DCMS resists calls to split casino vote
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said that there was 'absolutely no question' this week's casino licensing vote would be split into two categories. The opposition Conservative party and Lib Dems have been calling on culture secretary Tessa Jowell to allow MPs to vote for Manchester's super-casino and the 16 smaller regional venues separately.
Cameron orders Conservatives to oppose Manchester casino
Tory leader David Cameron has ordered Conservative MPs to oppose the government's plans for the Manchester super-casino licence when it comes to vote before the Commons and Lords this week. The UK's Sunday Times newspaper reported that Cameron overruled shadow chancellor George Osborne, who was believed to have persuaded the shadow cabinet that the party must support the Casino Advisory Panel's decision.
Lib Dem peer calls Manchester victory flawed
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Oakeshott said the Casino Advisory Panel's decision to award Manchester the UK's super-casino licence had been flawed after minutes from a Lords scrutiny committee revealed that CAP chairman Professor Crow had said that the terms of reference it had been working with had made it virtually impossible for Blackpool to win. Oakeshott also questioned the decision to give Bath a smaller casino, based on the 'need to examine the social impact of a small casino aimed at well-to-do gamblers in a heritage setting'.
William Hill begins Turf war
Bookmaker William Hill has warned that its sponsorship of horse racing's major races could be withdrawn if the country's bigger racecourses pull out of their deals with Satellite Information Services (SIS). Public relations director David Hood called bookmakers the biggest benefactors to racecourses, and questioned the common sense in placing money with tracks that were 'effectively going to war with us'.
Kerzner re-evaluating UK position
Kerzner International's UK chief Tobin Prior said that the firm was re-evaluating its plans to bid for the country's super-casino in the wake of Gordon Brown's budget. Prior said that he was still assessing the impact of the new tax on winnings, with the highest bracket set at 50 per cent, and remarked that there had been "no indication that it was going to be this high".
BCA label government schizophrenic
The British Casino Association has labelled the government 'schizophrenic' in their casino policies and taxes, saying that the new tax would undermine 'regeneration pots'. Penny Cobham, chairman of the BCA, argued that companies would factor the new duty levels in their bids, taking away money earmarked for local regeneration projects.
Consortium Tote bid still alive
The Racing Consortium's £400 million bid for the state-owned Tote bookmaker is still alive despite Treasury concerns over the level of debt involved according to a report in the UK's Guardian newspaper. The paper, citing unnamed sources, stated that the bid remained the preferred choice of the Department for Media, Culture and Sport.
Illegal betting linked to Woolmer's murder
Jamaican police have confirmed that they are 'seriously' looking into allegations that match fixing and illegal gambling was the motive for Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer's murder. The International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption unit have already arrived in Jamaica and are reported to be looking into the Ireland game, which Pakistan surprisingly lost.
Brussels issues warning to Germany
The European Union has written to Germany asking it to reconsider a proposed ban on online gaming, and warned that the country faces possible legal action if it proceeds with the legislation. EU industry commissioner Guenter Verheugen gave Germany's regional state governments a month to change the draft treaty on the issue or face action.
Greek OPAP reports 11 per cent profit increase
Greek gaming operator OPAP posted a net profit for 2006 of 509.8 million euros, an increase of 11.2 per cent on the previous year. Total revenue amounted to 4.63 billion euros for the period, an increase of 25.4 per cent, while lottery revenues were up five per cent to 2.28 billion euros.
NETeller ends Canadian and Turkish gaming services
Online payment firm NETeller said that it would no longer process transfers related to online gambling sites for Canadian or Turkish residents due to tightened regulations in the jurisdictions. The firm said in a statement that the risk to its ongoing business in Canada and Turkey has increased in the light of the new laws, necessitating the move.
Alton Towers wins noise level case
The UK High Court has ruled that local residents should expect noise from Alton Towers after they had argued that customer 'shrieks' on white-knuckle rides were too loud. The residents had also claimed that the theme park did not adequately control sound levels from concerts and fireworks displays.
Ladbrokes launches new Spanish operations
UK-based bookmaker Ladbrokes has promised to invest 30 million euros in joint Spanish betting operation Sportium over the first year of business in Madrid. The bookmaker also revealed that Sportium planned to extend its activities to other Spanish regions as soon as the country approved new gaming regulations.
Russian firms merge to form Unicum Gaming
Russian gaming suppliers Unicum Group and SmartGames have signed an agreement to merge, citing a desire to consolidate their strengths in the domestic and international markets. The move has been approved by both boards of directors, with the new company taking the title of Unicum Gaming.
Antigua undertakes regulations overhaul
The Antiguan Financial Services Regulatory Commission announced that it had commenced an overhaul of its Interactive Gaming and Interactive Wagering Regulations. The FSRC said that it was working closely with the Antigua Online Gaming Association with the aim of reinforcing Antigua's compliance and commitment to international practices and industry standards.
Tipp24 posts strong 2006 figures
Lottery operator Tipp24 reported an increase in net profit of 124 per cent, to 7.4 million euro, for 2006 on increased revenue of 264.2 million euro. Customer registration for the year more than doubled to 1.7 million, while revenue generated outside its native Germany grew to 12.7 per cent of its total revenue.
Nuns on a run
Three nuns in the Philippines have caused controversy after being photographed playing slot machines and blackjack at a gaming fair in Manila. A spokesperson for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation described the incident as purely innocent and claimed the nuns had played without money. However Filipino Archbishop Oscar Cruz said it was 'improper' and 'imprudent' for the nuns to attend the exhibition featuring new gaming technology.
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