UK bookmaker halts U.S. bets
William Hill has stopped taking online casino and poker bets from U.S. customers until the 'scope and enforceability' of US state and federal gaming laws had been clarified. Chief executive David Harding said that this was 'the prudent course of action' given the uncertainty over the current legal climate in the U.S.
Chairman resigns amid new U.S. crackdown fears
World Gaming's chairman James Grossman has resigned from the company's board, sparking fears that further U.S. arrests are imminent. Analysts are suggesting that World Gaming's interest in Sportingbet would make it a target by authorities.
Cryptologic moves to Emerald Isle
Canadian firm Cryptologic announced that it was moving its headquarters to Ireland in January 2007 saying that it wanted to be in a more 'gaming-friendly environment'. The Toronto-based company said that it would also be looking for a new CEO after incumbent Lewis Rose announced that he would not be moving to Ireland for 'family reasons.'
Ex-minister calls for Tote rethink
Racecourse owner and former Conservative minister Lord Hesketh has called for a rethink over the UK government's planned sale of the Tote. He is arguing that the racing industry would benefit more if the bookmaker was sold at full market value in a trade sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to racing.
Louisiana issues fresh warning to gambling industry
Louisiana police warned that it was investigating a number of online gaming companies, and their executives and directors were at risk of arrest. It declined to name which firms were at risk but acknowledged that the state was continuing with its gambling clampdown.
Prescott won't face charges
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will not have to face an investigation over his stay at the Colorado ranch of Dome owner Philip Anschutz. London's Metropolitan Police said that there was no sufficient basis for criminal investigation under British corruption laws.
NATO investigates troop training games
The U.S. Defence Department's Advanced Distributed Learning program (ADL) recently hosted a NATO gathering to investigate how video games could be harnessed to train troops. ADLP director Robert Wisher called video games a very motivational learning tool and aimed to show NATO representatives what they could transfer to a military application.
U.S. state to allow slot machines
Pennsylvania's state gambling regulators will vote this week on whether to grant conditional slot licenses to racetrack owners. The expected move will bring in an estimated $3 billion a year according to analysts, making the state the third biggest commercial gambling market in the country.
e-Gaming breakfast seminar announced
The next e-Gaming breakfast seminar, headlined "Update on Implementation of Gambling Bill 2005 and Secondary Legislation" with speakers Sarah Thomas, Head of Remote Gaming at the DCMS and David Schollenberger of Manches LLP, will take place on the 19th October. Click here for free booking info.
Italy legalises online gaming
The Italian government has voted to de-regulate all 'ability based and fixed betting activities', making it legal for its residents to gamble online. The legislation also states that companies must pay a 3 per cent tax on any gaming based revenues acquired from Italian customers.
Bingo.com posts profit increase in second-quarter
Bingo.com has announced a total revenue increase of 26 per cent to $896,277, with an online gaming increase of 49 per cent from the first quarter. CEO Tarrnie Williams called the results pleasing, saying "Our move from an advertising based business plan to one focused on providing online Bingo seems to have been a success."
Dragon's den closed
Dragon's Den judge Duncan Bannatyne has opted to close his Quayside casino project in Newcastle after deciding the licence would be better off in a different location. Property developer Argon Properties has bought the site and is planning to convert it into offices.
Betfair appoints new CFO
Betfair has appointed Finance Director Stephen Morana as its new Chief Financial Officer. Morana joined the betting exchange in 2002 from Sapient and has been acting CFO for the past 12 months.
Aristocrat acquires further stake in PokerTek
Aristocrat Leisure has acquired a further 4.4 per cent interest in PokerTek for aus$5.1 million, taking its stake to 19.15 per cent. The Australian-based gaming machine manufacturer purchased a 4.8 per cent interest in the U.S. company last week for aus$4.5 million.
Greek robbery nets $1.9m
Robbers stole an estimated $1.9 million from a Greek casino's security van after ramming the vehicle with a stolen truck. Police said the gang threatened the driver and security guard with machine guns and sledgehammers when they launched the raid at the foot of Mount Parnitha near Athens.
M&B reports food sale increase
Mitchells & Butlers has reported a one per cent fall in drink sales across its Scottish All Bar One and O'Neills venues since the smoking ban was implemented in March. The pub group offset this loss by announcing an 11 per cent increase in food purchases fro the period.
EiG provides visitor massage
Visitors to this year's European i-Gaming Congress & Expo (11-13 October) are being invited to visit the event's relaxation zone by sponsors Real Time Gaming for a free massage. Taking place in Barcelona, Spain other zones available include a Media Zone complete with international publications library.
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