ATEOnline Gaming News / März 2006

[Casinonews]

News vom März 2006


Irish bookmaker’s profit drop
Paddy Power has blamed adverse racing results and increased competition for its 2.5 per cent drop in pre-tax profits to 31.3 million Euros. The bookmaker responded by noting that its underlying business was healthy and headed for further growth.

Caborn accuses Conservatives of ‘flip flopping’
Richard Caborn MP, the UK minister responsible for gambling, has accused the Conservatives of political manoeuvring over regional super-casinos, and called on them to drop their opposition and allow more than one to be built in Britain. He went on to say that a number of opposition members had ‘flip flopped' on the policy and lobbied him personally over having a super-casino in their constituency.

Nova appeal court ruling
Nova Productions has confirmed that it will actively appeal against the ruling which saw it lose a copyright case against Bell Fruit, Leisure Link and Gamestec. According to Nova, Judge David Kitchin, in granting leave to appeal, has indicated that the case raises issues as to the scope of protection afforded in computer programmes.

Brand Britain number one in the world
The Anholt Nation Brands Index (ANBI) has named Britain as having the world's top 'nation brand' in a recently published report. The results are based on tourist appeal, cultural assets and heritage among others, and although Britain came fourth in brand value behind USA, Japan and Germany, it took the top spot after taking into account ‘people’s perceptions of how they see each individual country'.

PartyGaming chief leaves with £20m after 18 months
Richard Segal, PartyGaming's chief executive, is to leave after 18 months in the role after making an estimated £20 million from salary and shares with the company. The move came after Segal declined PartyGaming's request to move permanently to Gibraltar, where the online gaming group is based for regulatory and tax reasons.

Sportsman launch date due
An official announcement over the launch date of Britain's first new national newspaper in 20 years is expected imminently. The Sportsman, which will focus on sports betting, was aiming to coincide the launch with the Cheltenham festival on March 14th, but is now expecting a date closer to the Grand National in April.

Grogan’s EDM gaining momentum
83 MPs from all three major political parties, including the shadow minister for health Michael Gove, have now signed up for John Grogan's Early Day Motion to highlight the need for an increase in stakes and prizes for each Category C machine.

Kelly calls on Brown to level playing fields
Tom Kelly, chief executive of the Association of British Bookmakers has again called for tighter regulations of betting exchanges in order for the betting market to become a 'level playing field'. Kelly appealed to both Chancellor Gordon Brown and the new Gambling Commission to take a look at online companies acting as bookmakers without being subject to betting tax.

Red launches The Vault
Red Gaming has introduced The Vault, a multi-stake jackpot machine for private members clubs based on 5 Star Club.

ATR to break even
At The Races expects to break even by the end of this year, according to management, after distributing £2.5 million to its 29 racecourse partners in 2005. The horseracing broadcaster and media rights company has distributed £3.5 million total since its launch in June 2004.

Games Media’s Harris forms own company
One of the original Games Media buy-in team, Alastair Harris, has formed his own software company specialising in game content development for the UK gaming market. AC Games has initially signed an exclusive agreement to design and develop some traditional AWPs on behalf of Games Media, which will be marketed through the company's Global Games and Voodoo Games brands.

Namco predicts Crisis' as big earner
Namco Europe has predicted that its new Time Crisis 4 will become the biggest-earning video gaming of the year, based on four-weeks of test figures accrued at Namco Stations in Sheffield and Luton.

Third of England’s pubs unlicensed
As many as 30 per cent of England and Wales' pubs have yet to receive premises licenses from their local authority, and are technically trading illegally according to The Publican magazine. Co-ordinating body LACOR has cited the 'sheer burden of the transition' for the delay.

Cosmic testing Nova's Big Top
Cosmic Video Amusements (CVA) is currently testing Nova Productions' new Big Top 20 Super Penny Arcade. CVA will be distributing the three player Category D machine.

Online gaming revenues top ten billion dollars
In a study by eMarketer, online gaming revenues reached $10.9 billion last year, an increase of 28 per cent over 2004. The results come despite a number of countries such as the US, declaring internet gaming illegal.

Leisure Touch heads to Europe
Leisure Touch has completed field trials using MEI products from Brent Electronics in its jukeboxes, and has decided to extend its supply route to Europe. The jukebox manufacturer has previously only distributed in the UK market.

Mansions sponsorship announcement imminent
Manchester United is set to unveil its rumoured £60 million sponsorship deal with online gambling firm Mansion this week. The Gibraltor based company beat off competition from the United Arab Emirates' Etihad Airways for the £15m per year shirt sponsorship deal.

Caborn wants eight super-casinos
The Minister responsible for gambling, Richard Caborn, has said that he wants 'eight resort-style regional casinos across Britain' according to Mike Smith, Rank's outgoing chief executive. Smith told the UK's Guardian newspaper that Caborn, speaking at a private meeting with the company, ‘wants eight but will settle for four'.

Talarius acquire Leisurama for £12 million
Talarius Plc, the AIM listed operator of the Quicksilver chain of AGC's, has paid £12 million for Leisurama. The acquisition of the 19 combined AGC's and bingo lounges increases the Quicksilver estate to 183.

Wetherspoon non-smoking profits slump
JD Wetherspoon has announced a slump in profits and sales at its 49 non-smoking pub sites, and announced that it will slow down further non-smoking conversions for the rest of its premises. Sales were down 7.6 per cent in its non-smoking premises, due to spending less at the bar and playing on fruit machines.

Blackpool wins tourist award
The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions has named Blackpool Pleasure Beach as the most popular tourist attraction in Britain. The attraction hosted nearly six million visitors last year, one and a half million more than nearest rival, the British Museum, but is thought to have benefited from people visiting more regional attractions in the wake of the capital's terrorist attacks last year.

Free Breakfast Briefings
Gaming Industry News is the media partner for a series of free breakfast briefings for the gambling industry being run by Manches law firm. The first one on the 23rd March addresses the regulation of remote gaming in the US and the EU. Click here for more details and to book your place.

Parlay sign deal with Emap
Parlay Entertainment licensee The Gaming Network Limited (TGN) has signed an agreement with media company Emap to provide white-label bingo sites for a number of its magazine and radio brands. TGN will initially launch Emap's Magic FM bingo site, with New Woman, Top Sante and Mother & Baby set to follow in 2006.

Tote sale stumbles at European hurdle
Plans by the government to sell the Tote to a trust run by the UK racing industry will be blocked by the European Commission, with Europe's Competition Commissioner, Neelie Kroes arguing that discounted selling price of £200 million amounted to 'substantial state aid'. Experts believe that the government could expect up to £600 million on the open market.

Hill chief denies merger talk
William Hill's chief executive David Harding has quelled rumours of a merger saying "There are no talks with anybody at the moment", although he refused to comment on individual companies. The bookmaker has been linked to a £4 billion merger with operator Rank in recent weeks.

Betfair wants South African license
Betfair is seeking a license in South Africa and is aiming to establish a 'locally-licensed empowered company' according to Richard Rumbelow, the group’s public affairs consultant. Rumbleow said that the betting company had begun investigating the area as an investment destination 18 months ago. .

Birmingham casino bid destination sparks controversy
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce's bid to poll members of its governing council over the destination of the city's super-casino bid has sparked controversy after it was revealed that anyone who failed to vote would be counted as backing the National Exhibition Centre’s proposal. The NEC bid is the preferred option of the Chamber's policy director Jerry Blackett

Scottish racing outlines future plans
Scottish Racing has outlined its strategic future plans for the industry which include a nine per cent share of national fixtures and increasing both racecourse attendance and betting revenue. The report is also calling for more of the Levy Boards' money to be distributed to the five Scottish courses as Scottish punters generate around 11 per cent of its funds.

Rank DVD arm given negative value
Rank's Deluxe Media Services has been given a negative value of £57 million by the company after it was forced to drop the book price by £80 million according to The Telegraph newspaper. In the report, the leisure group is now implying that it will end up having to pay a purchaser to take over the DVD-making business.

Packer and Ho families in $900 million Macau deal
James Packer's Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd. (PBL) and Melco International Development, run by Lawrence Ho, have joined together in a $900 million deal to allow PBL own and operate casino resorts in Macau. They have bought the rights from US based Wynn Resorts Ltd.

Jowell in the clear over brewery shares
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell has been cleared of failing to declare shares held by estranged partner David Mills in the Old Monk Company brewers. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards ruled that 'MPs were not required to register shareholdings in which their spouse alone had a beneficial interest'.

Gala acquires Victor Chandler LBO's
Gala Group has acquired 41 VCBet retail shops owned by the Victor Chandler Group. The LBOs, based primarily in London and the Home Counties, will operate under the Coral name, and the Victor Chandler Group will retain its shops in Ireland and Deanery Street, London.

Aitken report dismissed by government
The government has dismissed a controversial new report by Hall Aitken as biased, and questioned the validity of the study. The document cast doubts over the effectiveness of regional casino developments to generate money for urban regeneration and warns of significant social impact from opening a regional casino.

Rank disappointed in financial result
The Rank Group's latest financial results have proved 'disappointing' according to CEO Mike Smith, with gaming margins down 9.8 per cent to £105.8 million. Overall Profit fell to £85.4, down from £98.8 million in 2004.

Blackpool wants world heritage status
JD Wetherspoon has announced a slump in profits and sales at its 49 non-smoking pub sites, and announced that it will slow down further non-smoking conversions for the rest of its premises. Sales were down 7.6 per cent in its non-smoking premises, due to spending less at the bar and playing on fruit machines.

BAFTA raises video games status
Blackpool is hoping to achieve world heritage status as the first working-class seaside resort, and has published a draft Heritage Strategy to help its bid. The council is banking on the strategy to help it in the 'future regeneration of the town'.

Gala chosen for Coventry casino
Gala has been chosen as the operator behind Coventry's new city centre casino. The £100 million Belgrade Plaza development is set to open in 2008 and will mark Gala's first casino in the city, although it does already run a number of bingo halls in the area.

Games Media appoints new marketing manager
Sarah Coyle has been appointed as Games Media's marketing manager and will be responsible for the group's marketing services, supporting brand strategy and ensuring Games Media's products are well positioned in the kiosk, mobile phone and Internet sectors.

15 bingo operators confirmed for Herotech
Over 15 of the UK's independent bingo hall operators, including Top Ten, Cosmo Leisure and Premier Bingo, have confirmed their attendance for Herotech's online bingo network meeting in Manchester. The meeting takes place on March 24th at the Renaissance Hotel, Blackfriars Street.

Select Committee suggests abolishing liability clause
The Select Committee on Constitutional affairs has suggested abolishing a clause in the Compensation Bill, which would relieve some of the liabilities that public attractions face by giving customers responsibility for their actions. It said that, if left in, the clause would cause more confusion than it would solve.

Betdaq appoints Mcguiness
Online betting exchange Betdaq has appointed Mark Mcguiness as its new marketing director. He has previously held the same position for Betshop and Premierbet.

‘Calamity’ Jane apologises
Racing judge Jane Stickels has apologised to the racing industry for calling the wrong result at Lingfield on Monday which cost the betting industry around £7 million. "I would like to say sorry to the owners of the horses concerned, and to all those who lost money because of the wrong decision. It was a genuine mistake on my part."

Carlisle wants casino
Carlisle's councillors have voted to put the Cumbrian city's name forward as a venue for one of the proposed casinos under the government’s new gambling bill. Catherine Elliot, the council's director of development services, argued that a casino could "attract tourists, create jobs and support an up-market hotel."

Ladbrokes to offer in-running betting
Ladbrokes' shops will be offering punters in-running bets on all four championship races at the Cheltenham Festival next week. It will be the first time the bookmaker has offered the betting exchange feature in its shops, which will allow customers to place bets up until two fences from the finish.

Alexandra Palace architect appointed
Owners of London's Alexandra Palace have appointed Fitzroy Robinson as architect for the £100 million redevelopment project. The refurbishment will centre round a leisure facility which will include indoor bowling, an ice rink and cinema.

GPWA begins campaign against Goodlatte
The Gambling Portal Webmasters Association (GPWA) is to begin a campaign to fight US Republican Bob Goodlattes' Internet Gambling Prohibition Act. The GPWA, which is currently organising a petition for its lobby, is arguing that the act is making the American government 'excide its jurisdiction'.

Singer Stewart ordered to pay casino £1.7 million
A US judge has ordered Rod Stewart to pay Harrah's Entertainment over £1.7 million for not returning money he was paid before cancelling a concert in 2000. Stewart's lawyer Louis "Skip" Miller stated that they would appeal the decision.

Gambling Commission drafts new code of practice
The Gambling Commission's draft of the licence conditions and codes of practice has placed social responsibility at the top of its list of priorities. Under the new conditions outlined, casinos and betting-shop operators will have to publish policies and procedures for promoting social responsibility, train staff to spot problem gamblers and how to deal with them, and ban adverts if they are directed to people under the age of 18, or feature people who seem to be under 25.

Bookies predict over £500 million in wagers at Cheltenham
More than 230,000 tickets have been sold for this week's Cheltenham Festival, with bookmakers predicting that over £500 million will be wagered on the event, more than £50 million on the course alone. The Festival will be retaining the four-day format that it introduced last year.

Glasgow businesses back casino bid
Around 150 businesses in Glasgow have backed a bid for the city to land Britain's first regional casino. A poll by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce revealed that most members felt that a 'super-casino' would attract extra visitors and generate more income for the city.

Birmingham Commerce chief considers £1 million link
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce's business chief Jerry Blackett has been asked to 'consider his position' after a £1 million revenue link between Birmingham's NEC and the Chamber of Commerce was revealed. Blackett had previously urged members to vote against Birmingham City FC's super-casino bid in favour of the NECs in a controversial ballot.

US casino company fails in FOI bid
Las Vegas Sands has failed in its High Court bid to halt financial information and contractual details about plans to build a super-casino in Birmingham from being made public. The US gaming company was seeking a judicial review against Birmingham Council's decision to release details to The Birmingham Post over its super-casino venture under the Freedom of Information Act.

Shadow minister speaks against Jowell
Malcolm Moss, the Shadow Minister responsible for Gambling, has spoken out over Tessa Jowell's promise to crack down on online gambling advertising in breach of the 1968 Gaming Act. "The Secretary of State has obviously turned a blind eye to such companies and in the meantime vulnerable people have been left to fall victim to the dangers which gambling presents. It is imperative that the Government takes action on the companies which it knows are falling foul of the legislation".

March Madness to top Superbowl
Online betting on this year's NCAA 'March Madness' college basketball tournament is set to top the $1.3 billion it took last year, and dwarf the Superbowl's $600 million take, according to PinnacleSports.com. The 182 sports books in Nevada are expected to take approximately $90 million on the annual event.

BetandWin finalise Ongame deal
Gala Group has acquired 41 VCBet retail shops owned by the Victor Chandler Group. The LBOs, based primarily in London and the Home Counties, will operate under the Coral name, and the Victor Chandler Group will retain its shops in Ireland and Deanery Street, London.

Dikshit named to world richlist
Anurag Dikshit, who runs online gambling company PartyGaming PLC, has been ranked no.207 in the new Forbes rich list with an estimated worth of $3.3 billion. Dikshit, who lives in Gibraltar, the Middle East and Africa, took the company public on the London Stock Exchange last year.

State Duma grants amusement bill third reading
A Russian bill seeking to postpone the implementation of a law introducing licenses for the production and sale of gambling equipment has been granted a third reading by the lower house of the State Duma. The law which introduces licenses is part of a legislative campaign to put restrictions on the country's gambling industry.

BHB on the brink of defeat
According to the Racing Post Newspaper, the British Horse Racing Board is on the brink of appealing to sports minister Richard Caborn for a continuation of the current levy system after Lord Donoughue's review group failed to find a viable alternative. Draft advice from a specialist competition law QC has questioned the 'legal robustness' of the group's alternatives.

Cyberscan turnover below expectations
Cyberscan has said that turnover for the year would be £15.7 million, below market expectations. The gaming industry service provider blamed the shortfall on timing issues with the replacement cycle of FOBTs in the UK and a delay in the roll-out of terminals in the Czech Republic.

World Cup mobile revenue to generate over $6 billion
World Cup 2006 will generate $6.35 billion in revenue for mobile companies this year according to Visiongain. The key revenue generators from mobile companies will be down to text services, ringtones and logos.

[Casinonews]

update vom 16.März 2005

Bookies win £50 million at Cheltenham
Punters lost an estimated £50 million on the Cheltenham Festival yesterday as not one favourite won a race. "If we'd sat down this morning and printed the results off then we couldn't have done a better job,'' said David Hood, PR director at William Hill."[It was] as much as the Securitas robbery, only ours is legal!''

Leisure Link owner drops £100 million
Henderson Private Capital, the venture capitalist company that is currently trying to sell British machine operator Leisure Link, has dropped in value by a reported £100 million according to The Times newspaper, due to 'disastrous investment strategies'. Former fund owner Roger Greville has been accused in the article of 'lacking the experience to handle a mandate worth [at the time] £600 million'.

888 expect US bill to fail
Online gaming firm 888's chief executive John Anderson has said that the company feels confident that a US bill, aimed at banning Internet Gambling in the States, will fail. Having already been cleared by voice vote in the House Financial Services Committee this week, the bill aims to prohibit a gambling business from accepting credit cards, checks and electronic funds transfers in gambling transactions.

UK credit cards introduce gambling fees
Egg and the Royal Bank of Scotland's credit card users will be charged a higher interest rate, and in some cases a fee, for 'gambling transactions' from May. A spokesman for Egg stated "Our decision to levy a fee on such transactions is simply bringing gambling into line with traditional forms of cash advances, such as obtaining money from an ATM machine."

Underage girl loses £200,000 bingo prize
A girl who won more than £200,000 at an Isle of Wight bingo club was refused her winnings after it was revealed she was just 17, and therefore ineligible to play. UK gaming laws state that a person must be 18 years or above to join a bingo club and participate in games.

Deputy PM's office denies plans to build 1,000 casinos
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has categorically denied The Times' claims that the government had planned to build over a 1,000 new casinos in the UK within a decade. The secret report leaked to the UK newspaper also claimed that the government planned to allow up to 40 super-casinos to be built in that time.

BALPPA's greatest achievement announced
David Cam, chairman of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions, has called the Compensation Bill the group's greatest achievement at its recent AGM in the House of Commons. "BALPPA started this campaign around four years ago and at last our efforts have been rewarded," he went on to say.

Fraud hits gambling industry
The value of reported fraud in the UK rose by nearly 30 per cent in 2005, to almost £1 billion. The gambling industry was victim to eleven per cent of this total according to the annual FraudTrack report from accountants BDO Stoy Hayward.

Adelphi to distribute Mystro jukebox
Adelphi Coin has struck a deal with Almotech Ireland to become distributor of its Mystro Jukebox in the UK. The Welsh-based manufacturer originally had its own design in the works, but scrapped development after agreeing to the deal.

BACTA help Hope Hospital
The North West Region of UK trade association BACTA has donated £1,000 to Salford's Hope Hospital MS research programme. It has now given £6,000 to the programme, and according to former chairman Neil Peters who handed over the cheque, is hoping to donate more in the near future.

King's Cross casino hush-up
Local residents have accused King's Cross developers Argent of 'hushing up' plans for a casino on the railway lands development. Spokesperson Deborah Berns said: "Everyone has been very secretive about the casino and a group of us were even told by planning officers that there wasn't going to be one."

Ladbrokes license North American horseracing
Ladbrokes has licensed Magna Entertainment's Austrian subsidiary to provide it with North American horseracing content. The races are being provided for Ladbrokes Xtra, which will be available to approximately 2,000 Ladbrokes shops across the U.K. and Ireland.

European i-Gaming dates announced
The 2006 European i-Gaming Congress and Expo will be taking place in Barcelona, Spain on the 11-13th October. Following last years expo, which had nearly 1,000 i-Gaming professionals attend, the event will this year be held at the Barcelona International Convention Centre.

Stanley looking for casino in Cardiff
Stanley Leisure has applied to Cardiff council to convert part of the city's Vue cinema into a casino. The leisure company wants to convert the ground and second floor of the Millennium Plaza site after the cinema announced it wanted to downsize.

North Pier closure a done deal?
Leisure Parcs has not yet confirmed that it will shut Blackpool's North Pier, but warns that closure is an option to be considered. Local hoteliers criticised the statement, commenting that it was already a done deal and that closure could have a massive impact on hotel bookings.

ESA campaigns against Clinton act
The Entertainment Software Association is starting a campaign aimed at getting US gamers to register to vote, and lobby against the Family Entertainment Protection Act. The act, which is supported by Senator Hillary Clinton, aims to restrict the sale of violent and sexually explicit games.

[Casinonews]

Amusement industry waiting for Wednesday's budget
With the UK budget taking place on Wednesday, Coinslot editor Chris Murphy has highlighted some of the potential issues facing the amusement sector: "Obviously the British gaming industry is waiting with baited breath for the outcome of Chancellor Gordon Brown's Budget 2006. The main concern is what he may or may not do with Amusement Machine Licence Duty (AMLD) but as with all Budget-related developments, the Treasury remains tight-lipped. As AMLD is going to be a fact of life for operators of Section 16 games, it's more a question of how high those levels will be set? No doubt the Treasury will want to reap maximum returns, but hopefully not tax them out of existence in the process. The industry will also be monitoring the impact of an increase in the level of the minimum wage." For more information, click here.

Brown racing concession expected
Gordon Brown will extend a VAT concession for racehorse owners, according to The Telegraph newspaper, till the next election even though it costs the Treasury an estimated £20 million per year. The Chancellor has been warned that cutting the concession would drive owners abroad and cost the industry £250 million per year in lost income.

Bookmakers press for delay in AMLD
"The likelihood of the remote gambling industry locating itself in the UK, hinges on the Chancellor's taxation plans for the sector," predicts Andrew McCarron, editor of Betting Business magazine. "Online casinos have been pushing for a two per cent gross profits tax in order to make the UK an attractive home jurisdiction, but the Treasury has said it doesn't want to alienate the other gambling sectors by setting taxation too low. In the meantime, land-based bookmakers are holding on to see the level of AMLD which will be applied to FOBTs which is due to come into force at the Budget. However the Association of British Bookmakers has been pressing for a delay in implementation of the tax until the Gambling Act itself is fully implemented in September 2007." For more information, click here.

US silent over impending WTO ruling
Antigua and Barbuda have complained that Friday's statement by the US regarding the internet-gaming dispute 'provided little in the way of useful information as to when and how the United States would come into compliance with the WTO's recommendations and rulings.' The USA has just over three-weeks to comply with the WTO's 2005 ruling and allow US banks and major search engines to do business with gambling firms on the island.

German betting accusations 'pure speculation'
German Football Association president Theo Zwanziger has accused the German media of blowing reports of a new betting scandal 'out of all proportion'. He said that the new accusations, reported by German television programme Plusminus and Munich daily newspaper tz are based on 'pure speculation'.

Bingo couple tagged
Welsh magistrates have given a 52-year old couple a 90 day, 7pm to 7am curfew, and ordered them to wear electronic tags after it was revealed that they went to bingo halls while their son was habitually absent from school. The court was forced to take the measure after trying for a year to instigate other methods of parental discipline.

Betfair backs Australian legislative reforms
Betfair has backed legislative reforms in Australia to guarantee the integrity of sports events and has offered to sign agreements that would help support the moves. Corporate director for the betting exchange Andrew Twaits said that "legislation was needed to cover all industry participants, including punters, gambling operators, athletes and officials."

Legal Las Vegas hits 75
Legalised casino gambling in Nevada reached the three-quarter century mark at the weekend. Originally regulated on March 19, 1931, the first gaming license was issued to Mayme Stocker, who opened the Northern Club in Downtown Las Vegas.

RGA to sue Italian government
The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) will begin legal proceedings against the Italian government this week over the country's blacklisting of gambling websites. Clive Hawkswood, chief of the RGA, is arguing that the legislation breaches the treaty rights of its EU licensed operators, which include bookies Ladbrokes, William Hill and Coral Eurobet.

Conservatives casino plan lacks consultation
Liberal Democrats in Taunton are accusing the Conservative-controlled borough council of moving forward with plans for a casino without proper consultation. The council has already identified two sites for a potential venue and is in the second stages of putting a submission forward to government.

NEC to submit proposal today
Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre is to submit its super-casino proposals to the City Council today (Monday). The NEC bid, a joint £250m proposal with MGM Mirage, will create £1.1 billion worth of value for the city over 10 years according to the venue.

Pickel appointed to 888
Online casino group 888 have appointed Amos Pickel to head-up the group's audit, remuneration, regulatory and compliance, and nominations committees. Pickel's is currently the chief executive of Middle Eastern company Red Sea Hotels.

Online betting firm sponsors Euroleague basketball
Sportingbet has signed up to become the official sponsor of Euroleague Basketball through the end of the 2008-09 season. The new sponsorship is part of the league's current re-branding initiative.

Government mishandles 24-hour drinking
A cross-party committee of MPs has said that the government caused unnecessary stress to councils, landlords and residents by mishandling the introduction of 24-hour drinking. It went on to say that the rules were issued too late and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport issued inconsistent and unclear advice.

Lottery operator fined
Lottery operator Camelot has been fined £90,000 for problems in 2004 with its online sub....ion service. An inquiry found that customers had faced incorrect charging or crediting, and failed entries although the National Lottery Commission stated that it was 'confident affected players had been identified and compensated'.

Real Time Gaming opens Asian branch
Real Time Gaming has announced that it will expand into the Asian market through the establishment of a new joint venture with The Vickers Financial Group and other Asian businesses. RTG Asia will be operated from Singapore and aims to take advantage of the Asian gaming boom.

[Casinonews]

FOBTs in duty net
Gordon Brown announced in his budget today that FOBTs will now be subject to the AMLD tax under category B2, at a rate of £1,965 per year, per machine on top of VAT. In its last annual statement, bookmaker Ladbrokes predicted that AMLD for FOBTs set at this level would cost the firm an additional £10 million per year. Operators have been given a grace period as the tax will come into effect on August 1st and not with immediate effect as expected. For an in-depth report, click here.

Video games exempt from AMLD
Pinball, video games and, it seems SWPs have been made exempt from the AMLD tax, while Category D machines remain exempt, thereby providing a boost for seaside arcades, operators and manufacturers.

Smith pleased with family arcade exemptions
BACTA chief executive Keith Smith said he was pleased that the Treasury has listened to the association's calls to extend AMLD exemption for family arcades. While pointing out that there were still some points to clarify, he said: "We are really pleased with the exemption. It will give a chance for the videos, the pintables and the SWPs to have less tax burden on them."

Talrius chief 'positive' on budget
Section 16/21 machines will fall mainly under the new B3 bracket, and be subjected to an annual AMLD charge of £1,965. Nick Harding ,CEO of Talarius plc, the UK's largest operator of Adult Gaming Centres with 183 sites said: " I think we can be largely positive : we'd budgeted for this level of duty on Section 16. I'm pleased that the Chancellor has left Category C machines alone, particularly against the backdrop of a ridiculously long overdue increase in stakes and prizes. But if the industry doesn't get 50p play soon the Chancellor could find that there's little left of the manufacturing sector to tax!"

Government still aims to sell Tote
The chancellor also reiterated the government's aim to sell off the Tote Organisation, although the future of the actual transaction actually lies in Europe. The government had made selling the Tote a manifesto commitment way back in 2001, but competition complaints means that the EC is looking to see if selling the company to a 'Racing Trust' constitutes illegal state aid. For more budget news click here.

RGA welcomes tax deferral
Gordon Brown deferred the announcement on the taxation structure for the remote gambling industry until Budget 2007, to allow more time to look at possible options. The news was welcomed by the Remote Gambling Association's chief executive Clive Hawkswood: "Hopefully this additional time will enable the Treasury to identify a regime that both they and we will find viable. John Healy, the Treasury Minister, and his officials have given us a very fair hearing and we appreciate their willingness to work with us in order to find the right answers."

Minimum wage to rise
The government, following recommendations by the Low Pay Commission, will also increase the minimum wage in October, from £5.05 an hour to £5.35. Staff aged 18-21 will get a rise of 20p to £4.45 and 16-17 year olds will get £3.30 an hour.

[Casinonews]

Gala enter Time's top 20 list
Gala has moved into UK newspaper The Times' top 20 'best firms to work for' list. The leisure and gaming firm achieved a 71 per cent positive score from staff for stress-related symptoms in the past year, second highest on the list. For more information, click here.

NEC wins council's casino support
Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre has won the support of the city's councillors in a vote held on Monday to determine the location of a super-casino bid. Birmingham City FC's proposed move from St Andrews is now in doubt.

Middle Eastern firm sues Playtech
Software provider Playtech is being sued in Tel Aviv, alongside Empire Online by game developer Lubar for patent infringement in connection with an online roulette system. Lubar's CEO Yaakov Rafaeli claims that Playtech has utilised its technology which determines online roulette results using an actual wheel and ball.

Hill accuses FA of being childish
Bookmaker William Hill has accused the Football Association of being 'childish' for not revealing candidates for England's managerial position. Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe additionally called on the FA to be more grown up about revealing potential managers after the football body denied that anybody was on the list.

4's head committed to racing
Andrew Thompson, Channel 4's new head of sport, has called viewing figures for this year's Cheltenham festival 'hugely encouraging'. He also assuaged fears from the industry by saying that the station had a 'fundamental commitment' to the sport.

Gambling Commission queries legal status of parallel games
The Gambling Commission, in a letter to BACTA, has questioned the legality of parallel games on AWPs. The Commission stated that although the parallels breached no laws, both the commission and the DCMS were concerned over the rapid staking it permits.

Sussex girl found guilty of handling stolen fruit machine money
Emma Louise Smith from Hailsham, East Sussex has been found guilty of handling stolen goods after a raid on her home uncovered £354 worth of 50p, £1 and £2 coins, and a lock from the fruit machine that was hit in the burglary. Smith pleaded guilty to the charges; although police say that there was no evidence that she was involved in the robbery.

Horsemen's representatives sign agreement
The Horsemen's Group was established on Wednesday after representatives from the Racehorse Owners Association, National Trainers Association, the Jockeys Association of Great Britain and the Stable Lads Association signed a joint agreement that will see the organisation become an official company. Its principle aim is to 'maximise British racing's income', and negotiate prize money contracts with the racecourses.

Betfair acquires Mobet
Rapid Mobile, the Edinburgh technology firm, has sold its Mobet mobile phone gaming application to Betfair for an undisclosed sum. The deal will include intellectual property rights and the source code for Mobet.

Tourism Alliance speaks out against PGS
The Tourism Alliance has criticised the government's current plans to broadly implement the Planning Gain Supplement (PGS). It was 'concerned' that the PGS would prove a disincentive for lower margin businesses such as those in the tourist sector.

Kilsby replaces Stevens at 888
Richard Kilsby, deputy chairman of 888 Holdings will replace non-executive director Marie Stevens who recently resigned with immediate effect. No reason for the departure has been released.

[Casinonews]

Scotland smoking ban passes without incident
With the rest of the UK watching closely, Scotland's police reported that the first evening of the country's smoking ban passed peacefully. Scottish Health Minister Andy Kerr said that he 'expected most people to obey the new law'.

State Duma considers slot bill
A bill imposing a ban on slot-machines accessible to minors on the street, in stores and in the underground is being considered by Russia's State Duma. It also is proposing a ban on amusement clubs situated in residential premises, schools and educational centres, stations, airports and religious institutions.

Ascot happy over ATR settlement
Ascot Racecourse has issued a statement saying that it is pleased that At The Races' court case against Racing UK has been settled and 'clarity' has been achieved. Smith called both racing channels 'very strong and tenable' when asked about suggestions that Ascot may consider switching sides.

Seismic betting predicted for World Cup
The head of the Betting Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University, Professor Leighton Vaughan Williams, has predicted that this year's football World Cup will see a 'seismic increase' in gambling, to nearly £1 billion. He cited a radical change in the nature of the betting market and easier access to gambling, through phones, the internet and interactive TV.

Government concedes defeat over Tote
The Independent on Sunday has reported, citing sources, that privately the government has conceded defeat over its planned sale of the Tote. The news comes as the EU prepares to launch a full investigation over concerns that the plan may break state-aid rules.

Horseracing to retain top spot
With Kemptown Park Racecourse's successful £18.8 million redevelopment complete, pundits are suggesting that horseracing is now pushing to retain its top place in the UK gambling industry. RHT spokesman Johnno Spence commented; "The growth of online casinos can be seen as a threat, but horseracing remains very popular and we are working hard to attract new customers."

Free Breakfast Briefings
Gaming Industry News is the media partner for a series of free breakfast briefings for the gambling industry being run by Manches law firm. The next seminar will be held on the 13th April and will look at payment systems in remote gaming. Click here for more details and to book your place.

Czech companies call for liberalisation of betting laws
Czech betting companies are calling for a liberalisation of the country's laws to allow them to offer online services. Leading operator Tipsport has said that its development in the country is complete, and that it would now focus on seeking new opportunities.

Whitbread bids for Harbour Club
Leisure firm Whitbread is suspected to be the front runner to buy Next Generation, owner of the exclusive Harbour Club in London. The bidding process is currently underway, with final bids expected to be in the region of £210 million.

Singapore announces bidding dates
Singapore's government has announced that bidding for its second casino licence in Sentosa will begin on April 28 and close on October 10. It also plans make a final decision by the end of the year according to the Singapore Tourism Board.

FIFA to keep eye on betting
FIFA will keep a close eye on betting trends at this year's World Cup competition according to general secretary Urs Linsi. He said that FIFA's Early Warning Systems GmbH will work in partnership with specialist companies and the industry to look for abnormal patterns.

Littlewoods' to develop 'chic' campaign
Littlewoodsbingo.com has appointed TBG London to develop a marketing campaign to push 'bingo chic' for its online bingo site.

Playtech hires BLP
Turkish casino software provider Playtech has hired Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) to see through its £550 million IPO. BLP had the lead advisory role in Excapsa's recent IPO and held the gaming regulatory role on lottery platform provider Betex Group earlier this month.

[Newsflash]

Birmingham council backtracks over NEC bid
Birmingham City Council has admitted that its decision to back the NEC's super-casino bid was based on a 'mis-interpretation' of the law. The council is now set to enter new bids for both the NEC and Birmingham City FC.

Southend named best retirement spot
Seaside resort Southend-on-Sea has been named the 'best place in the UK to retire' by Yours magazine. The publication cited a low violent crime rate and the world's longest pier as factors in winning the national survey.

Drurie resigns from RIGT
Sir David Drurie has resigned from the Responsibility in Gambling Trust this week. In his letter to the trust, Drurie said 'I think it is now time for both me and the board to move on.'

US betting firm offers Whitney rehab
BetUS.com has offered singer Whitney Houston a free Costa Rican drug rehabilitation package after pictures of her alleged 'crack-kit' appeared in the UK's Sun newspaper. "Whitney Houston is too talented and we can't stand to see her throw her career away," said BetUS spokesperson Matt Ross.

Betfair considers Tote partnership
Betfair is reportedly considering entering into a partnership with the industry to keep the Tote within racing. If the Tote is sold to a private operator or venture capitalist firm, the UK racing industry would lose in the region of £11.6 million per year in contributions from the bookmaker.

Tattersall's merger plans
Australian companies Tattersall's and UNiTAB have announced a 'merger of equals' to create a nationwide gaming, wagering and lotteries company. The merged firms will have an estimated $3 billion worth of revenue and diversified products, putting it on par with Tabcorp.

Problem gambling less than 1 per cent
Responding to an article in the UK Times newspaper, which suggested that prevalence for problem gambling is 1 per cent of the population, minister for gambling Richard Caborn reiterated his view that it is nearer 0.6 per cent. He went on to say that the Gambling Commission will be conducting new research into the topic before the Gambling Act 2005 is implemented.

GamCare opens Middlesbrough office
GamCare, the not-for-profit responsible gambling agency, will open a 'satellite' office in Middlesbrough which will provide counselling for people with excessive gambling problems in the area. This will mark the first such facility that the charity has outside London.

Gambling Commission appoints Brown
The Gambling Commission has appointed Beryl Brown as its new director of policy and communications. She will join the Commission in May and will, among other tasks, ensure stakeholder relations are managed effectively.

Cyberview signs Italian deals
Cyberview Technology has signed an agreement with Italian gaming operators Atlantis World and HBG Connex to supply them with its server-based downloadable gaming platform.

Machineguard ban hoodies
MachineGuard has targeted hoodies as the latest security risk for leisure and gaming operators. The UK security firm has produced posters excluding the sporting garments from premises, free to download from the Machineguard website.

US State Attorney Generals appeal for online gaming ban
49 of the 50 state Attorney Generals in the USA have appealed to Congress to legislate against online gambling. The Attorney Generals, led by Ohio's AG Jim Petro, have cited concerns over gambling addiction and college students turning from video games to Internet casinos for entertainment.

BingoTek announces deal with Cyberslotz
BingoTek has announced its first UK licensing deal with Cyberslotz's operators RAL Interactive Ltd. The online bingo provider will supply Cyberslotz with its bingo game technology, based on UK rules bingo.

Edinbrough council reject Fountainbridge casino plan
Plans for a £7 million Stanley Circus Casino development in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh have been rejected by licensing chiefs despite being given the go-ahead from council planners in February. The licensing board said that 'official figures of casino usage had already been met.'

Nevada to allow mobile gambling
Nevada has become the first US state to allow mobile gambling after its gaming commission approved the use of handheld gambling devices to be used in the casinos public places, such as restaurants. Use in hotel rooms and other places that could not be supervised were prohibited.

Scott Tod chairman blames disruption for loss
David Massie, chairman of Scott Tod has blamed a 'massive period of disruption' on the firm's second half of 2005 loss of £679,000. He also cited a change of strategy and reorganisation as other factors.