Casino Watch - December

15 November 2007
In-flight Gaming on the Horizon

Irish airline Ryanair, which has been working on offering in-flight gambling since 2004, could make it happen as early as next year from online gambling group 888.com.

According to U.K. newspaper the Sunday Mirror, the U.K.'s new gambling regulations could make it possible for airlines to offer in-flight Internet casino games on long-haul flights. Passengers would be able to access 888.com via on-board television screens.

British Airways, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific have also signed up to the scheme and others are expected to follow, the paper said.

No-Limit Hold 'em Tourney in China

PokerStars.net is sponsoring the first ever real money No-Limit Texas Hold 'em poker tournament to be held in the People's Republic of China. The PokerStars.net Asia Pacific Poker Tour Macau: Asian Poker Open, owned jointly by the Galaxy Entertainment/Grand Waldo Casino group and First Impression Ltd., takes place between Nov. 22 and 27 at the Grand Waldo Hotel and Casino in Macau.

Microgaming Launches Globet Poker

Following an upgrade to Microgaming's Viper casino software earlier this year, Gibraltar based globetcasino.com has launched Globet Poker on the Microgaming Poker Network. Globet Poker primarily targets Central and Eastern Europe.

24h Nordic Casino

Nordic Casino Ltd. and 24hPoker have inked an agreement whereby Nordic Casino will launch on the 24hNetwork. "Nordic Casino Ltd. is an interesting partner as they belong to a group of companies that provides good marketing possibilities, which is a key factor for success in the gaming business," said 24hPoker CEO Peter Åström.

Virgin Incentives

Virgin Games launched V*Points on Virgin Casino and Virgin Bingo, offering customers the opportunity to use Virgin Games' loyalty program, previously available only to Virgin Poker players. Customers may redeem V*Points for cash, travel or other Virgin products.

Orbis Offering

Orbis has launched its latest offering, Package 9, featuring OpenBet Casino and OpenBet Fixed Odds games. "Content delivery is an important part of Orbis's business strategy over the next few years and we understand it is important to continue to deliver fresh, unique and compelling games content to our customers," said Orbis Sales and Marketing VP Jeremy Thompson-Hill.

More Mansion

Mansion has added over 50 of Playtech's Flash-based, non-downloadable casino games. "The launch of Flash games will allow our members to play their favorite casino games instantly wherever in the world they are," said Mansion Chief Executive Guy Gussarsky.

Cantor's Got Moves

Cantor Gaming may finally begin testing wireless gambling devices in Nevada this month, nearly two years after regulators approved rules governing wagering on wireless hand-held gambling devices in Nevada casinos. The company, a division of New York-based financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, hopes to begin testing the devices soon at the Venetian Casino and Resort.

Cantor Gaming has also launched a new online casino owned by British pub and entertainment group Punch Taverns. Licensed in Malta, Pub-casino.co.uk offers blackjack, roulette, video poker, slots and baccarat. More poker and bingo products will be made available.

Fortuna Casino Royale

Curaçao-based Fortuna Gaming has re-launched its Europe-facing poker and casino under the Fortuna Royale brand. The company plans to introduce the brand on a country-by-country basis, beginning with Germany, with plans to expand as far as the Asia-Pacific region. "We have been researching what the market wants in each country," said Fortuna President Richard Raffay. "We intend to modify our content and games and offer these products in several languages including Swiss, French, Italian, German, Chinese, Japanese and Turkish."