Caborn content with CAP
Sports minister Richard Caborn told a Lords select committee that he was "reasonably content" with the Casino Advisory Panel's job in selecting Manchester as the destination for the UK's first super-casino licence. He also rebuked claims that the members of CAP didn't have sufficient knowledge to make the decision by saying that he thought the panel's skill set was sufficient.
Government Baulks at B3 stake evaluation
Calls to the British government to instate a £2 maximum stake for the new category B3 game genre appears to have fallen on stony ground. A statement issued by a DCMS spokesperson said that its position on what has become known as S16 and 21 machines has been consistent throughout and that they would not attract 'grandfather' rights. For the full report see this weeks Coinslot, published today (Thursday).
UK gambling Ad ban lifted
The UK government has confirmed that the ban on TV and radio gambling ads is to be lifted in September as part of the new Gambling Act, although operators would have to adhere to a new set of 'socially responsible' rules. Under new guidelines, gambling adverts won't be allowed during shows aimed at under-18s and feature anyone who appears under 25.
McCreevy denies German monopoly claims
The European Union's internal market commissioner Charlie McCreevy has denied claims that the EU was preparing to uphold Germany's proposed monopoly on sports betting. McCreevy was rebuking claims made by Rhineland-Palatinate's head of state government Martin Stadelmaier who told German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung that the monopoly would be approved next week, albeit with conditions.
Channel 4 racing competition cut
Channel 4 has cut phone-ins from its Cheltenham Festival coverage after auditors found that around 100 people were charged for calling a competition on horse racing show, The Morning Line, after it had closed. Chief executive Andy Duncan told a House of Commons committee that the error was apparently due to a computer glitch at phone service provider Eckoh, and that Channel 4 was contacting the callers to arrange refunds.
888's Anderson may still face charges
888's former chief executive John Anderson could still face charges from French authorities for illegal advertising, despite an 'inconclusive' eight hour interview in Paris yesterday. According to a report in the UK's Financial Times newspaper, Anderson was allowed to leave the country but may be asked to return for further questioning at a later date.
Tabcorp fires CEO
Tabcorp Holdings has fired its chief executive officer Matthew Slater just three weeks after he announced that the Australian company was scraping plans to open overseas casinos for at least 18 months due to a profit slump. The Australian gaming company said that Elmer Funke Kupper, head of the Australian unit, would take over until a replacement was found.
Gamestec locks onto security agreement
Gamestec Leisure has signed a two year preferred supplier contract with independent locking systems designer and manufacturer Lowe & Fletcher. Under terms of the agreement, Lowe & Fletcher will supply solutions for all of the operator's security lock requirements. The full article can be found in the latest Coinslot, published today (Thursday).
Congressman looking at revoking gambling ban
US Democrat Barney Frank is considering drafting a bill to repeal last year's anti-gambling legislation. Frank who chairs the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee, confirmed that he was considering the move, but said he had no timetable for the legislation.
Cyberslotz.co.uk reveals sexier website for online gaming
UK gaming website Cyberslotz.co.uk has unveiled its new look, revamped website. Complete with new layout and colour scheme, Cyberslotz said that games now take centre stage on the site, which is currently recognised as one of the top ten most popular online gambling websites in the UK.
US military to explore training using video games
The University of Rochester has been awarded $6.5 million by the U.S. Defense Department's Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative to study ways of using video games to create better soldiers. Project head Professor Daphne Bavelier commented that skills picked up while playing video games often translate well to other situations, unlike the repetitive drills currently practiced by the military.
NRI appoints two new sales managers
Coin handling equipment manufacturer NRI has appointed Andrea Zanella as Italian sales manager, and Mark Simmons as overseas sales manager responsible for the Australasian, African and Middle Eastern markets. The appointments are effective immediately with Simmons being based in the UK and Zanella in the northern Italian town of Schio.
32Red reports annual loss
Gaming company 32Red has reported annual losses of £3.74 million for the year ending 31 December, against a £1.3 million profit in 2005. The company attributed the loss to the Betdirect sportsbook business, which it acquired in June 2006 and has contributed to a 265 percent increase in administrative expenses.
Al-Zayat vows never to gamble in London again
Fouad al-Zayat has vowed never to gamble in London again after being ordered by a judge to pay a £2 million gambling debt with Aspinalls Casino, saying that he was 'disgusted' with the verdict. Aspinalls managing director James Osbourne called al-Zayat a 'very charming man' and said that the company would welcome him back with open arms should he decide to play in the capital again. A full article on the ruling appears in this week's Coinslot, available Thursday.
Intralot unit to resume Turkish operations
Intralot's 45 per cent owned Turkish unit Inteltek is expected to resume its betting operations in Turkey after winning a temporary international tender according to sources cited in Euro2day Newswire. Inteltek had previously won a tender run by the state betting organisation Spor Toto, but the tender was ruled as unlawful by Turkish courts at the beginning of March.
And Finally... Aberdeen heads luckiest city list
Aberdeen has been named as the 'luckiest city in Britain' in terms of gambling and lottery winners in the UK. Figures from a recent survey show that 47 percent of the Scottish city's residents have won £10 on the National Lottery 10 times and that one in 10 has won £2,000 or more. Birmingham came in last with 30 percent of its citizens never having won on the lottery.
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