No Bail for the NY Busted -- The AP reported Wednesday that the brains behind the Playwithal operation, James Giordano, will be held without bail. Daniel Clarin, Giordano's son-in-law, also arraigned in connection with Playwithal, will be held without bail. Giordano and Clarin will return to Queens criminal court on Dec. 7 for another bail hearing. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges including enterprise corruption and money laundering.
'Tis the Season -- Market research agency Ventura24 said on Wednesday that Spanish I-lotto sales will increase by 50 percent from 75,000 to 150,000 this year. The figure was released as part of the the group's "2006 Christmas Lottery" survey, which attributed the rise in sales to a wider offering of numbers as well as diminished concern regarding online purchase security. The survey also revealed that 60 percent of the respondents wait until December to buy their tickets.
Making the Grade -- U.K. online gambling company Blue Square announced today its reception of Gamcare certification. Gamcare, the U.K.-based gambling watchdog, awarded the certification in acknowledgment of Blue Square's implementation of Gamcare's "Code of Practice for Remote Gambling" for its sports betting service.
Italian Casino Prepares to Launch Online Offering -- The Italian Casino of San Remo (CSR) is making preparations to launch its online gaming suite, reports Yogonet.com. The casino has received licensure from the italian State Monopoly Administration to offer mobile-, television-, and I-gaming services. CSR was selected by the Administration--with 31 other companies--and inserted in a list of concessionaires for online gambling. Still to be determined is the gaming suite itself, which, according to the report, will likely be comprised of skill games.
Make a Wish, Inter! -- Online casino InterCasino is celebrating its tenth year in the online gaming biz, it announced today. In its decade on the scene, Inter has paid out more than $3 billion in customer winnings.
Appointed -- Online gambling player protection and standards authority eCOGRA Wednesday announced the appointment of former leisure and gaming exec Bill Henbrey as an additional independent director of the board.