This week’s Black Friday developments included Blanca Games dismissing all 11 of Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet’s sponsored pros and the announcement that AP had reached a deal with the US Dept. of Justice over paying out its US players; after a weekend on the run, former AP customer service exec Olman Rimola and PokerStars security staffer Oldemar Ramirez turned themselves in to Costa Rican authorities; and PokerStars claims to have paid out over $100m to its former US players.
Mergers, acquisition and furtive fumblings that will embarrass the shit out of you once you sober up
Betsson AB boosted its influence in the Nordic betting world by acquiring Malta-based Betsafe; Sportingbet announced it was looking to gobble up Aussie operator Centrebet, assuming it can raise the cash; Canada’s Amaya Gaming Group made a bid for Canadian software supplier Chartwell Technology.
Isle of Man gaming sector grew 24% in 2010, expects 8% growth in 2011
With PokerStars so far the only indicted Black Friday company to start paying off its former US players, the Isle of Man is looking good (particularly in the eyes of US poker players).
Ohio gaming consultants set to earn millions for armchair quarterbacking
Los Angeles consultants Moelis took the rubes in Ohio for a ride by writing a contract giving them as much as $15.4m for advising the Buckeye State on how to maximize its gaming revenue. Step one: stop overpaying consultants.
California’s Vietnamese coffeehouses shut down for allowing gambling, nudity
When you hear what these California java joints had on the menu, it makes you wonder how Starbucks has thrived all these years offering little more than those overpriced Rice Crispies squares.
Paddy Power ad garners most complaints in 2010
Is kicking a cat over a fence really that controversial? Or was it the ad’s focus (pardon the pun) on blind footballers? Tip o’ the hat to Paddy Power for realizing that controversy (especially the hysterically overblown kind) is good for publicity.
Unibet thinks France is ugly and its mama dresses it funny
Unibet’s decision to pull out of the overly demanding French market last year caused its gross winnings to drop 10% in Q1 2011.
H2 Gambling Capital rubbishes proposed German state treaty
Plenty of abuse has already been heaped on Germany’s proposed state treaty on gambling and its 16.67% turnover tax on sports betting. Now H2 Gambling Capital has piled on with claims that the plan would capture only 7.3% of all existing online gambling traffic within the country. As if on cue, the European Commission gave the okay to Schleswig-Holstein’s less punitive plan, sparking joy over at Pwin headquarters.
FIFA teams with Interpol to combat match-fixing
FIFA boss Sepp Blatter announced his organization would be giving Interpol €20m to fund an Anti-Corruption Training Wing. The move was criticized by the guy who wants Blatter’s job, Mohamed Bin Namman, because Blatter had apparently failed to ask FIFA if he could spend their money this way. After all, how would it look if there weren’t enough funds left in the kitty to provide hookers and blow at the next swanky FIFA confab?
Bodog brand inks sponsorship of Ayr United’s ‘Honest Men’
Calvin Ayre made some fast friends in Ayrshire this week with his decision to sponsor Scottish footie squad Ayr United. The Honest Men have responded by advancing to the IRN BRU First Division Playoff Final 1st Leg against Brechin on Wednesday, May 18.
VIDEO PICK
Rebecca Liggero takes a stroll through the stalls at EGR Live 2011, quizzing the attendees and exhibitors on the ramifications of Black Friday.
