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2006/12/07
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Instant pictures, instant coffee, instant mashed potatoes, and now instant gambling on smart phones. Being able to get online gambling games on a phone still is a futuristic concept for many players who still take the bus to the brick and mortar casinos located in the far flung reaches of the world.
Mobile has come of age in the internet wagering industry. Smart phones are incredibly smart and are very capable of just about any game the internet has available. The competition in the smart phone market is fierce with different platforms fighting for supremacy in cyberspace. The latest entry into the arena is the Nexus 4 smart phone which by all estimations sets a new standard in the smart phone field. The device which has had huge success since it went on sale is part of the Google Android powered platform and performs above the rest according to consumers and tech reviewers.
This is the first phone that operates on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean platform. The low price and the features which online gambling fans are looking for is propelling this device to be the smart phone of choice for the internet wagering any time any place. The Nexus 10 and Nexus 7 tablets are also excellent tools for the online gambler looking for speed and stability coupled with crystal clear images and good looks. Android 4.2 Jelly Bean is interesting because it enables multiple users who are able to share a single device through instant profile-switching from the locked screen. Mobile casinos can benefit from the capability creating another reason for developers to use the Android platform for game offerings.
Online gambling software developers such as Microgaming are producing games for all platforms but have been busy making Android the most successful. Mobile is the way of the future with the combination of HTML5 and Android, Nexus 4 is transforming the way we play and are entertained.
Nexus 4 Mobile Online Gambling Compatible
Mobile has come of age in the internet wagering industry. Smart phones are incredibly smart and are very capable of just about any game the internet has available. The competition in the smart phone market is fierce with different platforms fighting for supremacy in cyberspace. The latest entry into the arena is the Nexus 4 smart phone which by all estimations sets a new standard in the smart phone field. The device which has had huge success since it went on sale is part of the Google Android powered platform and performs above the rest according to consumers and tech reviewers.
This is the first phone that operates on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean platform. The low price and the features which online gambling fans are looking for is propelling this device to be the smart phone of choice for the internet wagering any time any place. The Nexus 10 and Nexus 7 tablets are also excellent tools for the online gambler looking for speed and stability coupled with crystal clear images and good looks. Android 4.2 Jelly Bean is interesting because it enables multiple users who are able to share a single device through instant profile-switching from the locked screen. Mobile casinos can benefit from the capability creating another reason for developers to use the Android platform for game offerings.
Online gambling software developers such as Microgaming are producing games for all platforms but have been busy making Android the most successful. Mobile is the way of the future with the combination of HTML5 and Android, Nexus 4 is transforming the way we play and are entertained.
Nexus 4 Mobile Online Gambling Compatible
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2006/12/07
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The online gambling or as some call it the e-gaming industry has grown exponentially since the early 90s with some jurisdiction excelling in attracting and maintaining many profitable businesses. The Isle of Man is is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland within the British Isles. This small 221 square mile island is smack dab in the middle of the Irish Sea giving the state access to England and Ireland which are in close proximity.
E-Gaming on the Isle of Man is s relatively new business that the political leaders on the Island have embraced and nurtured to make this a world class jurisdiction dedicated to making electronic gambling safe consistent and reliable. What makes this location ideal for the gaming industry is that it is white-listed by the UK Gambling Commission allowing Isle of Man licensees to advertise in the United Kingdom’s regulated gambling market. There are banks to handle the transactions and a low tax on betting of around 1.5 % on the gross profit.
The foundation built by the government there has attracted many company headquarters and bases of operation. Paddy Power the iconic Irish gambling firm has a base on the Isle of Man as well as Microgaming the largest online gambling software developer in the world as well as Playtech and Celton Manx all utilizing the available data bases and broadband capabilities.
PokerStars has a presence on the Isle of Man that is respected even more so now the Department of Justice in the USA has negotiated successfully with the company to acquire the assets of defunct Full Tilt Poker. The jurisdiction is still gaining momentum as the place to set up shop as Asian concerns seek to access the market in the U.K. With the growing social gaming trend and the increased use of mobile devices the gambling industry will keep providing revenue for the Isle of Man.
Isle Of Man Keeping Pace With Online Gambling Industry
E-Gaming on the Isle of Man is s relatively new business that the political leaders on the Island have embraced and nurtured to make this a world class jurisdiction dedicated to making electronic gambling safe consistent and reliable. What makes this location ideal for the gaming industry is that it is white-listed by the UK Gambling Commission allowing Isle of Man licensees to advertise in the United Kingdom’s regulated gambling market. There are banks to handle the transactions and a low tax on betting of around 1.5 % on the gross profit.
The foundation built by the government there has attracted many company headquarters and bases of operation. Paddy Power the iconic Irish gambling firm has a base on the Isle of Man as well as Microgaming the largest online gambling software developer in the world as well as Playtech and Celton Manx all utilizing the available data bases and broadband capabilities.
PokerStars has a presence on the Isle of Man that is respected even more so now the Department of Justice in the USA has negotiated successfully with the company to acquire the assets of defunct Full Tilt Poker. The jurisdiction is still gaining momentum as the place to set up shop as Asian concerns seek to access the market in the U.K. With the growing social gaming trend and the increased use of mobile devices the gambling industry will keep providing revenue for the Isle of Man.
Isle Of Man Keeping Pace With Online Gambling Industry
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2006/12/07
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A GAMBLING industry lobbyist, Chris Downy, is the favourite to become president of the NSW Liberal Party as the O'Farrell government considers granting a second Sydney casino licence to James Packer at Barangaroo.
Mr Downy, pictured, a former NSW minister for sport and racing, is the outgoing chief executive of the Australasian Casino Association.
The casino association's president is Rowen Craigie, the chief executive of Mr Packer's company, Crown Ltd, which is urging the government to grant it the Sydney casino licence.
Last month Mr Downy left to join another gambling industry lobby group, the Australian Wagering Council, which represents online gambling companies.
Its inaugural members include the online betting agency Betfair, a company in which Crown has an interest.
Last Friday Mr Downy, who is backed by the moderate faction, nominated to replace Senator Arthur Sinodinos as president of the NSW Liberals in a vote in December. He is expected to easily defeat his challenger, mortgage broker John Ruddick, who is backed by the hard right faction.
As NSW Liberal president, Mr Downy would take a seat on the party's powerful state executive alongside the Premier, Barry O'Farrell. Mr O'Farrell announced on October 25 that Mr Packer's six-star hotel and casino project for Barangaroo had received cabinet approval to proceed to stage two of a three-stage ''unsolicited proposals'' assessment process.
Mr Packer wants to include VIP-only gambling rooms in the proposed hotel to make the project profitable. He needs the government to issue a second Sydney casino licence when the monopoly licence held by the Star casino expires in 2019.
The government has said the casino licence would not go to tender, arguing that Crown was uniquely placed to carry out the project.
A former senator, Helen Coonan, ruled herself out of the running to become NSW Liberal president just days after the government announced initial approval for Mr Packer's plan.
Ms Coonan, who is a director of Mr Packer's company, Crown Ltd, had been approached by senior party figures in the right faction and had been considering her options.
She said the decision to give the green light to progress Crown's proposal to stage two had ''no direct bearing on my decision''.
Former Future Fund chairman David Murray has been appointed to oversee the panel undertaking stage two of the process, which will examine the benefit to NSW of a second licence. It is expected to report early next year. Mr Downy did not respond to a request for comment.
Read more: Gambling lobbyist to head Libs
Mr Downy, pictured, a former NSW minister for sport and racing, is the outgoing chief executive of the Australasian Casino Association.
The casino association's president is Rowen Craigie, the chief executive of Mr Packer's company, Crown Ltd, which is urging the government to grant it the Sydney casino licence.
Last month Mr Downy left to join another gambling industry lobby group, the Australian Wagering Council, which represents online gambling companies.
Its inaugural members include the online betting agency Betfair, a company in which Crown has an interest.
Last Friday Mr Downy, who is backed by the moderate faction, nominated to replace Senator Arthur Sinodinos as president of the NSW Liberals in a vote in December. He is expected to easily defeat his challenger, mortgage broker John Ruddick, who is backed by the hard right faction.
As NSW Liberal president, Mr Downy would take a seat on the party's powerful state executive alongside the Premier, Barry O'Farrell. Mr O'Farrell announced on October 25 that Mr Packer's six-star hotel and casino project for Barangaroo had received cabinet approval to proceed to stage two of a three-stage ''unsolicited proposals'' assessment process.
Mr Packer wants to include VIP-only gambling rooms in the proposed hotel to make the project profitable. He needs the government to issue a second Sydney casino licence when the monopoly licence held by the Star casino expires in 2019.
The government has said the casino licence would not go to tender, arguing that Crown was uniquely placed to carry out the project.
A former senator, Helen Coonan, ruled herself out of the running to become NSW Liberal president just days after the government announced initial approval for Mr Packer's plan.
Ms Coonan, who is a director of Mr Packer's company, Crown Ltd, had been approached by senior party figures in the right faction and had been considering her options.
She said the decision to give the green light to progress Crown's proposal to stage two had ''no direct bearing on my decision''.
Former Future Fund chairman David Murray has been appointed to oversee the panel undertaking stage two of the process, which will examine the benefit to NSW of a second licence. It is expected to report early next year. Mr Downy did not respond to a request for comment.
Read more: Gambling lobbyist to head Libs
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2006/12/07
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Excitement is flying high for the annual Goodwill Gala being held Friday at the Anderson Conference Center. This year’s theme, “Cirque du Goodwill,” promises a full evening of entertainment and supports a good cause at the same time.
Liquid Sky, an aerial performance troupe based in Atlanta, will be performing silk aerial acrobatics, and a stilt walker and juggler will be performing amongst the event goers, said Ivey Hall, Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia’s director of volunteer services.
“The Anderson Conference Center is being transformed into an elegant circus tent,” she said, adding that the 18-piece Georgia Big Band will provide swing and big band-style dance music, and culinary students of Helms College’s Polly’s Hospitality Institute will be performing “culinary theater.”
“We have campuses in Macon and Augusta now, and we’re thrilled we will have 25-30 students on site that night preparing food under the instruction of their teacher,” she said.
The students will be preparing and serving heavy hors d’oeuvres, and an open bar also will be available and will include an ice luge, where “the bartender mixes your drink and pours it down an ice sculpture into a glass,” event co-chair Julie McAfee said.
A new board member at Goodwill, McAfee says she is an avid shopper at Goodwill’s stores, buying pieces she can recycle and “give new life to,” in much the same way that Goodwill helps those who need its services most.
“I enjoy meeting the people and seeing how their lives are changing by being given a chance to re-do their lives. It’s such a great organization. Giving to Goodwill is not about giving your stuff to the poor; it’s about the money they raise from that stuff to re-train people and help them get back to work. And they want to work,” she said. “It’s about helping others help themselves.”
All proceeds from the gala benefit the students at Helms College and other training programs. Guests are invited, but not required, to wear “black tie and red nose,” and the evening also will include a few carnival games, photo booth, raffle and live auction.
“We will be raffling a collection of wine as well as a men’s basket and a women’s basket. Among other items, the men’s will contain golf lessons, cigars and cologne and the women’s will include a bracelet and gift certificates to the Barnes House and Head Over Heels,” Hall said. “The auction is for a dinner for eight prepared in the winner’s house or a cooking class by Jay Stancil, head chef at Polly’s Culinary Institute.”
And though “Cirque du Goodwill” will be the first gala McAfee has attended since it began in 2005, she couldn’t be more excited.
“With so many other things going on, we’re so glad the community has stepped forward to support this. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
For more information, visit Goodwill Gala | Goodwill Corporate.
“Cirque du Goodwill”
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Anderson Conference Center, 5171 Eisenhower Parkway
Cost: $125 per person, $1,000 for a table for eight
Phone: 475-9995
Read more here: Aerial acrobats have gala looking up | Entertainment | Macon-com
Liquid Sky, an aerial performance troupe based in Atlanta, will be performing silk aerial acrobatics, and a stilt walker and juggler will be performing amongst the event goers, said Ivey Hall, Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia’s director of volunteer services.
“The Anderson Conference Center is being transformed into an elegant circus tent,” she said, adding that the 18-piece Georgia Big Band will provide swing and big band-style dance music, and culinary students of Helms College’s Polly’s Hospitality Institute will be performing “culinary theater.”
“We have campuses in Macon and Augusta now, and we’re thrilled we will have 25-30 students on site that night preparing food under the instruction of their teacher,” she said.
The students will be preparing and serving heavy hors d’oeuvres, and an open bar also will be available and will include an ice luge, where “the bartender mixes your drink and pours it down an ice sculpture into a glass,” event co-chair Julie McAfee said.
A new board member at Goodwill, McAfee says she is an avid shopper at Goodwill’s stores, buying pieces she can recycle and “give new life to,” in much the same way that Goodwill helps those who need its services most.
“I enjoy meeting the people and seeing how their lives are changing by being given a chance to re-do their lives. It’s such a great organization. Giving to Goodwill is not about giving your stuff to the poor; it’s about the money they raise from that stuff to re-train people and help them get back to work. And they want to work,” she said. “It’s about helping others help themselves.”
All proceeds from the gala benefit the students at Helms College and other training programs. Guests are invited, but not required, to wear “black tie and red nose,” and the evening also will include a few carnival games, photo booth, raffle and live auction.
“We will be raffling a collection of wine as well as a men’s basket and a women’s basket. Among other items, the men’s will contain golf lessons, cigars and cologne and the women’s will include a bracelet and gift certificates to the Barnes House and Head Over Heels,” Hall said. “The auction is for a dinner for eight prepared in the winner’s house or a cooking class by Jay Stancil, head chef at Polly’s Culinary Institute.”
And though “Cirque du Goodwill” will be the first gala McAfee has attended since it began in 2005, she couldn’t be more excited.
“With so many other things going on, we’re so glad the community has stepped forward to support this. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
For more information, visit Goodwill Gala | Goodwill Corporate.
“Cirque du Goodwill”
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Anderson Conference Center, 5171 Eisenhower Parkway
Cost: $125 per person, $1,000 for a table for eight
Phone: 475-9995
Read more here: Aerial acrobats have gala looking up | Entertainment | Macon-com
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Paddy Power’s long-term global growth strategy is dependant on how fast and in what manner governments open their territories to online gambling, says Davy Stockbrokers.
Yesterday, Paddy Power reported strong growth in net revenue of 23%, in an interim management statement which disclosed the company retains significant financial flexibility with net cash of approximately €169 million at Nov 14, excluding customer balances.
Gamblers using mobile phones are losing more money on betting than traditional gamblers and Paddy Power said its mobile betting is positively impacting online turnover growth and sportsbook gross win percentages.
"In October, mobile turnover as a percentage of total online sportsbook stakes was 27% in Australia (June: 25%) and 45% in paddypower-com (June: 41%). The most rapid mobile penetration continues to occur in gaming, with mobile gross win in October accounting for 28% of Paddy Power Casino (June: 19%) and 25% of Paddy Power Games (June: 20%)," the company said.
Davy Stockbrokers analyst, David Jennings, said they believe Paddy Power has significant scope to grow internationally. "As such, we believe the valuation of the stock in the short term is up with events but we continue to like the longer-term story," he added.
Trading was boosted by a 74% increase in marketing spending in the first half, though betting activity during the Olympic Games was slower than during the Euro 2012 soccer tournament earlier in the summer.
The company said its Irish retail side also performed positively with like-for-like stakes up 0.4% and net revenue up 8%. It plans to open 45 shops next year in the UK, where like-for-like net revenue was up 5% in the third quarter.
The firm, which has increased its presence in Britain, Australia, Canada and France in recent years, did not give details of its performance in the Italian market it entered this year.
However, Goodbody Stockbrokers noted: "While the group did not comment specifically on Italy, we suspect customer acquisition has been very strong. Given the group’s retention track record, we believe this will augur well for future growth from this new market launch."
Online key to bet firm growth | Irish Examiner
Yesterday, Paddy Power reported strong growth in net revenue of 23%, in an interim management statement which disclosed the company retains significant financial flexibility with net cash of approximately €169 million at Nov 14, excluding customer balances.
Gamblers using mobile phones are losing more money on betting than traditional gamblers and Paddy Power said its mobile betting is positively impacting online turnover growth and sportsbook gross win percentages.
"In October, mobile turnover as a percentage of total online sportsbook stakes was 27% in Australia (June: 25%) and 45% in paddypower-com (June: 41%). The most rapid mobile penetration continues to occur in gaming, with mobile gross win in October accounting for 28% of Paddy Power Casino (June: 19%) and 25% of Paddy Power Games (June: 20%)," the company said.
Davy Stockbrokers analyst, David Jennings, said they believe Paddy Power has significant scope to grow internationally. "As such, we believe the valuation of the stock in the short term is up with events but we continue to like the longer-term story," he added.
Trading was boosted by a 74% increase in marketing spending in the first half, though betting activity during the Olympic Games was slower than during the Euro 2012 soccer tournament earlier in the summer.
The company said its Irish retail side also performed positively with like-for-like stakes up 0.4% and net revenue up 8%. It plans to open 45 shops next year in the UK, where like-for-like net revenue was up 5% in the third quarter.
The firm, which has increased its presence in Britain, Australia, Canada and France in recent years, did not give details of its performance in the Italian market it entered this year.
However, Goodbody Stockbrokers noted: "While the group did not comment specifically on Italy, we suspect customer acquisition has been very strong. Given the group’s retention track record, we believe this will augur well for future growth from this new market launch."
Online key to bet firm growth | Irish Examiner
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2006/12/07
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Senate leaders are less optimistic about moving online gambling legislation through Congress during the lame-duck session than they were just a few months ago.
Earlier this year, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Minority Whip Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., began crafting legislation that would legalize online poker while banning other forms of Internet gambling. Their effort was prompted in part by a new interpretation of the Wire Act that the Justice Department released late last year. The department reversed course in deciding that the 1961 law, which bars wagering over telecommunications lines, applies only to sports betting. The opinion opened the door to new forms of online gambling at the state level, and many states have taken steps to move into this space.
Reid said on Wednesday that although he is still hopeful about action on his draft bill before the end of the year, “we don’t have a path forward right now, but we're working” on it.
Kyl, who is leaving the Senate after next month, was also pessimistic about prospects in this Congress given the major issues that lawmakers must tackle, including legislation to avert the so-called fiscal cliff, when automatic tax hikes and spending cuts go into effect at the beginning of 2013. A longtime online-gambling foe, Kyl helped craft the 2006 law that barred payment processors from handling bets for online gambling. The law’s effectiveness has been put into doubt in the wake of the Justice Department’s decision on the Wire Act.
“I am not saying that it's parochial or special legislation, but it’s not sequestration and the fiscal cliff and defense bill and all that, so it would be hard,” Kyl told National Journal on Wednesday, citing the lack of time left to resolve those major issues.
He said the House presents the biggest problem. Kyl said that although acting on the bill this year will be hard, “don’t infer from that I wouldn’t like to see something done.”
The measure enjoys the backing of major gambling interests, including the American Gaming Association, which counts casino operators such as Caesars, the Las Vegas Sands, and MGM as members.
The bill would “in effect be a limitation of gaming,” AGA President and CEO Frank Fahrenkopf said in an interview on Thursday. “It would just allow Internet poker.”
He and other supporters of the legislation warned that unless Congress moves to limit the fallout from the Justice Department's decision, Internet gambling will proliferate at the state level. The AGA and others argue that poker should be legalized because it is less susceptible to fraud online given that participants play against each other and not the operator of the game.
“We think it’s very important to have a federal standard on consumer protection,” Fahrenkopf added. “If you don’t have a federal floor standard, you’re going to have one state competing with another, and it will be a race to the bottom.”
The bill does face opposition from some stakeholders, including the National Governors Association, which wrote to congressional leaders last month voicing opposition to the latest draft. The draft bill would limit the ability of states to expand their lotteries to include new forms of online gambling and would also limit those who could immediately offer online poker to current brick-and-mortar casino operators.
John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, said that although his group supports the bill, it would like to see improvements to the measure, including removing a provision requiring all states—even those where gambling is now legal—to opt in to providing online poker.
“Ultimately, we want to get licensed and regulated poker in the U.S.,” Pappas said on Thursday. “This does achieve that goal.”
If it does have a chance in the lame-duck session, the draft bill is unlikely to move as a stand-alone measure and instead would probably be attached to a “must-pass” piece of legislation.
Don't bet on an online gambling bill - Nextgov-com
Earlier this year, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Minority Whip Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., began crafting legislation that would legalize online poker while banning other forms of Internet gambling. Their effort was prompted in part by a new interpretation of the Wire Act that the Justice Department released late last year. The department reversed course in deciding that the 1961 law, which bars wagering over telecommunications lines, applies only to sports betting. The opinion opened the door to new forms of online gambling at the state level, and many states have taken steps to move into this space.
Reid said on Wednesday that although he is still hopeful about action on his draft bill before the end of the year, “we don’t have a path forward right now, but we're working” on it.
Kyl, who is leaving the Senate after next month, was also pessimistic about prospects in this Congress given the major issues that lawmakers must tackle, including legislation to avert the so-called fiscal cliff, when automatic tax hikes and spending cuts go into effect at the beginning of 2013. A longtime online-gambling foe, Kyl helped craft the 2006 law that barred payment processors from handling bets for online gambling. The law’s effectiveness has been put into doubt in the wake of the Justice Department’s decision on the Wire Act.
“I am not saying that it's parochial or special legislation, but it’s not sequestration and the fiscal cliff and defense bill and all that, so it would be hard,” Kyl told National Journal on Wednesday, citing the lack of time left to resolve those major issues.
He said the House presents the biggest problem. Kyl said that although acting on the bill this year will be hard, “don’t infer from that I wouldn’t like to see something done.”
The measure enjoys the backing of major gambling interests, including the American Gaming Association, which counts casino operators such as Caesars, the Las Vegas Sands, and MGM as members.
The bill would “in effect be a limitation of gaming,” AGA President and CEO Frank Fahrenkopf said in an interview on Thursday. “It would just allow Internet poker.”
He and other supporters of the legislation warned that unless Congress moves to limit the fallout from the Justice Department's decision, Internet gambling will proliferate at the state level. The AGA and others argue that poker should be legalized because it is less susceptible to fraud online given that participants play against each other and not the operator of the game.
“We think it’s very important to have a federal standard on consumer protection,” Fahrenkopf added. “If you don’t have a federal floor standard, you’re going to have one state competing with another, and it will be a race to the bottom.”
The bill does face opposition from some stakeholders, including the National Governors Association, which wrote to congressional leaders last month voicing opposition to the latest draft. The draft bill would limit the ability of states to expand their lotteries to include new forms of online gambling and would also limit those who could immediately offer online poker to current brick-and-mortar casino operators.
John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, said that although his group supports the bill, it would like to see improvements to the measure, including removing a provision requiring all states—even those where gambling is now legal—to opt in to providing online poker.
“Ultimately, we want to get licensed and regulated poker in the U.S.,” Pappas said on Thursday. “This does achieve that goal.”
If it does have a chance in the lame-duck session, the draft bill is unlikely to move as a stand-alone measure and instead would probably be attached to a “must-pass” piece of legislation.
Don't bet on an online gambling bill - Nextgov-com
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The Government has started a review of the regulatory framework and social safeguards concerning non-casino gambling, including gambling online, said Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry S Iswaran.
He noted that online gambling, including gambling on social media platforms and mobile devices, is growing in many countries. According to figures from Global Betting and Gaming Consultants, last year gambling websites raked in US$357.2 million (S$438.2 million) from gamblers here, up from US$271.58 million in 2009. "Many of the emerging online gambling products are also potentially more addictive. Minors may also fall prey easily given the convenient access to mobile devices," said Mr Iswaran.
Mr Iswaran said Singapore will look at other countries which have begun to draw up legislation for this area. The American state of Nevada has started issuing licences to operators for those offering online poker, while regimes in Australia and Norway impose greater restriction on gambling products offered online. "We will study developments in these countries carefully, as well as our own context, as we draw up our framework to address online gambling," he added. Tan Weizhen
TODAYonline | Singapore | Govt to review rules of non-casino and online gambling
He noted that online gambling, including gambling on social media platforms and mobile devices, is growing in many countries. According to figures from Global Betting and Gaming Consultants, last year gambling websites raked in US$357.2 million (S$438.2 million) from gamblers here, up from US$271.58 million in 2009. "Many of the emerging online gambling products are also potentially more addictive. Minors may also fall prey easily given the convenient access to mobile devices," said Mr Iswaran.
Mr Iswaran said Singapore will look at other countries which have begun to draw up legislation for this area. The American state of Nevada has started issuing licences to operators for those offering online poker, while regimes in Australia and Norway impose greater restriction on gambling products offered online. "We will study developments in these countries carefully, as well as our own context, as we draw up our framework to address online gambling," he added. Tan Weizhen
TODAYonline | Singapore | Govt to review rules of non-casino and online gambling
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The Hellenic Gaming Commission has given all unlicensed online gambling operators offering services in the country one month to withdraw or they will be blacklisted and face possible fines from €200,000 to €500,000 and up to 10 years in prison.
Twenty-four operators hold temporary licenses to operate in Greece but the regulator said its research showed many more companies were offering services and these would have until December 6 to stop operating in the jurisdiction.
In a statement the HGC said, “The Commission decided to issue public warnings within a period of one month starting as of November the 5th 2012, asking providers without a license to interrupt transmission of their websites in the jurisdiction of the Hellenic Republic.
“In the opposite event, after the expiration of this period, HGC will have to include those websites in a black list, resulting to the interruption of their transmission and visibility as well as their bank transactions.
“Please, further, note that, beyond the inclusion in the black list, the provision of gaming services concerning games of chance and betting without a license, is a felony leading entities and/or individuals involved, to at least ten years of imprisonment, an additional fine ranging from 200.000 to 500.000 euros as well as to the imposition of severe administrative penalties.”
The Remote Gambling Association, an industry body supported by major online gaming operators such as bwin.party, Betfair, Ladbrokes, Microgaming, Playtech, PKR and Paddy Power immediately indicated robust resistance to the move stating it would, “…seek through legal avenues if necessary at both EU and Greek national levels to challenge their imposition,” describing the HGC’s enforcement policy as “unfair and unworkable.”
Clive Hawkswood, chief executive officer for the RGA, said, “These measures have clearly been introduced in haste and we cannot believe that they have been approved by the European Commission.”
“They are blatantly protectionist in nature and if European Union internal market rules mean anything then the European Commission must take prompt action to make Greece reconsider.
“However, for obvious reasons, we are also looking at potential action in the Greek courts. Whether it is raised in Brussels or Athens, nobody could fail to note coincidence that these measures have been rushed through with a ridiculously short deadline at a time when the Greek government is actively looking to sell its share in OPAP, which currently has a monopoly in exactly the markets where our members would inevitably compete directly with it.”
Companies such as Sportingbet and bwin derive significant revenue from Greece.
Greece Issues Online Gambling Ultimatum - European Poker News
Twenty-four operators hold temporary licenses to operate in Greece but the regulator said its research showed many more companies were offering services and these would have until December 6 to stop operating in the jurisdiction.
In a statement the HGC said, “The Commission decided to issue public warnings within a period of one month starting as of November the 5th 2012, asking providers without a license to interrupt transmission of their websites in the jurisdiction of the Hellenic Republic.
“In the opposite event, after the expiration of this period, HGC will have to include those websites in a black list, resulting to the interruption of their transmission and visibility as well as their bank transactions.
“Please, further, note that, beyond the inclusion in the black list, the provision of gaming services concerning games of chance and betting without a license, is a felony leading entities and/or individuals involved, to at least ten years of imprisonment, an additional fine ranging from 200.000 to 500.000 euros as well as to the imposition of severe administrative penalties.”
The Remote Gambling Association, an industry body supported by major online gaming operators such as bwin.party, Betfair, Ladbrokes, Microgaming, Playtech, PKR and Paddy Power immediately indicated robust resistance to the move stating it would, “…seek through legal avenues if necessary at both EU and Greek national levels to challenge their imposition,” describing the HGC’s enforcement policy as “unfair and unworkable.”
Clive Hawkswood, chief executive officer for the RGA, said, “These measures have clearly been introduced in haste and we cannot believe that they have been approved by the European Commission.”
“They are blatantly protectionist in nature and if European Union internal market rules mean anything then the European Commission must take prompt action to make Greece reconsider.
“However, for obvious reasons, we are also looking at potential action in the Greek courts. Whether it is raised in Brussels or Athens, nobody could fail to note coincidence that these measures have been rushed through with a ridiculously short deadline at a time when the Greek government is actively looking to sell its share in OPAP, which currently has a monopoly in exactly the markets where our members would inevitably compete directly with it.”
Companies such as Sportingbet and bwin derive significant revenue from Greece.
Greece Issues Online Gambling Ultimatum - European Poker News
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Brave is absolutely ravishing in Blu-ray. Of course, it helps that I already love this animation -- the first Pixar feature set in an historical period and with a female protagonist at its core.
Brave, an action adventure cartoon, debuted on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download this week. Among several options in stores, I have the stunning five-disc combo pack for review. Disney calls it the Ultimate Collector's Edition -- and it is. There is one disc each for DVD, digital copy, Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray, plus a bonus disc that offers a tutorial on how Pixar creates movies.
Two seven-minute shorts join Brave on Blu-ray. Enrico Casarosa's La Luna is an exquisite piece of animated whimsy about a boy who shows his mentors, two grumpy old men, how to see the wonders of the moon with fresh eyes. Brian Larsen's The Legend of Mor'du tells the useful saga of the demon bear that figures prominently in Brave. It is is minimally animated, like a moving graphic novel.
Brave itself is the story of a medieval Scottish princess who overcomes her reckless nature to save her mother -- indeed, the whole kingdom -- from that demon bear and a witch's curse. Cartoon-like characters are set against a nearly photo-real version of the ancient Scottish highlands.
Brave, which generated a healthy $534 million in worldwide boxoffice, is a keeper. Girls who idolize the flame-haired heroine Merida will watch it repeatedly; I suspect boys will enjoy, too, because of the broad humour and thrilling action. The extras are a marvellous way to appreciate what goes into this level of animated art.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
Count me among skeptics who doubted the Spider-Man franchise could be rebooted so soon. Especially with a new actor, Andrew Garfield, replacing familiar Tobey Maguire. But amazing things did happen under new director Marc Webb. Garfield is good and Peter Parker's paramour -- Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy -- is even better.
The Amazing Spider-Man debuted on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download last week. The options range wide. For review, I have the single-disc DVD; a three-disc combo pack combining DVD, DVD and digital copy; and the top-end release, which is a four-disc combo pack that adds in a 3D Blu-ray.
The filmmaking is gritty, intimate and also spectacular in its special effects when Spidey negotiates New York streets and Rhys Ifans's Dr. Connors mutates into The Lizard. Webb is good at both the personal stuff and the big movie business. The Blu-ray bonus materials show exactly how that was done. An exhaustive 110-minute documentary, Rite of Passage, includes interview sessions with key producer Laura Ziskin, who worked with Sam Raimi on his Spider-Man trilogy before moving on to Webb. Ziskin died of breast cancer in 2011, during the production of this movie.
Ziskin defends the re-boot. "The comic book re-invented itself many, many times," she says. "There are many re-iterations of Peter Parker over 50 years, always with the same basis characteristics." The Amazing Spider-Man is dedicated to Ziskin and her vision.
THE WATCH
The Watch debuted on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download this week. The two-disc combo pack, which I have for review, comes with a caution: "Ruder, Cruder & Lewder." It is all three. It is NOT a good movie. Disjointed throughout, The Watch is a dumbass comedy about four goofballs who form a neighbourhood watch after a security guard is murdered at the Costco store. Turns out the joint is jumping with aliens. The movie, while occasionally bursting with snort-laugh funny stuff, is most often just stupid. The funniest stuff is among the extras, specifically the gag reel and Jonah Hill's extended takes. That is sad for the flick.
Brave, an action adventure cartoon, debuted on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download this week. Among several options in stores, I have the stunning five-disc combo pack for review. Disney calls it the Ultimate Collector's Edition -- and it is. There is one disc each for DVD, digital copy, Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray, plus a bonus disc that offers a tutorial on how Pixar creates movies.
Two seven-minute shorts join Brave on Blu-ray. Enrico Casarosa's La Luna is an exquisite piece of animated whimsy about a boy who shows his mentors, two grumpy old men, how to see the wonders of the moon with fresh eyes. Brian Larsen's The Legend of Mor'du tells the useful saga of the demon bear that figures prominently in Brave. It is is minimally animated, like a moving graphic novel.
Brave itself is the story of a medieval Scottish princess who overcomes her reckless nature to save her mother -- indeed, the whole kingdom -- from that demon bear and a witch's curse. Cartoon-like characters are set against a nearly photo-real version of the ancient Scottish highlands.
Brave, which generated a healthy $534 million in worldwide boxoffice, is a keeper. Girls who idolize the flame-haired heroine Merida will watch it repeatedly; I suspect boys will enjoy, too, because of the broad humour and thrilling action. The extras are a marvellous way to appreciate what goes into this level of animated art.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
Count me among skeptics who doubted the Spider-Man franchise could be rebooted so soon. Especially with a new actor, Andrew Garfield, replacing familiar Tobey Maguire. But amazing things did happen under new director Marc Webb. Garfield is good and Peter Parker's paramour -- Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy -- is even better.
The Amazing Spider-Man debuted on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download last week. The options range wide. For review, I have the single-disc DVD; a three-disc combo pack combining DVD, DVD and digital copy; and the top-end release, which is a four-disc combo pack that adds in a 3D Blu-ray.
The filmmaking is gritty, intimate and also spectacular in its special effects when Spidey negotiates New York streets and Rhys Ifans's Dr. Connors mutates into The Lizard. Webb is good at both the personal stuff and the big movie business. The Blu-ray bonus materials show exactly how that was done. An exhaustive 110-minute documentary, Rite of Passage, includes interview sessions with key producer Laura Ziskin, who worked with Sam Raimi on his Spider-Man trilogy before moving on to Webb. Ziskin died of breast cancer in 2011, during the production of this movie.
Ziskin defends the re-boot. "The comic book re-invented itself many, many times," she says. "There are many re-iterations of Peter Parker over 50 years, always with the same basis characteristics." The Amazing Spider-Man is dedicated to Ziskin and her vision.
THE WATCH
The Watch debuted on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download this week. The two-disc combo pack, which I have for review, comes with a caution: "Ruder, Cruder & Lewder." It is all three. It is NOT a good movie. Disjointed throughout, The Watch is a dumbass comedy about four goofballs who form a neighbourhood watch after a security guard is murdered at the Costco store. Turns out the joint is jumping with aliens. The movie, while occasionally bursting with snort-laugh funny stuff, is most often just stupid. The funniest stuff is among the extras, specifically the gag reel and Jonah Hill's extended takes. That is sad for the flick.
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2006/12/07
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News that your company's chief executive officer has been arrested, detained or questioned by law enforcement is not the type of headline that pleases stockholders.
If the company in question is Bwin.party Digital Entertainment - the world's largest online poker company - this is certainly not the news you want to share with Nevada gaming regulators.
Reports surfaced early last week in Belgium that Bwin.party co-CEO Norbert Teufelberger was questioned by police in Brussels.
News quickly churned its way through the poker blogosphere, including stories on pokernews-com, pokerfuse-com and calvinayre-com. Teufelberger was either arrested or detain by authorities.
Bwin.party, which is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange and produced more than $1.06 billion in revenues in 2011, quickly moved to defuse the uproar.
In a statement on the company's website, Bwin.party said Teufelberger was "requested to attend an interview with Belgium authorities."
A day later, Bwin.party said the co-CEO "complied voluntarily with a request to attend an interview with representatives from the Belgium Gambling Commission." The meeting lasted two hours.
Later that day, Bwin.party was in full damage control mode, hitting back at Belgium gaming officials.
Bwin.party transmits its Internet gaming signals into Belgium, but the company is not licensed in the country. Belgium provides online gambling licenses only for companies that have traditional land-based casinos.
Belgium gaming regulators have a blacklist of operators without a Belgian license. Bwin.party is on the list.
However, Bwin.party officials said Belgium violates laws set by the European Union, which requires member states to open gaming markets to competition.
"We believe Belgian law does not comply with European law and the European Commission made it clear last month that it wanted Belgium to address its concerns," Bwin.party spokesman John Shepherd told the Financial Times of London.
A spokesman for the European Union told that the newspaper opening "formal infringement proceedings" against Belgium was under consideration.
So why would Nevada gaming regulators have concern?
Bwin.party has applied for an interactive gaming license with the state.
A year ago, Bwin.party signed agreements with MGM Resorts International and Boyd Gaming Corp. to jointly own an online business that offers poker to U.S. customers under the companies' various brands.
With federal online poker legalization up in the air, Bwin.party, MGM Resorts and Boyd plan to launch in Nevada under the state's interactive gaming regulations.
Boyd and MGM Resorts have been licensed. Bwin.party's application is still pending and may not be reviewed by the Gaming Control Board until spring.
Board Chairman A.G. Burnett said he was aware of issues in Belgium. With the application now under investigation by state gaming agents, the events in Brussels will be scrutinized.
Bwin.party was created in March 2011 when Bwin Interactive Entertainment and PartyGaming PLC merged. But there is an overhang.
PartyGaming operated online poker in the U.S. before the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act became law on Sept. 29, 2006. That day, PartyGaming ceased its American operations.
Three years later, PartyGaming settled with the U.S. Department of Justice, paid a $105 million fine and was cleared from ever being prosecuted for its pre-act online gaming business.
A few potential online gaming competitors in Nevada believe Bwin.party's past discretions should preclude the company from entering the state.
Last week, the Nevada Gaming Commission gave its final approval to MGM Resorts' interactive gaming license. The Belgium incident wasn't mentioned but Bwin.party clearly concerns some of the commission members.
"The action today has nothing to do with Bwin itself," Commission Chairman Pete Bernhard told MGM Resorts representatives. "We all need to be educated about Bwin. Two long-standing good licensees have done a lot of that through compliance. But you didn't look at them from a regulator's perspective. That's our job."
Sitting in the audience during the MGM Resorts' licensing was gaming attorney Frank Schreck, who represents Bwin.party. Schreck also attended Boyd Gaming's online licensing hearings last month.
Outside of the commission meeting, Schreck said the events surrounding the questioning of Bwin.party's co-CEO in Brussels were a mix-up.
Teufelberger was sent a letter asking to meet Belgium gaming authorities. But it didn't arrive at Bwin.party headquarters in Gibraltar until Tuesday.
On Monday, he delivered the keynote address at "Responsible Gaming Day," which was organized by the European Gaming and Betting Association, of which he is chairman. He was approached by plainclothes police officers following a networking session and asked to come in for questioning.
"He wasn't arrested and he wasn't detained," Schreck said, adding his opinion that Belgium clearly violates European Union law.
Teufelberger reportedly has until Dec. 17 to answer questions about the legality of Bwin.party's operations in Belgium.
That's probably not the only time he'll respond to those queries.
Bwin's chief questioned; expect scrutiny - Business - ReviewJournal-com
If the company in question is Bwin.party Digital Entertainment - the world's largest online poker company - this is certainly not the news you want to share with Nevada gaming regulators.
Reports surfaced early last week in Belgium that Bwin.party co-CEO Norbert Teufelberger was questioned by police in Brussels.
News quickly churned its way through the poker blogosphere, including stories on pokernews-com, pokerfuse-com and calvinayre-com. Teufelberger was either arrested or detain by authorities.
Bwin.party, which is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange and produced more than $1.06 billion in revenues in 2011, quickly moved to defuse the uproar.
In a statement on the company's website, Bwin.party said Teufelberger was "requested to attend an interview with Belgium authorities."
A day later, Bwin.party said the co-CEO "complied voluntarily with a request to attend an interview with representatives from the Belgium Gambling Commission." The meeting lasted two hours.
Later that day, Bwin.party was in full damage control mode, hitting back at Belgium gaming officials.
Bwin.party transmits its Internet gaming signals into Belgium, but the company is not licensed in the country. Belgium provides online gambling licenses only for companies that have traditional land-based casinos.
Belgium gaming regulators have a blacklist of operators without a Belgian license. Bwin.party is on the list.
However, Bwin.party officials said Belgium violates laws set by the European Union, which requires member states to open gaming markets to competition.
"We believe Belgian law does not comply with European law and the European Commission made it clear last month that it wanted Belgium to address its concerns," Bwin.party spokesman John Shepherd told the Financial Times of London.
A spokesman for the European Union told that the newspaper opening "formal infringement proceedings" against Belgium was under consideration.
So why would Nevada gaming regulators have concern?
Bwin.party has applied for an interactive gaming license with the state.
A year ago, Bwin.party signed agreements with MGM Resorts International and Boyd Gaming Corp. to jointly own an online business that offers poker to U.S. customers under the companies' various brands.
With federal online poker legalization up in the air, Bwin.party, MGM Resorts and Boyd plan to launch in Nevada under the state's interactive gaming regulations.
Boyd and MGM Resorts have been licensed. Bwin.party's application is still pending and may not be reviewed by the Gaming Control Board until spring.
Board Chairman A.G. Burnett said he was aware of issues in Belgium. With the application now under investigation by state gaming agents, the events in Brussels will be scrutinized.
Bwin.party was created in March 2011 when Bwin Interactive Entertainment and PartyGaming PLC merged. But there is an overhang.
PartyGaming operated online poker in the U.S. before the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act became law on Sept. 29, 2006. That day, PartyGaming ceased its American operations.
Three years later, PartyGaming settled with the U.S. Department of Justice, paid a $105 million fine and was cleared from ever being prosecuted for its pre-act online gaming business.
A few potential online gaming competitors in Nevada believe Bwin.party's past discretions should preclude the company from entering the state.
Last week, the Nevada Gaming Commission gave its final approval to MGM Resorts' interactive gaming license. The Belgium incident wasn't mentioned but Bwin.party clearly concerns some of the commission members.
"The action today has nothing to do with Bwin itself," Commission Chairman Pete Bernhard told MGM Resorts representatives. "We all need to be educated about Bwin. Two long-standing good licensees have done a lot of that through compliance. But you didn't look at them from a regulator's perspective. That's our job."
Sitting in the audience during the MGM Resorts' licensing was gaming attorney Frank Schreck, who represents Bwin.party. Schreck also attended Boyd Gaming's online licensing hearings last month.
Outside of the commission meeting, Schreck said the events surrounding the questioning of Bwin.party's co-CEO in Brussels were a mix-up.
Teufelberger was sent a letter asking to meet Belgium gaming authorities. But it didn't arrive at Bwin.party headquarters in Gibraltar until Tuesday.
On Monday, he delivered the keynote address at "Responsible Gaming Day," which was organized by the European Gaming and Betting Association, of which he is chairman. He was approached by plainclothes police officers following a networking session and asked to come in for questioning.
"He wasn't arrested and he wasn't detained," Schreck said, adding his opinion that Belgium clearly violates European Union law.
Teufelberger reportedly has until Dec. 17 to answer questions about the legality of Bwin.party's operations in Belgium.
That's probably not the only time he'll respond to those queries.
Bwin's chief questioned; expect scrutiny - Business - ReviewJournal-com
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2006/12/07
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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. Online gambling groups protest at Brussels - FT-com
Leaders of online gambling groups are accusing the Belgian authorities of trying to intimidate them by detaining the co-chief executive of Bwin.party and are demanding swift European Commission action to enforce market competition.
Norbert Teufelberger was detained by Belgian police in Brussels last Tuesday at the end of a gambling conference, and taken away for two hours of questioning.
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. Online gambling groups protest at Brussels - FT-com
The Belgian Gambling Commission accuses Bwin.party of being in breach of its gambling legislation, a view countered by the group, which claims Belgium is not complying with European Union law.
The industry is now looking to put pressure on the European Commission to enforce its laws and take action at countries such as Belgium and Greece.
In a letter to the Financial Times, 14 chief executives, presidents and managing directors of online gambling groups complain that it is three years since the commission raised doubts about Belgium’s gambling regulations.
“While the Belgian authorities are free to intimidate Europe’s leading online gaming groups with threats about the consequences of challenging their domestic gambling laws, the European Commission has yet to receive an answer to its own concerns regarding the regulatory regime in Belgium . . .” the letter states.
The authors, who include the chief executives of William Hill, Sportingbet, 888 Holdings, Victor Chandler International and bet365, as well as Mr Teufelberger himself, highlight the proximity of the Belgian police action to Commission headquarters.
The police intervention, “but a stone’s throw” from the European parliament and the commission, was “a stark reminder of the legal uncertainty that prevails” in European online gambling, the letter says.
The authors call on Michel Barnier, internal market commissioner, to enforce EU law swiftly.
“Countries such as Belgium and Greece that are in clear breach of EU law and that are seeking to enforce those laws domestically are likely to be at the top of the list,” they wrote.
“The time for polite rhetoric is now over. It is time for deeds not words.”
Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of trade body the Remote Gambling Association, said examples of protectionist behaviour were occurring more frequently because of a lack of action from the commission.
Last week, Bulgaria announced it was introducing a 15 per cent tax on gambling companies’ turnover, a “completely unviable” rate, said Mr Hawkswood.
“Member states appear to see the commission as a dog that rarely barks and never bites at all,” he said.
The RGA said a letter from online gambling companies was being sent to Mr Barnier pressing the case for action.
A spokesman for the commissioner said: “We are following what is happening in Belgium closely. If we find that Belgium violates EU law, we will not hesitate to launch infringement proceedings.”
The commission said it was also aware of “a lot of concern about the compatibility of Greek law with EU law” and was in contact with the Greek authorities.
Bwin.party has said it will continue to talk to Belgium’s gambling commission.
Online gambling groups protest at Brussels - FT-com
Leaders of online gambling groups are accusing the Belgian authorities of trying to intimidate them by detaining the co-chief executive of Bwin.party and are demanding swift European Commission action to enforce market competition.
Norbert Teufelberger was detained by Belgian police in Brussels last Tuesday at the end of a gambling conference, and taken away for two hours of questioning.
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. Online gambling groups protest at Brussels - FT-com
The Belgian Gambling Commission accuses Bwin.party of being in breach of its gambling legislation, a view countered by the group, which claims Belgium is not complying with European Union law.
The industry is now looking to put pressure on the European Commission to enforce its laws and take action at countries such as Belgium and Greece.
In a letter to the Financial Times, 14 chief executives, presidents and managing directors of online gambling groups complain that it is three years since the commission raised doubts about Belgium’s gambling regulations.
“While the Belgian authorities are free to intimidate Europe’s leading online gaming groups with threats about the consequences of challenging their domestic gambling laws, the European Commission has yet to receive an answer to its own concerns regarding the regulatory regime in Belgium . . .” the letter states.
The authors, who include the chief executives of William Hill, Sportingbet, 888 Holdings, Victor Chandler International and bet365, as well as Mr Teufelberger himself, highlight the proximity of the Belgian police action to Commission headquarters.
The police intervention, “but a stone’s throw” from the European parliament and the commission, was “a stark reminder of the legal uncertainty that prevails” in European online gambling, the letter says.
The authors call on Michel Barnier, internal market commissioner, to enforce EU law swiftly.
“Countries such as Belgium and Greece that are in clear breach of EU law and that are seeking to enforce those laws domestically are likely to be at the top of the list,” they wrote.
“The time for polite rhetoric is now over. It is time for deeds not words.”
Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of trade body the Remote Gambling Association, said examples of protectionist behaviour were occurring more frequently because of a lack of action from the commission.
Last week, Bulgaria announced it was introducing a 15 per cent tax on gambling companies’ turnover, a “completely unviable” rate, said Mr Hawkswood.
“Member states appear to see the commission as a dog that rarely barks and never bites at all,” he said.
The RGA said a letter from online gambling companies was being sent to Mr Barnier pressing the case for action.
A spokesman for the commissioner said: “We are following what is happening in Belgium closely. If we find that Belgium violates EU law, we will not hesitate to launch infringement proceedings.”
The commission said it was also aware of “a lot of concern about the compatibility of Greek law with EU law” and was in contact with the Greek authorities.
Bwin.party has said it will continue to talk to Belgium’s gambling commission.
Online gambling groups protest at Brussels - FT-com
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2006/12/07
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The idea that social media will usher in the next great wave of online gamblers is a concept not lost on investors. The announcement recently that the Facebook friend Zynga will be offering real money gaming has started a whole new competition that will see other social media gaming firms offer their version of social media internet wagering. There are problems with the idea as most analysts have pointed out the amount of money spent by social gamers is minimal comparing it to the amount real poker or slot players invest in the activity.
The technology required to pin point the player’s location is also still being developed and that is essential for keeping players from restricted jurisdictions out of the game. Competition for Zynga has come in the form of a start up firm from the United Kingdom called Betable Ltd. The venture capital backed online-gambling firm has announced agreements with three social gaming companies that will use the Betable platform to expand into real-money gaming. The social gaming firm Zynga has partnered with noted online gambling company Bwin.party digital entertainment to offer the real money play that it hopes will bring in huge profits. Betable is saying its technology can make it easier for developers to get off the mark and start offering real money games within the social media sphere. Firms that have already committed to competing with Zynga with the Betable platform are Slingo Inc., a maker of online slots and bingo titles with 54 million users worldwide every month. Others such as Digital Chocolate Inc., and Murka Ltd. have also shown their interest in writing.
Chris Griffin, Chief Executive Officer, for Betable, commented, “This is not going to lead to an incremental shift in the market,” adding, “This is really a tectonic change.” Chief Executive Officer for Slingo, Rich Roberts, said, “Our goal would be to transition online players into gamblers of our content,” continuing Roberts said, “Betable gives us an opportunity to move a little bit quicker than we could on our own.”
Betable and Zynga Compete for Social Online Gambling Market
The technology required to pin point the player’s location is also still being developed and that is essential for keeping players from restricted jurisdictions out of the game. Competition for Zynga has come in the form of a start up firm from the United Kingdom called Betable Ltd. The venture capital backed online-gambling firm has announced agreements with three social gaming companies that will use the Betable platform to expand into real-money gaming. The social gaming firm Zynga has partnered with noted online gambling company Bwin.party digital entertainment to offer the real money play that it hopes will bring in huge profits. Betable is saying its technology can make it easier for developers to get off the mark and start offering real money games within the social media sphere. Firms that have already committed to competing with Zynga with the Betable platform are Slingo Inc., a maker of online slots and bingo titles with 54 million users worldwide every month. Others such as Digital Chocolate Inc., and Murka Ltd. have also shown their interest in writing.
Chris Griffin, Chief Executive Officer, for Betable, commented, “This is not going to lead to an incremental shift in the market,” adding, “This is really a tectonic change.” Chief Executive Officer for Slingo, Rich Roberts, said, “Our goal would be to transition online players into gamblers of our content,” continuing Roberts said, “Betable gives us an opportunity to move a little bit quicker than we could on our own.”
Betable and Zynga Compete for Social Online Gambling Market
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2006/12/07
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Charlie Chaplin’s iconic bowler hat and cane are to go under the hammer in Los Angeles this weekend, as part of an auction which also includes a John Lennon nude drawing of himself and Yoko Ono.
The hat and cane, trademark of Chaplin’s Little Tramp character, are in “remarkable condition” and are estimated to go for between $40,000 and $60,000 at the sale by auction house Bonhams on Sunday.
Legend has it that Chaplin came up with the tramp persona and wardrobe spontaneously one rainy afternoon in February 1914, seizing various wardrobe items in a communal male dressing room at a Hollywood studio.
These included baggy trousers from Fatty Arbuckle, size 14 shoes which he had to wear on the wrong feet to keep them from falling off, the hat belonging to Arbuckle’s father-in-law, and a mustache intended for another actor.
The 32-inch (81-centimeter) bamboo cane is inscribed “CCLT 36″ in black ink, a reference to the Little Tramp, Chaplin’s signature character.
Other items on sale include a handwritten letter by Lennon with a nude drawing of himself and Yoko, sent to an avant-garde magazine publisher in connection with the controversial 1968 “Two Virgins” album cover.
The letter is estimated to go for between $18,000 and $22,000, while several other Beatles-related items are also up for sale, including a set of autographs of the four band members before a 1964 Hollywood Bowl show ($4,500 to $6,500).
A saxophone which once belonged to jazz legend Charlie Parker has a reserve price of $22,000 to $26,000.
Also on sale are various items related to Marilyn Monroe and three signed, abstract original oil paintings by crooner Frank Sinatra.
Charlie Chaplin hat and cane to be auctioned off | Inquirer Entertainment
The hat and cane, trademark of Chaplin’s Little Tramp character, are in “remarkable condition” and are estimated to go for between $40,000 and $60,000 at the sale by auction house Bonhams on Sunday.
Legend has it that Chaplin came up with the tramp persona and wardrobe spontaneously one rainy afternoon in February 1914, seizing various wardrobe items in a communal male dressing room at a Hollywood studio.
These included baggy trousers from Fatty Arbuckle, size 14 shoes which he had to wear on the wrong feet to keep them from falling off, the hat belonging to Arbuckle’s father-in-law, and a mustache intended for another actor.
The 32-inch (81-centimeter) bamboo cane is inscribed “CCLT 36″ in black ink, a reference to the Little Tramp, Chaplin’s signature character.
Other items on sale include a handwritten letter by Lennon with a nude drawing of himself and Yoko, sent to an avant-garde magazine publisher in connection with the controversial 1968 “Two Virgins” album cover.
The letter is estimated to go for between $18,000 and $22,000, while several other Beatles-related items are also up for sale, including a set of autographs of the four band members before a 1964 Hollywood Bowl show ($4,500 to $6,500).
A saxophone which once belonged to jazz legend Charlie Parker has a reserve price of $22,000 to $26,000.
Also on sale are various items related to Marilyn Monroe and three signed, abstract original oil paintings by crooner Frank Sinatra.
Charlie Chaplin hat and cane to be auctioned off | Inquirer Entertainment
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2006/12/07
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The recent arrest and questioning of the Bwin.party digital entertainment Co-chief executive officer in Belgium has caused the online gambling industry to launch a formal protest. The Financial Times received a letter explaining the concerns of managing directors CEO’s and fourteen other online gambling top executives with regard to the rules the Belgium government has adopted for internet gaming in the jurisdiction. It has been three years since the new rules were enacted in Belgium violating the European Union rules concerning the free trade in e-commerce among members.
The letter reads, “While the Belgian authorities are free to intimidate Europe’s leading online gaming groups with threats about the consequences of challenging their domestic gambling laws, the European Commission has yet to receive an answer to its own concerns regarding the regulatory regime in Belgium . . .” The involvement of the Belgium police department happened “but a stone’s throw” from the European parliament and the European commission, which was “a stark reminder of the legal uncertainty that prevails” in regards to the state of Europe’s online gambling rules. The letter drafted and signed by top executives from Sportingbet. Victor Chandler, 888 Holdings, William Hill and of course Bwin.party digital entertainment are all calling for action by Michel Barnier the E.U.’s internal market commissioner to be taken in a timely manner. The letter continues “Countries such as Belgium and Greece that are in clear breach of EU law and that are seeking to enforce those laws domestically are likely to be at the top of the list,” “The time for polite rhetoric is now over. It is time for deeds not words.”
The Remote Gambling Association, CEO, Clive Hawkswood, also stated that just last week, Bulgaria announced it was introducing a 15 per cent tax on gambling companies’ turnover, a “completely unviable rate.” The Commission defending its position stated, : “We are following what is happening in Belgium closely. If we find that Belgium violates EU law, we will not hesitate to launch infringement proceedings.”
Major Online Gambling Firms Demand Action in Belgium
The letter reads, “While the Belgian authorities are free to intimidate Europe’s leading online gaming groups with threats about the consequences of challenging their domestic gambling laws, the European Commission has yet to receive an answer to its own concerns regarding the regulatory regime in Belgium . . .” The involvement of the Belgium police department happened “but a stone’s throw” from the European parliament and the European commission, which was “a stark reminder of the legal uncertainty that prevails” in regards to the state of Europe’s online gambling rules. The letter drafted and signed by top executives from Sportingbet. Victor Chandler, 888 Holdings, William Hill and of course Bwin.party digital entertainment are all calling for action by Michel Barnier the E.U.’s internal market commissioner to be taken in a timely manner. The letter continues “Countries such as Belgium and Greece that are in clear breach of EU law and that are seeking to enforce those laws domestically are likely to be at the top of the list,” “The time for polite rhetoric is now over. It is time for deeds not words.”
The Remote Gambling Association, CEO, Clive Hawkswood, also stated that just last week, Bulgaria announced it was introducing a 15 per cent tax on gambling companies’ turnover, a “completely unviable rate.” The Commission defending its position stated, : “We are following what is happening in Belgium closely. If we find that Belgium violates EU law, we will not hesitate to launch infringement proceedings.”
Major Online Gambling Firms Demand Action in Belgium
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2006/12/07
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The Poker Players Alliance is calling on Sens. Harry Reid and Jon Kyl to alter their draft bill to regulate legal online poker.
In a Nov. 2 letter to the lawmakers, the alliance asserts its general support for the proposed measure by extolling its “strong consumer protections” and “solid framework” for regulation.
But the group wants Reid (D-Nev.) and Kyl (R-Ariz.) to make several changes, including: shortening a 15-month delay on legal poker site operation under the bill; making it easier for states to opt in; and allowing Americans to play with people from other countries.
The 73-page draft bill already faces an uncertain future as time grows short in the lame-duck session. Reid regards the retiring Kyl’s support as key to its passage. Still, the Poker Players Alliance, chaired by former New York Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, is an important backer of the bill.
“It would be a real shame if common-sense legislation fell through the cracks,” PPA Executive Director John Pappas said Friday. “Every day without it leaves American consumers unprotected and the unregulated market grows unfettered. If there was one thing Congress could agree on during the lame duck, it’s a bill that raises revenue without raising taxes.”
The draft measure details a plan to ban all Internet gambling except online poker and, in a very limited way, online lotteries. It would create an Office of Online Poker Oversight within the Department of Commerce, with sweeping powers over licensing.
In addition, the draft would shut down a state-level effort to offer any other form of gambling, invalidating the Delaware Legislature’s recent approval of full-scale Web casinos and averting similar plans.
No state has yet started allowing Internet gambling beyond horse-race betting and, in a few states, online sales of lottery tickets. But Reid and Kyl expect several states to move ahead with plans to do so — each with different games and regulatory schemes — if a federal law is not put into place. The Justice Department paved the way for state action last December, when it announced a reinterpretation of the Interstate Wire Act of 1961to make only sports betting unlawful online.
The alliance is taking issue with some of the provisions in the draft bill — such as a requirement that state legislatures vote to opt in to the federal poker system, even if they already have legal brick-and-mortar poker rooms, and a prohibition on participation by Native American tribes if their states don’t opt in.
“The success of regulated Internet poker will rest on the ability to offer services to consumers in multiple jurisdictions/states under common platforms,” the alliance wrote in its letter, signed by D’Amato. “Requiring additional legislative authority from a state already participating in commercial poker can only slow the process and thus potentially undermine the basic need of businesses to predict their market at a specific time.”
The alliance also said the 15-month “ blackout” in the draft bill is “asking a lot” of poker enthusiasts. And the group disagrees with provisions preventing Americans from playing on poker sites based offshore and foreigners from playing on American sites. The group also worries that the bill does not spell out how the IRS will tax Americans’ poker-related income.
In addition, the PPA questioned why some currently licensed offshore poker sites would be precluded from being licensed in the United States, even though they have accepted bets from American players. That would include the biggest name brands, including PokerStars.
“This bill seeks to unduly punish those who provided online poker to U.S. players, even where it is unclear whether they violated any federal laws, and even for operators who have neither been convicted of any crime nor accused of mistreating U.S. players,” the group wrote.
Read more: Groups push for changes to online gaming bill - Steve Friess - POLITICO-com
In a Nov. 2 letter to the lawmakers, the alliance asserts its general support for the proposed measure by extolling its “strong consumer protections” and “solid framework” for regulation.
But the group wants Reid (D-Nev.) and Kyl (R-Ariz.) to make several changes, including: shortening a 15-month delay on legal poker site operation under the bill; making it easier for states to opt in; and allowing Americans to play with people from other countries.
The 73-page draft bill already faces an uncertain future as time grows short in the lame-duck session. Reid regards the retiring Kyl’s support as key to its passage. Still, the Poker Players Alliance, chaired by former New York Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, is an important backer of the bill.
“It would be a real shame if common-sense legislation fell through the cracks,” PPA Executive Director John Pappas said Friday. “Every day without it leaves American consumers unprotected and the unregulated market grows unfettered. If there was one thing Congress could agree on during the lame duck, it’s a bill that raises revenue without raising taxes.”
The draft measure details a plan to ban all Internet gambling except online poker and, in a very limited way, online lotteries. It would create an Office of Online Poker Oversight within the Department of Commerce, with sweeping powers over licensing.
In addition, the draft would shut down a state-level effort to offer any other form of gambling, invalidating the Delaware Legislature’s recent approval of full-scale Web casinos and averting similar plans.
No state has yet started allowing Internet gambling beyond horse-race betting and, in a few states, online sales of lottery tickets. But Reid and Kyl expect several states to move ahead with plans to do so — each with different games and regulatory schemes — if a federal law is not put into place. The Justice Department paved the way for state action last December, when it announced a reinterpretation of the Interstate Wire Act of 1961to make only sports betting unlawful online.
The alliance is taking issue with some of the provisions in the draft bill — such as a requirement that state legislatures vote to opt in to the federal poker system, even if they already have legal brick-and-mortar poker rooms, and a prohibition on participation by Native American tribes if their states don’t opt in.
“The success of regulated Internet poker will rest on the ability to offer services to consumers in multiple jurisdictions/states under common platforms,” the alliance wrote in its letter, signed by D’Amato. “Requiring additional legislative authority from a state already participating in commercial poker can only slow the process and thus potentially undermine the basic need of businesses to predict their market at a specific time.”
The alliance also said the 15-month “ blackout” in the draft bill is “asking a lot” of poker enthusiasts. And the group disagrees with provisions preventing Americans from playing on poker sites based offshore and foreigners from playing on American sites. The group also worries that the bill does not spell out how the IRS will tax Americans’ poker-related income.
In addition, the PPA questioned why some currently licensed offshore poker sites would be precluded from being licensed in the United States, even though they have accepted bets from American players. That would include the biggest name brands, including PokerStars.
“This bill seeks to unduly punish those who provided online poker to U.S. players, even where it is unclear whether they violated any federal laws, and even for operators who have neither been convicted of any crime nor accused of mistreating U.S. players,” the group wrote.
Read more: Groups push for changes to online gaming bill - Steve Friess - POLITICO-com
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2006/12/07
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The Corbett administration is moving to ensure that Pennsylvanians have more access to gambling than they do to public information about gambling.
Last week the governor said that expanding the $3.5 billion state lottery to include keno and online games is one of the best ways to produce more revenue to fund the state’s roster of services for the elderly.
He apparently isn’t confident enough in that, however, to include the public in the process.
The administration has declined to identify the companies with which it is discussing private management of the lottery, which is managed now by the state Department of Revenue. Other states that have converted to private management, however, have identified the companies that have sought the business.
The administration also has said it has the unilateral authority to vastly expand access to gambling with online games - a notion with which the Republican-controlled state Senate quite rightly disagrees.
Regardless of whether the administration technically has the legal authority to introduce online gambling, it lacks the moral authority to do so. Such a vast expansion of gambling should be examined closely by the Legislature, including through public hearings, to ensure not simply that online gambling will produce revenue but to ensure that it’s the right thing as a matter of public policy. Politicians love gambling because it enables them to say that they have increased revenue without imposing a general tax increase. But there is abundant evidence that the state’s gambling revenue, from casinos and the lottery, comes disproportionately from lower-income individuals, making gambling primarily a tax on the poor. And lawmakers who think more gambling is the answer to every problem also fail to consider the costly social dysfunction that gambling fosters.
The gambling expansion envisioned by the governor might well be inevitable. But the process should be transparent so that Pennsylvanians can follow that dubious path with their eyes open.
Pa. gambling expansion needs transparency - The Mercury
Last week the governor said that expanding the $3.5 billion state lottery to include keno and online games is one of the best ways to produce more revenue to fund the state’s roster of services for the elderly.
He apparently isn’t confident enough in that, however, to include the public in the process.
The administration has declined to identify the companies with which it is discussing private management of the lottery, which is managed now by the state Department of Revenue. Other states that have converted to private management, however, have identified the companies that have sought the business.
The administration also has said it has the unilateral authority to vastly expand access to gambling with online games - a notion with which the Republican-controlled state Senate quite rightly disagrees.
Regardless of whether the administration technically has the legal authority to introduce online gambling, it lacks the moral authority to do so. Such a vast expansion of gambling should be examined closely by the Legislature, including through public hearings, to ensure not simply that online gambling will produce revenue but to ensure that it’s the right thing as a matter of public policy. Politicians love gambling because it enables them to say that they have increased revenue without imposing a general tax increase. But there is abundant evidence that the state’s gambling revenue, from casinos and the lottery, comes disproportionately from lower-income individuals, making gambling primarily a tax on the poor. And lawmakers who think more gambling is the answer to every problem also fail to consider the costly social dysfunction that gambling fosters.
The gambling expansion envisioned by the governor might well be inevitable. But the process should be transparent so that Pennsylvanians can follow that dubious path with their eyes open.
Pa. gambling expansion needs transparency - The Mercury
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2006/12/07
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Morgan Stanley estimates there are 170 million social gambling users generating $1.7 billion revenue.
Morgan Stanley has released a new study on social gambling. The renowned global financial services firm put an emphasis on examining the convergence between social gambling and the online or mobile gambling that is played for real money.
According to the research firm, the current $1.7 billion (yes, that is a billion) social gambling market will expand to $2.5 billion by 2015.
Morgan Stanley looked at the forces behind the massive growth, as well as the key uncertainties, and analyzed what these bring for the leading online and mobile casino operators.
According to the Morgan Stanley blue paper, the social gambling player base of 170 million users is more than the triple of online gambling users. On top of that, social media keeps opening to a new pool of customers every day.
Conversion to real-money online and mobile gambling would drive revenue growth. However, there are different motivations behind social and real money gambling that could be problematic.
At present, most social gambling is mostly unregulated, and these activities thrive where online and mobile casino activities are is restricted or prohibited. Regulation of real-money gambling could be a ground for conversion and increased revenues, allowing the social and real money gaming to converge.
Morgan Stanley rated Zynga, bwin.party, 888, International Game Technology (IGT), Betfair, Paddy Power and WMS as companies with the biggest social gambling potential.
Social Gambling is Triple the Size of Online Gambling | | Blackjack ChampBlackjack Champ
Morgan Stanley has released a new study on social gambling. The renowned global financial services firm put an emphasis on examining the convergence between social gambling and the online or mobile gambling that is played for real money.
According to the research firm, the current $1.7 billion (yes, that is a billion) social gambling market will expand to $2.5 billion by 2015.
Morgan Stanley looked at the forces behind the massive growth, as well as the key uncertainties, and analyzed what these bring for the leading online and mobile casino operators.
According to the Morgan Stanley blue paper, the social gambling player base of 170 million users is more than the triple of online gambling users. On top of that, social media keeps opening to a new pool of customers every day.
Conversion to real-money online and mobile gambling would drive revenue growth. However, there are different motivations behind social and real money gambling that could be problematic.
At present, most social gambling is mostly unregulated, and these activities thrive where online and mobile casino activities are is restricted or prohibited. Regulation of real-money gambling could be a ground for conversion and increased revenues, allowing the social and real money gaming to converge.
Morgan Stanley rated Zynga, bwin.party, 888, International Game Technology (IGT), Betfair, Paddy Power and WMS as companies with the biggest social gambling potential.
Social Gambling is Triple the Size of Online Gambling | | Blackjack ChampBlackjack Champ
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2006/12/07
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Daniel Craig admits being "nasty" to Kristen Stewart after saying she wouldn't make a good Bond girl but claims he only said it because they are in direct competition at the box office.
The 'Skyfall' actor - who has played James Bond three times since taking on the role in 2006 and just signed up to do two more of the British spy movies - dismissed the 22-year-old's ambitions to star in the franchise but later admitted he was only being "nasty" because their new films are currently in direct competition at the box office.
Asked if he thought the 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2' actress would be the right fit for a Bond movie, the 44-year-old star said: "Would she make a good Bond girl? No, she's in 'Twilight'."
He quickly backtracked and explained to 'The Kyle and Jackie O Show' in Australia: "No, I'm being nasty. It's only because the film ('Skyfall') is coming out at the same time (as 'Breaking Day - Part 2'), we're in direct competition. I'm sure she'd make a great Bond girl."
Kristen previously admitted she is interested in reading a Bond script.
She said: "I would love to read a few graphs of the script. I choose my roles really instinctually. I would really have to connect with the material."
She later added: "As long as I get to have a gun. Yes, hell yeah!"
Meanwhile Daniel has just been named the highest paid 007 of all time.
The actor - who is married to British actress Rachel Weisz - will earn £31 million to portray the suave secret agent in two more movies, dwarfing the pay cheques received by his predecessors.
Daniel Craig admits being "nasty" to Kristen Stewart - Entertainment News - Celebrity Gossip - Newstalk ZB
The 'Skyfall' actor - who has played James Bond three times since taking on the role in 2006 and just signed up to do two more of the British spy movies - dismissed the 22-year-old's ambitions to star in the franchise but later admitted he was only being "nasty" because their new films are currently in direct competition at the box office.
Asked if he thought the 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2' actress would be the right fit for a Bond movie, the 44-year-old star said: "Would she make a good Bond girl? No, she's in 'Twilight'."
He quickly backtracked and explained to 'The Kyle and Jackie O Show' in Australia: "No, I'm being nasty. It's only because the film ('Skyfall') is coming out at the same time (as 'Breaking Day - Part 2'), we're in direct competition. I'm sure she'd make a great Bond girl."
Kristen previously admitted she is interested in reading a Bond script.
She said: "I would love to read a few graphs of the script. I choose my roles really instinctually. I would really have to connect with the material."
She later added: "As long as I get to have a gun. Yes, hell yeah!"
Meanwhile Daniel has just been named the highest paid 007 of all time.
The actor - who is married to British actress Rachel Weisz - will earn £31 million to portray the suave secret agent in two more movies, dwarfing the pay cheques received by his predecessors.
Daniel Craig admits being "nasty" to Kristen Stewart - Entertainment News - Celebrity Gossip - Newstalk ZB
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2006/12/07
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Leaders of the world’s top online gaming firms are mad as hell and they’re not going to take it anymore. In response to last Tuesday’s detainment of bwin.party co-CEO Norbert Teufelberger in Brussels, Belgium, 14 executives from 12 internet gambling companies penned a public letter to the Financial Times saying that enough is enough when it comes to European Union (EU) countries ignoring EU law.
To recap, Teufelberger was set to make the closing remarks at Responsible Gaming Day, put on by the European and Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA), of which he is Chairman, when he was detained by Belgian police. The authorities reportedly kept him for two hours (he was allowed to make his speech first), questioning him about bwin.party’s activities in Belgium.
bwin.party has found itself on the short end of extremely strict Belgian gaming regulations, which, among other things, require online poker operators to have a brick-and-mortar presence in the country in order to be granted an online gaming license. Only six operators – PokerStars.be, Poker770.be, Partouche.be, Win2day, GoldenPalace.be, and Unibet – have received licensed. To make matters worse, some of bwin.party’s websites have been put on the Belgian Gaming Commission’s (BGC) blacklist. Despite the blacklist status, bwin.party has continued to operate in Belgium.
While Belgium’s regulations may be cut and dry, they are not without controversy. bwin.party, as well as other gaming companies and organizations, feel they run contrary to EU law and have been fighting them for several years.
Norbert Teufelberger himself was one of the 14 executives to sign the letter to the Financial Times, along with co-CEO Jim Ryan. The others were:
Michael Carlton – CEO, Victor Chandler International
Denise Coates and John Coates – Joint CEOs, bet365
Stéphane Courbit – President, Betclic Everest Group
Canel Frichet – CEO, Winamax
Noel Hayden – Managing Director, Gamesys
Denis Kelly – CEO, Stan James
Brian Mattingly – CEO, 888 Holdings
Andrew McIver – CEO, Sportingbet
Magnus Silfverberg – CEO, Betsson
Ralph Topping – CEO, William Hill
Ed Ware – CEO, 32Red
In the letter, which was posted at FT-com, the executives expressed their resentment towards both the EU Belgian law enforcement, saying, “While the Belgian authorities are free to intimidate Europe’s leading online gaming groups with threats about the consequences of challenging their domestic gambling laws, the European Commission has yet to receive an answer to its own concerns regarding the regulatory regime in Belgium that have remained unresolved since issuing its detailed opinion back in 2009.”
The letter reminded the Financial Times’ readers of the complaints against Belgium two years ago, quoting the head of the European Commission, Michel Barnier, from 2010 , “’…ensuring compliance of national law with the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) is a prerequisite of a successful EU policy on online gambling…if blatant infringements persist, I will not hesitate to propose to my colleagues that the appropriate proceedings be taken or relaunched.’”
The letter concluded, “We hope that the commission will now enforce compliance with the European treaty and do so swiftly. Countries such as Belgium and Greece that are in clear breach of EU law and that are seeking to enforce those laws domestically are likely to be at the top of the list. The time for polite rhetoric is now over. It is time for deeds not words.”
Online Gaming Execs Respond to Detention of bwin.party CEO
To recap, Teufelberger was set to make the closing remarks at Responsible Gaming Day, put on by the European and Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA), of which he is Chairman, when he was detained by Belgian police. The authorities reportedly kept him for two hours (he was allowed to make his speech first), questioning him about bwin.party’s activities in Belgium.
bwin.party has found itself on the short end of extremely strict Belgian gaming regulations, which, among other things, require online poker operators to have a brick-and-mortar presence in the country in order to be granted an online gaming license. Only six operators – PokerStars.be, Poker770.be, Partouche.be, Win2day, GoldenPalace.be, and Unibet – have received licensed. To make matters worse, some of bwin.party’s websites have been put on the Belgian Gaming Commission’s (BGC) blacklist. Despite the blacklist status, bwin.party has continued to operate in Belgium.
While Belgium’s regulations may be cut and dry, they are not without controversy. bwin.party, as well as other gaming companies and organizations, feel they run contrary to EU law and have been fighting them for several years.
Norbert Teufelberger himself was one of the 14 executives to sign the letter to the Financial Times, along with co-CEO Jim Ryan. The others were:
Michael Carlton – CEO, Victor Chandler International
Denise Coates and John Coates – Joint CEOs, bet365
Stéphane Courbit – President, Betclic Everest Group
Canel Frichet – CEO, Winamax
Noel Hayden – Managing Director, Gamesys
Denis Kelly – CEO, Stan James
Brian Mattingly – CEO, 888 Holdings
Andrew McIver – CEO, Sportingbet
Magnus Silfverberg – CEO, Betsson
Ralph Topping – CEO, William Hill
Ed Ware – CEO, 32Red
In the letter, which was posted at FT-com, the executives expressed their resentment towards both the EU Belgian law enforcement, saying, “While the Belgian authorities are free to intimidate Europe’s leading online gaming groups with threats about the consequences of challenging their domestic gambling laws, the European Commission has yet to receive an answer to its own concerns regarding the regulatory regime in Belgium that have remained unresolved since issuing its detailed opinion back in 2009.”
The letter reminded the Financial Times’ readers of the complaints against Belgium two years ago, quoting the head of the European Commission, Michel Barnier, from 2010 , “’…ensuring compliance of national law with the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) is a prerequisite of a successful EU policy on online gambling…if blatant infringements persist, I will not hesitate to propose to my colleagues that the appropriate proceedings be taken or relaunched.’”
The letter concluded, “We hope that the commission will now enforce compliance with the European treaty and do so swiftly. Countries such as Belgium and Greece that are in clear breach of EU law and that are seeking to enforce those laws domestically are likely to be at the top of the list. The time for polite rhetoric is now over. It is time for deeds not words.”
Online Gaming Execs Respond to Detention of bwin.party CEO
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Connecticut's two federally-recognized tribes — which each own and operate a casino — issued statements to that effect in the wake of a Courant story Wednesday about possible federal and state legislation that could make it legal to bet online from home computers. A key committee co-chairman in the Connecticut General Assembly also said that legislators "absolutely" should consider legalizing some form of online gaming when they reconvene in January, and Congress now is drafting potential legislation legalizing online poker nationally.
Under legislative language currently being discussed by U.S. Senate leaders, states could "opt in" to run online poker under the regulations of the federal program — but they could only run online poker and not other forms of online gambling such as sports betting or other casino games. The legislation could be acted on before the end of the year. Cheryl Allen, public affairs coordinator for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, operators of the Foxwoods Resort Casino, issued this statement: "Consumers are making many more of their spending choices online or through mobile devices, and industries that do not adapt to the digital consumer marketplace will suffer. "The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation believes that regulation of Internet gaming, either at the state or Federal level, is inevitable. Regulation of Internet gaming will provide the much-needed player protections that are currently not available through unregulated offshore operators who are currently taking bets in the US and Connecticut. MPTN has been diligently studying the Internet gaming space and is preparing itself to be an active participant in the marketplace when regulations permit."
The Mashantucket Pequots would want to run a variety of casino games online – not just poker, Allen said, adding: "Casino operators will only be able to maintain and expand their businesses by moving their existing product sets and games into this digital marketplace."
As for the Mohegan tribe, which owns the Mohegan Sun casino in Montville, it is fully prepared to jump in if online gaming is approved by Congress or the state legislature, said Chuck Bunnell, the Mohegan tribe's chief of staff for governmental and external affairs. However, unlike the Pequots, the Mohegan tribe only supports legalizing online poker, and not Internet versions of other casino games, he said.
Bunnell said the tribes believe that their legal "compacts" with the state government would require that if Connecticut legalizes online gaming, the tribes would have the right to operate the program.
Casino operators have mixed feelings about online gaming. "A lot of people in the industry" feel that online gaming — with people playing the games on their home computers, "sitting in their underwear and a dirty T-shirt" — is "bad for business," Bunnell said. The industry would rather have them spend their money at the casinos on gaming, food and entertainment, he said. But if online gaming is to happen in Connecticut, he said the tribes are best qualified to run it.
Connecticut lawmakers considered Internet gambling early last year, but didn't act, after the U.S. Justice Department ruled in December 2011 that federal law prohibits online sports betting, but not other forms of Internet gambling. Since then other states, including New Jersey, have moved closer to instituting online wagering programs. Nevada is on the verge of starting online poker.
Tribes: If Online Gaming Is Legalized, We Want In - Courant-com