Turbo Poker -- Pacific Poker has introduced two new features for poker players seeking fast-paced and speedier games. The first are the turbo games, which give the player five seconds for the blinds and 10 seconds for the other rounds. The second are the fast games, which allow seven seconds for the blinds and 14 seconds for the other rounds. The free-play version has an even larger selection of turbo games. "We have multi-tables that only grant seven seconds and levels go up every two minutes, said Mike Herea, promotions department manager for Pacific Poker. "There are the Nitro Sit and Go tables that give 10 seconds and the Super Fast Heads Up tables that only allow seven seconds to make a choice."
Bookie Cleared of Allegations -- A Tasmanian racing inquiry has cleared a bookmaker of illegally using Betfair at the Elwick Showgrounds in August. The inquiry found that while bookmaker Barry Heawood was monitoring Betfair at the racetrack, there was no evidence that he placed any bets on the Internet exchange. Betfair could not provide any evidence due to privacy laws. Director of racing Tony Murray acknowledged that Heawood would have escaped on a technicality in any case because bets on Betfair's Internet server officially take place in the United Kingdom and not in Tasmania. Murray said all Tasmanian bookmakers will be banned from using any Internet betting exchange at a racecourse.
Bingo Consolidation -- Leading Internet bingo portal Bingo.com Ltd. announced that it has purchased cash bingo Web site yankeebingo.com. Active players from the site will immediately have their accounts credited in the Bingo.com system and may begin playing in the cash games.
Shanghai Scandal -- The Shanghai Daily reports that the Yangpu District Prosecutors' Office in Shanghai has charged 12 people in relation to an online soccer gambling scheme in which punters allegedly bet 150 million yuan (US$18.52 million). Prosecutors said the gang leaders, two local residents surnamed Shi and Xu, applied to be a local agency for gambling Web sites in 2003. After they receiving a username and code, they allegedly recruited a great number of online gamblers in August 2003 and earned more than 100,000 yuan by May 2005. Prosecutors said gamblers can contact an agency through the Internet or by telephone at any time, while the agents can work at home, in a hotel or even in a car with a computer and a telephone. With so many willing customers, the gangs have become increasingly well organized. Prosecutors have sent several gangs to court this year. In most cases, gang leaders are Shanghai locals and their accomplices are from other provinces.
Keno Upgrade -- Gaming Transactions Inc., a leading provider of online gaming portal management, announced that it will be launching a new version of its flagship portal, Keno.com, this quarter. The company also plans to introduce a number of new options, including online versions of multiplayer poker, bingo, casino games, skill games, lotteries, sports and pari-mutuel betting. The upgraded site is currently in alpha-testing.
Laundering at City Index -- The Guardian reports that City of London police are conducting a money laundering investigation into two traders who took out suspicious bets with City Index, the financial spread betting firm owned by the millionaire money broking chief and Conservative party donor Michael Spencer. City Index had alerted police to the suspect trades but then failed to stop the funds passing through its books. Police said on Tuesday they had charged Stephen Judge, a former compliance officer at City Index, with consenting to transfer £30,787.26 even though doing so was prohibited under the Proceeds of Crime Act. It is thought to be the first charge of its kind to be brought since the act was passed three years ago after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States.