Congressional Happenings -- Originally thought to be slated for May 17, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's full committee markup of both the Goodlatte Internet Gambling Prohibition Act and the Leach Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act are tentatively scheduled for May 10. The official schedule should be posted closer to the date.
Misunderstanding -- U.S. Ambassador to the WTO, Peter Allgeier, reduced the WTO dispute between the United States and Antigua and Barbuda to a mere difference of opinion in stating today that Antigua and Barbuda has misunderstood the ruling that said the United States should adjust its trade regulations, which restrict access by Antigua-based gaming companies to the U.S. market. Allgeier said the U.S. government is aware that Antigua and Barbuda's understanding of the dispute settlement body ruling differs from that of the United Sates and that the United States is in compliance with the recommendations and ruling. "We believe (Antigua's) understanding is incorrect," he said, "and that Antigua's misreading of the results of this dispute has fostered misperceptions concerning their implications."
East -- U.K.-based financial and sports spread betting company WorldSpreads Group announced today that it has launched two eastern European operations, one in Greece and one in Hungary. The Athens operation, which will be supported by a fully interactive Greek language Web site, will be headed up by Panos Natsiopoulos, an experienced market professional who formerly worked with London broker Tulletts. For its Hungary office, WorldSpreads has formed a joint venture with NET Media Rt., operators of Hungary-based financial portal portfolio.hu.
Far East -- Niko Partners, a research and consultancy firm that focuses on the Chinese gaming market, today released its findings for 2005 as well as its predictions for the future. According to the group's research, the market stands at $683 million (CNY 5,479,278,710), and will rise 24 percent per year between now and 2010. Niko attributed the growth to the proliferation of Internet cafes and broadband Internet connections in homes. Niko found that 84 percent of games played in China are online-enabled, and that casual games will also contribute to growth, increasing their share of the online games space from 20 percent to 40 percent.
Farther East -- The trial of a 23-year-old Japanese university student accused of fraud after trying to sell fraudulent cell phones to repay online gambling debts got under way Tuesday in Sapporo's district court. The unnamed student reportedly became hooked on Internet gambling while trying to earn extra money for an overseas trip and in a short time was JPY2 million (US$8,716) in debt. He then turned to a site called "Yami no Shokugyo Anteisho" (underground employment agency) and allegedly formed contracts through a person calling himself "Matsudaira" for cell phones in other peoples' names. A ruling on the case is expected on May 23, and Matsudaira has yet to be identified.