Blackpool leader blasts lone casino opposition
Blackpool's town hall leader Roy Fisher has accused fellow councillor Steven Bate of holding 'double standards'. Fisher said that Bate had condemned the town's ambitions to the Casino Advisory Panel, but had not attended any of the council's key meetings at which the super-casino was debated.
France to face EU challenge
Brussels said that it would challenge a number of EU countries over restrictions on gambling operators, including France, as early as next month. A spokesperson for the European Union added that the arrest of Bwin's two chief executives was 'problematic' from the Commission's point of view.
Sportech underestimated football pools
Sportech's interim pre-tax profits have risen to £6.1 million despite income falling £8 million to £172.8 million. Chairman Piers Pottinger admitted that they had underestimated the strength of its football pools game in preference to betting and interactive products and would be 'reversing' this policy in the future.
gamAid spreads remote gambling safety net
The first service to provide instant on-line help to remote gamblers, gamAid is to go live with full effect from this month. Trialled in partnership with Betfair, Ladbrokes, SportingOdds, VIP, Camelot, BetMax, DigiBet and Playboy, the service has already hosted over 55,000 visits, providing 1,000 one-to-one help sessions over the last six months.
Arena back in racino hunt
Arena Leisure has resubmitted its application to build the first racino in Britain. The original bid was rejected by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister last year on 'green belt' grounds. The new plan to develop a casino and bigger hotel at Wolverhampton racecourse features design changes which, believes chief executive Mark Elliot, will address the government's concerns.
Bwin chiefs released on bail
Bwin's chief executives Manfred Bodner and Norbert Teufelberger were released on euros300,000 bail after a court hearing near Paris. The Austrian company confirmed that an investigation had been launched and that French authorities would decide by the end of the year whether the pair would face criminal charges.
Talarius interim report 'very strong'
Talarius plc has announced a 26 per cent increase in turnover for the first half of 2006, from £25.2 million in the equivalent period in 2005 to £31.9 million. Like for like sales at its Adult Gaming Centres have grown 15 per cent in the period with Cyberslotz up 90 per cent, while the Quicksilver estate has grown from 164 venues to 187.
Welsh smoking ban starts April
The Welsh Assembly has bought forward its planned public smoking ban to 2 April 2007. Health minister Brian Gibbons said the Assembly was introducing the ban as soon as possible to improve the quality of health of people in Wales.
End of the road for Rimini amusement park
Italy's Fibilandia amusement park has been closed after its owners failed to reach an agreement with Rimini's city council over a new entrance, which the park deemed essential. The park was asking for financial incentives to help with the construction of an entrance which would include a new road and overpass to access the park.
EiG exhibitors represent industry 'Power' house
ATE Clarion have reported that only nine exhibition stand spaces remain for the fourth annual Barcelona-based European I-Gaming Congress & Expo. The show, which takes place between 11-13 October already has eight of the top ten companies from E-Gaming Review magazine's 'Power 50' and ten of the top 15.
Former mayor Giuliani wins Eighth Wonder bid
Eighth Wonder Asia has employed ex-New York mayor Rudy Giuliani's security company for its casino bid on Singapore's Sentosa Island. Giuliani Security & Safety LLC will serve as Eighth Wonder's security planner and advisor in the pre-development, development, construction and operational stages of the development if won.
Galacticos begin image use challenge
Football stars David Beckham and Ronaldo's court proceedings against seven European betting companies has opened in Liege, Belgium. Real Madrid and its 'Galacticos' are suing Bwin, Unibet and William Hill among others over the use, without any authorisation, of their names and insignia for purely commercial gain.
Whitehouse charity donation nears £10k
Whitehouse Leisure has donated nearly £10,000 to BACTA's official charity, the British Institute for Brain Injured Children. Since January, 25p from each sale of Whitehouse's Rainbow licensed plush character toys was donated to the cause, and the donation was further matched by the operator.
Cashcade owner posts 11 per cent profits rise
Independent News & Media has reported pre-tax profits of euros114 million for the first half of the year, a rise of 11 per cent on the same period last year. Total revenue for the company, which owns the getminted.com gaming portal through subsidiary Cashcade Limited, was up nearly 4 per cent to euro797 million.
Bodog cancels conference again
Bodog has cancelled its second attempt at putting on a conference this year. Founder Calvin Ayre cited industry-wide apprehension at participating in such an event as the reason for cancellation.
Church calls for health warnings
The Church of England has called for all advertisements promoting gambling to carry health warnings. It argues that the potential benefits of doing this 'should outweigh the disadvantage of extra financial costs for advertisers.'
Oz gambling takes $15 billion
Gambling businesses in Australia took over aus$15 billion in the 12 month period from 2004 to 2005 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Revenues from poker and gaming machines made-up over 56 per cent of the total figure.
Mfuse Sailing Challenge puts leading mobile gaming industries to the test!
St. Minver a leading professional in casino management, secured its place in history by walking away with the Mgaming Sailing trophy of 2006. Be sure to catch next years Sailing Challenge, which will put further teams to the test, for further information do not hesitate to contact
jinny.nagra@mfuse.com.
Gordon Crompton back with new Concept
Ex-Cromptons owner Gordon Crompton has launched new company Game Concepts with designer Bill Wilson. Its first product, Galaxy 21, will be unveiled at London's Preview exhibition, which takes place October 11-12.