MP fails to raise number of regional casinos
Coventry MP Jim Cunningham has failed in his Commons bid to extend the number of regional casinos under the Gambling Act, by 240 votes to 55. Cunningham had argued that the UK could lose more than £5bn in investment if an increase was not granted.
Gaming Corp profits soar
Gaming Corp has seen its net profit soar by 400 per cent to £2.5m for the year ended September 30. The gaming portals provider increased gross profits by 75 per cent, to £4.7m, and boosted its net assets by £2.5m to £17.3m.
Sharon Osbourne to endorse Galabingo.co.uk
Television celebrity Sharon Osbourne has finalised an agreement with the Gala Coral Group to endorse Galabingo.co.uk, an online and interactive betting and gaming site. Under its terms, Osbourne will appear in a series of television commercials, which began airing on October 23, during primetime hours.
Gambling Commission at loggerheads with poker companies
A row has broken out between the Gambling Commission and poker companies over the legality of running poker nights in pubs. Despite the Commission's warning to licensees over the pitfalls of hosting the game, poker companies have continued to launch new leagues claiming it is not illegal.
Leeds' casino bid on course
A major new casino is still on the cards for Leeds according to the city's council, despite its failure to secure a place on a shortlist for the UK's sole regional casino licence. Leeds Council said that its bid remains strong and according to the panel's official ranking system, it is in sixth place among the locations that are bidding for one of eight large casinos.
Macau rivals Las Vegas
Macau could soon surpass Las Vegas as the gambling capital of the world after statistics revealed its gaming income rose by 39 per cent in September. Gaming revenue reached $4.25bn for the first eight months of 2006, closely behind the Arizona resorts $4.39bn for the same period.
Bishop's casino support called into question
Anti-casino campaigner Councillor Steven Bate has requested an urgent meeting with Right Reverend Nicholas Reade after the Bishop of Blackburn gave his cautious backing to Blackpool's bid for the first regional casino. Bate said he wants the Bishop to change his mind and consider the economic and social damage that can be caused by casino slot-machines.
Betting Show pulls the punters
Initial reports from the first day of the Betting Show, boosted this year by a record 70 exhibitors, suggest that the event has been busier than ever. With significant presence from major players including Alphameric, Betfair, BskyB, SIS, as well as pay-to-play giants Gamestec and Leisure Link, the floor at the Birmingham NEC was understandably awash with activity.
Doubts cast over effectiveness of US ban
The effectiveness of the US' anti-gambling bill has been called into question after a lawyer quoted told the Associated Press that the language used in the legislation provided a loophole for overseas payment processors and US banks that want to do business with them. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act bans US citizens from processing payments to online sports gambling sites.
RIGT as close as ever to 'totemic' £3m
The Responsibility In Gambling Trust chairman John Greenway said the organisation was "as close as it ever had been" to reaching the £3 million earmarked in the Budd Report, but was still £300,000 off hitting that target. Speaking at the Remote Gambling Association AGM, Greenway identified the remote industry as the principle area from which it could make up the shortfall.
Scarborough arcade operator renews casino planning permission
Scarborough-based arcade operator James Corrigan has been granted a renewal of his planning permission to develop a small casino on his site. However, any sale will depend on Scarborough Council winning a casino licence and if that licence is large or small.
William Hill chooses provider of its Skill Game service
William Hill has selected GameAccount, an integrated network of skill-based games, to supply it with Skill Game products. The terms of the multi-year agreement will allow William Hill customers to access the GameAccount network, joining players wagering real money from over 130 countries worldwide.
JPM sees successful launch of Linear cabinet in Poland
Gaming machine manufacturer JPM International introduced its Linear cabinet to the Polish market with maximum effect this week, picking up the 'Best Foreign Product' award category at SUREXPO 2006 in Warsaw. JPM's exclusive distributor in Eastern Europe, Synot was highly commended in 'Best Foreign Stand' category.
Eastbourne in running for second award of the year
Eastbourne has once again reached the final for the best UK resort in the Group Leisure Industry Awards 2006. Should it win again, it would be represent the second honour that Eastbourne has collected this year, having already won the most friendly UK destination award at the 2006 Group Travel Awards.
JP Morgan assesses UK betting and gaming
Financial giant JP Morgan has identified UK betting and gaming stocks as presenting an "attractive investment opportunity in the medium term" due to deregulation under the Gambling Act. It has picked betting as a favoured sub-sector, and listed Ladbrokes as its top stock pick.
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