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2006/12/07
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Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello's March 9 concert at the Pageant is sold out.
Show time is at 8 p.m.
The show is solo and acoustic.
Elvis Costello's March 9 concert at the Pageant is sold out.
Show time is at 8 p.m.
The show is solo and acoustic.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Manne wrote:
When the UIGEA law was passed in 2006, the U.S. Congress believed it had found a way to scare payment processing companies away from the online gambling industry. That was the case for the first few years of the UIGEA’s existence, but the law has never acted as the deterrent most lawmakers thought it would.
American Credit Card Companies Gaining Confidence
These days, only PayPal’s owner, Ebay, seems to take the UIGEA law seriously. Most of the top domestic credit card companies, including VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express, allow for payments to online gaming websites. Amex is still somewhat more reticent than the other companies, but all allow payments of some sort. Some allow withdrawals from the online gambling sites.
Why Credit Card Companies Have Gotten Bolder
Forbes published a Marc Edelman article recently which told why those companies are so bold these days. If a gaming website obtains an opinion letter from a lawyer stating the game’s legality, most of the credit card services will allow payments to and from those websites. Such an opinion letter provides a legal justification for allowing such transactions, while putting the onus on the business making the claims–and its lawyer.
The United States now has 1.2 million lawyers in it. According to Edelman, the number of legal experts is so great that gaming companies can cherry-pick their legal opinions. So many exist that you can always find one to render a summary judgment on your legal situation, says Forbes. Under those conditions, virtually any gaming company can get the legal justification to get around the UIGEA.
VISA and MasterCard More Accepting All the Time
The article suggested that more reputable companies like TradeSports and HotRoster had no trouble finding legal advisors who would write opinion letters. What is more remarkable is the fact that VISA and MasterCard have been accepting of letters from more marginal online gaming sites.
The longer such decisions go unchallenged by the U.S. Justice Department, the more likely the big credit card companies are going to loosen their own standards for gaming transactions. In the end, it’s all about processing fees and interest payments, so VISA and MasterCard are happy to handle the transactions, if they’re legal.
Justice Department Has a Choice
Under those circumstances, the Justice Department is faced with one of two stark choices. One, they can start to investigate transactions between the credit card companies and the online casinos and poker rooms, which would no doubt have a dampening effect on the process. Two, they could push to have the federal gaming laws repealed, thereby acknowledging they don’t have the will or resources to challenge millions of credit card payments to those sites. That would be an admission that gaming sites and credit card companies have effectively changed American laws, but that would only be a tacit admission of something that seems to have happened already.
US Credit Card Companies at Crossroads
As 2015 opens, American credit card companies stand at a crossroads when it comes to online gambling. Nothing is cut-and-dried just yet. Even in the licensed and legal online gambling market of New Jersey, MasterCard only approved about 75% of online casino deposits in 2014. With VISA, that number dropped to less than 45% of deposits. It’s clear that both credit networks want to work with the gaming industries, but local outlets still aren’t entirely certain whether they can trust the system.
At the same time, several states are considered legalizing online casinos and card rooms themselves: California, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. New Jersey already lobbies the credit card companies to be more accepting of their gaming laws and more supportive of their Internet gambling industry. If more big states enter the gaming niche, those credit card companies are going to hear more and more arguments all the time. When it becomes a widespread and accepted form of gaming, then VISA and MasterCard should feel quite secure with federal laws.
Projections for Online Gambling
J.P. Morgan believes the country is on the brink of such a time. The finacial institution predicted that 7 U.S. states would have licensed online gambling by 2017, and California, Pennsylvania, and New York would be among those seven states. By 2020, the company predicted that the United States would have 20 states which have legalized, licensed, regulated, and taxed such activities. If so, then the credit card companies will be emboldened by that state of affairs, and push ahead with unfettered online gambling transactions.
U.S. Credit Card Companies More Likely to Allow Online Gambling Payments
Well that is a great news for all. But online games are not my cup of tea.
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Portugal’s council of ministers has approved new online gambling legislation, with only the president’s signature now needed.
Once signed into law by President Aníbal Cavaco Silva, the legislation will allow international companies to apply for online gambling licences, which it is hoped will generate additional revenues of €25m.
Sports betting will be taxed between eight and 16 per cent, while online casino and poker are to be taxed between 15 and 30 per cent depending on gross gaming revenue.
Authorities believe the first licences could be issued during the third quarter of 2015.
In a statement, Portugal’s government said: “Licences will be awarded to all the companies that will ensure the full respect of a set of financial, economic and technical requirements.”
Portugal approves online gambling?? | News | i-Gaming | InterGame
Once signed into law by President Aníbal Cavaco Silva, the legislation will allow international companies to apply for online gambling licences, which it is hoped will generate additional revenues of €25m.
Sports betting will be taxed between eight and 16 per cent, while online casino and poker are to be taxed between 15 and 30 per cent depending on gross gaming revenue.
Authorities believe the first licences could be issued during the third quarter of 2015.
In a statement, Portugal’s government said: “Licences will be awarded to all the companies that will ensure the full respect of a set of financial, economic and technical requirements.”
Portugal approves online gambling?? | News | i-Gaming | InterGame
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2006/12/07
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29893
Internet gambling is legal in 85 countries on the planet and it was estimated a few years ago that it was a$35 billion dollar industry. America is a large jurisdiction that is considering legalizing online poker on a national level but poker, along with other forms of online betting face opposition from different sectors of the US society.
The religious sector in many parts of the world has been an opponent to gambling in all forms. Australia has experienced political upheaval over gambling liberalization. America is also in some ways experiencing a movement opposed to online gambling motivated by moral reasoning.
American culture is diverse and there are many points of view that are reflected in the laws that the various states have embraced. Utah is an example of a state that has one of the strictest attitudes toward gambling of any sort in the nation. With most states, you can imagine at least some scenario, in which online poker regulation might come to pass. With Utah, it is literally impossible to imagine a plausible scenario where Utah-regulated Internet poker becomes a reality.
There are only two states in America that don't allow any type of regulated gambling and Hawaii is the other. In 2012 Utah decided to pass a law that updated state statutes to more comprehensively address gambling conducted online.
The advent of mobile internet betting is making access is to online betting even more of concern for the opponents to the activity. Technology is overwhelming the endeavours of morally motivated opposition to online betting because of its popularity. There is some obvious backlash from governments around the world to the amount of advertizing for gambling services in the media outlets and sports sponsorships. The influence of the gambling debate is everywhere in the world and the choice to gamble or not is still a free one.
Online Gambling Opposition Debate Continues | Online-Casinos-com
The religious sector in many parts of the world has been an opponent to gambling in all forms. Australia has experienced political upheaval over gambling liberalization. America is also in some ways experiencing a movement opposed to online gambling motivated by moral reasoning.
American culture is diverse and there are many points of view that are reflected in the laws that the various states have embraced. Utah is an example of a state that has one of the strictest attitudes toward gambling of any sort in the nation. With most states, you can imagine at least some scenario, in which online poker regulation might come to pass. With Utah, it is literally impossible to imagine a plausible scenario where Utah-regulated Internet poker becomes a reality.
There are only two states in America that don't allow any type of regulated gambling and Hawaii is the other. In 2012 Utah decided to pass a law that updated state statutes to more comprehensively address gambling conducted online.
The advent of mobile internet betting is making access is to online betting even more of concern for the opponents to the activity. Technology is overwhelming the endeavours of morally motivated opposition to online betting because of its popularity. There is some obvious backlash from governments around the world to the amount of advertizing for gambling services in the media outlets and sports sponsorships. The influence of the gambling debate is everywhere in the world and the choice to gamble or not is still a free one.
Online Gambling Opposition Debate Continues | Online-Casinos-com
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2006/12/07
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29893
Ignoring rumors of its potential demise, the Sony mobile division created more tangible news at Mobile World Congress on Monday with the release of two new devices: the water-proof Xperia M4 Aqua smartphone and the entertainment-focused Xperia Z4 tablet.
The Xperia Z4 Tablet’s design doesn’t come as too much of a surprise since Sony leaked the info just last week. Still, on paper, it appears to be a mighty alluring device. Display quality is one of the fastest ways for mobile devices to strike a strong impression, and Sony claims its 10.1-inch 2K screen is brighter than all of the similarly spec’d competition, be it the Kindle Fire HDX, Apple’s iPad Air, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3, or Samsung’s Galaxy S slates.
We were a big fan of the Xperia Z2’s gorgeous 1080p display, so here’s hoping this higher-resolution successor is just as stunning. A pair of “powerful” front speakers and some under-the-hood Sony tech—High-Res Audio, DSEE HX processing, and Sony’s new LDAC codec—aim to pump out audio that’s as impressive as the visuals. All those pixels are powered by a 64-bit Snapdragon 810, Qualcomm’s latest and greatest mobile chip. More impressively, Sony managed to cram that high-powered processor into a supremely svelte stainless steel frame measuring just 0.24-inch thick and weighing a scant 0.86 lbs. in its LTE edition. (The Wi-Fi-only model shaves off a few grams.)
Like the Xperia Z3 devices launched last fall, the Xperia Z4 Tablet includes PS4 Remote Play, so you can beam your PlayStation 4 games straight to the slate. The tablet also comes with access to Xperia Lounge Gold, which provides videos, exclusive offers, trip competitions, and more.
You’ll find an 8-megapixel main camera and wide-angle 5.1MP front camera on board. Here’s hoping they’re more impressive than the ho-hum 8MP shooter on the Xperia Z2. Like its predecessors, the Xperia Z4 Tablet is resistant to fresh water for up to 30 minutes if you close all the port covers and don’t go deeper than 1.5 meters.
Xperia M4 Aqua
Speaking of water-resistant, the mid-range Xperia M4 Aqua offers the same protection, as the name implies.
Beyond that, Sony’s pushing the phone’s camera capabilities. The main shooter’s a 13-megapixel model packing Sony’s Exmor RS mobile sensor with a F2.0 aperture and ISO 3200 sensitivity, and the phone’s camera software comes with a “Superior Auto mode” that Sony claims is capable of intelligently processing 52 different lighting scenarios. There’s also a 5.1-megapixel front camera with an 88-degree field of view for folks who want wide-angle shots without suffering through the indignity of using a selfie stick. (Ugh.)
The LTE handset packs a Snapdragon 615, Qualcomm’s 64-bit processor for mainstream-level mobile devices. Sony claims a two-day battery life for the Xperia M4 Aqua, but take that with a grain of salt, since manufacturer-supplied endurance claims are always, well, ambitious.
And, yay! The Xperia M4 Aqua will ship with Android Lollipop, the most current version of Google’s operating system. (Sony didn’t say which version of Android powers the Xperia Z4 Tablet.) It’ll pack Silver-level access to the Xperia Lounge.
The big no-show
Sony’s MWC announcements are also notable for what wasn’t revealed—namely, a new Xperia Z4 flagship phone. That doesn’t exactly come as a surprise, as the “news” was tipped last month. Sony just launched a new purple variant of the Xperia Z3 in January, and the company’s been rumored to be slowing down the break-neck release speed of flagship Xperia releases. Sony’s Z3 flagship phones were released less than six months ago, so giving them time to breath makes sense.
As far as the devices that were announced, the Xperia Z4 Tablet will launch globally in June. The Xperia M4 Aqua will hit 100 countries for roughly 300 euros this spring, in your choice of white, black, coral, or silver.
Sony's pixel-packed Xperia Z4 Tablet aims for mobile entertainment dominance | Greenbot
The Xperia Z4 Tablet’s design doesn’t come as too much of a surprise since Sony leaked the info just last week. Still, on paper, it appears to be a mighty alluring device. Display quality is one of the fastest ways for mobile devices to strike a strong impression, and Sony claims its 10.1-inch 2K screen is brighter than all of the similarly spec’d competition, be it the Kindle Fire HDX, Apple’s iPad Air, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3, or Samsung’s Galaxy S slates.
We were a big fan of the Xperia Z2’s gorgeous 1080p display, so here’s hoping this higher-resolution successor is just as stunning. A pair of “powerful” front speakers and some under-the-hood Sony tech—High-Res Audio, DSEE HX processing, and Sony’s new LDAC codec—aim to pump out audio that’s as impressive as the visuals. All those pixels are powered by a 64-bit Snapdragon 810, Qualcomm’s latest and greatest mobile chip. More impressively, Sony managed to cram that high-powered processor into a supremely svelte stainless steel frame measuring just 0.24-inch thick and weighing a scant 0.86 lbs. in its LTE edition. (The Wi-Fi-only model shaves off a few grams.)
Like the Xperia Z3 devices launched last fall, the Xperia Z4 Tablet includes PS4 Remote Play, so you can beam your PlayStation 4 games straight to the slate. The tablet also comes with access to Xperia Lounge Gold, which provides videos, exclusive offers, trip competitions, and more.
You’ll find an 8-megapixel main camera and wide-angle 5.1MP front camera on board. Here’s hoping they’re more impressive than the ho-hum 8MP shooter on the Xperia Z2. Like its predecessors, the Xperia Z4 Tablet is resistant to fresh water for up to 30 minutes if you close all the port covers and don’t go deeper than 1.5 meters.
Xperia M4 Aqua
Speaking of water-resistant, the mid-range Xperia M4 Aqua offers the same protection, as the name implies.
Beyond that, Sony’s pushing the phone’s camera capabilities. The main shooter’s a 13-megapixel model packing Sony’s Exmor RS mobile sensor with a F2.0 aperture and ISO 3200 sensitivity, and the phone’s camera software comes with a “Superior Auto mode” that Sony claims is capable of intelligently processing 52 different lighting scenarios. There’s also a 5.1-megapixel front camera with an 88-degree field of view for folks who want wide-angle shots without suffering through the indignity of using a selfie stick. (Ugh.)
The LTE handset packs a Snapdragon 615, Qualcomm’s 64-bit processor for mainstream-level mobile devices. Sony claims a two-day battery life for the Xperia M4 Aqua, but take that with a grain of salt, since manufacturer-supplied endurance claims are always, well, ambitious.
And, yay! The Xperia M4 Aqua will ship with Android Lollipop, the most current version of Google’s operating system. (Sony didn’t say which version of Android powers the Xperia Z4 Tablet.) It’ll pack Silver-level access to the Xperia Lounge.
The big no-show
Sony’s MWC announcements are also notable for what wasn’t revealed—namely, a new Xperia Z4 flagship phone. That doesn’t exactly come as a surprise, as the “news” was tipped last month. Sony just launched a new purple variant of the Xperia Z3 in January, and the company’s been rumored to be slowing down the break-neck release speed of flagship Xperia releases. Sony’s Z3 flagship phones were released less than six months ago, so giving them time to breath makes sense.
As far as the devices that were announced, the Xperia Z4 Tablet will launch globally in June. The Xperia M4 Aqua will hit 100 countries for roughly 300 euros this spring, in your choice of white, black, coral, or silver.
Sony's pixel-packed Xperia Z4 Tablet aims for mobile entertainment dominance | Greenbot
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2006/12/07
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GamblingCompliance (GC) recently released a report entitled “US Internet Gambling in Focus: 2014 and 2015”, which attempted to forecast where the US online gambling industry was likely headed in the coming year. Findings from the report subsequently struck an optimistic note for the future of the USA’s iGaming market, and for those players hoping to play online again sometime soon.
Based on research carried out over the past few years, the gambling industry analysis company took an educated guess that a number of US states will consider legalizing online gambling in 2015, the most likely of which to succeed in 2015 being named as California and Pennsylvania. The US Virgin islands were also named which, while not a state, are still under the jurisdiction of the US government. Furthermore, the report suggests that even if these states do not legalize online gambling, any federal attempt to ban online gambling all together will fail and will not be drawn up into law.
However, the report suggests that many states are looking to the regulated markets of Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware to see how they have been coping with their own legislation, before modelling any possible new legislation on the lessons learnt in those states. The report then focuses on New Jersey and the divergence between online casinos and online poker room revenues, with the study stating that since the first legal online casino opened in New Jersey in 2013, online casino revenues are up 93% per capita while conversely per capita poker revenues are down by 29%. This likely will be a worrying statistic for many states, which may then decide to stay clear of the poker room model all together.
“In 2015, we expect the significant growth disparity between New Jersey Internet casino win and Internet poker win to be a key talking point in states that are weighing whether to legalize Internet poker, only,” is an excerpt from the report that sums up GC’s feelings on the matter. Whatever the outcome, the report suggests that any movements in the online gambling world will likely be positive or neutral in the battle to make online gambling legal in the US.
Finally, the report also forecasts an expansion of internet lotteries in 2015, including Kentucky, which would appear to be a solid prediction considering a quarter of US states already allow internet lotteries of their own.
GC Online Gambling Predictions For 2015
Based on research carried out over the past few years, the gambling industry analysis company took an educated guess that a number of US states will consider legalizing online gambling in 2015, the most likely of which to succeed in 2015 being named as California and Pennsylvania. The US Virgin islands were also named which, while not a state, are still under the jurisdiction of the US government. Furthermore, the report suggests that even if these states do not legalize online gambling, any federal attempt to ban online gambling all together will fail and will not be drawn up into law.
However, the report suggests that many states are looking to the regulated markets of Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware to see how they have been coping with their own legislation, before modelling any possible new legislation on the lessons learnt in those states. The report then focuses on New Jersey and the divergence between online casinos and online poker room revenues, with the study stating that since the first legal online casino opened in New Jersey in 2013, online casino revenues are up 93% per capita while conversely per capita poker revenues are down by 29%. This likely will be a worrying statistic for many states, which may then decide to stay clear of the poker room model all together.
“In 2015, we expect the significant growth disparity between New Jersey Internet casino win and Internet poker win to be a key talking point in states that are weighing whether to legalize Internet poker, only,” is an excerpt from the report that sums up GC’s feelings on the matter. Whatever the outcome, the report suggests that any movements in the online gambling world will likely be positive or neutral in the battle to make online gambling legal in the US.
Finally, the report also forecasts an expansion of internet lotteries in 2015, including Kentucky, which would appear to be a solid prediction considering a quarter of US states already allow internet lotteries of their own.
GC Online Gambling Predictions For 2015
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2006/12/07
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29893
Nowadays more and more people, both experts and average users, acknowledge that Bitcoin – the most widespread cryptocurrency having the biggest potential – is fully capable of moving the future industry of electronic payments into completely another dimension.
The possibility for BTC to gradually supersede ‘traditional’ currencies we use now for cash settlements must not be ruled out either. Still, if neither of this happens, and the cryptocurrency will retain its current position as a supplementary payment method, the degree of its impact on the existing areas of the world’s financial system is more than just obvious.
Actually, it’s no less obvious than the fact that Bitcoin was able to revolutionize the industry of Internet casino gaming and betting within just a few years. With every passing day, online gamblers abandoning old-school virtual casinos in favor of advanced Bitcoin gambling websites are growing in number.
The case is the same with the new platforms for players – in just two years, the number of BTC gaming portals tripled, putting the very reason of real-money casinos and sports betting websites under threat.
One of the reasons for players and gambling operators to change the trends may lay in the numerous opportunities that the cryptocurrency offers to both stakeholder groups. Yes, Bitcoin definitely takes some time to get used to, but when you finally manage to fully take control of it, you understand its real power.
Perhaps, there are no online gambling website managers left who haven’t thought about upgrading their businesses to Bitcoin casinos and adding the cryptocurrency to the list of possible payment options, or, alternatively, switch to BTC payments completely. It is especially essential for operators still not having a gambling license, as, running a Bitcoin online gambling portal you don’t even need one to operate in most jurisdictions.
Apart from that, there are still millions of (potential) online gamblers all over the world that do have the Internet access and love virtual casino games more than anything else in their lives, but for some reasons related to legal restrictions on Internet gambling in their countries they cannot access these games on real-money gaming portals. In such cases, Bitcoin may be the only solution.
Additionally, BTC transactions are anonymized, non-reversible (chargebacks are the real headache for just any house), and very-very cheap to perform if you compare them to electronic payments and wire transfers in fiat currencies: the commission fees are almost non-existent for players (and BTC casinos usually pay nothing at all for the transactions their gamblers make), which is simply a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for operators to attract thousands of new gambling devotees to their websites every month.
On top of all that, many Bitcoin casinos are provably fair, meaning they want to be completely cheat-free, and enable their players to verify the fairness and randomness of their gameplay outcomes (usually, in online games like blackjack, roulette and dice) using the built-in tools based on cryptographic algorithms. The benefit is mutual for both players and operators themselves, as owing to fairness provability technologies they don’t need to trust each other the way they used to before. Only proofs, nothing more.
At this rate, the cryptocurrency has really great chances to become the universal global currency, just the way it has become the almost “official” currency of the online gambling industry. Bitcoin has everything it takes to become one, including the revolutionary technology behind it, and the only barrier left for it jump is made of fat-cats, mercenary politicians and anti-BTC lobbyists. Is Bitcoin strong enough to leave this barrier behind? Time will tell.
We welcome comments!
Has Bitcoin Overgrown Its Virtual Gambling Clothes? | CoinSpeaker
The possibility for BTC to gradually supersede ‘traditional’ currencies we use now for cash settlements must not be ruled out either. Still, if neither of this happens, and the cryptocurrency will retain its current position as a supplementary payment method, the degree of its impact on the existing areas of the world’s financial system is more than just obvious.
Actually, it’s no less obvious than the fact that Bitcoin was able to revolutionize the industry of Internet casino gaming and betting within just a few years. With every passing day, online gamblers abandoning old-school virtual casinos in favor of advanced Bitcoin gambling websites are growing in number.
The case is the same with the new platforms for players – in just two years, the number of BTC gaming portals tripled, putting the very reason of real-money casinos and sports betting websites under threat.
One of the reasons for players and gambling operators to change the trends may lay in the numerous opportunities that the cryptocurrency offers to both stakeholder groups. Yes, Bitcoin definitely takes some time to get used to, but when you finally manage to fully take control of it, you understand its real power.
Perhaps, there are no online gambling website managers left who haven’t thought about upgrading their businesses to Bitcoin casinos and adding the cryptocurrency to the list of possible payment options, or, alternatively, switch to BTC payments completely. It is especially essential for operators still not having a gambling license, as, running a Bitcoin online gambling portal you don’t even need one to operate in most jurisdictions.
Apart from that, there are still millions of (potential) online gamblers all over the world that do have the Internet access and love virtual casino games more than anything else in their lives, but for some reasons related to legal restrictions on Internet gambling in their countries they cannot access these games on real-money gaming portals. In such cases, Bitcoin may be the only solution.
Additionally, BTC transactions are anonymized, non-reversible (chargebacks are the real headache for just any house), and very-very cheap to perform if you compare them to electronic payments and wire transfers in fiat currencies: the commission fees are almost non-existent for players (and BTC casinos usually pay nothing at all for the transactions their gamblers make), which is simply a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for operators to attract thousands of new gambling devotees to their websites every month.
On top of all that, many Bitcoin casinos are provably fair, meaning they want to be completely cheat-free, and enable their players to verify the fairness and randomness of their gameplay outcomes (usually, in online games like blackjack, roulette and dice) using the built-in tools based on cryptographic algorithms. The benefit is mutual for both players and operators themselves, as owing to fairness provability technologies they don’t need to trust each other the way they used to before. Only proofs, nothing more.
At this rate, the cryptocurrency has really great chances to become the universal global currency, just the way it has become the almost “official” currency of the online gambling industry. Bitcoin has everything it takes to become one, including the revolutionary technology behind it, and the only barrier left for it jump is made of fat-cats, mercenary politicians and anti-BTC lobbyists. Is Bitcoin strong enough to leave this barrier behind? Time will tell.
We welcome comments!
Has Bitcoin Overgrown Its Virtual Gambling Clothes? | CoinSpeaker
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2006/12/07
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On March 19th, 1953, the Academy Awards were televised for the first time. "The Greatest Show On Earth" was named best picture. Gary Cooper won the best actor award for "High Noon." Shirley Booth won best actress for her role in "Come Back, Little Sheba."
In 1957, Elvis Presley bought Graceland.
In 1958, Cadence Records release the instrumental song "Rumble" by Link Wray, which later was credited with being the first heavy-metal song.
In 1974, Jefferson Airplane began its first tour as Jefferson Starship.
In 1976, blues rock guitarist Paul Kossoff, formerly of Free, died aboard a plane en route from London to New York. He was 26. He died of unknown causes, but he had been plagued by heart problems.
In 1982, guitarist Randy Rhoads of Ozzy Osbourne's band was killed in a freak plane crash in Leesburg, Florida. He was 25. The plane was buzzing Osbourne's tour bus and crashed into a house.
In 1996, the second installment of The Beatles' "Anthology" album was released, featuring the song "Real Love."
In 2000, a batch of Oscars were found in a trash can in Los Angeles, a week after they had been stolen from a loading dock.
Today's Birthdays: Jazz musician Ornette Coleman is 85. Actress Renee Taylor ("The Nanny") is 82. Actress Phyllis Newman is 82. Actress Ursula Andress is 79. Singer Clarence "Frogman" Henry is 78. Singer Ruth Pointer of the Pointer Sisters is 69. Actress Glenn Close is 68. Film producer Harvey Weinstein is 63. Actor Bruce Willis is 60. Actress Mary Scheer ("iCarly," ''MadTV") is 52. Guitarist-keyboardist Gert Bettens of K's Choice is 45. Rapper Bun B of UGK is 42. Drummer Zach Lind of Jimmy Eat World is 39. Actress Abby Brammell is 36. Actor Craig Lamar Traylor ("Malcolm in the Middle") is 26. Actor Philip Bolden is 20.
Entertainment History: In 1957, Elvis Presley bought Graceland
In 1957, Elvis Presley bought Graceland.
In 1958, Cadence Records release the instrumental song "Rumble" by Link Wray, which later was credited with being the first heavy-metal song.
In 1974, Jefferson Airplane began its first tour as Jefferson Starship.
In 1976, blues rock guitarist Paul Kossoff, formerly of Free, died aboard a plane en route from London to New York. He was 26. He died of unknown causes, but he had been plagued by heart problems.
In 1982, guitarist Randy Rhoads of Ozzy Osbourne's band was killed in a freak plane crash in Leesburg, Florida. He was 25. The plane was buzzing Osbourne's tour bus and crashed into a house.
In 1996, the second installment of The Beatles' "Anthology" album was released, featuring the song "Real Love."
In 2000, a batch of Oscars were found in a trash can in Los Angeles, a week after they had been stolen from a loading dock.
Today's Birthdays: Jazz musician Ornette Coleman is 85. Actress Renee Taylor ("The Nanny") is 82. Actress Phyllis Newman is 82. Actress Ursula Andress is 79. Singer Clarence "Frogman" Henry is 78. Singer Ruth Pointer of the Pointer Sisters is 69. Actress Glenn Close is 68. Film producer Harvey Weinstein is 63. Actor Bruce Willis is 60. Actress Mary Scheer ("iCarly," ''MadTV") is 52. Guitarist-keyboardist Gert Bettens of K's Choice is 45. Rapper Bun B of UGK is 42. Drummer Zach Lind of Jimmy Eat World is 39. Actress Abby Brammell is 36. Actor Craig Lamar Traylor ("Malcolm in the Middle") is 26. Actor Philip Bolden is 20.
Entertainment History: In 1957, Elvis Presley bought Graceland
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2006/12/07
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29893
Until now, online gambling was not subject to regulation or taxation in Portugal. However, a Bill approved by the Portuguese Government, on 26 February 2015, plans to regulate the market, by granting licences to private operators in similar terms to the ones in force in some other European countries. This Bill is now pending approval by the Portuguese President.
This means that, once enacted, the Regulator may order the Internet Service Providers to limit or block the access in Portugal to unlicensed online gambling websites. The Internet Service Providers are required to carry out the Regulator’s orders within 24 hours. If the Internet Service Providers do not carry out the Regulator’s orders within said time limit, they may be subject to criminal prosecution. In light of the above, the access in Portugal to online gambling websites will be blocked unless the companies that are currently operating such websites request and obtain the aforementioned licence as from passing of the Bill.
According to the proposed Bill, the licences will be granted by a public entity and applicants must meet several economic, financial and technical criteria. Furthermore, licences will only be granted to operators compliant with specific good repute requirements.
The Bill provides that the reputation, technical expertise and economic and financial capacity of certain Portuguese companies (namely those currently authorised to operate land-based games in casinos or games of a social nature) is assumed. Bearing in mind the stringent criteria set out in the Bill and, therefore, the expected difficulties in obtaining a licence, this rule may be seen as an encouragement for foreign online gambling companies to operate in Portugal jointly with Portuguese land-based gambling companies rather than alone.
Furthermore, we draw your attention to the fact that the aforementioned Bill lays down a territorial requirement. In fact, licences should only be granted to companies either duly incorporated in Portugal or with a legal seat in the EU or EEA, provided the latter operate through a Portuguese branch office or a subsidiary.
We highlight that, as from enactment of the above rules, unlicensed online gambling operators may be subject to criminal prosecution (with penalties including imprisonment up to five years or a fine up to EUR 5.000.000, plus ancillary penalties).
Online gambling is close to becoming a regulated and taxed activity in Portugal - Lexology
This means that, once enacted, the Regulator may order the Internet Service Providers to limit or block the access in Portugal to unlicensed online gambling websites. The Internet Service Providers are required to carry out the Regulator’s orders within 24 hours. If the Internet Service Providers do not carry out the Regulator’s orders within said time limit, they may be subject to criminal prosecution. In light of the above, the access in Portugal to online gambling websites will be blocked unless the companies that are currently operating such websites request and obtain the aforementioned licence as from passing of the Bill.
According to the proposed Bill, the licences will be granted by a public entity and applicants must meet several economic, financial and technical criteria. Furthermore, licences will only be granted to operators compliant with specific good repute requirements.
The Bill provides that the reputation, technical expertise and economic and financial capacity of certain Portuguese companies (namely those currently authorised to operate land-based games in casinos or games of a social nature) is assumed. Bearing in mind the stringent criteria set out in the Bill and, therefore, the expected difficulties in obtaining a licence, this rule may be seen as an encouragement for foreign online gambling companies to operate in Portugal jointly with Portuguese land-based gambling companies rather than alone.
Furthermore, we draw your attention to the fact that the aforementioned Bill lays down a territorial requirement. In fact, licences should only be granted to companies either duly incorporated in Portugal or with a legal seat in the EU or EEA, provided the latter operate through a Portuguese branch office or a subsidiary.
We highlight that, as from enactment of the above rules, unlicensed online gambling operators may be subject to criminal prosecution (with penalties including imprisonment up to five years or a fine up to EUR 5.000.000, plus ancillary penalties).
Online gambling is close to becoming a regulated and taxed activity in Portugal - Lexology
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Almost every day there is news about what is considered the biggest online gambling company in the world Canadian owned Amaya. Amaya owns gaming and related consumer businesses and brands including PokerStars, Full Tilt, the European Poker Tour, PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, Latin American Poker Tour and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour.
Amaya Inc. recently announced that it has been granted licenses from the UK Gambling Commission for PokerStars and Full Tilt to operate online poker and other gaming within the United Kingdom. Since late 2014, the brands had been operating under temporary continuation licenses. Previously, they were white-listed under their Isle of Man gaming licenses. Amaya’s B2B online casino business has also received licenses to continue supplying UK-facing online gaming operators with online gaming content and technology.
Amaya’s spokesperson said that the awarding of these licences follows a review that included, but was not limited to, technology, game integrity, payment processing and security, anti-crime and anti-money laundering protections, responsible gaming policies and practices, and regulatory approach to various geographic operations. The UK Gambling Commission introduced a new rating system for player fund protection recently and PokerStars and Full Tilt have applied the highest standards of player fund protection whereby player funds are held separately by a trustee.
Eric Hollreiser, Head of Corporate Communications for Amaya commented, “We are very pleased to receive operating licenses in the UK, which is a large and growing market for us,” Hollreiser, continued, “We continue to build upon PokerStars’ leadership in poker in the UK and intend to leverage our scale and expertise to become market leaders in casino and sports betting.” Mr. Hollreiser added,“We believe the UK licenses illustrate the strength of our platforms, our regulatory approach, and our commitment to integrity, security, and consumer protection.“PokerStars and Full Tilt now hold licenses from a dozen European jurisdictions.”
Amaya Online Gambling Now Licensed in More Jurisdictions | Online-Casinos-com
Amaya Inc. recently announced that it has been granted licenses from the UK Gambling Commission for PokerStars and Full Tilt to operate online poker and other gaming within the United Kingdom. Since late 2014, the brands had been operating under temporary continuation licenses. Previously, they were white-listed under their Isle of Man gaming licenses. Amaya’s B2B online casino business has also received licenses to continue supplying UK-facing online gaming operators with online gaming content and technology.
Amaya’s spokesperson said that the awarding of these licences follows a review that included, but was not limited to, technology, game integrity, payment processing and security, anti-crime and anti-money laundering protections, responsible gaming policies and practices, and regulatory approach to various geographic operations. The UK Gambling Commission introduced a new rating system for player fund protection recently and PokerStars and Full Tilt have applied the highest standards of player fund protection whereby player funds are held separately by a trustee.
Eric Hollreiser, Head of Corporate Communications for Amaya commented, “We are very pleased to receive operating licenses in the UK, which is a large and growing market for us,” Hollreiser, continued, “We continue to build upon PokerStars’ leadership in poker in the UK and intend to leverage our scale and expertise to become market leaders in casino and sports betting.” Mr. Hollreiser added,“We believe the UK licenses illustrate the strength of our platforms, our regulatory approach, and our commitment to integrity, security, and consumer protection.“PokerStars and Full Tilt now hold licenses from a dozen European jurisdictions.”
Amaya Online Gambling Now Licensed in More Jurisdictions | Online-Casinos-com
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Manne wrote:
Portugal’s council of ministers has approved new online gambling legislation, with only the president’s signature now needed.
Once signed into law by President Aníbal Cavaco Silva, the legislation will allow international companies to apply for online gambling licences, which it is hoped will generate additional revenues of €25m.
Sports betting will be taxed between eight and 16 per cent, while online casino and poker are to be taxed between 15 and 30 per cent depending on gross gaming revenue.
Authorities believe the first licences could be issued during the third quarter of 2015.
In a statement, Portugal’s government said: “Licences will be awarded to all the companies that will ensure the full respect of a set of financial, economic and technical requirements.”
Portugal approves online gambling?? | News | i-Gaming | InterGame
Ok, thanks for this information, i am waiting for first licences.
Join:
2014/11/11
Messages:
102
Manne wrote:
Earlier this year David Baazov walked into the Manhattan offices of the Blackstone Group, the world’s biggest private equity firm, with an outrageous offer. At 33 Baazov was the little-known chief of Amaya, an obscure Montreal company with a loose handful of assets in the gambling industry. But he had big plans. With the backing of Blackstone’s credit division he wanted to stage the $4.9 billion purchase of PokerStars, the world’s biggest online poker company. Operating like he held all the cards, Baazov proposed what would seem to be a crackpot scheme. Despite Amaya’s stock trading just under $7 (all prices are in U. S. dollars), he wanted Blackstone and other investors to buy shares at nearly $18 apiece and securities convertible into Amaya stock at about $21.
Read more: The King Of Online Gambling (Is 34) - Forbes
Despite Amaya’s stock trading just under $7, It is really shocking, I didn't have any information about it.
Join:
2014/11/11
Messages:
102
Manne wrote:
Ontario will launch its long-awaited Internet gaming site within weeks.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) issued an invitation to 53,000 loyal customers Tuesday, offering them a sneak peak at PlayOLG before it opens to the general public.
OLG spokesman Tony Bitoni said players will be able to try their hand at a variety of video slot games, blackjack, baccarat and roulette.
The site will also allow Ontarians to buy lottery tickets online — for Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max games.
Poker enthusiasts will have to settle for single player games to start.
“(You) can’t play with other people around the country,” Bitoni said. “The peer-to-peer poker will come online in the next phase.”
Sports games and bingo are also possible future additions to the site, he said.
Eligible members of the OLG’s Winner’s Circle Reward program will be invited to preview and play the site as part of a phased-in approach, Bitoni said.
“You can’t play on it right now but that’s coming in the coming weeks,” Bitoni said.
Players will have to register to verify their identity and age, and payments will be made through credit cards.
Online gamblers can set limits on their gaming, including how much they’re prepared to lose with a seven day “cooling off” period before that amount can be increased.
Problem gamblers will be given the option to exclude themselves from playing the online games.
“Responsible gambling is for us a priority, and it is definitely a priority on PlayOLG,” Bitoni said. “You can tell us how long you want to play.”
The OLG estimates that 500,000 Ontario residents spend $400 million-$500 million a year on unregulated out-of-province Internet gambling, Bitoni said.
“And what we’re offering is a controlled, trust-worthy alternative to these grey market sites,” he said. “When we did our market research, trust was one of the big things that people told us about, that they really wanted in these sites.”
There are no assurances that a player will be paid with the off-shore sites, he said.
“There are some high profile sites that did crash and burn,” he said.
OLG is in the midst of an on-going modernization and online gaming has been a goal for several years as traditional casinos face falling profits.
British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec and all the Atlantic provinces already provide regulated Internet gaming.
OLG had initially planned to launch online gaming in early 2012.
OLG launching online gambling site | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
Aha it great to play online games of gambling....
online make the way that we play and earn money..Moblie apps great works with My new used apps Export Whatspps contacts it seem be a great app to promt our products...
online make the way that we play and earn money..Moblie apps great works with My new used apps Export Whatspps contacts it seem be a great app to promt our products...
Join:
2008/11/10
Messages:
4
Manne wrote:
GamblingCompliance (GC) recently released a report entitled “US Internet Gambling in Focus: 2014 and 2015”, which attempted to forecast where the US online gambling industry was likely headed in the coming year. Findings from the report subsequently struck an optimistic note for the future of the USA’s iGaming market, and for those players hoping to play online again sometime soon.
Based on research carried out over the past few years, the gambling industry analysis company took an educated guess that a number of US states will consider legalizing online gambling in 2015, the most likely of which to succeed in 2015 being named as California and Pennsylvania. The US Virgin islands were also named which, while not a state, are still under the jurisdiction of the US government. Furthermore, the report suggests that even if these states do not legalize online gambling, any federal attempt to ban online gambling all together will fail and will not be drawn up into law.
However, the report suggests that many states are looking to the regulated markets of Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware to see how they have been coping with their own legislation, before modelling any possible new legislation on the lessons learnt in those states. The report then focuses on New Jersey and the divergence between online casinos and online poker room revenues, with the study stating that since the first legal online casino opened in New Jersey in 2013, online casino revenues are up 93% per capita while conversely per capita poker revenues are down by 29%. This likely will be a worrying statistic for many states, which may then decide to stay clear of the poker room model all together.
“In 2015, we expect the significant growth disparity between New Jersey Internet casino win and Internet poker win to be a key talking point in states that are weighing whether to legalize Internet poker, only,” is an excerpt from the report that sums up GC’s feelings on the matter. Whatever the outcome, the report suggests that any movements in the online gambling world will likely be positive or neutral in the battle to make online gambling legal in the US.
Finally, the report also forecasts an expansion of internet lotteries in 2015, including Kentucky, which would appear to be a solid prediction considering a quarter of US states already allow internet lotteries of their own.
GC Online Gambling Predictions For 2015
Informative post!
Join:
2015/04/09
Messages:
2
With an online gambling hearing coming up later this week the Pennsylvania House Gaming Oversight Committee passed HR 140, a resolution urging Pennsylvania’s federal delegation to oppose the Restoration of America’s Wire Act bill introduced by Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), and backed by Sheldon Adelson.
Thursday’s hearing will feature a number of panelists as Pennsylvania continues to explore online gambling expansion.
“The passage of this resolution sends a strong and clear message to the U.S. Congress that Pennsylvania has the right to make their own legislative decisions about licensing and regulating online poker without the partisan influence of Washington politics,” said John Pappas, the Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance, following the passage of HR 140 on Tuesday.
HR 140 is more of a symbolic vote, designed to draw attention to RAWA, and demonstrate to Pennsylvania’s large Congressional delegation that passing such a bill would have immediate and negative impacts back home.
HR 140 was introduced by Representative John Payne, the new Chairman of the Gaming Oversight Committee and reads:
“A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to defeat H.R. 707 and any other legislation which would prohibit states from authorizing and conducting Internet gaming.”
The resolution could also act as a last ditch contingency plan if RAWA does manage to pass, allowing Pennsylvania to lobby for an exemption from the bill – much like the exemptions Nevada, Oregon, Delaware, and Montana have from the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) that outlawed sports betting in 1992.
Thursday’s hearing could be tough for RAWA supporters
The passage of HR 140 was just the first order of business for the Gaming Oversight Committee in 2015, as Chairman Payne has been consistent in his proclamations that his main goal is to keep Pennsylvania’s gaming industry healthy and competitive, and part of his plan seems to be online gaming expansion.
When I spoke with Rep. Payne last month he stated the first order of business on that front was to pass HR 140, and from there he would gather all of the information on online gambling and make the case for online gambling to House leadership in May.
Step 1 is now complete, as HR 140 easily passed the Gaming Oversight Committee on Tuesday with 18 votes for and only 8 against. Now it’s on to Step 2, an online gambling hearing on April 16th, followed by another online gambling hearing on May 6th.
The passage of HR 140 isn’t overly surprising considering several pro-online gambling lawmakers are part of the Gaming Oversight Committee and Pennsylvania is perhaps the most likely candidate for iGaming expansion in 2015.
Committee members include the sponsors of an online gambling legalization bill (HB 649) Chairman John Payne and Democratic Chair Nick Kotik, as well as Tina Davis, who introduced an online gambling in 2013 and again this year.
The makeup of the Gaming Oversight Committee is not good news for Las Vegas Sands’ Andy Abboud who will be representing the anti-online gambling crowd at the hearing on Payne’s HB 649 this Thursday, where he will likely be one of, if not the only voices of dissent on the issue.
Thursday’s hearing will feature a number of panelists as Pennsylvania continues to explore online gambling expansion.
“The passage of this resolution sends a strong and clear message to the U.S. Congress that Pennsylvania has the right to make their own legislative decisions about licensing and regulating online poker without the partisan influence of Washington politics,” said John Pappas, the Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance, following the passage of HR 140 on Tuesday.
HR 140 is more of a symbolic vote, designed to draw attention to RAWA, and demonstrate to Pennsylvania’s large Congressional delegation that passing such a bill would have immediate and negative impacts back home.
HR 140 was introduced by Representative John Payne, the new Chairman of the Gaming Oversight Committee and reads:
“A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to defeat H.R. 707 and any other legislation which would prohibit states from authorizing and conducting Internet gaming.”
The resolution could also act as a last ditch contingency plan if RAWA does manage to pass, allowing Pennsylvania to lobby for an exemption from the bill – much like the exemptions Nevada, Oregon, Delaware, and Montana have from the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) that outlawed sports betting in 1992.
Thursday’s hearing could be tough for RAWA supporters
The passage of HR 140 was just the first order of business for the Gaming Oversight Committee in 2015, as Chairman Payne has been consistent in his proclamations that his main goal is to keep Pennsylvania’s gaming industry healthy and competitive, and part of his plan seems to be online gaming expansion.
When I spoke with Rep. Payne last month he stated the first order of business on that front was to pass HR 140, and from there he would gather all of the information on online gambling and make the case for online gambling to House leadership in May.
Step 1 is now complete, as HR 140 easily passed the Gaming Oversight Committee on Tuesday with 18 votes for and only 8 against. Now it’s on to Step 2, an online gambling hearing on April 16th, followed by another online gambling hearing on May 6th.
The passage of HR 140 isn’t overly surprising considering several pro-online gambling lawmakers are part of the Gaming Oversight Committee and Pennsylvania is perhaps the most likely candidate for iGaming expansion in 2015.
Committee members include the sponsors of an online gambling legalization bill (HB 649) Chairman John Payne and Democratic Chair Nick Kotik, as well as Tina Davis, who introduced an online gambling in 2013 and again this year.
The makeup of the Gaming Oversight Committee is not good news for Las Vegas Sands’ Andy Abboud who will be representing the anti-online gambling crowd at the hearing on Payne’s HB 649 this Thursday, where he will likely be one of, if not the only voices of dissent on the issue.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
In the world of all things nerdy in the realm of Calgary, one has emerged as the clear leader – Kandrix Foong.
The last 10 years of being at of helm of the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo ship, Foong and his staff have taken the event from a small gathering of talented local artists, to one of the biggest comic/entertainment conventions in North America.
“Honestly I’d say it’s a giant roller coaster ride with lots of highs and lows,” said Foong.
“I think the best part for me is finding that true calling. Some people are just built for certain things. Of course whether the public actually agrees with that or not is a different story, but for me I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do.”
Foong studied business at the University of Calgary and through connections that he made by attending comic conventions around North America and his business knowledge, the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo was born.
Over the past 10 years, the Expo has now expanded to sister shows in Edmonton and Saskatoon.
If the Expo was about just making money, Foong would have folded the venture many years ago.
Up until a few years ago, Foong was funding the Expo out of his own pocket.
“I am not only in this to make money because if that were the case, there would be a lot of very different decisions I would have made in terms of generating more of that,” said Foong, who only began working on the Expo full-time in 2010 – the year he brought out Leonard Nimoy to Vulcan.
“It’s about that innovation and being a part of something that is really awesome and leaving some sort of legacy.”
Up until recently, many fans of the show have been criticizing the organizers of the event for not pulling in big names for the 10-year show like they have in the past (2012 was the TNG reunion and last year was the Aliens –EXPOsed event with Sigourney Weaver and cast mates).
While Foong has been feeling the pressure, he says it’s not sustainable and isn’t what the Expo is about.
“There is this weird love/hate relationship with the fans, the fans make us what we are, but there’s no satisfaction for a lot of the fans,” says Foong.
“It does not matter who we announce, I could announce every single amazing person I can think of and we would still get somebody who is going to complain. It is almost like we are running a complaint line for a telecommunications company in a weird way with the amount of feedback we are getting or the hate mail we get.”
After the cancellation of Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead) – who was called back for filming – fans took to social media to air their grievances about the guest lineup at this year’s Expo.
The news of the cancellation of one of their biggest guests was not something the Expo took lightly.
“Whenever we get a guest cancellation we do our best to find a replacement as quickly as possible, and in Reedus’ case it was very difficult,” says Foong.
“Usually we try to have the replacement be on a lateral or horizontal level, meaning someone of equal popularity from that franchise – except that just wasn’t possible.”
Foong says they tried to book Andrew Lincoln, the other lead in the series, but he was not interested.
“Of course what a lot of people don’t realize, is these celebrities aren’t at our command,” says Foong.
“We don’t own them or have any control over their decisions. Just because I want Harrison Ford at the show, doesn’t mean he’ll do it.”
He does add that the Expo extended their refund deadline to accommodate those that only wanted to see him.
Despite some of the negative feedback received, Foong says he is happy with the strong lineup of guests they have put together for this year’s show and this year’s show will not disappoint.
With this year’s four-day event (April 16 to 19) expecting to attract about 100,000 people, maybe Foong’s legacy will be to shift this city from being known for the Calgary Stampede and superior sports teams, to being known as the geek capital of the world.
As of Tuesday morning, tickets were still available for the show (four-day and Saturday passes were sold out).
For more information on the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, visit Calgary Expo.
Cheers!!
The last 10 years of being at of helm of the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo ship, Foong and his staff have taken the event from a small gathering of talented local artists, to one of the biggest comic/entertainment conventions in North America.
“Honestly I’d say it’s a giant roller coaster ride with lots of highs and lows,” said Foong.
“I think the best part for me is finding that true calling. Some people are just built for certain things. Of course whether the public actually agrees with that or not is a different story, but for me I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do.”
Foong studied business at the University of Calgary and through connections that he made by attending comic conventions around North America and his business knowledge, the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo was born.
Over the past 10 years, the Expo has now expanded to sister shows in Edmonton and Saskatoon.
If the Expo was about just making money, Foong would have folded the venture many years ago.
Up until a few years ago, Foong was funding the Expo out of his own pocket.
“I am not only in this to make money because if that were the case, there would be a lot of very different decisions I would have made in terms of generating more of that,” said Foong, who only began working on the Expo full-time in 2010 – the year he brought out Leonard Nimoy to Vulcan.
“It’s about that innovation and being a part of something that is really awesome and leaving some sort of legacy.”
Up until recently, many fans of the show have been criticizing the organizers of the event for not pulling in big names for the 10-year show like they have in the past (2012 was the TNG reunion and last year was the Aliens –EXPOsed event with Sigourney Weaver and cast mates).
While Foong has been feeling the pressure, he says it’s not sustainable and isn’t what the Expo is about.
“There is this weird love/hate relationship with the fans, the fans make us what we are, but there’s no satisfaction for a lot of the fans,” says Foong.
“It does not matter who we announce, I could announce every single amazing person I can think of and we would still get somebody who is going to complain. It is almost like we are running a complaint line for a telecommunications company in a weird way with the amount of feedback we are getting or the hate mail we get.”
After the cancellation of Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead) – who was called back for filming – fans took to social media to air their grievances about the guest lineup at this year’s Expo.
The news of the cancellation of one of their biggest guests was not something the Expo took lightly.
“Whenever we get a guest cancellation we do our best to find a replacement as quickly as possible, and in Reedus’ case it was very difficult,” says Foong.
“Usually we try to have the replacement be on a lateral or horizontal level, meaning someone of equal popularity from that franchise – except that just wasn’t possible.”
Foong says they tried to book Andrew Lincoln, the other lead in the series, but he was not interested.
“Of course what a lot of people don’t realize, is these celebrities aren’t at our command,” says Foong.
“We don’t own them or have any control over their decisions. Just because I want Harrison Ford at the show, doesn’t mean he’ll do it.”
He does add that the Expo extended their refund deadline to accommodate those that only wanted to see him.
Despite some of the negative feedback received, Foong says he is happy with the strong lineup of guests they have put together for this year’s show and this year’s show will not disappoint.
With this year’s four-day event (April 16 to 19) expecting to attract about 100,000 people, maybe Foong’s legacy will be to shift this city from being known for the Calgary Stampede and superior sports teams, to being known as the geek capital of the world.
As of Tuesday morning, tickets were still available for the show (four-day and Saturday passes were sold out).
For more information on the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, visit Calgary Expo.
Cheers!!
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
It seems that every day the online gambling news is dominated by issues facing various jurisdictions in the USA. The latest has been the discussions underway in the state of Pennsylvania where the opportunities and potential pitfalls related to the regulation of online gambling came to light. The state legislature hearings held before the Pennsylvania House Gaming Oversight Committee, were very different from the US Congressional hearing on the same general topic. These hearings called on a list of competent witnesses offering both social and technical viewpoints of the topic from many angles.
PA House Bill 649, one of three online gambling-related bills currently under consideration in the state was discussed. Both sides of the online gambling debate were exposed at the hearing with invited delegates expanding on the perils and benefits of legal internet betting in the state of Pennsylvania. Some of the witnesses included David Satz, Senior Vice President, Government Relations & Development at Caesars Entertainment Corporation, and Chris Sheffield, Managing Director / Senior Vice President of Interactive Gaming at Penn National Gaming; Michael Pollock, Managing Director Spectrum Gaming Group; also from New Jersey and Kevin Mullaly, Vice President of Government Relations for Gaming Laboratories International, providing certification and testing services.
Lindsay Slader, Operations Manager, GeoComply, was on hand to provide technical expertise and dispel the falsehood that online locations cannot be tracked with precision. GeoComply’s Slader’s live-time technology demonstrated first-hand that technology exists to properly police the boundaries of intrastate online gambling. GeoComply also demonstrated company systems which help describe and identify users who might attempt to evade or falsify the results of location tracking. Slader commented to the committee, “We have it pretty much down to a building level,” adding, “You can see what part of Starbucks you logged in from and, yes, we also know what you did last summer.”
On the negative side of the debate was Andy Abboud, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Community Development. Las Vegas Sands Corp who was there to tell the committee the negative aspects of online gambling.
Pennsylvania Debating Pros and Cons of Online Gambling | Online-Casinos-com
PA House Bill 649, one of three online gambling-related bills currently under consideration in the state was discussed. Both sides of the online gambling debate were exposed at the hearing with invited delegates expanding on the perils and benefits of legal internet betting in the state of Pennsylvania. Some of the witnesses included David Satz, Senior Vice President, Government Relations & Development at Caesars Entertainment Corporation, and Chris Sheffield, Managing Director / Senior Vice President of Interactive Gaming at Penn National Gaming; Michael Pollock, Managing Director Spectrum Gaming Group; also from New Jersey and Kevin Mullaly, Vice President of Government Relations for Gaming Laboratories International, providing certification and testing services.
Lindsay Slader, Operations Manager, GeoComply, was on hand to provide technical expertise and dispel the falsehood that online locations cannot be tracked with precision. GeoComply’s Slader’s live-time technology demonstrated first-hand that technology exists to properly police the boundaries of intrastate online gambling. GeoComply also demonstrated company systems which help describe and identify users who might attempt to evade or falsify the results of location tracking. Slader commented to the committee, “We have it pretty much down to a building level,” adding, “You can see what part of Starbucks you logged in from and, yes, we also know what you did last summer.”
On the negative side of the debate was Andy Abboud, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Community Development. Las Vegas Sands Corp who was there to tell the committee the negative aspects of online gambling.
Pennsylvania Debating Pros and Cons of Online Gambling | Online-Casinos-com
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
A TAX windfall of almost $50 million each year will flow to South Australia from a decision allowing state governments to charge online gambling companies based on the location of the gambler, not the head office of the company.
About 74,000 South Australians have an online gambling account through 19 interstate betting operations, but none of the companies pay any tax in this state.
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis has told The Advertiser that, following a meeting of state and territory treasurers this month, SA has been given the job to work out how to implement the scheme.
“South Australian clubs and pubs pay their fair share of gambling taxes which go towards providing essential State Government services,’’ Mr Koutsantonis said.
“It is important that online gambling operators pay taxes considering that they are generating profits based on betting activity of South Australians.”
Clubs SA, the SA Council of Social Service and the Australian Hotels Association SA branch support the plan.
Clubs SA represents not-for-profit community clubs which use pokies to raise revenue to be put back into the organisation.
It has argued it is disadvantaged by no-tax paying, online gambling “for-profit” corporations.
A Clubs SA submission to the current State Government tax review, obtained by The Advertiser, shows modelling by a “top four” accountancy firm estimated that the new tax take would be worth $4.7 billion nationally over ten years.
The state’s take of that would be $47 million each year.
The submission states: “So in this state, a tax for online gambling set at 40 per cent to match that of existing ‘for profit’ gambling businesses would generate many millions for South Australia and that would create many options for the State Government’’.
Clubs SA CEO Mike Penfold said online gambling options, which make up about 10 per cent of the market, were drawing revenue from SA-based organisations without paying anything towards public projects like helping problem gamblers.
“All the money we raise from gaming is returned to the community and we pay the highest tax in Australia for not-for-profit organisations,’’ Mr Penfold said.
“What online gambling does is take the revenue out of South Australia.’’
Under current rules, gambling companies pay a $1500 fee to allow them to operate in SA, but no taxes.
The state collects $390 million in tax from gambling companies which are based here and employ South Australians.
“Currently we charge authorised interstate online betting operators a small annual fee,’’ Mr Koutsantonis said.
“Authorisation allows interstate betting operators to advertise and conduct betting operations in South Australia.
“But under the current tax regime, these online betting services pay no tax because they are not based in South Australia.”
As part of authorisation requirements, online betting services are required to report on how much of their business occurs in South Australia, Mr Koutsantonis said.
“At the moment that is self-reported, so if you applied a tax regime based on this information you would need to establish a process of audit and compliance which would be much more reliable,” he said.
“I have asked my department to look at such a model in which we will report back to the other states mid this year and discuss how such a model might work nationally.”
Originally published: No Cookies | The Advertiser
About 74,000 South Australians have an online gambling account through 19 interstate betting operations, but none of the companies pay any tax in this state.
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis has told The Advertiser that, following a meeting of state and territory treasurers this month, SA has been given the job to work out how to implement the scheme.
“South Australian clubs and pubs pay their fair share of gambling taxes which go towards providing essential State Government services,’’ Mr Koutsantonis said.
“It is important that online gambling operators pay taxes considering that they are generating profits based on betting activity of South Australians.”
Clubs SA, the SA Council of Social Service and the Australian Hotels Association SA branch support the plan.
Clubs SA represents not-for-profit community clubs which use pokies to raise revenue to be put back into the organisation.
It has argued it is disadvantaged by no-tax paying, online gambling “for-profit” corporations.
A Clubs SA submission to the current State Government tax review, obtained by The Advertiser, shows modelling by a “top four” accountancy firm estimated that the new tax take would be worth $4.7 billion nationally over ten years.
The state’s take of that would be $47 million each year.
The submission states: “So in this state, a tax for online gambling set at 40 per cent to match that of existing ‘for profit’ gambling businesses would generate many millions for South Australia and that would create many options for the State Government’’.
Clubs SA CEO Mike Penfold said online gambling options, which make up about 10 per cent of the market, were drawing revenue from SA-based organisations without paying anything towards public projects like helping problem gamblers.
“All the money we raise from gaming is returned to the community and we pay the highest tax in Australia for not-for-profit organisations,’’ Mr Penfold said.
“What online gambling does is take the revenue out of South Australia.’’
Under current rules, gambling companies pay a $1500 fee to allow them to operate in SA, but no taxes.
The state collects $390 million in tax from gambling companies which are based here and employ South Australians.
“Currently we charge authorised interstate online betting operators a small annual fee,’’ Mr Koutsantonis said.
“Authorisation allows interstate betting operators to advertise and conduct betting operations in South Australia.
“But under the current tax regime, these online betting services pay no tax because they are not based in South Australia.”
As part of authorisation requirements, online betting services are required to report on how much of their business occurs in South Australia, Mr Koutsantonis said.
“At the moment that is self-reported, so if you applied a tax regime based on this information you would need to establish a process of audit and compliance which would be much more reliable,” he said.
“I have asked my department to look at such a model in which we will report back to the other states mid this year and discuss how such a model might work nationally.”
Originally published: No Cookies | The Advertiser
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Canadian actor Jonathan Crombie, who co-starred in the "Anne of Green Gables" TV movies, died this week at age 48. Crombie died Wednesday from complications of a brain hemorrhage, "Anne of Green Gables" producer Kevin Sullivan said.
"It's a real tragedy to see someone at age 48 go like that," he said. "I will remember him as someone who worked extremely hard to make the roles he played onscreen come to life."
Based on Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery's children's books, "Anne of Green Gables" debuted in Canada on CBC TV in 1984 and became a cultural touchstone. The plot focused on the adventures of fiery orphan Anne Shirley, played by Megan Follows, who is sent to live on a farm in Prince Edward Island.
Crombie played Gilbert Blythe, who evolves over time from Anne's pigtail-tugging tormentor to friend to husband. Follows and Crombie reprised the roles in the sequels "Anne of Avonlea" (1987) and "Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story" (2000).
The movies were carried in the United States by the Disney Channel and PBS, drawing a cult following beyond Canada and extending to Japan, which made its own animated series based on the books.
Crombie, son of former Toronto Mayor David Crombie, was cast in the role at 17, beating out other aspiring Canadian actors of the era, including Jason Priestly, Sullivan said. Despite his lack of acting experience, Crombie's boy-next-door looks and cool demeanor made him the perfect actor to star opposite Follows, Sullivan said.
"It was an amazing chemistry between him and Megan Follows," Sullivan said. "There was a lot of affection, but they kind of grounded each other."
The movies spawned various spinoffs, including "Road to Avonlea," starring child actor Sarah Polley, and turned Anne's fictional home on Prince Edward Island into a popular tourist destination.
The role made Crombie a heartthrob of his time, a sentiment expressed by many fans in the wake of his death.
As one person said on Twitter, "I don't know any female Canadian from my generation that *didn't* have at least a little bit of a crush on Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert."
Crombie went on to play roles in other American and Canadian TV shows, including "21 Jump Street" and "The Good Wife," but even his Facebook page acknowledges he is best known for his portrayal of Gilbert Blythe.
Crombie's sister told CBC News that her brother happily answered to the name Gil when greeted by fans in public.
"I think he was really proud of being Gilbert Blythe," she said. "He really enjoyed that series and was happy, very proud of it -- we all were."
'Anne of Green Gables' actor dies | Entertainment - WCVB Home
"It's a real tragedy to see someone at age 48 go like that," he said. "I will remember him as someone who worked extremely hard to make the roles he played onscreen come to life."
Based on Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery's children's books, "Anne of Green Gables" debuted in Canada on CBC TV in 1984 and became a cultural touchstone. The plot focused on the adventures of fiery orphan Anne Shirley, played by Megan Follows, who is sent to live on a farm in Prince Edward Island.
Crombie played Gilbert Blythe, who evolves over time from Anne's pigtail-tugging tormentor to friend to husband. Follows and Crombie reprised the roles in the sequels "Anne of Avonlea" (1987) and "Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story" (2000).
The movies were carried in the United States by the Disney Channel and PBS, drawing a cult following beyond Canada and extending to Japan, which made its own animated series based on the books.
Crombie, son of former Toronto Mayor David Crombie, was cast in the role at 17, beating out other aspiring Canadian actors of the era, including Jason Priestly, Sullivan said. Despite his lack of acting experience, Crombie's boy-next-door looks and cool demeanor made him the perfect actor to star opposite Follows, Sullivan said.
"It was an amazing chemistry between him and Megan Follows," Sullivan said. "There was a lot of affection, but they kind of grounded each other."
The movies spawned various spinoffs, including "Road to Avonlea," starring child actor Sarah Polley, and turned Anne's fictional home on Prince Edward Island into a popular tourist destination.
The role made Crombie a heartthrob of his time, a sentiment expressed by many fans in the wake of his death.
As one person said on Twitter, "I don't know any female Canadian from my generation that *didn't* have at least a little bit of a crush on Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert."
Crombie went on to play roles in other American and Canadian TV shows, including "21 Jump Street" and "The Good Wife," but even his Facebook page acknowledges he is best known for his portrayal of Gilbert Blythe.
Crombie's sister told CBC News that her brother happily answered to the name Gil when greeted by fans in public.
"I think he was really proud of being Gilbert Blythe," she said. "He really enjoyed that series and was happy, very proud of it -- we all were."
'Anne of Green Gables' actor dies | Entertainment - WCVB Home
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2006/12/07
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While a few establishments do offer online gambling to South Africans they exist in a precarious position. South African customers face the constant worry that the sites may be shut down, with their funds, and some banks will not process deposits to those sites. However estimates suggest that tens of thousands of South Africans have active gambling accounts; with the RTG (RealTime Gaming) network attracting the bulk of them .
South Africa’s current gambling market is by no means a poor one; according to PwC the sector generated almost R2 billion of taxes on R16.5 billion of revenues last year. However, the current law allows for only 40 casinos to be licensed within South Africa; and 37 are already operational. The market showed just 0.6% growth last year, which is perhaps why industry lobbyists and legislators are looking to new ways to raise tax revenue from gambling. Creating future growth, the report suggests, is dependent on operators investing in current properties and expanding their facilities.
Under the Remote Gaming Bill, the responsibility for licensing new online casinos will be split between states and the National Gaming Board. Currently bookmaking licences are administered on a provincial level, with state governments handling applications for online licences. Under the new system, the NGB will take a bigger role, with provinces inputting “advice”. Hopefully this will lead to the development of a strong, centralised regulator; which can effectively perform its duties to protect players and prevent crime.
Land based casinos are now being presented with a lucrative opportunity to expand their brand online. Take the example of the UK’s gaming market; where the biggest online operators (William Hill, Paddy Power and Coral) all had thriving chains of high street bookmakers before opening online sites. Although high street operators are at no particular price advantage (software and games tend to be licenced from large development firms); but the trust factor and existing customer base can prove a real competitive advantage in a developing market.
Given that the remote gaming market is incredibly globalised, South African casinos might well seek to profit from building up a customer base overseas. Some countries are experimenting with a Point of Consumption (PoC) tax on gambling products, meaning operators pay tax on revenue in the jurisdiction it comes from. However, most countries tax sites in the jurisdiction they are based, and South Africa’s low gambling taxes might allow home operators to offer more competitive odds.
We may soon witness the birth of a new, huge and fiercely competitive online gaming market in South Africa. Much remains to be discovered as to how the government will licence, tax and oversee online casinos; but with some careful design the new industry should prove a boon to both operators and their customers.
Online gambling finally to be legalised in SA | chrislbecker-com