Business & Financial
Lottomatica Group and Golden Gaming Receive Nevada Okay for Web Gaming
Two more online gambling firms have received approval to operate in the already saturated Nevada Web gaming sector.
The Lottomatica Group, which runs subsidiaries GTECH and SPIELO, will go before the Nevada Gaming Commission later in the month to obtain their license. The company operates on the technology side of the industry.
Golden Gaming, a subsidiary of Sartini Synergy Online, was also approved by the Commission Wednesday.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
Cuomo to Expand Gambling in New York State With Three New Casinos
ALBANY, N.Y. — (Associated Press) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposes that an expansion of gambling in New York begin with three casinos upstate and none in New York City.
The state Legislature is expected this year to consider final passage of an amendment to the state constitution that would allow up to seven Las Vegas-style casinos beyond Indian land. If approved by lawmakers, voters could make a final decision on the amendment in November.
Nevada Lawmakers to Decide on Internet Poker State Compacts
With attempts to pass a federal measure legalizing online poker now deemed a failure, the Nevada Assembly Bill 5 will now look to establish multi-state compacts.
Betfair Moves to iPoker Network
Europe’s largest betting exchange, Betfair, will be moving its online poker room off the Ongame Network and on to the world’s 4th largest network, iPoker.
Virgin Games Taken Over by Gamesys: Move Into US Market Possible
Virgin Games announced on Monday it will now be under new ownership effective 29 January. Gamesys has taken over the company after eight years of dedicated services as an online casino, bingo and poker operator.
Affiliates of Virgin Games will be migrated into the Gamesys affiliate program.
Gamesys was founded in 2001 by Noel Hayden, Robin Tombs, Andrew Dixon and four developers. They operate the popular online gambling site Jackpotjoy.
Churchill Advocates Owning Casino in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Associated Press) — A Churchill Downs official says if expanded gambling is approved in Kentucky, it is important that the company own and operate any casino located in Louisville.
Brett Hale, who is Churchill's senior vice president for corporate and government relations, told The Courier-Journal (http://cjky.it/112vtUk) in a statement on Friday that if another company was allowed to run a casino in the Louisville market "138 years of racing heritage and Kentucky Derby tradition will be put at risk."
Vegas Bookmakers Were Hit Hard in 2012
The Las Vegas bookmakers and those online are still licking their wounds after one of the worst betting seasons on record.
From the LA Times:
Record Gambling Revenue in Macau for Month of December
(Reuters) - Macau, the world's largest casino market, raked in $38 billion (23.2 billion pounds) in annual gambling revenues in 2012 after monthly revenues for December hit a record, a signal of sustained strength in the only place in China where visitors are able to legally gamble in casinos.
Revel Casino Gets $150 Million More in New Financing
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) While some questioned the wisdom of opening a $2.4 billion casino resort in a cutthroat market at the end of a nationwide financial meltdown, some investors still believe in Revel.
Atlantic City's newest casino, one that has struggled to find a place in the seaside gambling market, has obtained $150 million in new financing to help keep it going.
Zynga Shuts Down PetVille, Mafia Wars 2 and More for Cost Cutting
It’s curtains for 11 Zynga titles as the publicly traded social media company is looking to cut costs.
The casualties include PetVille, Mafia Wars 2, Fishville and Indiana Jones Adventure World.
Late this year, Zynga announced it will focus more heavily on real money online poker during the early part of 2013 ahead of inevitable legislation in the USA.
The company also announced it was slashing 5 percent of its full-time workforce while shutting down its Japan office.
Maryland Live Casino to be Open 24 Hours
(Associated Press) - Maryland's largest casino will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Maryland Live! at Arundel Mills Mall unlocked its doors for the last time on Thursday morning.
Previously, Maryland casinos could be open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday. But an expansion of gambling approved by lawmakers in August and voters in November included the expansion of hours for the state's casinos.
iDate 2013 in Las Vegas to Feature Google, CBS News, Federal Trade Commission
Those in the gambling sector might be interested in attending iDate 2013 in Las Vegas this coming month (January 16-19, 2013). Don’t be fooled by the name. One of the best presentations at their recent Miami event was from search engine giant Bing.com. Anyone who is even slightly involved in SEO or affiliate marketing should consider attending. And, yes, Google will be there.
It is Christmas at NorthBet: Free Fantasy Football Offered
Northbet, the premier boutique online sportsbook that also features free Fantasy Football in addition to wagering, wants to wish all Gambling911.com readers a very merry Christmas and they have plenty of gifts for their customers as we see below.
PokerStars Becomes One of First Regulated Online Poker Companies in Germany
ONCHAN, ISLE OF MAN – PokerStars announced today that it has become one of the first regulated online poker operators in Germany, having been granted a license from the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.
PokerStars will soon offer real money cash games and tournaments under the new license, enabling players to test their poker skills against the global community of online poker players for fun and for profit.
Playtech May Complicate William Hill Takeover of Sportingbet
LONDON (Reuters) - British bookmaker William Hill has rejected a claim by joint venture partner Playtech that it should share in the benefits of a planned takeover of online gambling group Sportingbet.
The intervention by software group Playtech has complicated a deals seen as pivotal in the overseas expansion of William Hill, Britain's largest bookmaker.
William Hill is spending 454 million pounds to acquire Sportingbet's Australian operations and an option to buy its business in Spain.
Hero Poker Eyeing New Networks: Temporarily Closes and Transfers Accounts
Hero Poker doesn’t appear to be completely done as the company’s CEO claims he will at some point move his website to another poker network.
7Red Sports Alive and Kicking Despite Reported BetIslands Purchase
A representative for 7Red Sports insists his company has nothing to do with beleaguered BetIsland and it is business as usual.
An individual representing himself as the owner of now defunct BetIslands.com announced earlier in the month that his sportsbook had just purchased 7Red Sports.
Pros Could Start Buying Up Condos in NYC, Philly With NJ Online Poker
With news Thursday that the New Jersey Senate had passed a bill to legalize online gambling by a margin of 33-3, one has to wonder about a positive economic impact that may not have initially been entered into the equation: a real estate boom!
New Jersey Senate Gives Final Approval to Internet Gambling Bill
As was to be expected, the New Jersey Senate voted in favor of a bill legalizing Internet gambling in the Garden State.
S1565, an act authorizing Internet wagering at Atlantic City casinos under certain circumstances and amending and supplementing the "Casino Control Act", P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.). passed in the Senate almost unanimously, 33-3.
William Hill Acquires Sportingbet: Expands Into Australia
LONDON - (Reuters) - William Hill, Britain's largest bookmaker, expanded into the large Australian gambling market when it and partner GVC Holdings agreed a 485 million pound ($789 million) deal for Sportingbet on Thursday.
William Hill is paying 454 million pounds for its share of the deal - giving it Sportingbet's Australian operation and an option to acquire its Spanish business.
Smaller partner GVC will take on the remaining businesses, which are in countries where regulation is less clear cut and investment risks are higher as a consequence.
Hero Poker Latest to Leave Merge Network: Player Accounts to be Transferred
As the Merge Gaming Network continues its consolidation process as a means of becoming more lean and stronger, the latest skin to make an exit in so many weeks is the boutique online poker room, Hero Poker.
PokerStars and Casino Gran Madrid to Open New Poker Room
Onchan, Isle of Man - PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker site, has reached an agreement with Casino Gran Madrid, the biggest casino in Spain, for a new state-of-the-art PokerStars-branded poker room at Casino Gran Madrid, which will deliver the highest-quality live poker experience.
Bodog Poker Announces Anonymous Poker Series
To celebrate the Bodog Poker Network’s (BPN) creation of the first network made in Asia for Asia, Bodog will embark on a year-long poker series in 2013. The Anonymous Poker Series will comprise of both live and online events, to showcase the BPN’s unique product offering. January 2013 will also see the BPN’s newest B2B partners join the network.
Black Chip Poker Announces New Time Bank Feature
The latest online poker site to join the Winning Poker Network is letting everyone slow things down when facing a difficult decision. Black Chip Poker has just announced its new Time Bank feature, available in all tournaments and at all cash tables. The Time Bank gives players extra time to decide whether to fold, call, raise, or go all in, and it's available at all poker tables—including cash tables and tournaments.
Full Tilt Poker Head Howard Lederer Forfeits $1.25 Mil, Several Properties
Howard Lederer, the one time part owner of Full Tilt Poker, has settled with the US Government, agreeing to forfeit $1.25 million in bank accounts and a number of real estate properties.
BetCRIS.com Announces Major Acquisition
San Jose, Costa Rica -- BetCRIS.com, one of the leaders in the online gaming industry, announced the acquisition of all BookMaker.eu non-US accounts.
Cash Transfers to be Reinstated at Lock Poker at Start of January
Lock Poker announced on Tuesday it was in the final stages of re-implementing its popular cash transfer deposit and withdrawal methods with a target date two weeks from today (or early January 2013).
PartyPoker Now 2nd Most Trafficked Poker Network with Bwin Transition Complete
Following the completed integration of Bwin on the PartyPoker network, Party has now surpassed Full Tilt Poker as the 2nd most trafficked online poker network in the world, according to tracking site PokerScout.com.
BetIslands.com, EZ Street and 7RedSports.com to Shut Down: 'Money Man' Pulls Out
SBRForum.com confirmed Tuesday morning what many hard core sports bettors already feared, that BetIslands.com will be shutting down and stiffing its relatively small but high end customer base.
William Hill Deadline to Acquire Sportingbet Extended
(Reuters) - William Hill , Britain's largest bookmaker, has been given more time to finalise a 485 million pound ($785 million) takeover of rival gambling group Sportingbet.
The companies have provisionally agreed a cash and shares deal which would value Sportingbet shares at 56.1 pence each. William Hill is making a joint bid with smaller betting firm GVC Holdings .
The deadline for a formal offer to be submitted has been extended until Friday, December 21, the three companies said on Tuesday. It had been due to expire later on Tuesday.
