New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Handheld Devices in Casinos
Members of the New Jersey Legislature met with Atlantic City casino operators and gaming technology firms to discuss whether the state should pass legislation similar to a bill that passed in Nevada last year enabling Nevada's casinos to offer casino gaming via remote handheld devices in public areas of the casino grounds. Several representatives from Atlantic City casinos were on hand for the two-hour hearing, including Dave Farlin, vice president of information technology at the Borgata, who stated, "This is about staying competitive. Wireless technology is another mechanism for providing gaming."
Victoria Taking Bids for Gaming Machine, Keno and Wagering Licenses
The Victorian government has begun accepting bid submissions for the state's licenses governing gaming machines, Club Keno, and wagering licenses. At the moment Tabcorp and Tettersall's currently possess the only licenses for gaming machines and Club Keno outside of Crown Casino, but the Bracks administration hopes to bring new players into the market. It is believed that UNiTAB and Racing Victoria may vie for the wagering license. Gaming and Racing Minister John Pandazopoulos is considering awarding the gaming machine license to individual venue operators.
Argentine Province Licenses Sports Betting Site
The Argentine province of Formosa has granted a sports betting license to local company Formopuestas. The company has begun taking bets online via its website Formoapuestas.com.ar. Online gambling firm BetonSports.com is also involved in the project.
Russia Passes New Ad Laws; Possible Casino Regs on the Table
On March 10, Russia's State Duma will consider the first reading of a bill package that proposes new regulations for the gaming industry. If the bill were to pass, a casino or gambling house would be required to possess a bank security of US$10.6 million and $5.3 million in equity capital before being allowed to open. Another stipulation states that gambling firms must return no less than 80 percent of their gaming revenue back to their customers as winnings.
Three weeks ago the State Duma passed a new law that places tighter restrictions on advertising. There is now a ban on the advertising of alcohol and tobacco products. Gambling ads also face closer scrutiny.
Internet Monitoring Progresses in China
Members of the Internet Society of China's (ISC) Internet News Service Work Committee, to which more than 100 of China's biggest Internet content and service providers belong, have agreed to exercise self-regulation as a means to stop illegal activity on the Internet, such as gambling and pornography. The ISC, which was formed to promote a healthy cyber atmosphere, promised that a tough and arduous campaign will ensue against Internet gambling and porn in China. "Just like American Internet companies are constantly saying that they know they need to help stymie online porn to protect children, so the Chinese Internet providers are also taking a good corporate social responsibility stance on these issues," said Danny Levinson, managing partner at China-based BDL Media. "Self-regulation is the key; few businesses anywhere in the world want government intervention."
Beginning March 1, new regulations introduced by the Chinese government ban citizens younger than 18 from Internet cafes, discos and karaoke bars. Those venues are also now barred from using "audio and video products and electronic games [that] harm national security and incite hatred toward other nationalities." The new rules also ban government staff and their close relatives from running entertainment venues, and people with criminal records related to drugs, rape, gambling and/or money laundering will not allowed to own or manage such establishments. Offenders may be fined up to 30,000 yuan (US$3,700).
Calls to Protect Olympics from Gambling Scandals
The UK's former shadow sports minister, Lord Tom Pendry, has lately been urging ministers to introduce a code of practice aimed at preventing betting irregularities and fixed contests at the 2012 London Olympics. Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is also lobbying ministers to institute rules. Pendry has suggested that Britain's Gambling Commission could draw up a code of practice with the London 2012 Organizing Committee (Locog) on how betting on the Olympics is conducted. Said Pendry, "If Locog were of the view that the integrity risks were great for all the sporting events in the Games, or just some of them, I would expect the Gambling Commission to issue a code to all licensed bookmakers restricting or even preventing the bets that they could make.
Sports minister Richard Caborn seems to be of the attitude that the responsibility of insuring the integrity of the sports lies with Olympics organizers and governing bodies. Graham Sharpe of bookmaker William Hill dismissed Pendry's call, declaring it ludicrous, while Stephen Burn, spokesman for betting exchange Betfair, said, "People have been betting on the Olympics since the Games began. The choice the IOC faces is a simple one; it can work with properly regulated, legitimate betting businesses, like our own, or it can turn its back on us and look down on the industry with some out-dated air of moral indignation. What it can't do is stop people punting on its events because there will always be unscrupulous and illegal operators looking to exploit vulnerable, corrupt or greedy athletes and punters." Betfair has since offered the IOC access to confidential information that could help to determine whether betting rings have been trying to fix the outcome of events at this year's Olympic Games.
Italian Finance Law Bans Foreign Online Gambling Sites
Lawyers for UK gaming companies Ladbrokes, Betfair, William Hill, Coral Eurobet and SkyBet are threatening to take legal action against Italian regulators unless they reverse recent Italian policy changes which outlaw access to gaming sites outside Italy. The country's Ministry of Economy and Finance passed a law that has the power to fine any Italian ISP that allows access to a list of gambling sites. The Remote Gambling Association (RGA), on behalf of the British companies, put out a statement in November objecting to the changes, which they claim violate five categories of European Commission rules that allow governments to restrict cross-border services on moral grounds but not due to competition. A spokesperson for the RGA said the advocacy group is seeking an urgent meeting with EU single market commissioner Charlie McCreevy to discuss the Italian law and is likely to review its options at the end of this month.