Friday, July 23
Authority Shift -- Philippine Finance Secretary Juanita Amatong announced Tuesday that the government is drafting an executive order that would place the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) under the Department of Finance by 2005. The Catholic Church's leading anti-gambling advocate in the Philippines, Pangasinan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, has praised the plan, claiming that the Department of Finance should be able to clean up the controversial policies and revenue allocations that the company has made in the past. "This is good because the office of the president does not have enough time to oversee it," Cruz said. "It is better in a way because the office of the president is loaded with a lot of agenda."
Olympic Betting in NZ -- New Zealand's TAB has gained permission from the country's basketball authorities to take bets on Olympic basketball. The New Zealand Olympic Committee objects but has no authority to prevent TAB, which has also obtained permission to offer wagering on soccer, from going through with it. TAB speculates that it could have six sports under its belt by the start of the Olympic Games next month, with tennis, the triathlon, cycling and boxing the next potential additions. TAB will return 1 percent of its betting turnover and 5 percent of its profits from basketball wagers to the sport.
Rejection? -- The Guardian reports that U.K. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell will probably reject the Parliament Joint Scrutiny Committee's suggestions, published yesterday, that existing casino companies be permitted to operate a limited number of Las Vegas-style unlimited payout slot machines. The government's proposed regulatory model would give new casino and leisure complexes exclusive rights to operate such machines. The committee's chairman, John Greenway, would like to protect England's existing operators, such as Rank, Stanley Leisure and Gala, from the flood of foreign investors by allowing them to operate the machines in limited numbers in their own casinos. "The existing industry risks being seriously and, in our view, unfairly disadvantaged by the government's proposals," Greenway said. But according to the Guardian's sources in the Culture Department, Jowell has already resolved to ban the machines in all but a few destination sites.
Thursday, July 22
Proper Identification -- The Europe Intelligence Wire reports that Betfair has notified all of its clients via e-mail that it plans to "properly identify customers as an integrity and security measure." The company has asked customers to provide the following information in the form of a photocopy or scan: personal identification (passport, driver's license, social security card, etc.), address verification (bill or bank statement) and source of payment verification (credit card or credit card account statement).
$35,000 Soccer Ball -- GoldenPalace.com says it has purchased the soccer ball that David Beckham kicked wide during a game-ending shootout between Britain and France at the Euro 2004 quarter-finals. The online casino operator purchased the ball on eBay for a staggering $35,000. CEO Richard Rowe said, "We plan on raising a lot more money for charity than we did paying for this ball. Expect to see the ball traveling around the world in an effort to raise money for charitable organizations."
Scrutiny Report -- British Parliament's Joint Scrutiny Committee today published its second report on the U.K. Draft Gambling Bill. The committee holds the opinion that only the largest resort casinos should be permitted to offer Las Vegas-style slot machines with unlimited prize money, and they should be limited to 1,250 machines each. It also believes that the United Kingdom must avoid the proliferation of Las Vegas-style casinos by creating large leisure destinations casinos that also contain arts and sports centers to attract non-gamblers. The report also suggests the size of such casinos be limited. Online gambling was not discussed in the report because the Scrutiny Committee and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport agree upon most of the proposed regulations for I-gaming. The government will now take the committee's latest suggestions into account before publishing its bill this fall.
Quoteworthy -- "It's devastating, but basically all I can say to PBL is, 'Would they sell the advertising they're selling now on Channel Nine for 25 percent less than what they're currently getting?' What betting exchanges have offered us is a quarter of a percent as compared to four-and-a-half percent from the TAB. Last year racing got $198.5 million, if the only money they got was from betting exchanges that figure would be $5 million and our industry couldn't operate."
- Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys commenting on Kerry Packer's Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd. announcement that it had entered a joint agreement with Betfair.
Wednesday, July 21
Dirty Image -- Cashcade Ltd., a content developer for online games, has hired Vinnie Jones, a former soccer player who later became a film actor, to be the face of its poker site--Getmintedpoker.com. The company hopes that Jones, who appeared in the movies Swordfish> and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, will help convey its image as a smoky poker den, rather than a glamorous Las Vegas casino--the theme imitated by many other poker sites. Cashcade plans to put Jones' picture on its CDs and packaging to be sent to 100,000 residents through a direct mail campaign.
Bingo TV -- FirstBingo.com, a company that produces an Internet and television show called "Trivia Bingo," has signed an exclusive broadcast licensing agreement with Bingo TVNet Corporation, which will televise the program every Wednesday on EchoStar's DISH Network channel 104. Bingo TV enables viewers to participate in trivia games at home for advertising-supported prizes or a chance to compete on the televised show.
Proposition -- The Australian reported today that Kerry Packer's Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd. has approached Betfair to propose a partnership to target the Australian betting market. Mark Davies, Betfair's spokesperson in Australia, commented, "People seem to be fascinated by the possibility that we might be talking to them, but I think that's more a reflection of Australia's fascination with PBL than Betfair's interest in PBL. We have been approached by a lot of major companies in Australia, and I wouldn't deny that PBL was one of them. But to go further than that at this point is jumping the gun. It's premature to believe we are about to be doing something tomorrow."
Quoteworthy -- "I had just finished work and was settling down in front of the TV when I saw Mr. (Charlie) McCreevy's face on the opening of RTE news. I guessed right away it wasn't going to be about an increase in the price of cigarettes, so we of course immediately withdrew the very attractive offer of 5/4 against Mr. McCreevy taking up the Commissioner's post. It was just as well he didn't get wind of our speculating on his chance of becoming Ireland's E.U. commissioner; he could have made his new post even more lucrative by having a sure bet on it with Gamebookers. We had also opened a market on the extent of (Taoiseach) Bertie's (Ahern) imminent, much discussed cabinet reshuffle; that market will probably reopen after a brief review of the situation."
- Eddie Lee, a spokesman for Gamebookers, which had opened a book market on which politician would become Ireland's new E.U. Commissioner, only to discover the position had been filled within an hour of their opening the book.
Tuesday, July 20
Games in Greece -- Greek police continue to raid Internet café's and confiscate computers to enforce anti-gambling legislation that also bans non-wagering computer games such as chess and solitaire. According to Greece's Public Order Ministry, police this year have conducted over 1,200 raids, arrested several Internet café owners and confiscated enough computers to fill several warehouse rooms. The country could have a potential disaster on its hands if it continues to enforce the policy next month, as the return of the Olympics to Greece brings a massive influx of international visitors. Greece was told by the European Commission in April that it must lift the ban. One senior government official told the Europe Intelligence Wire that he expects the law to be repealed by September.
Moving -- I-gaming software provider Microgaming announced that it will soon move to new, larger business premises in the Isle of Man. The company's sales and marketing functions will move to the new location to improve internal communications and international customer support.
Just Six Bets -- Most bookmakers were pleased that an obscure American golfer, Todd Hamilton, won the British Open at Royal Troon yesterday. Hamilton, 37, was a 200/1 long-shot at the start of the tournament. Combined, Ladbrokes and William Hill took just six bets on Hamilton, none of them higher than $10.
Partnership -- Online affiliate program VIP Profits has added BETeuro.com, the latest VIP Management Services brand, to its lineup of merchants. BETeuro.com is VIP Profits' first European sports book and casino offering.
Charity Poker -- PokerBook Gaming Corporation, a U.S.-based gaming software provider, is in the process of establishing a charitable poker site at www.worldpokercharitytour.com, which will be used for charitable fund raising events. The company says it will contract licensed non-profit large corporations with established donor contributor bases to run their own online poker tournaments through the Fantasy Poker Club, which will work directly with charities to organize and operate their tournaments and to help obtain sponsorship prizes.
Congressional Calendar -- At the end of the week, the U.S. Congress will adjourn for a six-week summer recess, giving the country's lawmakers an opportunity to enjoy some vacation time and to attend the Democratic and Republican conventions. The session will resume Sept. 7 and then likely adjourn sometime in early October in preparation for the November elections. Congress could meet again after the elections for a brief period to deal with budget issues.
Monday, July 19
Miles of Tipping -- Miles Rodgers, the former managing director of Platinum Racing who was banned from racing by the U.K. Jockey Club for two years in April, intends to establish a private tipping service that will maintain no more than 25 clients who will pay £3,950 per year for "information you have previously only dreamed about." According to a Web site promoting his services, "If you are worried about the effect the recent adverse publicity may have had on my contacts, let me reassure you that I have spoken to them and they are all more than happy to continue our prosperous relationship." The Jockey Club disapproves, but has no power to prevent Rodgers from starting the venture.
HeadendWare -- California-based ICTV, a company that provides infrastructure to deliver new iTV services to digital subscribers, has reached an agreement with Zone4Play, a company based in Israel that provides interactive game applications for iTV, Internet and mobile platforms. Zone4Play will become an Elite Solutions partner for games of skill and chance on ICTV's delivery platform, "HeadendWare." Zone4Play will equip HeadendWare with popular games such as blackjack, slots, video poker, Caribbean poker and roulette.
Upgrading Sky -- BSkyB plans to update its Sky Active interactive TV portal and to offer more online activities by initiating a five-year plan to significantly change its brand, values and core offering. To facilitate progress and development, the company is creating a new position, Sky Interactive editor, responsible for building a team to design new media services. The company, which seeks to offer more online services, such as dating and games, will also create a new position for a commercial chief of Sky Online, Sky's Web division.
Two Million Strong -- PokerRoom.com announced last week that it had signed its 2 millionth member. Operating since 1999, the group also says it has experienced a 60 percent increase in membership since the beginning of 2004.
Quoteworthy -- "My position is if an investor files an application, I am willing to move forward with it. But I need to know if the legislature would be behind the commission if they arrest us and put us in jail."
- Eileen Petersen, chairwoman of the U.S. Virgin Islands' Casino Control Commission. The legislature of the Virgin Islands approved regulations for I-gaming in August 2001, but has since received notice from the U.S. Department of Justice that it believes online gambling violates federal law. Petersen said that so far no Internet gaming companies have filed applications to offer services. Meanwhile, the Casino Control Commission is not receiving appropriate funds to function at an optimal level. Last year the commission was appropriated $615,000 but received only $520,000. It has requested $1.5 million this year. Sufficient funding would enable the commission to provide education and awareness of the St. Croix gaming industry, develop gambling education and addiction treatment programs, and properly train staff in new technologies, innovations and strategies.
Stock Exchange Cricket -- Betfair has signed a one-year sponsorship deal with the London Stock Exchange Cricket Club (S.E.C.C.), a team whose membership is open to all members of the London Stock Exchange. The club is about to head to Scotland, where it will play a series of matches against the Scottish financial community and MCC.