after introducing it in 2003.
Online gambling is considered the new frontier for a more lucrative lottery, thanks to a U.S. Justice Department opinion issued in December in response to a query by Illinois and New York about whether federal law prevented them from selling lottery tickets online to adults within their states. The department answered that the Wire Act only prevents players from wagering on sports outcomes, but other bets are OK.
Pa. considers expanding lottery gambling to Web - Timesonline-com: State:
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Social gambling-style games represent the greatest revenue driver in social media, and major platform providers, including Facebook, have already approved real-money wagering on their social network.
Bringing the games and gambling industry together, the Social Gambling Conference, hosted by iGaming Business, will cover a range of topics. Sessions will cover topics including: the transition between social and real money gambling, the regulation of social games, monetisation and the opportunities in social gambling.
“The conference will bring together the worlds of social gaming, online gambling and terrestrial casinos. Attendees will not only meet today’s major players in this space, but tomorrow’s winners. We will be covering what’s happening right now in this fast-moving space, but perhaps more importantly, we will probe the experts about what the future holds during our CEO Panel “Visions of the Future,” promised conference Chairman and iGaming expert Michael Caselli.
The elite line up of expert speakers includes: Noel Hayden, CEO of Gamesys; Jez San, President and Founder of PKR; Raf Keustermans, Co-Founder and CEO of Plumbee; Dean Takahashi, Lead Writer at Venture Beat; Rich Roberts, CEO of Slingo plus many more.
The Social Gambling Conference will be held at Dexter House on the 16th of November in London. Anyone with interest in the social games space, the online gambling space, and the intersection and opportunities between the two, including investors, suppliers, developers and operators can register to attend at Welcome to The Social Gambling Conference 2012 | Social Gambling Conference.
Read more at Social Gambling Conference dedicated to gambling-style social games | VentureBeat
Bringing the games and gambling industry together, the Social Gambling Conference, hosted by iGaming Business, will cover a range of topics. Sessions will cover topics including: the transition between social and real money gambling, the regulation of social games, monetisation and the opportunities in social gambling.
“The conference will bring together the worlds of social gaming, online gambling and terrestrial casinos. Attendees will not only meet today’s major players in this space, but tomorrow’s winners. We will be covering what’s happening right now in this fast-moving space, but perhaps more importantly, we will probe the experts about what the future holds during our CEO Panel “Visions of the Future,” promised conference Chairman and iGaming expert Michael Caselli.
The elite line up of expert speakers includes: Noel Hayden, CEO of Gamesys; Jez San, President and Founder of PKR; Raf Keustermans, Co-Founder and CEO of Plumbee; Dean Takahashi, Lead Writer at Venture Beat; Rich Roberts, CEO of Slingo plus many more.
The Social Gambling Conference will be held at Dexter House on the 16th of November in London. Anyone with interest in the social games space, the online gambling space, and the intersection and opportunities between the two, including investors, suppliers, developers and operators can register to attend at Welcome to The Social Gambling Conference 2012 | Social Gambling Conference.
Read more at Social Gambling Conference dedicated to gambling-style social games | VentureBeat
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie reportedly convinced a top hotel to shut its bar so they could enjoy a private date.
The Hollywood stars are engaged and are thought to be planning their wedding. They understand the importance of getting some alone time, with Brad previously admitting that can be hard as they raise six children together.
They recently managed to relax together at the Montage Beverly Hills hotel's Ten Pound bar.
"Brad and Angie wanted to have a private night out alone, but that's almost impossible for them - so hotel bosses closed the bar, letting them enjoy a quiet, romantic dinner and drinks," an insider told National Enquirer.
The pair apparently took full advantage of the situation. They surprised staff with the romantic display they put on and apparently wanted to stay as long as possible.
"They were really lovey-dovey, holding hands - and Brad kept kissing Angie tenderly on the neck and lips," the insider added. "They stayed there alone for several hours and left looking very much in love."
It's not known when the couple are planning to tie the knot, although it's thought the ceremony will take place at their French estate.
Read more: Brad and Angelina enjoy private date - News, Entertainment - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
The Hollywood stars are engaged and are thought to be planning their wedding. They understand the importance of getting some alone time, with Brad previously admitting that can be hard as they raise six children together.
They recently managed to relax together at the Montage Beverly Hills hotel's Ten Pound bar.
"Brad and Angie wanted to have a private night out alone, but that's almost impossible for them - so hotel bosses closed the bar, letting them enjoy a quiet, romantic dinner and drinks," an insider told National Enquirer.
The pair apparently took full advantage of the situation. They surprised staff with the romantic display they put on and apparently wanted to stay as long as possible.
"They were really lovey-dovey, holding hands - and Brad kept kissing Angie tenderly on the neck and lips," the insider added. "They stayed there alone for several hours and left looking very much in love."
It's not known when the couple are planning to tie the knot, although it's thought the ceremony will take place at their French estate.
Read more: Brad and Angelina enjoy private date - News, Entertainment - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
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In the online gaming world the buzz surrounding social media gambling for real money is audible around the globe. The industry interest for social media gambling has just become competitive with the addition of Zynga and others offering poker and other socially adaptable games to the market. Bringing many of the leaders of the social gaming trend to one place for the edification of all those who have an invested interest is the goal of The Social Gaming and Gambling Summit in London England November 15, 2012. The Summit will feature the Chief Executive Officers and their consultants for debate and questions regarding the future direction of the newest marketing avenue.
The Summit web site states, that the third annual London Social Gaming & Gambling Summit is focused on the intersection of mobile gaming, immersive worlds, real-life brands, and social networking. The race to control this lucrative market is on as social gaming grows to record monetary levels with mobility a key factor in making the games stimulating for the younger demographic. The market for mobile applications is expected to reach $3.8 billion by 2015. There is a great deal of uncertainty in this emerging field and the Summit has endeavoured to create a link between the established gambling operators and those who are just getting started. The infrastructure required for payment options, virtual goods sales, credit based gaming and social space commitments will also be discussed by the attendees. Strategy and methods to obtain value and scalability are again on the agenda at this unique opportunity to further understand this emerging business model.
Social gaming is the fastest growing sector in the online gaming industry, therefore this is a must-attend event for media owners and anyone involved in the games, mobile, social media or entertainment markets. The event is sponsored by big operators such as Yazino and Ladbrokes with other well known online gambling operators in attendance.
Must Attended Social Gaming and Gambling Summit London
The Summit web site states, that the third annual London Social Gaming & Gambling Summit is focused on the intersection of mobile gaming, immersive worlds, real-life brands, and social networking. The race to control this lucrative market is on as social gaming grows to record monetary levels with mobility a key factor in making the games stimulating for the younger demographic. The market for mobile applications is expected to reach $3.8 billion by 2015. There is a great deal of uncertainty in this emerging field and the Summit has endeavoured to create a link between the established gambling operators and those who are just getting started. The infrastructure required for payment options, virtual goods sales, credit based gaming and social space commitments will also be discussed by the attendees. Strategy and methods to obtain value and scalability are again on the agenda at this unique opportunity to further understand this emerging business model.
Social gaming is the fastest growing sector in the online gaming industry, therefore this is a must-attend event for media owners and anyone involved in the games, mobile, social media or entertainment markets. The event is sponsored by big operators such as Yazino and Ladbrokes with other well known online gambling operators in attendance.
Must Attended Social Gaming and Gambling Summit London
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Judy Garland’s blue and white gingham dress from “The Wizard of Oz” sold for $480,000 at a Beverly Hills auction on Saturday, while a slice of Prince William’s wedding cake fetched $1,375.
Julien’s Auctions said the price for the pinafore dress and white puffy-sleeved blouse that Garland wore throughout the 1939 film classic was in line with estimates.
But it was well below the sky-high figures paid last year for Hollywood costumes worn by Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, and a similar dress worn during tests for “The Wizard of Oz” that fetched $910,000 in 2011.
Auctioneer Darren Julien said the price difference was due to the fact that only a few test dresses were made for “The Wizard of Oz,” while there are about seven versions of Garland’s signature gingham pinafore.
The buyer of the Judy Garland dress, made by MGM costume designer Adrian, was not identified.
Other highlights of the two-day Hollywood Icons sale included a green floral dress worn by Julie Andrews in several scenes of the movie “The Sound of Music,” which sold for $38,400.
A racing jacket belonging to Steve McQueen sold for $50,000, while a purple wool skirt worn by Monroe in Canada while making the 1954 film “River of No Return” also went for $50,000.
Cake from two British royal weddings also fetched high prices at the auction. Julien’s said that representatives of PawnUp.com led the bidding to obtain the slice of cake from Prince William’s and Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding, as well as a piece from Prince Charles’ and Princess Diana’s 1981 nuptials ($1,375).
Prices have soared in recent years for top Hollywood costumes. Marilyn Monroe’s white “subway dress” from the 1955 movie “The Seven Year Itch” sold for $4.6 million last year, and Audrey Hepburn’s Ascot dress from “My Fair Lady” fetched $3.7 million.
Julien’s Auctions said the price for the pinafore dress and white puffy-sleeved blouse that Garland wore throughout the 1939 film classic was in line with estimates.
But it was well below the sky-high figures paid last year for Hollywood costumes worn by Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, and a similar dress worn during tests for “The Wizard of Oz” that fetched $910,000 in 2011.
Auctioneer Darren Julien said the price difference was due to the fact that only a few test dresses were made for “The Wizard of Oz,” while there are about seven versions of Garland’s signature gingham pinafore.
The buyer of the Judy Garland dress, made by MGM costume designer Adrian, was not identified.
Other highlights of the two-day Hollywood Icons sale included a green floral dress worn by Julie Andrews in several scenes of the movie “The Sound of Music,” which sold for $38,400.
A racing jacket belonging to Steve McQueen sold for $50,000, while a purple wool skirt worn by Monroe in Canada while making the 1954 film “River of No Return” also went for $50,000.
Cake from two British royal weddings also fetched high prices at the auction. Julien’s said that representatives of PawnUp.com led the bidding to obtain the slice of cake from Prince William’s and Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding, as well as a piece from Prince Charles’ and Princess Diana’s 1981 nuptials ($1,375).
Prices have soared in recent years for top Hollywood costumes. Marilyn Monroe’s white “subway dress” from the 1955 movie “The Seven Year Itch” sold for $4.6 million last year, and Audrey Hepburn’s Ascot dress from “My Fair Lady” fetched $3.7 million.
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Big deal for real-money gaming
Betable announced that it had signed on Slingo, a manufacturer of virtual-wagering slots and bingo games with 54 million monthly uses, plus Digital Chocolate and Murka, which both also have experience in virtual slots. The three will use Betable's UK gambling license and technology.
An existing partner of Betable, Seattle firm Big Fish Games, said earlier in the week that its casino-slot machine game has already begun taking real-money wagers from British-based customers for the first time.
Competition for Zynga
Zynga, the world's largest social gaming operator, partnered with Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment last week as part of its grand plan to enter the real-money gaming market. Its Farmville online video slot is set to be launched in the United Kingdom in January 2013.
Other video game developers are now positioning themselves to enter the UK online gambling market and other countries in which their operations are legal. Watch this space, because the battle for top position will heat up once Zynga's operations get into full swing.
Betable Builds Social Gambling Alliance - Industry Coverage - Onlinecasinoreports-com