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Supermodel Miranda Kerr has denied rumours that she was dumped from her high-profile contracts with lingerie brand Victoria's Secret and Australian department store David Jones because she was difficult to work with.
The Australian supermodel, who is married to British actor Orlando Bloom, was let go as one of the main faces of the lingerie brand after her $US1 million, three year-contract "was not renewed".
Kerr told the Sydney Morning Herald she was ''surprised'' to hear reports that she and Victoria Secrete were going their separate ways due to her ''difficult reputation''.
''I'm sure anyone that has worked with me would agree that it's not true,'' she told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Rumours circulated earlier this week that her "difficult reputation" was the main reason she will no longer walk the company's star-studded annual catwalk show wearing a prestigious pair of angel's wings.
Insiders also told People.com: "She can be difficult at shoots and appearances. She's not very timely. She's standoffish with the rest of the girls."
However, the mother-of-one claims the reason her contract came to an end was that she was not in a position to commit to a full time contract due to work and family commitments.
She says it is also the reason that led to the end of her five-year association with David Jones.
"I couldn't commit to them in full and their requirements with everything they wanted from me, but our association still lives," she said.
The Australian supermodel, who is married to British actor Orlando Bloom, was let go as one of the main faces of the lingerie brand after her $US1 million, three year-contract "was not renewed".
Kerr told the Sydney Morning Herald she was ''surprised'' to hear reports that she and Victoria Secrete were going their separate ways due to her ''difficult reputation''.
''I'm sure anyone that has worked with me would agree that it's not true,'' she told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Rumours circulated earlier this week that her "difficult reputation" was the main reason she will no longer walk the company's star-studded annual catwalk show wearing a prestigious pair of angel's wings.
Insiders also told People.com: "She can be difficult at shoots and appearances. She's not very timely. She's standoffish with the rest of the girls."
However, the mother-of-one claims the reason her contract came to an end was that she was not in a position to commit to a full time contract due to work and family commitments.
She says it is also the reason that led to the end of her five-year association with David Jones.
"I couldn't commit to them in full and their requirements with everything they wanted from me, but our association still lives," she said.
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2006/12/07
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29893
By 2020, online gambling in the U.S. will produce revenues as large as those currently produced by the Las Vegas and Atlantic City markets – combined.
So says Morgan Stanley, which estimates a $9.3 billion online market in 2020 vs $6.2 billion for The Strip in 2012 and $3 billion for Atlantic City last year. The company adds that “we believe our market estimates are conservative.”
Boyd Gaming is touted as the biggest stock play in that regard. From the Barron’s post re the analysis:
“We view BYD as best positioned stock in our US coverage to benefit from the US online gaming opportunity given its positioning and relative size. BYD currently has a $710 million market cap, is 7x levered, and we expect it to generate $634 million of 2013 EBITDA. The other well positioned operator in our coverage for online is MGM Resorts International (MGM) but it has a market cap of ~$6 billion and we expect it to generate ~$2 billion of EBITDA in ‘13e, making online less of a driver.”
Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley – why does that name sound familiar?
Oh yes, they were a big player in the Revel Atlantic City casino, weren’t they? How did that work again?
“In 2010 Morgan Stanley took a 98% write-down of its $1.2 billion investment in a proposed $2.6 billion Atlantic City Casino [Revel]. Because of the downturn in Atlantic City, Morgan Stanley decided it was better to sell its stake in the property than to ‘throw good money after bad.’
The project was also a public relations nightmare for the white shoe investment bank. Morgan Stanley had received tax rebates pursuant to the project, drawing the ire of New Jersey residents who viewed them as another example of corporate cronyism. Labor unions derided the casino, claiming that instead of creating new jobs, it would create a shell game of taking business and jobs from other casinos. Morgan Stanley purchased the land in 2006 and hired an operator to run the casino. It then tried to sell an equity stake in the property, to no avail – Morgan Stanley sold its stake in the half-built casino to an investor group led by the chairman and CEO of Revel Entertainment.”
Now, I’m being a bit cheeky, in that these companies have thousands of employees – so that just because some of them drove the company toward the iceberg on Revel doesn’t mean they don’t have savvy analysts of the online gambling industry.
But it is an interesting juxtaposition, isn’t it?
Online gambling breakout in U.S. looms, says Morgan Stanley | Meadowlands Matters | NorthJersey-com
So says Morgan Stanley, which estimates a $9.3 billion online market in 2020 vs $6.2 billion for The Strip in 2012 and $3 billion for Atlantic City last year. The company adds that “we believe our market estimates are conservative.”
Boyd Gaming is touted as the biggest stock play in that regard. From the Barron’s post re the analysis:
“We view BYD as best positioned stock in our US coverage to benefit from the US online gaming opportunity given its positioning and relative size. BYD currently has a $710 million market cap, is 7x levered, and we expect it to generate $634 million of 2013 EBITDA. The other well positioned operator in our coverage for online is MGM Resorts International (MGM) but it has a market cap of ~$6 billion and we expect it to generate ~$2 billion of EBITDA in ‘13e, making online less of a driver.”
Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley – why does that name sound familiar?
Oh yes, they were a big player in the Revel Atlantic City casino, weren’t they? How did that work again?
“In 2010 Morgan Stanley took a 98% write-down of its $1.2 billion investment in a proposed $2.6 billion Atlantic City Casino [Revel]. Because of the downturn in Atlantic City, Morgan Stanley decided it was better to sell its stake in the property than to ‘throw good money after bad.’
The project was also a public relations nightmare for the white shoe investment bank. Morgan Stanley had received tax rebates pursuant to the project, drawing the ire of New Jersey residents who viewed them as another example of corporate cronyism. Labor unions derided the casino, claiming that instead of creating new jobs, it would create a shell game of taking business and jobs from other casinos. Morgan Stanley purchased the land in 2006 and hired an operator to run the casino. It then tried to sell an equity stake in the property, to no avail – Morgan Stanley sold its stake in the half-built casino to an investor group led by the chairman and CEO of Revel Entertainment.”
Now, I’m being a bit cheeky, in that these companies have thousands of employees – so that just because some of them drove the company toward the iceberg on Revel doesn’t mean they don’t have savvy analysts of the online gambling industry.
But it is an interesting juxtaposition, isn’t it?
Online gambling breakout in U.S. looms, says Morgan Stanley | Meadowlands Matters | NorthJersey-com
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Like many other companies, Zynga is biding its time until real money online and mobile gambling games are legalized in the United States. But by looking at the games Zynga has already introduced in places like the United Kingdom, we can get a pretty good idea of what American players can look forward to when the social gaming giant is able to roll them out on this side of the Atlantic.
The company is currently offering two real-money games, ZyngaPlusPoker and ZyngaPlusCasino, to players in the UK. As the names suggest, the former is devoted strictly to poker, including ring games and tournament play, while the latter features online slots and table games like blackjack, roulette and craps. A single account can be used to play both games, and a variety of methods can be used to deposit funds to make wagers. Both games also have a play money option to allow players to test the waters before committing money, which is a pretty standard feature for online gambling sites.
Zynga has partnered with bwin.party to create both titles, relying on its existing expertise in the competitive online gambling industry. One of the lessons that seems to have already been learned is to make the games accessible in as many ways as possible. To that end, ZyngaPlusCasino has some games that can be played within a web browser, as well as others – mostly games that are more graphically intensive – that require a software download. If all goes according to plan, the Zynga Plus games will be available on Facebook and mobile devices later in the year. Another thing Zynga already appears to understand is that real-money gambling games can't be too radically different from what's already on the market because of the risk of scaring off existing players who already have a certain comfort level. Thus, you'll see some of Zynga's trademark themes and visual flourishes in the Zynga Plus titles, but nothing too outrageous in terms of interface or overall design. Chat and other social features are there, which is to be expected. If Zynga knows anything, it's how to get people to interact.
Early reviews suggest that the games have some bugs that need to be worked out, but the good news for people in the US. is that those will certainly be addressed before the American market is officially opened up. Zynga will have incredible amounts of competition in this space, so it needs to be sure to put it's best foot forward right from the start, and the Zynga Plus games do look promising. Some people will view the company's foray into real money gambling with excitement, others with annoyance, but one thing is certain: it's guaranteed to be interesting.
Zynga unleashes two online gambling games in the UK | Gamezebo
The company is currently offering two real-money games, ZyngaPlusPoker and ZyngaPlusCasino, to players in the UK. As the names suggest, the former is devoted strictly to poker, including ring games and tournament play, while the latter features online slots and table games like blackjack, roulette and craps. A single account can be used to play both games, and a variety of methods can be used to deposit funds to make wagers. Both games also have a play money option to allow players to test the waters before committing money, which is a pretty standard feature for online gambling sites.
Zynga has partnered with bwin.party to create both titles, relying on its existing expertise in the competitive online gambling industry. One of the lessons that seems to have already been learned is to make the games accessible in as many ways as possible. To that end, ZyngaPlusCasino has some games that can be played within a web browser, as well as others – mostly games that are more graphically intensive – that require a software download. If all goes according to plan, the Zynga Plus games will be available on Facebook and mobile devices later in the year. Another thing Zynga already appears to understand is that real-money gambling games can't be too radically different from what's already on the market because of the risk of scaring off existing players who already have a certain comfort level. Thus, you'll see some of Zynga's trademark themes and visual flourishes in the Zynga Plus titles, but nothing too outrageous in terms of interface or overall design. Chat and other social features are there, which is to be expected. If Zynga knows anything, it's how to get people to interact.
Early reviews suggest that the games have some bugs that need to be worked out, but the good news for people in the US. is that those will certainly be addressed before the American market is officially opened up. Zynga will have incredible amounts of competition in this space, so it needs to be sure to put it's best foot forward right from the start, and the Zynga Plus games do look promising. Some people will view the company's foray into real money gambling with excitement, others with annoyance, but one thing is certain: it's guaranteed to be interesting.
Zynga unleashes two online gambling games in the UK | Gamezebo
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Dave McArtney, a founding member of Kiwi bands Hello Sailor and The Pink Flamingos, has died at home in Auckland.
McArtney rose to fame after founding Hello Sailor with fellow guitarist-vocalist Harry Lyon and frontman Graham Brazier in 1975.
The group built a huge following on the back of singles including Gutter Black, which was written and sung by McArtney.
He went on to found the popular band The Pink Flamingos in the 1980s.
His Hello Sailor bandmate Lyon said McArtney was a loyal and longstanding friend who leaves behind an incredible body of creative work.
He and the other remaining members of Hello Sailor were planning to get together later today to "shed a tear" over their lost bandmate.
"We used to call him Dunkirk Dave. Because he's that guy you want to see on your right shoulder when you go over the top."
"He's more than just bandmate. It's friendship that holds us together."
The Herald understands McArtney had cancer. He recently spent a week in hospital but had returned home and expected to recover.
His last words to his wife last night were that he was working on an arrangement for a new song.
McArtney toured Hello Sailor's most recent album Surrey Crescent Moon, which featured three of his songs, until late 2012.
He graduated with a Masters of Arts (Music) degree in March this year.
Staff and students at music teaching institute MAINZ, where he had worked as a tutor for 10 years, were going to be being told the news this morning.
McArtney leaves behind his wife Donna, son Gabrielle and daughter Moana.
John Dix, the author of Stranded In Paradise: New Zealand Rock And Roll, 1955 To The Modern Era said McArtney's death was "devastating".
He said McArtney was "one of the greats".
"Within and outside of Hello Sailor, he was a great. He was also one of the most unassuming guys on the scene.
"He was a good companion. He was generous with his time and his experience, always willing to pass on advice to his students."
McArtney rose to fame after founding Hello Sailor with fellow guitarist-vocalist Harry Lyon and frontman Graham Brazier in 1975.
The group built a huge following on the back of singles including Gutter Black, which was written and sung by McArtney.
He went on to found the popular band The Pink Flamingos in the 1980s.
His Hello Sailor bandmate Lyon said McArtney was a loyal and longstanding friend who leaves behind an incredible body of creative work.
He and the other remaining members of Hello Sailor were planning to get together later today to "shed a tear" over their lost bandmate.
"We used to call him Dunkirk Dave. Because he's that guy you want to see on your right shoulder when you go over the top."
"He's more than just bandmate. It's friendship that holds us together."
The Herald understands McArtney had cancer. He recently spent a week in hospital but had returned home and expected to recover.
His last words to his wife last night were that he was working on an arrangement for a new song.
McArtney toured Hello Sailor's most recent album Surrey Crescent Moon, which featured three of his songs, until late 2012.
He graduated with a Masters of Arts (Music) degree in March this year.
Staff and students at music teaching institute MAINZ, where he had worked as a tutor for 10 years, were going to be being told the news this morning.
McArtney leaves behind his wife Donna, son Gabrielle and daughter Moana.
John Dix, the author of Stranded In Paradise: New Zealand Rock And Roll, 1955 To The Modern Era said McArtney's death was "devastating".
He said McArtney was "one of the greats".
"Within and outside of Hello Sailor, he was a great. He was also one of the most unassuming guys on the scene.
"He was a good companion. He was generous with his time and his experience, always willing to pass on advice to his students."
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2006/12/07
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29893
American multinational financial services corporation Morgan Stanley headquartered in New York City operates in 42 countries, and has more than 1300 offices and 60,000 employees. The company reports US$304 billion in assets under management or supervision. Now the firm has come out and said by 2020, online gambling in the U.S. will produce revenues as large as those currently produced by the combined markets in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
The firm estimates a $9.3 billion online market in 2020 a substantial increase over what Las Vegas brings in at $6.2 billion in 2012 and the sliding downward amount of $3 billion in Atlantic City. Morgan Stanley representatives said that “we believe our market estimates are conservative.” Boyd Gaming is considered one of the biggest stock plays presenting itself in the American online gambling potential.
The analysis on the subject about Boyd Gaming read, “We view BYD as best positioned stock in our US coverage to benefit from the US online gaming opportunity given its positioning and relative size. BYD currently has a $710 million market cap, is 7x levered, and we expect it to generate $634 million of 2013 EBITDA. The other well positioned operator in our coverage for online is MGM Resorts International (MGM) but it has a market cap of $6 billion and we expect it to generate $2 billion of EBITDA in ‘13e, making online less of a driver.”
The question remains whether online gambling will keep bringing in solid returns. The industry is feeling some of the pinch in Europe as punters struggle to make normal financial needs leaving gambling on the internet to the stock brokers. There have been many speculators who see the declining sums of money being spent on punting as assign that the bubble may be about to burst, and there are others who say when things are tough people play gambling games to escape.
Morgan Stanley Estimates Online Gambling Surge
The firm estimates a $9.3 billion online market in 2020 a substantial increase over what Las Vegas brings in at $6.2 billion in 2012 and the sliding downward amount of $3 billion in Atlantic City. Morgan Stanley representatives said that “we believe our market estimates are conservative.” Boyd Gaming is considered one of the biggest stock plays presenting itself in the American online gambling potential.
The analysis on the subject about Boyd Gaming read, “We view BYD as best positioned stock in our US coverage to benefit from the US online gaming opportunity given its positioning and relative size. BYD currently has a $710 million market cap, is 7x levered, and we expect it to generate $634 million of 2013 EBITDA. The other well positioned operator in our coverage for online is MGM Resorts International (MGM) but it has a market cap of $6 billion and we expect it to generate $2 billion of EBITDA in ‘13e, making online less of a driver.”
The question remains whether online gambling will keep bringing in solid returns. The industry is feeling some of the pinch in Europe as punters struggle to make normal financial needs leaving gambling on the internet to the stock brokers. There have been many speculators who see the declining sums of money being spent on punting as assign that the bubble may be about to burst, and there are others who say when things are tough people play gambling games to escape.
Morgan Stanley Estimates Online Gambling Surge
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Security online is a priority for all respected and regulated online gambling operators. Technical advances in identification verification and location determination among other aspects is creating a much more usable internet. Banking and other business are always on the lookout for the latest new means of keeping account holders money safe and e-wallets secure against hackers. Facebanx a startup company in the U.K. revealed to the world its facial recognition technology designed to handle security issues for internet banking, insurance companies, and online gambling operators.
The consumer must participate by submitting a short live video recording when signing up for a new account using any of a variety of devises. A new video of the person is required each time there is an upgrade to already established accounts. The Facebanx database will enable service providers to double check on the account holders true identity after careful analysis of the video provided. The CEO of Facebanx, Matthew Silverstone, commented on the release of the technology, “Our product has been specifically designed for the online payments industry and provides a unique solution for processors to share data to combat multiple acts of fraud. We are currently in discussions with a number of processing companies, banks and merchants as well as the insurance industry about adding our software to their CRM.”
This idea is going a long way with casinos which have self exclusion programs such as some casinos in Canada which photo scans everyone entering the premises and matches the images to self excluded gamblers. New Zealand is considering the idea for its video slot machines which could be shut down using this face recognition tech. Online the tech takes on another level that this software will address. ID theft and compromised accounts create big losses for insurance firms and many other internet focused businesses.
Online Gambling Welcomes Face Recognition Technology
The consumer must participate by submitting a short live video recording when signing up for a new account using any of a variety of devises. A new video of the person is required each time there is an upgrade to already established accounts. The Facebanx database will enable service providers to double check on the account holders true identity after careful analysis of the video provided. The CEO of Facebanx, Matthew Silverstone, commented on the release of the technology, “Our product has been specifically designed for the online payments industry and provides a unique solution for processors to share data to combat multiple acts of fraud. We are currently in discussions with a number of processing companies, banks and merchants as well as the insurance industry about adding our software to their CRM.”
This idea is going a long way with casinos which have self exclusion programs such as some casinos in Canada which photo scans everyone entering the premises and matches the images to self excluded gamblers. New Zealand is considering the idea for its video slot machines which could be shut down using this face recognition tech. Online the tech takes on another level that this software will address. ID theft and compromised accounts create big losses for insurance firms and many other internet focused businesses.
Online Gambling Welcomes Face Recognition Technology
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Facebook is beefing up its interest pages, giving the social network a better way to surface recommendations and offering advertisers a better way to target users.
The company today announced its partnership with Rovi Corp., a metadata company that will fill out the social network's already existing entertainment interest pages -- those pages you "like" if you are a fan -- and create new ones.
Metadata is a set of data that describes other data, allowing companies to easily organize or search the data. Facebook will make some of this data available to its third-party developers, which means entertainment apps can use the information as well.
This is the standardization of user-created pages, according to Kevin Wyatt, director of business development at Rovi. It's a way to make sure all the information on pages are supported by original sources, not just Wikipeida or IMDb, he explained.
"When you are talking about the social Internet, I think the greatest challenge you have is taking user-created content that is unstructured," Wyatt said.
Simply put, adding this type of structure helps Facebook connect the dots on its data more easily. Rovi is providing data for about roughly 5 million productions. The data includes descriptive components, like related images, plots, celebrities, synopsis, genres, moods, and scene details, according to Wyatt. The company also has data on games, but Facebook didn't add that data to its licensing agreement.
Hundreds of other big names use Rovi's metadata. This includes powering Comcast's program guide, creating catalogs for Samsung's smart TVs, or providing information for sites, like AOL.
In addition to having consistent information, companies can use the data for other purposes, Wyatt said. Companies can use it to help advertisers better target potential customers. While Facebook won't comment on this aspect of Rovi's data, advertisers could technically use the data to know which products users will likely have interest in based on previous likes.
For example, an advertiser could use Rovi data to tell which customers may like a certain Batman movie based on whether they've liked other superhero movies with the same production style, even if they've never liked a Batman page. Facebook could use this same technique to offer movie or show recommendations to users.
Rovi's data also reveals more than what movies people like to watch. Wyatt said Rovi has DVD data on a range of hobbies including fitness, bass fishing, and music.
Facebook wouldn't say specifically what it will use the data for, other than to bulk up its content. Ime Archibong, Facebook's manager of strategic partnerships, said as much in a press release:
We see the social interaction with movies, TV shows and video entertainment growing immensely over the next couple of years. With this in mind, we've sought Rovi as a valuable source for TV and movie information to help provide the backdrop that we need to enable developers to create a connected experience for consumers in their apps and services.
But users won't just have more content to look at. This could be a boost for Facebook's Graph Search, now in its infancy. Rovi's data gives Graph Search a chance to sift through more content and, possibly, fine-tune its results.
The company today announced its partnership with Rovi Corp., a metadata company that will fill out the social network's already existing entertainment interest pages -- those pages you "like" if you are a fan -- and create new ones.
Metadata is a set of data that describes other data, allowing companies to easily organize or search the data. Facebook will make some of this data available to its third-party developers, which means entertainment apps can use the information as well.
This is the standardization of user-created pages, according to Kevin Wyatt, director of business development at Rovi. It's a way to make sure all the information on pages are supported by original sources, not just Wikipeida or IMDb, he explained.
"When you are talking about the social Internet, I think the greatest challenge you have is taking user-created content that is unstructured," Wyatt said.
Simply put, adding this type of structure helps Facebook connect the dots on its data more easily. Rovi is providing data for about roughly 5 million productions. The data includes descriptive components, like related images, plots, celebrities, synopsis, genres, moods, and scene details, according to Wyatt. The company also has data on games, but Facebook didn't add that data to its licensing agreement.
Hundreds of other big names use Rovi's metadata. This includes powering Comcast's program guide, creating catalogs for Samsung's smart TVs, or providing information for sites, like AOL.
In addition to having consistent information, companies can use the data for other purposes, Wyatt said. Companies can use it to help advertisers better target potential customers. While Facebook won't comment on this aspect of Rovi's data, advertisers could technically use the data to know which products users will likely have interest in based on previous likes.
For example, an advertiser could use Rovi data to tell which customers may like a certain Batman movie based on whether they've liked other superhero movies with the same production style, even if they've never liked a Batman page. Facebook could use this same technique to offer movie or show recommendations to users.
Rovi's data also reveals more than what movies people like to watch. Wyatt said Rovi has DVD data on a range of hobbies including fitness, bass fishing, and music.
Facebook wouldn't say specifically what it will use the data for, other than to bulk up its content. Ime Archibong, Facebook's manager of strategic partnerships, said as much in a press release:
We see the social interaction with movies, TV shows and video entertainment growing immensely over the next couple of years. With this in mind, we've sought Rovi as a valuable source for TV and movie information to help provide the backdrop that we need to enable developers to create a connected experience for consumers in their apps and services.
But users won't just have more content to look at. This could be a boost for Facebook's Graph Search, now in its infancy. Rovi's data gives Graph Search a chance to sift through more content and, possibly, fine-tune its results.
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PokerStars made a strong play at getting a license for eventual New Jersey online poker, and now so has Caesars Entertainment Corp., according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Caesars, owner and operator of the World Series of Poker which takes place every year during the summer is Las Vegas, has applied for a New Jersey casino license that would eventually allow it to offer online gaming. The company is already licensed by the state of Nevada, but hasn’t yet begun its online business there. Caesars is headquartered in the Silver State, but also has properties elsewhere.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie legalized online gambling in February after a long struggle with state lawmakers to get the bill just right.
The two companies have sort of squared off already, as the American Gaming Association, which represents the commercial casino industry, filed a motion to try to block PokerStars from purchasing a casino.
Another company expected to be in the New Jersey equation is MGM Resorts International.
So far, only three states have legalized online gaming. Those include Nevada and New Jersey, and also Delaware. Online poker is not legal on a nationwide level.
Caesars Makes Move For New Jersey Internet Gaming
Caesars, owner and operator of the World Series of Poker which takes place every year during the summer is Las Vegas, has applied for a New Jersey casino license that would eventually allow it to offer online gaming. The company is already licensed by the state of Nevada, but hasn’t yet begun its online business there. Caesars is headquartered in the Silver State, but also has properties elsewhere.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie legalized online gambling in February after a long struggle with state lawmakers to get the bill just right.
The two companies have sort of squared off already, as the American Gaming Association, which represents the commercial casino industry, filed a motion to try to block PokerStars from purchasing a casino.
Another company expected to be in the New Jersey equation is MGM Resorts International.
So far, only three states have legalized online gaming. Those include Nevada and New Jersey, and also Delaware. Online poker is not legal on a nationwide level.
Caesars Makes Move For New Jersey Internet Gaming
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While the U.S. gambling states of Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have yet to come up with regulations before online casino gambling becomes a reality in their regions, the focus of online casinos in UK and other European countries is augmented reality. The objective of which, is to make their online casino games look more real. The online gambling industry in these parts of the globe albeit touted as highly lucrative, has the highest level of competition, in view of its technology-based orientation.
Recently, major online casino brands such as Mr. Green and Crazy Vegas Casino entered into agreements with live dealer platform developers, as a way of stepping up with their casino game offerings. UK’s Crazy Vegas Casino collaborates with Playboy Live Dealers, to add real-life attractive female casino dealers in skimpy Playboy costumes, as a way to enhance player experience in their blackjack, roulette and baccarat games. Sweden-based Mr. Green, on the other hand selected Evolution Gaming to add English-speaking dealers with Swedish-versions, to the site’s casino table games.
Live casino dealers is not new to the large gambling operators such as 888 Holdings, Unibet, PartyGaming and Victor Chandler, since they were among the firsts to adopt the live dealer technology, when it was launched by Evolution Gaming in 2006. Augmented reality remains as the current trend in gaming and entertainment, which the less-publicized online casino sites have to keep pace with if they aim to survive the tough competition.
Stepping Up Online Casino Games by Adding Live Dealer Technology : ADI News
Recently, major online casino brands such as Mr. Green and Crazy Vegas Casino entered into agreements with live dealer platform developers, as a way of stepping up with their casino game offerings. UK’s Crazy Vegas Casino collaborates with Playboy Live Dealers, to add real-life attractive female casino dealers in skimpy Playboy costumes, as a way to enhance player experience in their blackjack, roulette and baccarat games. Sweden-based Mr. Green, on the other hand selected Evolution Gaming to add English-speaking dealers with Swedish-versions, to the site’s casino table games.
Live casino dealers is not new to the large gambling operators such as 888 Holdings, Unibet, PartyGaming and Victor Chandler, since they were among the firsts to adopt the live dealer technology, when it was launched by Evolution Gaming in 2006. Augmented reality remains as the current trend in gaming and entertainment, which the less-publicized online casino sites have to keep pace with if they aim to survive the tough competition.
Stepping Up Online Casino Games by Adding Live Dealer Technology : ADI News
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The online gambling law revisions in the United Kingdom were presented to the European Commission for approval and the Commission has not objected so the proposed changes are set to go. The new law requires even offshore online gambling operators to pay taxes to the government and have been considered in line with current European Commission rules regarding gambling services.
Despite objections from Malta another E.U. member the mandatory wait period imposed by the E.C. has passed without any response from the Commission thus allowing the new proposed laws to take effect. Controversy erupted over the new tax laws that will require all offshore online gambling companies to apply for a U.K. license and pay taxes in the U.K. The complaints pointed to the illegality of the new laws stating that member states should be able to freely offer their online gambling services to all other member state markets without hindrance.
The government in the United Kingdom proposed the changes in order to protect local operators thus creating a less than level playing field for offshore operators. The new laws offer licenses to those wanting to offer internet wagering services in the U.K. jurisdiction which has had a regulatory platform in place for a number of years.
The government argued that regulations are inferior in other parts of the E.U and with the new law in place the punter will be better protected against fraud and corruption. It was revealed recently that the new system will be implemented sometime next year giving firms a time period to adjust and apply for proper licenses. It is most probable the tax of 15 % on gross profits will be kept in place even though a recent recommendation from the Treasury suggested the tax come down to encourage more operators to comply. Some critics argue that the imposition of the new laws will see a reduction in revenues from legal operators.
E.C. Will Allow U.K. Online Gambling Law Changes
Despite objections from Malta another E.U. member the mandatory wait period imposed by the E.C. has passed without any response from the Commission thus allowing the new proposed laws to take effect. Controversy erupted over the new tax laws that will require all offshore online gambling companies to apply for a U.K. license and pay taxes in the U.K. The complaints pointed to the illegality of the new laws stating that member states should be able to freely offer their online gambling services to all other member state markets without hindrance.
The government in the United Kingdom proposed the changes in order to protect local operators thus creating a less than level playing field for offshore operators. The new laws offer licenses to those wanting to offer internet wagering services in the U.K. jurisdiction which has had a regulatory platform in place for a number of years.
The government argued that regulations are inferior in other parts of the E.U and with the new law in place the punter will be better protected against fraud and corruption. It was revealed recently that the new system will be implemented sometime next year giving firms a time period to adjust and apply for proper licenses. It is most probable the tax of 15 % on gross profits will be kept in place even though a recent recommendation from the Treasury suggested the tax come down to encourage more operators to comply. Some critics argue that the imposition of the new laws will see a reduction in revenues from legal operators.
E.C. Will Allow U.K. Online Gambling Law Changes
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A man from Johannesburg is taking legal action against the National Gambling Board to try and get back money he spent on online gambling. Online gambling is illegal in South Africa, but the man who won R60,000 on a UK betting site is trying to claim back the R20,000 he had spent.
The chief executive officer of the National Gambling Board, Baby Tyawa, said “any form of unlicensed online gambling in South Africa is prohibited and is a criminal offence. Those found to be contravening the act face imprisonment or a heft fine.”
Tyawa said that he board has received a letter from the gambler’s lawyers demanding that he receive his money. According to Tyawa the man’s winnings have been placed in a trust account. The account is controlled by the National Treasury and has around R3.5 million which has been forfeited by other illegal online gamblers.
Tyawa did say that many South Africans were unaware that online gambling was illegal, however, he reiterated that gamblers could be fined R10,000 or go to prison.
South Africa’s gambling board works with all major banks and the UK Gambling Commission to monitor online gambling taking place in the country.
The chief executive officer of the National Gambling Board, Baby Tyawa, said “any form of unlicensed online gambling in South Africa is prohibited and is a criminal offence. Those found to be contravening the act face imprisonment or a heft fine.”
Tyawa said that he board has received a letter from the gambler’s lawyers demanding that he receive his money. According to Tyawa the man’s winnings have been placed in a trust account. The account is controlled by the National Treasury and has around R3.5 million which has been forfeited by other illegal online gamblers.
Tyawa did say that many South Africans were unaware that online gambling was illegal, however, he reiterated that gamblers could be fined R10,000 or go to prison.
South Africa’s gambling board works with all major banks and the UK Gambling Commission to monitor online gambling taking place in the country.
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2006/12/07
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UK-based Probability Plc, a maker of gambling games for mobile phones, is in advanced talks with potential U.S. partners to break into the American online gaming market as several states relax betting restrictions.
The legalization of online gambling in New Jersey this year, following similar legislation by Nevada and Delaware last year is expected to persuade other states to change their laws.
"Within a couple of years, half the population of the United States will live either in a state or very close to somewhere they can gamble for real money through their mobile phone or desktop," Probability Chief Executive Charles Cohen told Reuters in an interview.
New Jersey, the largest of the states to have legalized online gambling, and Delaware have approved online gambling within their state borders. Nevada is the only state to allow interstate online gambling.
The U.S. government banned online gambling in 2006, but the Department of Justice clarified its stance in late 2011, paving the way for states to unilaterally legalize some forms of online gambling.
The global online gambling market, valued at 21.73 billion euros ($28.43 billion) in 2012, is forecast to grow almost 30 percent over the next three years, according to gambling research group H2 Gambling Capital.(r-reuters-com/xum47t)
"We are getting a lot of interest from U.S. companies," said Cohen, an Oxford University graduate and former speechwriter for a UK member of parliament who co-founded Probability in 2004.
He did not identify the companies involved.
Probability's European partners include Paddy Power Plc and William Hill Plc. Probability, which designs, distributes and operates mobile betting games, also plans to enter Sweden, Denmark, France and Spain, Cohen said.
"I would hope to get into at least one other territory during this year, if not two," he said.
In the United States, casino owners MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment Corp are getting closer to making their own online offerings in partnership with PartyGaming owner Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Plc and 888 Holdings Plc, respectively.
888, which won the first ever U.S. license to be awarded to an internet betting firm, could itself launch an online gaming offering in Nevada as soon as May, a source close to the situation told Reuters on last month.
MOBILE GAMBLING BOOM
Mobile gambling is expected to grow rapidly as the smartphone boom attracts more gamers who do not often use desktops and play games on the move.
Zynga Inc and Facebook Inc are also looking to tap the online gambling market through partnerships. Zynga launched its real money games in Britain this month, while Facebook has said it will allow users in the UK to wager real money on its site.
Probability, which went public in 2006 and has a market value of about 22 million pounds ($34 million), gets more than three quarters of its revenue from smartphones, half of which comes from users of Apple Inc's iPhone.
However, Cohen expects Apple to account for only 30 percent of revenue within a year or so as more people buy phones using Google Inc's Android operating system.
"I think that desktop is dead as a platform for real money gaming ... and consumers are frankly voting with their feet already," Cohen said.
Mobile will likely account for about 60 percent of the total online gambling market in Europe in 3-5 years, he said.
H2 Gambling Capital valued the global mobile gambling market at 3.4 billion euros ($4.43 billion) last year, or about 15 percent of the total online gambling market.
Cohen said Probability could consider partnering with a social gaming website, although it has no plans to do so for now.
"We ourselves don't want to go into the social gaming business because it's a very different business to real-money gaming ... we would look at it through partnerships," he said.
Probability had its first-ever quarterly profit in the three months ended March 31. ($1 = 0.7668 euros) ($1 = 0.6540 British pounds)
The legalization of online gambling in New Jersey this year, following similar legislation by Nevada and Delaware last year is expected to persuade other states to change their laws.
"Within a couple of years, half the population of the United States will live either in a state or very close to somewhere they can gamble for real money through their mobile phone or desktop," Probability Chief Executive Charles Cohen told Reuters in an interview.
New Jersey, the largest of the states to have legalized online gambling, and Delaware have approved online gambling within their state borders. Nevada is the only state to allow interstate online gambling.
The U.S. government banned online gambling in 2006, but the Department of Justice clarified its stance in late 2011, paving the way for states to unilaterally legalize some forms of online gambling.
The global online gambling market, valued at 21.73 billion euros ($28.43 billion) in 2012, is forecast to grow almost 30 percent over the next three years, according to gambling research group H2 Gambling Capital.(r-reuters-com/xum47t)
"We are getting a lot of interest from U.S. companies," said Cohen, an Oxford University graduate and former speechwriter for a UK member of parliament who co-founded Probability in 2004.
He did not identify the companies involved.
Probability's European partners include Paddy Power Plc and William Hill Plc. Probability, which designs, distributes and operates mobile betting games, also plans to enter Sweden, Denmark, France and Spain, Cohen said.
"I would hope to get into at least one other territory during this year, if not two," he said.
In the United States, casino owners MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment Corp are getting closer to making their own online offerings in partnership with PartyGaming owner Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Plc and 888 Holdings Plc, respectively.
888, which won the first ever U.S. license to be awarded to an internet betting firm, could itself launch an online gaming offering in Nevada as soon as May, a source close to the situation told Reuters on last month.
MOBILE GAMBLING BOOM
Mobile gambling is expected to grow rapidly as the smartphone boom attracts more gamers who do not often use desktops and play games on the move.
Zynga Inc and Facebook Inc are also looking to tap the online gambling market through partnerships. Zynga launched its real money games in Britain this month, while Facebook has said it will allow users in the UK to wager real money on its site.
Probability, which went public in 2006 and has a market value of about 22 million pounds ($34 million), gets more than three quarters of its revenue from smartphones, half of which comes from users of Apple Inc's iPhone.
However, Cohen expects Apple to account for only 30 percent of revenue within a year or so as more people buy phones using Google Inc's Android operating system.
"I think that desktop is dead as a platform for real money gaming ... and consumers are frankly voting with their feet already," Cohen said.
Mobile will likely account for about 60 percent of the total online gambling market in Europe in 3-5 years, he said.
H2 Gambling Capital valued the global mobile gambling market at 3.4 billion euros ($4.43 billion) last year, or about 15 percent of the total online gambling market.
Cohen said Probability could consider partnering with a social gaming website, although it has no plans to do so for now.
"We ourselves don't want to go into the social gaming business because it's a very different business to real-money gaming ... we would look at it through partnerships," he said.
Probability had its first-ever quarterly profit in the three months ended March 31. ($1 = 0.7668 euros) ($1 = 0.6540 British pounds)
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Analysts at well-known online gaming news site 4Flush-com are taking an in-depth look into the many recent developments affecting the legal position of online poker and other online gambling games in the United States. Now armed with a positive shift in public support for internet gaming, combined with legislative wins in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey, it truly seems that there may be a glimmer of hope for internet gambling's future across all 50 states.
ARIZONA, UNITED STATES--(Marketwired - April 18, 2013) - As many online gamblers recall, UIGEA, also known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, effectively killed most forms of internet gaming and poker in the United States. While some poker sites stuck around even after the ban was put into law, most of today's popular poker sites closed up shop to Americans immediately, with payment processors like Neteller also getting the boot (along with a $100 million+ fine).
The Senators behind UIGEA, Jon Kyl of Arizona and Bill Frist of Tennessee, attached the controversial provision to the SAFE Act, a port security bill that was signed into law after the 2006 elections had adjourned. While the bill crushed thousands of poker players who either played the game recreationally or professionally at the time, there would be renewed hope on the horizon in the years to come.
In 2012, the public opinion of [now former] Senator Jon Kyl had begun to soften in regards to online poker. When it came about that he and Nevada Senator Harry Reid had begun working on a bill that would have at least allowed for legalized online poker at a federal level, USA players felt it was a positive step forward for the game they loved. While that bill would eventually die, it served purpose as other state government officials began drafting up their own plans to regulate internet gaming at an intrastate level.
In a span of just a few months, 4Flush-com has reported that Delaware, New Jersey and Nevada have since seen legislation passed that now allows legalized online gaming within their respective state lines.
Nevada Issues Interactive Gaming Licenses
In March 2013, Nevada became the first state in the U.S. to issue an interactive gaming license when it made the decision to grant one to 888 Holdings, the brand behind 888 Poker. In addition to the license issued to 888, the State of Nevada also issued an interactive gaming license to Treasure Island, a popular Vegas casino located in the heart of the Strip. It is expected that these companies should have their online poker clients ready for launch some time in 2013.
Each of these two companies paid an initial fee of $500,000.00 to receive their license, and will continue to invest in the state of Nevada by not only paying income taxes, but by renewing their licenses to the tune of $250,000 annually. In lieu of companies like William Hill already getting the go-ahead to open up online sports betting options within the state, there will most likely be at least a dozen more companies that will attain similar licenses over the next year.
Delaware and New Jersey Also Legalize Online Gambling
Though they have yet to issue any online gaming-related licenses as of yet, both Delaware and New Jersey have made big headlines in the past few months with the recent passages of online gambling laws in their respective states.
Delaware made history as the first state to officially legalize online gambling when Governor Jack Markell approved legislation that will allow full-service betting websites to apply for state licenses in Delaware.
Aforementioned Nevada licensee 888 Holdings is among over a dozen applicants that have already applied for a Delaware gambling license. The Rational Group, the parent company to online poker giants PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, is also in the running to get their own license in the state as well.
Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey also signed online gambling into state law recently, citing that New Jersey should earn back hundreds of millions of dollars in added internet gaming revenue over the next decade alone.
Illinois Senators Continue Battle over Online Gaming Expansion
While all seems well in the way of progress in the three states that have already passed online gaming legislation, the war still wages on in Illinois. Thus far it's been one step forward, and another step back for the regulation of casinos, along with other forms of gambling in Illinois. The issue now seems to involve the question of whom exactly should regulate any new casino, should the state opt to allow the one to be built.
A bill currently in legislation in Illinois put forth by State Senator Terry Link not only covers the addition of slot machines throughout the state of Illinois, but includes language that would legalize online casinos as well, so long as participants were of legal age and the gambling companies were legally licensed in the state.
Attaining an online gaming license would also cost companies $20 million, which would be considered an advance payment on wagering taxes that would be levied.
4Flush-com Analyzes Online Gaming's Future in the United States
ARIZONA, UNITED STATES--(Marketwired - April 18, 2013) - As many online gamblers recall, UIGEA, also known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, effectively killed most forms of internet gaming and poker in the United States. While some poker sites stuck around even after the ban was put into law, most of today's popular poker sites closed up shop to Americans immediately, with payment processors like Neteller also getting the boot (along with a $100 million+ fine).
The Senators behind UIGEA, Jon Kyl of Arizona and Bill Frist of Tennessee, attached the controversial provision to the SAFE Act, a port security bill that was signed into law after the 2006 elections had adjourned. While the bill crushed thousands of poker players who either played the game recreationally or professionally at the time, there would be renewed hope on the horizon in the years to come.
In 2012, the public opinion of [now former] Senator Jon Kyl had begun to soften in regards to online poker. When it came about that he and Nevada Senator Harry Reid had begun working on a bill that would have at least allowed for legalized online poker at a federal level, USA players felt it was a positive step forward for the game they loved. While that bill would eventually die, it served purpose as other state government officials began drafting up their own plans to regulate internet gaming at an intrastate level.
In a span of just a few months, 4Flush-com has reported that Delaware, New Jersey and Nevada have since seen legislation passed that now allows legalized online gaming within their respective state lines.
Nevada Issues Interactive Gaming Licenses
In March 2013, Nevada became the first state in the U.S. to issue an interactive gaming license when it made the decision to grant one to 888 Holdings, the brand behind 888 Poker. In addition to the license issued to 888, the State of Nevada also issued an interactive gaming license to Treasure Island, a popular Vegas casino located in the heart of the Strip. It is expected that these companies should have their online poker clients ready for launch some time in 2013.
Each of these two companies paid an initial fee of $500,000.00 to receive their license, and will continue to invest in the state of Nevada by not only paying income taxes, but by renewing their licenses to the tune of $250,000 annually. In lieu of companies like William Hill already getting the go-ahead to open up online sports betting options within the state, there will most likely be at least a dozen more companies that will attain similar licenses over the next year.
Delaware and New Jersey Also Legalize Online Gambling
Though they have yet to issue any online gaming-related licenses as of yet, both Delaware and New Jersey have made big headlines in the past few months with the recent passages of online gambling laws in their respective states.
Delaware made history as the first state to officially legalize online gambling when Governor Jack Markell approved legislation that will allow full-service betting websites to apply for state licenses in Delaware.
Aforementioned Nevada licensee 888 Holdings is among over a dozen applicants that have already applied for a Delaware gambling license. The Rational Group, the parent company to online poker giants PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, is also in the running to get their own license in the state as well.
Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey also signed online gambling into state law recently, citing that New Jersey should earn back hundreds of millions of dollars in added internet gaming revenue over the next decade alone.
Illinois Senators Continue Battle over Online Gaming Expansion
While all seems well in the way of progress in the three states that have already passed online gaming legislation, the war still wages on in Illinois. Thus far it's been one step forward, and another step back for the regulation of casinos, along with other forms of gambling in Illinois. The issue now seems to involve the question of whom exactly should regulate any new casino, should the state opt to allow the one to be built.
A bill currently in legislation in Illinois put forth by State Senator Terry Link not only covers the addition of slot machines throughout the state of Illinois, but includes language that would legalize online casinos as well, so long as participants were of legal age and the gambling companies were legally licensed in the state.
Attaining an online gaming license would also cost companies $20 million, which would be considered an advance payment on wagering taxes that would be levied.
4Flush-com Analyzes Online Gaming's Future in the United States
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2006/12/07
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The legalization and effect of Internet gambling brings a myriad of legal, regulatory and operational questions. Six nationally recognized industry experts will address these questions at the 17th annual East Coast Gaming Congress & Hospitality Forum, May 21-22 at the historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Lynn Levin Kaufman, Partner, Cooper Levenson, Attorneys at Law, a co-organizer and co-producer of the event, will moderate the panel, "The Future is Now: Internet Gambling." The session is co-sponsored by GTECH-G2 and KGM Gaming, and featured panelists are:
Lee Amaitis, President & Chief Executive Officer, Cantor Gaming
E. Eugene Johnson, Senior Vice President, Spectrum Gaming Group
Jon Porter, Former Representative, United States Congress
William Pascrell, III, Member, Princeton Public Affairs Group
Gil White, Partner, Herzog Fox & Neeman
William Scott, Vice President of Interactive Business Development, GTECH-G2
More than 600 gaming operators, equipment manufacturers, regulators, attorneys, architects, analysts, public officials, investors and other gaming-related professionals are attending the East Coast Gaming Congress. The full conference schedule and registration are available at The 17TH ANNUAL EAST COAST GAMING CONGRESS | Casino & Hospitality Leaders and YOU | Boardwalk Hall | May 21-22, 2013. Early-bird registration savings will be honored until advance registration is closed on the afternoon of Thursday, May 9.
Taking place at Atlantic City's historic Boardwalk Hall, the East Coast Gaming Congress will provide attendees with valuable insight and education by those most knowledgeable about this evolving industry -- as well as outstanding opportunities for networking, professional development and business-to-business discussions.
Once again co-located with the Atlantic City Hospitality Trade Show, the event consists of a day and a half of in-depth conference sessions and presentations, and two full days of exhibits. Day One culminates with the always well-attended Welcome Reception, taking place at the Diamond Club at Bally's Atlantic City, offering a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean, and sponsored by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.
The conference program also will include eight individual presentations from top industry CEO's, as well as a regional panel covering the competitive challenges and outlook in the Mid-Atlantic region, and the always-popular Wall Street panel featuring the industry's leading Wall Street analysts.
The East Coast Gaming Congress is organized and produced by Spectrum Gaming Group, an independent research and regulatory consulting firm, Cooper Levenson, Attorneys at Law, and SOSH Architects. For more information and to register, visit The 17TH ANNUAL EAST COAST GAMING CONGRESS | Casino & Hospitality Leaders and YOU | Boardwalk Hall | May 21-22, 2013. For sponsorship information, contact Donna Vecere at [email]dvecere@cooperlevenson-com[/email] or Allison McCoy at [email]amccoy@spectrumgaming-com[/email].
Lynn Levin Kaufman, Partner, Cooper Levenson, Attorneys at Law, a co-organizer and co-producer of the event, will moderate the panel, "The Future is Now: Internet Gambling." The session is co-sponsored by GTECH-G2 and KGM Gaming, and featured panelists are:
Lee Amaitis, President & Chief Executive Officer, Cantor Gaming
E. Eugene Johnson, Senior Vice President, Spectrum Gaming Group
Jon Porter, Former Representative, United States Congress
William Pascrell, III, Member, Princeton Public Affairs Group
Gil White, Partner, Herzog Fox & Neeman
William Scott, Vice President of Interactive Business Development, GTECH-G2
More than 600 gaming operators, equipment manufacturers, regulators, attorneys, architects, analysts, public officials, investors and other gaming-related professionals are attending the East Coast Gaming Congress. The full conference schedule and registration are available at The 17TH ANNUAL EAST COAST GAMING CONGRESS | Casino & Hospitality Leaders and YOU | Boardwalk Hall | May 21-22, 2013. Early-bird registration savings will be honored until advance registration is closed on the afternoon of Thursday, May 9.
Taking place at Atlantic City's historic Boardwalk Hall, the East Coast Gaming Congress will provide attendees with valuable insight and education by those most knowledgeable about this evolving industry -- as well as outstanding opportunities for networking, professional development and business-to-business discussions.
Once again co-located with the Atlantic City Hospitality Trade Show, the event consists of a day and a half of in-depth conference sessions and presentations, and two full days of exhibits. Day One culminates with the always well-attended Welcome Reception, taking place at the Diamond Club at Bally's Atlantic City, offering a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean, and sponsored by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.
The conference program also will include eight individual presentations from top industry CEO's, as well as a regional panel covering the competitive challenges and outlook in the Mid-Atlantic region, and the always-popular Wall Street panel featuring the industry's leading Wall Street analysts.
The East Coast Gaming Congress is organized and produced by Spectrum Gaming Group, an independent research and regulatory consulting firm, Cooper Levenson, Attorneys at Law, and SOSH Architects. For more information and to register, visit The 17TH ANNUAL EAST COAST GAMING CONGRESS | Casino & Hospitality Leaders and YOU | Boardwalk Hall | May 21-22, 2013. For sponsorship information, contact Donna Vecere at [email]dvecere@cooperlevenson-com[/email] or Allison McCoy at [email]amccoy@spectrumgaming-com[/email].
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2006/12/07
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City officials today told the man and woman who want to open a Downtown strip club that the Downtown Commission doesn’t have the authority to consider the proposal.
At the same time, the city is retooling its Downtown District code and guidelines to specifically prohibit adult entertainment establishment and stores.
“By adding additional language, we’re kind of closing the door on the issue,” said Vince Papsidero, the city’s planning administrator.
Earlier this month, Charles Fischer and Tiffany Ranalli went to the Downtown Commission for a certificate of appropriateness to open a “gentlemen’s club” at the site of a former gay bar at 205 N. 5th Street, just north of Spring Street.
The commission tabled the proposal to consult with city lawyers.
“This has never come up before,” Commission Chairman Stephen Wittmann said today.
Papsidero sent a letter to Fischer and Ranalli yesterday that said the City Attorney’s office determined that changes made to city code in 2003 allows adult entertainment establishment only in areas specifically zoned for manufacturing.
“The Downtown District was never included as part of that available acreage,” Assistant City Attorney Josh Cox said.
Papsidero said the current Downtown District code neither prohibits nor allows adult entertainment.
“It’s a kind of foggy area to say why we can’t of it,” Fischer said. “I kind of feel like it isn’t really a fair deal.”
In the meantime, the city is holding an open house at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the conference room at 109 N. Front St. to present the proposed changes to the Downtown District code and guidelines. The public review period ends May 31.
The district and the code governing it were established in 1997. The code has not been updated since then. Columbus City Council must approve any changes.
At the same time, the city is retooling its Downtown District code and guidelines to specifically prohibit adult entertainment establishment and stores.
“By adding additional language, we’re kind of closing the door on the issue,” said Vince Papsidero, the city’s planning administrator.
Earlier this month, Charles Fischer and Tiffany Ranalli went to the Downtown Commission for a certificate of appropriateness to open a “gentlemen’s club” at the site of a former gay bar at 205 N. 5th Street, just north of Spring Street.
The commission tabled the proposal to consult with city lawyers.
“This has never come up before,” Commission Chairman Stephen Wittmann said today.
Papsidero sent a letter to Fischer and Ranalli yesterday that said the City Attorney’s office determined that changes made to city code in 2003 allows adult entertainment establishment only in areas specifically zoned for manufacturing.
“The Downtown District was never included as part of that available acreage,” Assistant City Attorney Josh Cox said.
Papsidero said the current Downtown District code neither prohibits nor allows adult entertainment.
“It’s a kind of foggy area to say why we can’t of it,” Fischer said. “I kind of feel like it isn’t really a fair deal.”
In the meantime, the city is holding an open house at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the conference room at 109 N. Front St. to present the proposed changes to the Downtown District code and guidelines. The public review period ends May 31.
The district and the code governing it were established in 1997. The code has not been updated since then. Columbus City Council must approve any changes.
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Despite skepticism from lawmakers and budget experts, the state treasurer is standing behind his estimate that Internet gambling could net Atlantic City casinos $1.2 billion during its first year of operation.
Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff said Wednesday in a letter sent to legislative budget chief David Rosen that the estimates were based on a report from a Wells Fargo analyst who projected New Jersey’s Internet gambling potential could grow to $1.5 billion over the next five years. “At a 15 percent tax rate, this would yield $225 million in revenue to the state,” Sidamon-Eristoff said in the letter.
Sidamon-Eristoff has told lawmakers that he estimates Internet gambling revenues to reach $1.2 billion and result in $180 million in tax revenues during the first fiscal year of implementation in Atlantic City. The fiscal year begins July 1.
Under the enacted Internet gambling law, the Division of Gaming Enforcement is to deliver and implement online gambling regulations some time between late May and late November. The Wells Fargo estimates did not take that reduced timetable into account, Sidamon-Eristoff said.
“Wells Fargo estimated an initial impact, which did not benefit from a specific knowledge of the final legislation or our ultimate plans governing how quickly we would be able to roll out a fully functional system.” he said. “We also feel that Wells Fargo’s analysis underestimated the level of excitement, novelty and publicity that such a rare opportunity would create.”
Nevada and Delaware are the only other states to legalize Internet gambling.
Dennis Farrell Jr., the Wells Fargo senior analyst who issued the estimates Sidamon-Eristoff cited, said it was possible Internet gambling could gross $1.2 billion in the first year, but that there were many unknowns, including when the regulations would be published and when companies are ready to go online.
“Maybe they have an aggressive timeline,” he said. “The sooner, the better.”
Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen, Passaic, who grilled Sidamon-Eristoff on the estimates during a budget committee hearing earlier this month and asked the treasurer for a follow-up response on how the estimates were developed, said he remained skeptical, but accepted Sidamon-Eristoff’s answer.
“I’m shocked we even got a response,” Sarlo said. “At least we got a response.”
A new set of estimates on the size of New Jersey’s online gambling potential issued this week by London-based GamblingData projected gross gambling revenues of $262 million in the first year, basing the forecast on data from the Italian market, saying that country was chosen because its tax rate also is 15 percent and that it shares other comparable factors.
New Jersey treasurer insists Internet gambling could net $1.2 billion - pressofAtlanticCity-com: Business
Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff said Wednesday in a letter sent to legislative budget chief David Rosen that the estimates were based on a report from a Wells Fargo analyst who projected New Jersey’s Internet gambling potential could grow to $1.5 billion over the next five years. “At a 15 percent tax rate, this would yield $225 million in revenue to the state,” Sidamon-Eristoff said in the letter.
Sidamon-Eristoff has told lawmakers that he estimates Internet gambling revenues to reach $1.2 billion and result in $180 million in tax revenues during the first fiscal year of implementation in Atlantic City. The fiscal year begins July 1.
Under the enacted Internet gambling law, the Division of Gaming Enforcement is to deliver and implement online gambling regulations some time between late May and late November. The Wells Fargo estimates did not take that reduced timetable into account, Sidamon-Eristoff said.
“Wells Fargo estimated an initial impact, which did not benefit from a specific knowledge of the final legislation or our ultimate plans governing how quickly we would be able to roll out a fully functional system.” he said. “We also feel that Wells Fargo’s analysis underestimated the level of excitement, novelty and publicity that such a rare opportunity would create.”
Nevada and Delaware are the only other states to legalize Internet gambling.
Dennis Farrell Jr., the Wells Fargo senior analyst who issued the estimates Sidamon-Eristoff cited, said it was possible Internet gambling could gross $1.2 billion in the first year, but that there were many unknowns, including when the regulations would be published and when companies are ready to go online.
“Maybe they have an aggressive timeline,” he said. “The sooner, the better.”
Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen, Passaic, who grilled Sidamon-Eristoff on the estimates during a budget committee hearing earlier this month and asked the treasurer for a follow-up response on how the estimates were developed, said he remained skeptical, but accepted Sidamon-Eristoff’s answer.
“I’m shocked we even got a response,” Sarlo said. “At least we got a response.”
A new set of estimates on the size of New Jersey’s online gambling potential issued this week by London-based GamblingData projected gross gambling revenues of $262 million in the first year, basing the forecast on data from the Italian market, saying that country was chosen because its tax rate also is 15 percent and that it shares other comparable factors.
New Jersey treasurer insists Internet gambling could net $1.2 billion - pressofAtlanticCity-com: Business
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2006/12/07
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The family behind Bet365 are close to becoming Britain’s first gambling billionaires, according to the Sunday Times Rich List which is published this weekend.
Online gamblers lost so much last year that Britain’s top ten internet betting magnates are each worth more than £100 million. Internet betting exchanges, virtual poker tables and web bingo have all proved lucrative.
Peter Coates, 75, his daughter Denise, 45, and son John, 43, have an estimated wealth of £925 million just 13 years after they founded Bet365. The company is thought to be worth about £800 million, with Stoke City, the Premier League football
Online gamblers lost so much last year that Britain’s top ten internet betting magnates are each worth more than £100 million. Internet betting exchanges, virtual poker tables and web bingo have all proved lucrative.
Peter Coates, 75, his daughter Denise, 45, and son John, 43, have an estimated wealth of £925 million just 13 years after they founded Bet365. The company is thought to be worth about £800 million, with Stoke City, the Premier League football
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2006/12/07
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In March, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Mashpee Wampanoag tribal chairman Cedric Cromwell signed a compact regarding a proposed casino in the southeastern region of the state. In 2011, Gov. Patrick signed a law permitting the state to license three “Las Vegas-style” casinos and a slots parlor. The law initially excluded commercial developers from constructing a casino in the southeastern region, allowing the Mashpee to build in Taunton.
Well, on Thursday, according to Boston-com, the state gambling commission voted unanimously to accept applications from commercial developers for casino licenses in the southeastern region. The Mashpee tribe called the decision “misguided,” though the application process doesn’t bar the tribe from continuing with its $500 million resort and casino.
Before building, however, the Mashpee tribe must have the selected land approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The five-member commission, which is overseeing the execution of the 2011 casino gambling law, said they had no other choice because of the difficulties facing the tribe. Stephen Crosby, the commission’s chair, stated prior to the vote that bidding was the best solution.
The Mashpee tribe insists that they are still on track to break ground within the next year
“If we proceed and the tribe succeeds on schedule, there is a substantial likelihood when we get there that we would go with the tribe,” said Crosby.
Fellow commissioner James McHugh added, “Doing a realistic bit of planning for what happens if the tribe is not successful is a reasonable thing to do.”
Cromwell warns that this decision could bring four casinos to the state, rather than the proposed three. He says the tribe will continue to pursue the Taunton proposal.
“At a time when we need to create thousands of jobs in every corner of the state and put people back to work, this is a major step backward,” Cromwell said in a statement.
If a privately developed casino is built in the southeastern region, the tribe will not be required to pay any revenue to the state.
KG Urban Enterprises a private company, has already expressed interest in building a casino in New Bedford. The company announced that they appreciate the commission’s decision.
New AGA CEO Talks Online Gaming
On Wednesday, the American Gaming Association nominated Geoff Freeman as the new president and CEO in Las Vegas. Freeman, formerly the COO of the U.S. Travel Association, will replace Frank Fahrenkopf in July.
One of Freeman’s priorities as the CEO of the AGA is to address online gaming.
“We’re going to have to determine if the industry can get on the same page,” he said.
Last year, Fahrenkopf called online gambling one of the biggest threats to the U.S. casino industry. In March, the AGA opposed PokerStars’ purchase of The Atlantic Club in Atlantic City, New Jersey, citing the online poker company’s “alleged use of deceit, trickery and other illegal tactics.”
The AGA also said PokerStars “operated as a criminal enterprise for many years” in the U.S.
On Wednesday, PokerNews confirmed that Caesars Interactive Entertainment Inc., which the AGA represents, is applying for an online gaming license in New Jersey.
Fahrenkopf will stay on as a consultant through at least the end of 2013.
Casinos are no longer just about gambling, Freeman says.
“Gaming is really taking on a broader image, and that’s the image of entertainment,” he said. “It includes restaurants, shows, hospitality, and lodging, and gaming.”
AGA board chairman and Bally Technologies Inc. chairman Richard Haddrill believes that the group will benefit from Freeman’s background in policy and extensive network of connections in Washington.
“[Freeman] has the skills to build coalitions and execute grass roots campaigns,” Haddrill said.
Freeman is a University of California, Berkley graduate, and has worked for the health insurance lobby. He will remain in Washington, but will spend time with casino executives.
“I’m going to be ears open to just about anything that anyone has to say,” Freeman said.
NJ-com has more.
Read more: Inside Gaming: Massachusetts Welcomes Bids, the AGA Elects a New CEO, and More | PokerNews
Well, on Thursday, according to Boston-com, the state gambling commission voted unanimously to accept applications from commercial developers for casino licenses in the southeastern region. The Mashpee tribe called the decision “misguided,” though the application process doesn’t bar the tribe from continuing with its $500 million resort and casino.
Before building, however, the Mashpee tribe must have the selected land approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The five-member commission, which is overseeing the execution of the 2011 casino gambling law, said they had no other choice because of the difficulties facing the tribe. Stephen Crosby, the commission’s chair, stated prior to the vote that bidding was the best solution.
The Mashpee tribe insists that they are still on track to break ground within the next year
“If we proceed and the tribe succeeds on schedule, there is a substantial likelihood when we get there that we would go with the tribe,” said Crosby.
Fellow commissioner James McHugh added, “Doing a realistic bit of planning for what happens if the tribe is not successful is a reasonable thing to do.”
Cromwell warns that this decision could bring four casinos to the state, rather than the proposed three. He says the tribe will continue to pursue the Taunton proposal.
“At a time when we need to create thousands of jobs in every corner of the state and put people back to work, this is a major step backward,” Cromwell said in a statement.
If a privately developed casino is built in the southeastern region, the tribe will not be required to pay any revenue to the state.
KG Urban Enterprises a private company, has already expressed interest in building a casino in New Bedford. The company announced that they appreciate the commission’s decision.
New AGA CEO Talks Online Gaming
On Wednesday, the American Gaming Association nominated Geoff Freeman as the new president and CEO in Las Vegas. Freeman, formerly the COO of the U.S. Travel Association, will replace Frank Fahrenkopf in July.
One of Freeman’s priorities as the CEO of the AGA is to address online gaming.
“We’re going to have to determine if the industry can get on the same page,” he said.
Last year, Fahrenkopf called online gambling one of the biggest threats to the U.S. casino industry. In March, the AGA opposed PokerStars’ purchase of The Atlantic Club in Atlantic City, New Jersey, citing the online poker company’s “alleged use of deceit, trickery and other illegal tactics.”
The AGA also said PokerStars “operated as a criminal enterprise for many years” in the U.S.
On Wednesday, PokerNews confirmed that Caesars Interactive Entertainment Inc., which the AGA represents, is applying for an online gaming license in New Jersey.
Fahrenkopf will stay on as a consultant through at least the end of 2013.
Casinos are no longer just about gambling, Freeman says.
“Gaming is really taking on a broader image, and that’s the image of entertainment,” he said. “It includes restaurants, shows, hospitality, and lodging, and gaming.”
AGA board chairman and Bally Technologies Inc. chairman Richard Haddrill believes that the group will benefit from Freeman’s background in policy and extensive network of connections in Washington.
“[Freeman] has the skills to build coalitions and execute grass roots campaigns,” Haddrill said.
Freeman is a University of California, Berkley graduate, and has worked for the health insurance lobby. He will remain in Washington, but will spend time with casino executives.
“I’m going to be ears open to just about anything that anyone has to say,” Freeman said.
NJ-com has more.
Read more: Inside Gaming: Massachusetts Welcomes Bids, the AGA Elects a New CEO, and More | PokerNews
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Glee has been renewed for two more seasons.
The musical/comedy show has been confirmed for seasons five and six after impressing Fox bosses with its ratings in its fourth season.
Fox president Kevin Reilly said: "Glee debuted as the first and only successful musical comedy series on television, and more than four years later, it continues to defy genres, break new ground and have a significant impact on popular culture.
Week in and week out, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan, Dante DiLoreto and the entire Glee team deliver a series that not only delights and surprises fans, but also inspires them to talk about, share, debate and engage with the show--and I'm absolutely thrilled to have them on board for another two seasons."
Twentieth Century Fox Television Chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman added, "Glee has been a signature series for the studio since its launch four years ago and we couldn't be happier that Fox has ordered two more seasons. Ryan, Brad, Ian and Dante have created something that is far larger than a television show; it's a global entertainment brand which continues to touch millions around the world.
From its chart-topping musical numbers to its inventive storytelling and rich, complex characters, 'Glee' rewrote the rules of what network television could be, and we are enormously proud to be the studio behind it."
Creator Ryan Murphy is thrilled with the renewal and he paid tribute to Fox and the fans, saying: "I am very grateful to Kevin, Dana and Gary for their incredible support of this series from the beginning. But I also want to thank our loyal audience, whose passion and enthusiasm continue to amaze and inspire us."
The musical/comedy show has been confirmed for seasons five and six after impressing Fox bosses with its ratings in its fourth season.
Fox president Kevin Reilly said: "Glee debuted as the first and only successful musical comedy series on television, and more than four years later, it continues to defy genres, break new ground and have a significant impact on popular culture.
Week in and week out, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan, Dante DiLoreto and the entire Glee team deliver a series that not only delights and surprises fans, but also inspires them to talk about, share, debate and engage with the show--and I'm absolutely thrilled to have them on board for another two seasons."
Twentieth Century Fox Television Chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman added, "Glee has been a signature series for the studio since its launch four years ago and we couldn't be happier that Fox has ordered two more seasons. Ryan, Brad, Ian and Dante have created something that is far larger than a television show; it's a global entertainment brand which continues to touch millions around the world.
From its chart-topping musical numbers to its inventive storytelling and rich, complex characters, 'Glee' rewrote the rules of what network television could be, and we are enormously proud to be the studio behind it."
Creator Ryan Murphy is thrilled with the renewal and he paid tribute to Fox and the fans, saying: "I am very grateful to Kevin, Dana and Gary for their incredible support of this series from the beginning. But I also want to thank our loyal audience, whose passion and enthusiasm continue to amaze and inspire us."
Join:
2006/12/07
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In Ontario there are concerns that more people will suffer from problems associated with out of control gambling as online punting becomes even more available. The Responsible Gambling Council an independent non-profit organization dedicated to problem gambling prevention will present a conference on the subject starting April 14 2013 and running until April 16th at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. RGC is committed to bringing together all perspectives in the reduction of gambling problems including those of people with firsthand experience with gambling problems, gaming providers, regulators, policy makers and treatment professionals.
RGC's Discovery Conference provides an international platform to explore, examine and discuss issues related to problem gambling prevention, bringing together people who are committed to problem gambling prevention, treatment, research and policy analysis. Some of the speakers scheduled to attend are Dick Mizerski, Ph.D., University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia on the topic of Lessons from an Analysis of Online Gambling Behaviour. As well as Jeffrey Derevensky, Ph.D., International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors, Québec, Canada who will speak on The Impact of Social Media Gambling Sites on Youth and Should We Be Concerned? Developed by the RGC Centre for the Advancement of Best Practices, the Responsible Gambling Index (RG Index) is a set of standards that provides objective and independent benchmarks for the quality of responsible gambling programs designed and delivered by gaming companies, providing a high standard of consumer protection. Rod Phillips, the President and CEO Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation will provide opening remarks on the Monday of the event.
Responsible Online Gambling Conference Toronto April 14th to 16th