Quoteworthy -- "The Wire Act is an antiquated statute that the government is using to intimidate companies from accepting advertising for Internet gambling sites. This is a law that was developed to stop racketeering over the phone more than 50 years ago. They are manipulating the law to cover a technology that was not even invented when the Act was written.
--William Heberer, an attorney with the law firm Manatt, Phelps and Philips LLP, speaking at the BetOnSports.com summit in Washington, D.C. last Thursday. Heberer also stated that a prohibition of online gambling could never be effective. "There will be no way to enforce it with consumers," he said. "From a consumer point of view it's better for government to bring online gambling into the light of day."
Home Team Advantage -- Costa Rica-based sports book Betmaker.com has initiated a "Home Team Advantage" program that lets punters receive a 15 percent bonus every time they place a bet on their favorite teams and win. Customers can select their favorite team from each league (MLB, NBA, NCAA, etc.), but should choose wisely because once chosen, the team cannot be changed until the end of the season. Betmaker's marketing director, Sean Jameson, recently told Reveille Online, the Internet site for Louisiana State University's student newspaper, that Betmaker this year began targeting college bettors.
Go Gaming Go -- U.K.-based mobile content company Mobile Streams has launched a new fully licensed pay-to-play mobile betting service that will feature slot reels and scratch cards and will operate under the "Go Gaming Go" brand. Mobile Streams is making the service available to mobile carriers, white-label partners, and its own consumer base. Players can download the games onto their mobile devices by sending an SMS to 89944. Mobile Streams CEO Simon Buckingham said the games are aimed at "people seeking an occasional flutter rather than serious gamblers." He added, "A significant proportion of these people will be attracted to games that require no learning curve or experience and offer immediate gratification through winning real money."
Low Levy -- The New Zealand Gambling Commission today released its "Report on the Proposed Problem Gambling Levy," which makes recommendations on the total annual amount of the proposed problem gambling levy for a three-year period and the proposed levy rate for each gambling sector. The report takes the view that the proposed levy is probably too low to fully address problem gambling in New Zealand and some problem gambling services may have to be discontinued as a result. The report also suggested that the Lotteries Commission increase its contribution because it is responsible for introducing many people to gambling and found that funding for Asian, Maori and youth communities is inadequate. Green MP Sue Bradford has rallied around the report, stating "This report is a wake-up call to the government to seriously reconsider its commitment to addressing problem gambling in New Zealand. The levy must be raised immediately to fund the services that are urgently needed by people affected by gambling addictions."
Outsourcing -- Sweden-based I-gaming software provider Boss Media has enlisted global outsourcing company Accenture to help it respond more quickly to the online gaming industry's rapid changing market conditions. Accenture's global delivery center network will provide application development, management and maintenance services to Boss and assist it in maintaining its current games system platform and developing its next-generation gaming platform that will support gaming over the Internet, mobile devices and interactive video terminals.