Opposition -- Union Network International (UNI), a trade union group for gambling industry workers, has stated its opposition to online casinos. "The fact that casino operators intend to offer a complete set of games via the Internet outside the casino environment means that these will be in competition with traditional gaming," the group said at its annual meeting in March. "Thus, the same range of games will be targeted at the same client base." They further said online gambling comes with no youth protection guarantee and it is highly addictive
NCLGS to Talk I-Gaming -- The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS), the organization of state lawmakers that meets to discuss issues relevant to gaming, has scheduled a hearing to address Internet gambling on June 2 during its spring meeting in Boston. The group is putting together a lineup of experts from the public and private sectors to testify on the pros and cons of Internet gambling as well as legal and regulatory concerns. "NCLGS believes that Internet gaming is a states' rights issue, and states should ultimately have final say over its existence in the U.S.," NCLGS President Sen. Steven Geller said in a prepared statement. "NCLGS is holding the hearing in order to revisit its current position on Internet gaming, initially formed in the late 1990s, and to take into consideration recent relevant activity, including World Trade Organization findings, Department of Justice rules, state initiatives regarding the Internet, and new technology." The NCLGS presently opposes Internet gambling.
For the Children -- "Kids Poker Tour," a two-day event planned for June in Vancouver, will teach kids the fundamentals of Texas Hold'em, and organizers claim math and communications skills are beneficial byproducts. "This is more like an educational workshop focusing on skills development," said Larry Klatt, a spokesman for Nevada North Entertainment, the company producing the event. But, B.C. Solicitor General John Les said the tour is unconscionable. "I think this is inappropriate. I think this is targeting a vulnerable population," Les said. "They want to come in here and get kids involved in poker. I think their objective is clear, they just want to raise customers for tomorrow." The tour, which costs $120 for a day and a half of instruction and a half-day tournament, is reportedly being revised to adhere to all the requirements under the law. "Prizes like educational subsidies and free admission to future tours might be cancelled," Klatt said. "We're not going to step out of bounds. We'll revise this. We're not looking to do anything outside the law."
Rearranging -- Leisure and entertainment company Rank Group plc, operator of online gaming sites hardrockcasino.com and bluesq.com, announced Thursday that David Boden has stepped down as executive director and will also be leaving his post as managing director of the company's gaming division. CEO Ian Burke will be taking over that role.
-- A new poker Web site enables customers to play regardless what operating system or browser they are using. RicaPoker.com is promoted as a fast-loading, instant-play 3D poker site that offers free and pay-to-play poker games. "We are always looking to latch on to technologies that will benefit our customers and we have built internal processes for evaluating the need for technology upgrades on a regular basis," Roddy Madden, operations director at RicaPoker.com, said.
IGN will be taking a hiatus from Nambling Notes next week while the staff works a the Global Interactive Gaming Summit and Expo in Montreal. Look for coverage of the event the following week.