NEW U.K. LEVY After coming up £1.2 million short in voluntary charity contributions for problem gambling research, ministers in the United Kingdom are imposing a statutory levy for all operators and bookmakers, The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday.
According to The Telegraph, since operators and bookmakers are failing to meet the minimum contribution into the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, a mandatory tax is in the works with contribution rates based on the company’s size.
Under the U.K. Gambling Act 2005, the gambling trust was set up so that gambling operators have the option to pay, but the contribution is not mandatory.
According to the trust's 2006-2007 Annual Report, only 11 gambling companies contributed to the trust. While the gambling trust met its funding goal of £3 million for that year, the goal has increased this year to £4.5 million.
I SPIDEY CryptoLogic Ltd. unveiled a three-game lineup on Tuesday featuring Marvel’s Spider-Man, a new adventure slot game and an enhanced version of Atlantic City Blackjack.
“At CryptoLogic, branded casino games are one of the pillars of our strategy, and today we extend our lead in this highly profitable segment even further,” said Brian H. Hadfield, CryptoLogic's president and chief executive. “CryptoLogic's original Spider-Man slot game was one of our most successful games ever, and we have high hopes for these new games, which deliver a truly unique customer experience.”
The latest version of that most successful game features a 25-line slot game in which players battle the evil Doctor Octopus. Also a 25-line slot game, Dragon Sword has just that -- dragons, hidden treasures and a knight on a quest for his lost sword. The bonus pack also touts a new version of Atlantic City Blackjack with new auto-betting features.
Currently available to players at Intercasino, the Dublin company said the new games will be live on other sites soon, but did not specify when.
PARTNER UP Electracade Ltd., a subsidiary of Orbis Holdings, has teamed up with Innovative Gaming Inc. to launch and co-distribute the online version of a casino table game, “Quick Seven.”
Created by Innovative Gaming, “Quick Seven” allows for player participation by making discard decisions, pressing existing wagers, hedging losing wagers and more.
“We recognize the significant upside of being able to offer clients this complementary and unique new table game,” said Mark Paling, managing director of Electracade, in a prepared statement. “Electracade is confident that ‘Quick Seven’ delivers the compelling game play that players are looking for, and we look forward to working with Innovative Gaming on future products.”
SPONSORING William Hill Bingo has become a program sponsor of ITV’s daytime show “Real Deal,” the company announced on Saturday.
Hosted by antique dealer David Dickinson, “Real Deal” takes viewers around the country to estimate the worth of others’ antique possessions. The sponsorship began on Monday and will run through mid-April, William Hill said in a prepared statement.
AiG EARLY BIRDS Conference organizers Clarion Gaming and Beacon Events have announced that attendees to the Asian i-Gaming Congress and Expo, or AiG, will be able to save $200 if registration is received by Friday, Jan. 23.
In its seventh year, the conference brings an exhaustive list of experts on gaming in the East together on Feb. 24-26 at the Venetian in Macau. Senior executives from a number of I-gaming companies including AsianLogic Ltd., CryptoLogic Asia Pacific and Mahjong Time will be on hand to discuss regional issues.
For more information, click here, and to register, click here.
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