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RNG sign $1 million agreement with Golden Palace
Zone4Play's indirect subsidiary RNG Gaming has signed a non-exclusive agreement with Golden Palace for its new multiplayer Blackjack tournament. The guaranteed fees and royalties deal, valued at over $1 million, represents the first license agreement for RNG Gaming and Zone4Play's largest deal to date.
Bwin denies sales talks
Austrian gaming firm Bwin denied reports it was in talks with PartyGaming to sell part of the firm, despite continued speculation about a deal. Spokeswoman Karin Klein said that it was in fact talking with PartyGaming about 'lobbying together to show a united stance for the industry in the European Union'.
PartyGaming announces job losses
PartyGaming announced that it was cutting more than 800 employees at its subsidiary Ivy Comptech in India. The gaming company said that it was 'right-sizing' its operations in order to go forward in the current industry climate.
Harrah closes in on LCI purchase
Harrah's Entertainment now owns nearly 83 per cent of the shares in UK-casino company London Clubs International after a number of recent purchases. The US gaming giant added that it expected to hold 100 per cent of the UK-based casino company by the end of the year.
Wetherspoon reports strong sales
JD Wetherspoon has reported a rise in pre-tax profit of 24 per cent to £58.4 million and a rise in yearly sales of £37.7 million to £847 million. The pub company also saw average sales per pub increase by 3 per cent with like for like sales increasing by 2 per cent.
Kavanagh to discuss Gambling Codes of Practice
Tom Kavanagh, deputy chief executive of the Gambling Commission will be speaking at the Gambling Codes of Practice seminar being held on November 27th at sponsor Berwin Leighton Paisner's St Magnus House office in London. He will be discussing the key details of the UK's new licensing regime including keeping crime out of gambling, conducting gambling fairly and openly and the application process. For more details, click here.
OPAP reaches 65 million eur preliminary agreement
Greek lottery company OPAP has reached a 65 million eur preliminary agreement with Intralot for 'transitional arrangements' in the risk management function of the fixed-odds betting game, Stihima. The agreement will cover the first six months after the expiration of Intralot's current contract with OPAP, in January 2007.
Ladbrokes conducting preliminary talks with 888
Executives of UK bookmaker Ladbrokes have allegedly flown to Israel to conduct preliminary talks with 888 Holdings over a potential £470 million takeover. Chief executive John Anderson met with Ladbrokes chief executive Chris Bell, according to The Mail on Sunday, to discuss a cash and shares offer.
UK's online tax plans in trouble
Ministers have admitted that the government's drive to tempt online gambling firms to pay tax in Britain is running into difficulties. Treasury minister John Healey told tourism industry leaders that the government was having problems fixing a tax rate to persuade the firms to come to the UK.
CryptoLogic announces profit rise
CryptoLogic Inc. said that third quarter profit had beaten estimates and risen by 41 per cent, from $5.1 million to $7.2 million. The Canadian company warned that future earnings would be hit by the US gambling legislation.
Pier closed amid protest from traders
The final traders on Hastings' beleaguered pier closed their businesses last week after accusing the council of leaving the venue to rot. A spokesperson for owners Ravenclaw said that they were disappointed, but understood their actions.
Huntingdon to get £1.3 million revamp
The UK's Huntingdon Racecourse is reportedly getting a £1.3m revamp as part of a £300 million national initiative to 'improve public facilities at courses across the UK'. The Hunts Post said that details of the improvements will be released next month pending planning approval.
Sustainable English tourism conference launched
Over 160 tourism professionals including attraction operators and tourist board representatives attended the 'Towards Sustainability in English Tourism' conference last week. They were discussing the effect on future holiday choices resulting from the lifestyle changes enforced by dwindling natural resources.
Moscow rejects 'Las Vegas' claims
Moscow has no intention of becoming the Las Vegas of Russia and is strongly opposed to plans for a gambling zone in or near the city, according to deputy mayor Iosif Ordzhonikidze. He added that the government's proposed gambling zone must be placed 'in the middle of a barren field'.
Big growth in South Korean gambling premises
The number of gambling houses in South Korea, including casinos and video gambling premises, has risen by over 130 per cent in the last year. The country's National Statistical Office reported that the total number of businesses around the country had only increased 0.6 per cent from 2004.
Tipp24's financial report shows sharp rise
German lottery company Tipp24 AG reported a net profit increase of almost 150 per cent to 5.7 million eur for the first nine months of 2006. Earnings before interest and taxes improved to 5.1 million eur from 4.2 million eur, an increase of 21.2 per cent.
SMF to launch regional casino report
The Social Market Foundation will be launching a collection of essays entitled 'The Regional Casinos Debate: Regeneration and responsible gambling in the UK' at the House of Commons on November 8th. The report includes contributions by Professor Peter Collins from the Centre for the Study of Gambling at the University of Salford and Brad Smith, the former chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission,.
Irish bookmakers call for Sunday betting
Bookmakers in Northern Ireland have called for Sunday betting to be made legal, arguing that it takes place regardless illegally. Campaign spokesman Adrian Eastwood argued that more tax revenue and jobs would be created if it were conducted through licensed bookmakers.
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