ENDORSED The Federation Internationale de Poker Association, or FIDPA, has announced its endorsement of Clarion Gaming’s 2008 World Poker Congress, taking place in Budapest Oct. 29-30.
Bridging the gap between land-based and online operators, the conference is in its third year and with FIDPA’s endorsement will bring professional poker players Marcel Luske, better known as The Flying Dutchman, and Michelle Lau. They will be speaking on behalf of FIDPA about the importance of the international poker rules.
“The WPC is a perfect example of FIDPA's mission to promote poker on a global level by uniting the queens, kings and jacks of the poker world,” Ms. Lau said in a prepared statement.
REJECTED The Registered Clubs Association of New South Wales, or ClubsNSW, announced on Monday that it rejected a proposal in June from Centrebet International Ltd., a Northern Territory Online Operator.
Under the proposal, which was unanimously rejected by the ClubsNSW board, it said it would have received ongoing commissions from sports bets placed by club members through Centrebet’s Web site or through mobile phone applications.
David Costello, chief executive of ClubsNSW, cited the United States Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, matching the situation in the America to that of Australia.
“Compare this with Australia where Internet gambling operators are not only free to advertise but are also offering inducements such as $200 free bets for new members on the condition they use a credit card,” Mr. Costello said in a prepared statement.
“Governments have introduced over 200 different laws which clubs must abide by to operate poker machines,” he continued. “Similar laws for Internet gambling are well overdue.”
THE WAITING GAME Microgame S.p.A., an Italian gaming service provider, and Parlay Entertainment Inc. have announced plans to launch two online bingo networks.
The networks will be powered by an Internet platform that combines Parlay’s bingo, casino and other soft-game products with Microgame’s existing management and infrastructure.
The first network launch will be held off until the Italian government adds bingo to the list of regulated I-games, which Microgame believes will happen in the first quarter of 2009. According to a prepared statement, the second network will likely be based in Malta and is set for an international launch in the second quarter of next year.
“The agreement will allow Microgame to offer Italian gaming operators served by it the opportunity to immediately enter this new market as protagonists and with success by combining the powerful characteristics of Parlay bingo with the functionalities of Microgame's regulated gaming service provider,” said Fabrizio D'Aloia, managing director of Microgame, in the statement.
LAUNCHED Calling itself Britain’s first new football pools company in 62 years, Pools4all, an online wagering company, launched yesterday.
The new site allows players to forecast the outcome of football matches in separate ‘pools’ of around 10 matches. The player earns points and more chances of winning by guessing close to the right score.
Pools4all features a full range of matches including the English, Scottish and top European Leagues, and mid-week matches are to be offered at a later date.
“Playing traditional football pools is like watching a match on black and white television,” said Tony Poskitt, Pools4all managing director, in a prepared statement. “Pools4all.com brings the game into the digital HD age and makes it a lot more fun.”
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