iGAMING NEWS
GTECH launches G2 igaming services
8 June, 2009: GTECH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lottomatica, has chosen the first day of the the 5th Congress of European State Lotteries in Istanbul to announce the launch of G2, its new interactive lottery, sports betting, poker, bingo and casino subsidiary. G2 is the new brand name for GTECH's interactive gaming ("igaming") and sports betting services businesses that is comprised of Boss Media and its four poker networks, Finsoft, St Minver, and Dynamite Idea.
G2 provides a full range of end-to-end gaming services, game content, and technology solutions to fully-regulated customers operating lotteries, sports betting, interactive poker, casino style games, bingo, skill, and regulated multi-player games. These services include e-commerce marketing, player relationship and risk management, fraud prevention, responsible gaming, and community functions.
Direct Merchant Services to launch MasterCard program at ICEi 2009
5 December, 2008: Direct Merchant Services Ltd, based in Northampton, UK, will launch its new co-branded, MasterCard-based issuing program at ICEi 2009, Business Development Manager Hasu Jani has confirmed.
The launch, which echoes the 2008 birth of similar Cirrus and Maestro-based initiatives, will see the unveiling of a co-branded program and e-transfer service.
Jani explained: “Our 2009 programme allows any company to issue branded MasterCard credit cards to their consumer base and includes the option of pre-loading cards with credit. The initiative is part of our objective of further expanding our product range into transaction processing business, with full payments in/out and support solutions.”
Direct Merchant Services has formidable experience in the merchant acquiring and payment processing sector, as well as proven and established services within the AUMEC Group, since 1997. The company will exhibit on ICEi stand 5010 at the International Gaming Expo, which takes place at London’s Earls Court Exhibition Centre across 27-29 January, 2009.
22 million online players worldwide
22 September, 2008: A recent survey reveals that online gambling generated over $9 billion in revenue from over 22 million players worldwide in 2007 - in the UK fewer than 12% of men and 6% of women gamble online.
eCOGRA surveys nearly 11,000 players
24 January, 2007: The first comprehensive picture of the 'average' online gambler has emerged from a huge new research project involving nearly 11,000 players from 96 countries.
One of the most surprising findings to emerge is that although playing for money was important in
terms of making games entertaining, overall, the majority of gamblers appear to not be playing to
win money long-term – it’s more about the entertainment.
When players across all forms of
gambling were asked why they gambled online, answers such as ‘to relax’, ‘for the entertainment
and excitement’ or ‘to relieve boredom’, heavily outweighed ‘to make money’ or ‘to win’,
highlighting that online gamblers view their pastime as simply another form of leisure activity.
The report can be accessed at www.ecogra.com
BoDog buys Betcorp
17 November, 2006: Privately held BoDog has agreed to buy out Betcorp for a reported $9 million. The deal was finalized on the morning of November 15th, 2006 when Betcorp's shareholders approved the sale.
Betcorp operated the successful online sportsbook BetWWTS.com as well as the smaller Oasis sportsbook, BetHoldem Poker and Thunderbolt Casino.
Online gaming website for Manchester United
18 August, 2006: This month Manchester United announced a new sponsor - Betfred. The world’s biggest independent bookmaker has become the official bookmaking and online gaming partner of the world’s biggest football club.
The multi million pound deal will see all the betting kiosks in the stadium and corporate areas rebranded and a Betfred/Manchester United website (www.manutd.com/bet) will offer poker and casino games as well as traditional betting.
Bodog conference heads for The Bahamas
17 Aug, 2006: Full details will be announced soon but the postponed Las Vegas Bodog conference will have a new location - probably the Atlantis, Paradise Island. The content of the conference will remain much as before.
Former Betonsports chief bailed
17 Aug, 2006: The former head of gaming website Betonsports has been freed on bail after a month in a US jail on charges of racketeering and fraud. David Carruthers' US$1 million bail bond includes restrictions to his freedom of movement. He must wear an electronic tag and has been confined to a St Louis, Missouri residence.
Online lottery faces ruin
6 June, 2006: Computer system hiccups, a poorly received publicity campaign and regulatory constraints have all been blamed in part after Chariot, the company behind the lottery Monday, admitted it had failed to come anywhere close to its target of 5m ticket sales a week.
If it does not get additional funding, Chariot shareholders are being told, the company - which four weeks ago was valued at £29m - will go bust. Shareholders have already watched their shares plunge by more than 90%.
Mobile gambling market set to rise
31 May, 2006: An increase in the vogue for mobile lotteries is largely responsible for the increase in mobile gambling, according to industry analysts Juniper Research, and will involve 41% of total mobile gambling expenditure in the next five years.
The present mobile gambling industry, valued at under US$2 billion, is set to rise to over US$23 billion by 2011.
Inaugural PartyPoker.com St. Petersburg Open in Russia
23 May, 2006: Peter Vlasenko, a 27-year-old poker professional from Moscow, was recently named Russia’s Poker Tsar after hitting a $84,000 jackpot at the PartyPoker.com St. Petersburg Open. The tournament, held at the Golden Garden Casino generated an incredible prize pool of more than $500,000 over a short period of no more than four days.
PartyPoker.com spokesman Warren Lush was quoted as saying, "We're delighted to be involved with an event that boasted the biggest prize in Russian poker history and congratulate Peter on his win. For the first time in a long time none of the internet qualifiers made the final table. This alone suggests that Russia could be a poker superpower in the future."
Betting on Playtech
28 March, 2006: Investors in Britain placed their bets on the success of gaming software designer Playtech as its shares rose strongly following a £548m (€794.4m) flotation.
Playtech has designed platforms that support 94 online casinos, 15 web poker rooms and 15 internet bingo sites after growing the number of licensees from two to 39 over the past five years.
Cantor Casino and Cantor Gaming launched
29 September, 2005: Cantor Fitzgerald has today announced the launch of Cantor Casino, an online casino offering customers a range of games including roulette, blackjack, video poker, video slots, mini baccarat as well as two popular Asian games, Pai Gow and Sic Bo. Cantor Casino is the first product to emerge from newly formed Cantor Gaming, an online and mobile gaming business, which will offer managed facilities for online casinos to a variety of companies in the UK and Europe.
Interactive gambling associations merge
1 August, 2005:It is reported by New Media Age, a weekly magazine launched in 1995 covering the business of interactive media, that two trade organizations that represent interactive gambling companies have merged. The Association of Remote Gambling Operators (ARGO) and the Interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association (iGGBA) have agreed to form a single industry voice and become the Remote Gambling Association (RGA).
From 1 August membership of the Remote Gambling Association will be open to gambling operators and software suppliers in Europe, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The new CEO of the RGA is Clive Hawkswood, General Secretary of ARGO. The consolidated trade body is expected to bring benefits to the members of both organizations by the combining of experience and knowledge to give a credible and well-respected voice to the industry.
iGaming Business Pavilion at G2E in Las Vegas
28 July, 2005: The iGaming Business Pavilion at the upcoming Global Gaming Expo (G2E), September 13-15, 2005 is in good stead to be the hot spot of the show, with a line-up of the top gaming, skill gaming and poker providers already confirmed. Organisers announced today that although they have sold more than 17 stands, they might extend the pavilion area to accommodate another six exhibitors.
The iGaming Business Pavilion is exclusively for the online gaming industry, featuring leading service providers and operators that have established themselves in the bourgeoning global online gaming market. A collaboration between G2E and leading interactive gaming magazine iGaming Business, this is the first year the online sector will have its own pavilion organised by a leader in the iGaming space. The focus will be on skill gaming, soft games and poker software, however, traditional casino gaming software providers, iDTV and mobile gaming providers are also encouraged to exhibit in the space.
Over the three days of the expo, there will be a free seminar and presentation area where leading figures in the industry will address issues in interactive gaming, such as the state of domestic regulation, the challenges of going mobile, the latest gaming development products, and perspectives on the industry's future.
According to Michael Caselli, iGaming Business editor, the online skill gaming sector is growing at record speed in the United States, so the iGaming Business Pavilion will provide an unprecedented opportunity for poker suppliers to meet with buyers.
Antigua looks to UK for legal clarification
23 June, 2005: At one time host to around 120 online gaming operators, the Caribbean island state of Antigua and Barbuda now has 22 companies operating under its jurisdiction. Adversely effected by the US crackdown on online gambling, Antigua is said to be seeking strategic alliances with UK companies to boost its business.
The Gambling Act 2005, whilst not expected to come into effect until September 2007, has laws to regulate the booming Internet gambling industry. Antigua sees this as a possible light in the darkness surrounding legal and trade issues that threaten the industry.
By regulating online gambling, the UK was hoping to profit from tax revenues. However, several successful online sites have made it clear that they will not move onshore from thieir tax havens if the government imposes heavy taxes on their earnings. The UK regulatory laws do give the online gambling industry the benefit of being recognized as a legitimate business, in the face of US declarations of illegality. If the Empire and prospective Partygaming flotations are successful, then other online operators are likely to seek stock exchange listings and online gambling will become an established business.
Betfair set fair for Tasmania
31 May, 2005: Online UK betting exchange operator Betfair is at an advanced stage of discussions with the State Government in Tasmania, Australia. Already operating in the country, Betfair needs at least one State licence in order to be able to advertise.
Premier Paul Lennon said a decision was not imminent and also stated that no social impact study was being considered despite gambling opponents calling for one. Mr Lennon was of the opinion that it was potentially easier to monitor Internet gambling as players must register.
Sands of the Caribbean Unveils Version 6.0 of its Online Casino Software
19 May, 2005: WILLEMSTAD, Curacao - Sands of the Caribbean, http://www.carsands.com, has been at the forefront of the online gaming entertainment industry, and today continues that trend with the release of its latest version 6.0 software, which includes a suite of 24 brand new and exciting casino games.
Some of the new games include Casino Solitaire, Pontoon, Casino War, Super Fun 21, along with a host of new and very entertaining Multi-Line Slot Machines, and Rapid Fire Jackpot games. This brings the total number of different games offered to a staggering ninety-six.
All the games can be played offline in practice mode or online for real money by making a secure deposit using your credit card or an online payment processing company like Neteller or FirePay.
Gaming Corp to pay £10.5 million for Newbold
3 May, 2005: Gaming Corporation is to expand its gaming portal business by paying £8 million in cash and 17.4 million new shares to acquire Newbold Enterprises, the owner of Gambling.com – a portal that refers users to other gambling sites where they can place wagers. The portal has over 500 global affiliates and a database of 200,000 members. It is the first referral from ‘gambling’ when typed into Google search engine.
Gaming Corp runs casino.co.uk, a leading gaming website and findpoker.co.uk
Alderney Gambling Control Commission Issue its Nineteenth eGambling Licence (PressRelease)
ALDERNEY, Channel Islands: At a meeting of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission held on Monday 28 February 2005, the Commission issued its nineteenth eGambling licence to WagerWorks (Alderney) 3 Limited, for the operation of www.wptonline.com in association with World Poker Tour.
The Commission also reconsidered its position with regard to cross-border gambling and resolved to adopt the following principles in this regard:
* The Commission is aware that some countries have introduced laws to prevent foreign egambling operators from offering gambling services in their jurisdictions. Some of these laws relate to a genuine concern about the social impact of gambling in general, while others have introduced such laws to protect the local gambling industry. Irrespective of the rationale for such laws, the Commission does not see itself as being responsible for enforcing the laws of other countries;
* The onus is on the licensee to ensure that, at all times, he conducts his business in a lawful manner and therefore to keep abreast of the laws of the jurisdictions within which he conducts business;
* The Commission takes a keen interest in the legal actions involving its licensees, irrespective of the jurisdiction, as it may affect the general suitability of the licensee to hold a licence;
* The Commission supports a free-market approach towards egambling, which means that it will not prevent its licensees from offering gambling to players in other countries, whether it is egaming or ebetting; and
* The Commission is of the view that the egambling transaction takes place where the egaming or ebetting transaction server and database are based. Hence, the requirement that the egambling servers be based within the Commission's regulatory jurisdiction.
Gaming Corporation finalises range of mobile casino games
3 March, 2005: The Interactive gambling site gamingcorp.net has confirmed that it has finalised the development of a range of casino games for mobile (cell) phones. It has also doubled the number of visitors to its website in the four months from Septembet 2004 to the end of January 2005, reaching two million for the period. The company expects to grow significantly when the Gambling Bill is passed in the U.K.
Harrah's Entertainment Inc. suspends online site
1 March, 2005: Lucky Me, the Harrah's online gambling website based in the United Kingdom, made losses of $9,3 million in 2004, and the company suspended operations in October. The site was launched in November 2003 and the withdrawal of the service means that Harrah's has twice been unsuccessful in tapping into the profitable online gambling market.
MGM Mirage has also shut down an Internet gaming site, at the time Harrah's was launching the Lucky Me site. MGM Mirage put the failure down to a lack of US clients because of complying with federal laws. Many other online websites do accept bets from American citizens.
iGGBA announces new Chairman
31 January, 2005: The Interactive Gaming Gambling and Betting Association (iGGBA) announced the election of a new Chairman, Richard Flint of BskyB. The 4th iGGBA AGM, where the vote took place, was held at the ATEI/ICE show on 27 January. Richard Flint replaces Andrew Tottenham who was the Chairman for two years.
iGGBA promises to represent the remote gambling industry with respect to the proposed British Gambling Bill, as well as on EU cross-border issues. A 'host of other activities' will be aimed at broadening the horizons for the remote gambling industry.
VIRGINGAMES: THE ONLINE LAS VEGAS EXPERIENCE
Bright London summer sunshine augured well for the latest Richard Branson venture.
The Midas-touch English entrepreneur had made available the gardens of his West London home for the launch of his online gaming portal, in the kind of gesture that engenders a personal experience rather than a technological business event. The idea, one expects, is to get the message right from the start as Oscar Nieboar, Virgin Games Managing Director, stated during his presentation: '...to know our customer...that is the cornerstone of our business...'
Armed with this philosophy, Virgin Games launched their gaming portal with the single ambition of creating a gaming site for the mainstream, whether casino games, fixed odds, slots, arcades in any style that includes solo play, peer-to-peer or tournament events, and also with a choice of prizes in Virgin products and services, 'money can't buy' items and of course cash!
It is Virgin Games' intention to become the most rewarding gaming destination in the world. In part, this reward will come from the high pay-outs and win ability of their games, however, their avowed intention is that playing the games - win, lose or draw - should always be fun.
THE GAMES
With games ranging from Bingo to Roulette, from Hi Lo to Peer-to-Peer Poker, Virgin Games will offer something for everybody. Described by Chairman Simon Burridge as a "soft site with a hard edge" it will offer over 20 different games with free play, cash play and tournament play environments.
The site has a comprehensive range of Bingo games (Millionaires Game where you can win £1,000,000 for a £1 stake; a bingo game where you win something in every play; and a progressive game) to cater for the soft gamer. In addition to Bingo the site has a wide range of fixed odds games (Hi Lo games and matcher games) as well as some special games (such as Monopoly) and Virgin themed games (e.g. Prize Vault where you can win a week on Richard Branson's private Caribbean island). It also has a comprehensive casino with tables and slots and Peer-to-Peer Poker where players can play against each other in a real time yet secure environment.
Players will be able to bet as low as 5p. Yes 5p!! With payouts as high as 99.7% return and with no charges on any withdrawals of monies, unlike other sites. The site offers a £50 sign-up bonus and the chance to enter a free prize draw to win free flights to Las Vegas with Virgin Atlantic.
VIRGIN BRAND APPEAL
The business seeks to use the brand's strength in the UK and to work with other Virgin operating companies such as Virgin mobile, Virgin Wines and Virgin Atlantic. A loyalty scheme that combines these elements is expected in due course. In the pipeline for introduction over the next 12 months, Virgin Games' plans include new channels such as mobile gaming (with Virgin Mobile) and Interactive TV, new geographies, new games and a Virgin group based loyalty scheme.
The household appeal of Britain's best loved brand is a principal element in the acceptance of gaming as a mainstream leisure activity, and the company's acceptance of social responsibility has already obtained certification for the site from Gamcare, the Responsible Gaming institution.
THE GAMEPLAN
The Virgin Games team is led by Chairman Simon Burridge and MD Oscar Nieboar. Burridge was CEO of the People's Lottery in the last license bid and Nieboar was VP of Marketing at MGM Mirage. Both worked together at JWT in the 1990s. Ross Sleight is Marketing Director.
The site has been built in partnership with Wagerworks, the US software company. Managing Director Paul Mathews said: "We believe that the pairing of Virgin's marketing skills and Wagerworks' game knowledge will enable both companies to bring a rich gaming experience to the players. Although a veteran of the land based casino industry, Wagerworks is primarily an entertainment company and this partnership is the progression of our plan to work with the best brands in the world."
The business seeks to capitalize on the forthcoming deregulation in the UK by drawing on its core strengths in branding, sales and marketing, customer service and distribution. Nieboar commented: "We want to open up the market, and believe there is an opportunity to democratize gaming at a time of industry growth and deregulation." It is understood that the marketing plan will focus heavily on intra group activity.
Simon Burridge emphasized that the availability of gaming to players, with easy access to their free games and low level entry to their gaming environment, presents their company with the opportunity "...to do to the online experience what Las Vegas has done to the land-based experience. Ultimately our aim is to provide a highly entertaining and accessible gaming environment, underpinned by the highest level of regulatory compliance."
As to the marketing angle, Virgin Games starts with the advantage that their huge customer footprint affords them in the UK, where around 50% of all adults use the Virgin brand at least once every 12 months.
After the presentation we managed to put some questions to our host, who replied via the telephone, and on being asked about the possibility of a land based gaming venture by Virgin, Richard Branson was ready to admit that he had been approached by some of the big Las Vegas operators as well as some of the local players, but will wait to see how the new gaming legislation unravels before considering the idea. There is one thing for sure, this points in the direction of any Branson venture such as Virgin Games, which seeks to reach people and touch them with that unmistakable 'feel good' Virgin product, and in the process fosters a very personal experience.
|
