Tuxworth Looks to Move SA

Posted on February 16, 2012 by JenC

More news this week from the online gambling company Betfair, as the firm’s public affairs manager spoke out in favor of regulating online gambling in a number of world markets. The public affairs manager, Tom Tuxworth, took the opportunity in speaking to a South African parliamentary portfolio committee meeting to speak on behalf of regulation, encouraging those in attendance that legalization was truly the best solution for all.

Though it is certainly not a new perspective within the Internet gambling world, Tuxworth was clear and concise in expressing the opinion that the prohibition of Internet casinos only tribes gamblers to utilize offshore, unregulated, and therefore risky websites.

According to a report by ITWeb, Tuxworth did not just express the opinion, but also that position according members generated by the H2 Gambling Capital and Gambling Compliance. The estimates show that if online gambling were to be legalized and regulated in South Africa, the change could generate as much as Rands 6 billion in revenue on the whole, a number that would see some R1 billion in taxes paid to the government every year. Whether or not they decide to change the law, global online gambling will continue to grow, with Internet gambling and lists agree that the rate could be as quick as 10% a year until 2015.

Like the US, the nation of South Africa is one market that is ridiculous in the governments stubbornness to continue prohibition. Internet gambling in nearly all forms is currently illegal in South Africa, and offshore casinos can be penalized under the law for even accepting South African punters to their websites. It has only been recently that the government is willing to hear the arguments in favor of legalization, a fact encouraged by the recent gambling review commission that found that regulation would be, in the long-term, more advantageous to the government.

A realistic approach to Internet gambling is key, opined Tuxworth this week. By doing so, it would keep the nation a prime opportunity in order to become a hosting location for technology on the whole, not just limited to online gambling. As a result jobs would be created, not only in technology and computers, but in other sectors as well, such as advertising.

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Smith Sentenced for Theft

Posted on February 16, 2012 by JenC

Though many court cases having to do with the online game industry are run-of-the-mill, or at the very least, straightforward, this one comes with a decidedly emotional attachment. The compulsive online gambling felt the need to explain his decision in what could be perceived as an over emotional me. The they in question was named Susan Smith, aged 53 years.

In order to finance her addiction to online casinos, Smith stole nearly £400,000 of her employer’s money. After her arrest, Smith admitted to the theft of £398,651.26 from Graham Wuyts and Co Accountants in Attleborough, Norfolk. During the sentencing phase of her trial, judge Peter Jacobs Center to jail for three years for her crimes, saying that she had stolen not only the money but also “a part of a decent man’s life.”

During the time of the theft, Smith had been entrusted senior employee of the company. However, it was unknown and in her personal life, she had a problem in resisting online gambling, until the issue grew so great she had to turn to the fact in order to continue her habit. Following the theft, the 63-year-old owner of the firm, Graham Wuyt, was unable to recover, even as he was forced to postpone his retirement five years in order to pay back the funds to clients of his company. It was noted that the judge that the effects of Smith’s actions were more than “devastating.”

Smith had worked at the firm’s 1999, promoting herself through that time frame from receptionist to Wuyt’s most trusted confidant. By the end, she was handling a variety of essential roles including dealing directly with client accounts as well as paying company bills. It wasn’t until the company ran into cash flow problems Smith’s criminal behavior was uncovered at last. A close study of the firm’s finances showed accounts missing huge chunks of money, including £65,000 missing from client accounts, and another £250,000 from the corporation’s bank accounts.

Smith told police she had spent company money and used its credit card for years to fund her gambling habit as it spun out of control.

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Upgraded App from Betfair – 2

Posted on February 16, 2012 by JenC

Of course, the application also allows players to deposit and withdraw funds with ease. What’s surprising is the fact that punters may do so from anywhere with in the program, making financial transactions more simple than could have been imagined. All in all, given the fact that the new application is the first be launched from their US home base, it’s impressive to say the least. According to the chief tech knowledge he served for Betfair, Tony McAlister, the program was developed in less than two months time in the San Francisco office. Many analysts are applauding Betfair’s decision to take advantage of an opportunity in Silicon Valley, the hub of programming within the United States.

Commenting on the launch, Vemulapalli said: “This App is a game-changer for our customers, offering them a betting experience that replicates the fixed web, whilst making use of the unique features available on iPad. Mobile is the coming force in the betting industry, and the shift from online to mobile is in many ways more exciting than the shift from offline to online.”

Progress in the world of mobile gaming is definitely a priority for the online gambling group, Betfair. According to recent estimates, somewhere around 10% of the firms betting exchange activity takes place on cell phones and other mobile devices. It is expected that the future will only see that number rise. According to the firms interim financial results released at the end of December, more than £800 million was spent through mobile gaming venues during the first six months of last year. That statistic showed that the company’s mobile revenues for the first half of the year were up 888% compared with 2010.

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Upgraded App from Betfair – 1

Posted on February 16, 2012 by JenC

A new application has been released by the online gambling company Betfair this week, with the next generation of programming to be launched through the iStore this coming Friday. According to a statement by the Internet gambling group, the new iPad app is expected to be a sure way with players, including a number of enhancements and improvements from previous products. This most recent program is the first to be launched from the San Francisco-based home of Betfair’s development offices.

Betfair has only recently be located some of their mobile gaming development teams to San Francisco, with back office operating underneath the leadership Raj Vemulapalli, a former Yahoo exec. The new app was developed with the iPad in mind, improving as many features as possible for the tablet experience. According to reviews, the program brings fixed website functionality to the convenience of the mobile gaming world.

Players are already excited, anxious to get their hands on the intuitive home page, which provides easy access to the most popular events available through Betfair, even accompanied by live scores. The overall betting experience has been altered slightly in order to be more focused on the betting exchange trades themselves. The functionality of placing and taking bets more closely mirrors the experience available on the traditional online casino website. For players who want more, the new app also links directly to Betfair site, with information constantly streaming and updating including helpful insight and analysis from the home content team.

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Boxing Sponsorship for Betfair

Posted on February 16, 2012 by JenC

One of the world’s most well known online gambling brands, Betfair is back in the news this week as it was confirmed that they are the newest title sponsor for the Matchroom Sport Prizefighter Series. A number of the details of the new partnership agreement were released to the rest of the Internet gambling community, including the fact that the online betting exchange will now have branding rights across the ring. In order to feature the new partnership, Betfair will be providing their customers expert analysis as well as in depth fighter interviews before and following the altercations.

Though the ink is barely dry on the agreement signed between the two companies, Betfair will already get to join the benefits of their sponsorship deal. In the not too distant future, Matchroom sport will host an eight man, one night tournament to take place at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton. The fights will be broadcast live on a number of television channels, including Sky Sports1, which will be broadcasting the fights in both HD and 3D. One of the analysts from Betfair is scheduled to be ringside to discuss the odds in price movements as bettors react to the action taking place in the ring.

The announcement of the new sponsorship agreement was accompanied by statements from both sides of the deal. Andy Lulham, head of UK brand marketing at Betfair was quoted as saying that the Internet gambling group was thrilled to enter into a partnership with Prizefighter. He complimented the fight format, giving it the credit of breathing new life into the old sport of boxing, and reinvigorating the sport for gamblers around the world. As such, the competition now continues to grow in popularity among Betfair customers.

“I’m delighted to welcome the world’s leading betting exchange as title sponsorship of the innovative Prizefighter Series,” said Matchroom Sport’s managing director Eddie Hearn. “The event has attracted a new audience for boxing and our growing list of international broadcasters confirms the huge growth of this concept. The event always attracts high volumes of activity within the betting markets and I’m sure punters will get great value with Betfair.”

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Record Numbers for Austria Group

Posted on February 16, 2012 by JenC

The online gambling company Lotteries and Casinos Austria Group was in the news this week, as the state organization reported record sales for the year of 2011. According to the most recent statistics, released to the whole of the Internet gambling industry, the group managed to make €3.4 billion throughout the 12 month period. The numbers were accompanied by a statement, wherein the firm expressed their desire to deliver the same sort of results for the 2012 financial year.

The information provided in the most recent fiscal report covered a wide range. A number of key performance indicators are making headlines within the online gambling industry, such as the fact that the growth enjoyed by Lotteries and Casinos Austria Group saw a 9.7% rate over the previous year, 2010. The increases saw some €2.9 billion generated by the lottery side of the group, not counting the live casino or online casino products.

There are 12 land-based casinos that operate underneath the brand name Lotteries and Casinos Austria Group, which also enjoy growth over the last year. On the aggregate, the land-based casino saw an increase in business of 4.3%, bringing their total revenue to €270 million. Of all of the Internet gambling sites that fall underneath the control of the firm, the most well known is that of Win2Day, which also enjoyed increases of 5%. Not including the poker operations, the online casino managed to generate €1.12 billion in 2011.

“While the classic casino business in Europe is still in a phase of consolidation, we look at online betting, video lottery terminals, but also in the traditional lottery business for growth opportunities that we can use for our group,” said Lotteries and Casinos Austria Group chief executive officer, Karl Stoss in relation to the final report. The future looks bright as well, with Win2Day having already applied for a Belgian license to operate, relying on their existing relationship with the land-based subsidiary Grand Casino Brussels. Expansion is also in the works for both of the lottery plans, and Better Game Solutions (tipp3), with the subsidiaries looking to bring their products to new European markets in the coming months.

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Mega Jackpot from Mega Fortune

Posted on February 16, 2012 by JenC

The online gambling company Net Entertainment is back in the Internet casino news this week, as their progressive jackpot slot, Mega Fortune paid out a significant amount this week, making one very lucky player a millionaire in one fell swoop. This time, the well loved slot game paid out an amazing €6,864,558 through the internet gambling website, PAF.com. It is certainly good news for the player, who although he has decided to stay anonymous, has been identified as 30 old man out of Helinski, Finland.

The sum is large that the news is hitting the online gambling circuit quickly, with the millionaires jackpot translated into all major world currencies. No matter your nation, £5.7 million or $8.7 million – the player will not have to work every day and the rest of his life he chooses not to. This is by no means the first time such a large amount of money has been paid out by this particular progressive slot. In fact, Mega Fortune was won in September of last year, that time paying out more than €11.7 million. That particular win was registered with the Guinness book of world records as the largest online slot jackpot ever.

It may come as a surprise, then, that the same slot game has paid out such a large amount so quickly. The mega fortune progressive had been built up to nearly €7 million in just four months time. Part of the reason for that success the fact that it is one of the, if not the most popular games on Net Entertainment’s jackpot network. As such, players contribute antes from Europe’s largest participating online casinos, creating a very deep liquidity pool of gamblers.

Since the game’s launch in 2008, Mega Fortune is by far and wide become one of the most popular titles the portfolio hosted by Net Entertainment. During the 2008 you, the progressive network paid out more than €26 million to lucky players all around the globe.

“This is a very proud moment for everyone at Paf.com and we would like to pass on our congratulations to the winner,” said Anders Sims, PR Manager at PAF.com. “We are a gaming company that was established with the sole purpose of generating money for good causes and we have already donated Euro 160 million over the years. It’s a real honour for us that such a huge jackpot has been won on PAF.com.”

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SIS Enters into Three-Way Deal

Posted on February 15, 2012 by JenC

A contract has been signed this week by the live streaming provider, Satellite Information Services. The company, more commonly referred to as SIS, has announced this week that they had come to terms of agreement with the better known Internet gambling companies Bet 365, Paddy power, and OneXTwo.

The press release, published just this week, providing few details to the agreement between the companies. SIS is based out of Dubai, India, from which week the horse racing feeds will be streamed to all three bookmakers. The contract is a temporary one, written to allow the firms to determine whether a long-term agreement is in all of their best interests. Currently, their live streamed fiends will terminate with the richest recent the world, the Dubai World Cup, scheduled to take place on March 31, 2012.

A brief statement was provided from a representative for SIS: “This is a growing market. We understand there is already great product on offer, but we believe there is room for more. Our offering means that we can provide live racing every day of the week,” said Jack Davison, director of sports data. Requests for additional details were decline for the moment. Hopefully, if the contract is extended between the four, more information will become available to the rest of the online gambling community.

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Sportingbet to Acquire Danbook

Posted on February 15, 2012 by JenC

This week the online gambling company Sportingbet announced a piece of news, confirming rumors that they were in negotiations to acquire the whole of the Danish facing company, Danbook Limited. In addition, the well-respected sports betting and Internet casino group has also confirmed their total acquisition of the Scandinavian facing Bookmakers Limited.

According to the press release this week, Sportingbet paid a total of £8.5 million in order to acquire the two groups. It was indicated that the payment was broken down to a number of sections including cash payment of £4 million. Some £0.5 million in shares will be passed on to the group’s owners as part of the payment as well, with an additional £4 million subject to certain performance conditions before it is paid out.

Both of the new online gambling company is owned by Sportingbet, Danbook and Scandic, focus on the sports betting products that Sportingbet so well known for. Between the pair, they offer a wide range of bets, including fixed odds sports gambling, as well as others. Traditional online casino, poker, and other games are available to Danish customers are available to customers already, with both firms holding active Danish gambling licenses as of December of last year.

This is not Sportingbet’s first venture into the Danish market, however, with both their Centrebet and Sportbet brands already active in Denmark. However, the combination of presences between the old and new brand names will give Sportingbet and ever stronger on the developing online gambling market. According to a company statement, Denmark is considered one of the working poor focuses for the coming years following the recent regulation.

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