German states prepare for online prohibition
The heads of Germany's 16 federal states are preparing to sign rules prohibiting foreign companies from offering Internet betting in the territories according to the country's Focus magazine. The report said that it would implement the ban by requesting Internet service providers filter out offending sites or banks not transfer cash out of Germany to pay for bets.
Playtech purchases rival Tribeca
Gambling software company Playtech has agreed to buy rival Tribeca for £39 million. Playtech's value rose to over £410 million after the announcement, which it said was 'in line with its strategy of extending its geographical reach'.
Bowmans launch Russian and Chinese versions of poker site
Bowman's is launching its online poker brand East with the introduction of both Russian and Chinese-language versions of its site. Bowman also announced that it has teamed with global payment transfer company WebMoney for the venture.
Las Vegas sees September revenue fall
Gambling revenue in Nevada fell 2.7 per cent to $984.9 million in September, from $1.01 billion in the same period last year. Takings on the Las Vegas strip fell by 4.3 per cent to $516.3 million while casinos in Reno, North Nevada reported gaming revenues of $69.9 million, a fall of 1.1 per cent.
Sega profits rise 52 per cent
Sega Sammy Holdings has announced a profit rise of 52 per cent in the fiscal first-half of this year, and reported a net income rise of $323 million. The Japanese manufacturer attributed the hike to a hit slot machine product and solid amusement equipment sales.
Bookmaker buying Italian shops
Ladbrokes is thought to be in the process of buying three betting shops in Turin, Italy. The purchases are the first in a joint venture with native operator Pianeta Scommesse, which chief executive Chris Bell hoped would help the group build an estate of around 200 shops in the country and eventually add £20 million to group profits.
Terry Horan
InterGame's general sales manager Terry Horan, 49, died suddenly on November 10. Terry was an effervescent character who will be sadly missed by his colleagues and friends in the business. Everyone at Gaming Industry News offer their sincere condolences to his wife Kath and family.
Lottomatica profits dip on GTech purchase
Lottomatica announced a net fall in profit of 65 per cent, from 111 million eur to 39 million eur, for the first nine months of 2006 against the same period last year. The Italian lottery operator attributed the fall to costs related to the purchase of US firm GTech.
Jowell lobbied for lottery assurances
Tessa Jowell has been asked for 'urgent' assurances that the rising 2012 Olympic bill would not have a damaging effect on the National Lottery's ability to fund other good causes. Opposition MPs said that the lack of clarity over the Olympic budget was causing considerable concern and warned that the impact on traditional lottery causes could be 'horrendous'.
FA to investigate manager betting allegations
The English Football Association is to investigate allegations by an ex-Victor Chandler employee that a number of Premiership managers laid bets on competitions they were involved with.
PR guru Max Clifford, working on behalf of Victor Chandler, confirmed that a High Court injunction had been granted prohibiting the identification of the managers.
MP calls for compulsory purchase order on Hastings Pier
Hastings' Labour MP Michael Foster has called on the local council to apply for a compulsory purchase order to buy the Sussex town's beleaguered pier. Speaking at a debate over the future of the venue, Foster said that existing owners Ravenclaw had a 'proven record' of doing nothing and therefore found it difficult to believe that the company would undertake the necessary repairs, despite assurances.
Las Vegas Sands to raise $12 billion in Macau development
Las Vegas Sands said that it aimed to raise between $6 billion and $12 billion from the sale of retail space on its Cotai Strip development in Macau. With an additional $1 billion to $4 billion expected to be raised through the sale of apartments around The Venetian Macao, the sales are likely to outstrip the casino company's total investment in the Chinese venture of $11 billion.
BetonSports agrees to US ban
BetonSports has agreed with the US Attorney's Office in Missouri to close its US facing business. The online gaming firm said that the permanent injunction, which replaced the temporary restraining order, was a 'major step' in negotiations to settle the outstanding criminal case in the country.
Local tourism tax blasted by STF
The Scottish Tourism Foundation has condemned a report by the independent Scottish Local Government Finance Review Committee which suggested councils be given the power to impose a tourism levy independently of central administration. The STF's chief executive called the recommendation 'disastrous' for the industry as it would ultimately make Scottish tourism uncompetitive.
Government panel member admits meeting with AEG
James Froomberg, a member of the five-man casino advisory panel, admitted meeting with the UK boss of the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) over the potential acquisition of Wembley Arena according to the Sunday Times newspaper. The Conservative shadow culture minister Hugo Swire said Tessa Jowell's integrity safeguards were now in tatters and questioned the conflict of interest in Froomberg's position.
Betfair warns of broadcast delay
A report in the News of the World claimed that professional punters are winning 'thousands' on exchanges, using the SiS broadcast system found in shops to bet against customers relying on normal television services, which are reported to have up to a two-second delay. Although not an illegal practice, Betfair acknowledged the delay existed and said that it was the only bookmaker to publish warnings about the potential problem.
PPA calls Democrat victory favourable
The Poker Players' Alliance responded to the new US political landscape by calling it a more favourable environment for the association. Michael Bolcerek, president of the PPA, added that poker stood a better chance of achieving an exemption from the recently signed anti-gambling bill with the Democrats now taking power in Congress.
G2E 2006 opens its doors
Las Vegas' three-day G2E 2006 gaming show opens its doors today (14-16th) with over 750 exhibitors and 100 conference sessions scheduled for the event. The Expo's organisers did warn that, due to the federal crackdown on internet gambling, several online companies had decided not to send their executives to the show.
Priest uses 3rd century text to denounce video games
A priest from Florence, Kentucky has denounced violent video games using the writings of 3rd century priest St. Hesycios, who claimed that seeing violence and not dismissing it immediately becomes a compulsion. Father Germogen Tucker declared that playing video games was hence a sin.
Gaming Law conference announced
The Excellence in Gaming Law conference has been scheduled for Wednesday 29th November at sponsor Addleshaw Goddard's Aldersgate Street office in London. Subjects being covered on the day include legal issues affecting business strategy and performance in the gaming sector and laws affecting the current European gambling climate. Click for registration details.