Legal Stuff -- Two Internet casino companies based in the Netherlands Antilles have reportedly been asked to stop accepting bets from Dutch citizens. The companies, Paramount and Universal Amusements, have been given until March 20 to comply with the order, which was a result of a recent court verdict in favor of Holland Casino that upholds Holland Casino's monopoly in the Netherlands.
Tidbit from Denmark -- The Copenhagen Post reported last week that government proposals to support the state gambling monopoly in Denmark are likely to gain political popularity. The proposals would make it more difficult for foreign bookmakers, such as Internet-run sports books, to operate in Denmark. The proposals would, among other things, restrict Internet gambling sites' activities and make it illegal for them to advertise and employ Danish citizens. The country's tax minister, Svend Erik Hovmand, is saying that the proposals could face a challenge from the European Union because they may conflict with rules on restricting trade.
UK Bit -- The United Kingdom's National Lottery has launched Internet-based versions of its games in a move to reverse its falling sales. The games available online include instant-win games that will be available between 7 a.m. and midnight and cost between 25 pence and £1. Richard, Hurd-Wood, the interactive director at Camelot, which operates the National Lottery, said the games will appeal to people who don’t regularly play the lottery. "This is just the first phase of an exciting long-term strategy to broaden the appeal of the National Lottery," he said. "The games are aimed at a target audience of irregular lottery players who don't have the lifestyle to go and buy tickets at a retailer who are comfortable with technology."
Making Deals -- CryptoLogic said today that its wholly owned subsidiary, WagerLogic, has been licensed to sell online gambling software in Alderney. The company provides the technology that operates The Ritz Club London Online, an Internet casino that was licensed by Alderney last year. Lewis Rose, interim president and CEO of CryptoLogic, said the announcement is cause for celebration. "This is a great day for CryptoLogic, and for everyone who shares our commitment to safe, secure and regulated Internet gaming," Rose said. "We're already working with international customers who want to operate Internet casinos from Alderney. And as the global movement to regulate the industry gains steam, another strictly regulated license today means a clear competitive advantage for us tomorrow."
New Zealand Tidbit -- The Asian Racing Federation will hold its 29th annual conference in Auckland this week. One of the major topics of discussion will be Internet gambling and its effect on the horse racing community. The conference will be attended by 500 racing administrators from 20 nations. Allan Fenwick, the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief executive, said online wagering will be covered extensively during the event. "The rapid growth of Internet gambling and the emergence of exchange betting (where people bet directly online against each other through a betting exchange) had all sorts of implications for traditional horse racing organizations such as the TAB and racing clubs," he said.