Full Tilt’s odds of survival growing shorter
Of course, the big news of the week was the ongoing clusterfuck that is/was Full Tilt Poker. The US DoJ amended its civil complaint to include ‘FTP Insiders’ (and their bank accounts) and got lots of press coverage via US Attorney Preet Bharara’s questionable use of the phrase “Ponzi scheme.” Ponzi Preet dropped his bomb just as FTP had begun its latest round of ‘please can we have our operating license back’ discussions with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, which prompted FTP lawyer Jeff Ifrah to make a public plea for players to spam the AGCC with words of support so that negotiations with French investors (who may or may not be linked with the Tapie family) can continue. Meanwhile, Calvin Ayre took issue with claims by some public company execs that FTP’s chicanery could have been prevented by a stricter regulatory regime.
Betfair’s chairman stepping down
Not the best media week for Betfair. First, Chairman Ed Wray became the latest exec to deploy his ejection seat. Then, Wray barred media from attending the company’s AGM, despite some of them holding Betfair stock. Finally, a punter accused the company of stealing £52k from his account. #Betfail?
European Commission tells Danish land-based casinos to get over it
The EC rejected a complaint by Denmark’s land-based casinos that the state’s tax rate for online casinos (20% of GGR) was unduly preferential compared to the 75% rate the B&M crowd were paying.
Bodog Poker introduces data blocking
In a bid to preserve the online poker ocean’s dwindling stock of recreational fish, Bodog Poker has taken steps to block the ability of larger predators to data mine their site. This has annoyed sharks as well as sites like PokerScout, whose livelihoods depend on scraping such info, but as Bodog Poker’s Jonas Ödman explains, it’s tough tittie time for the ‘bum hunters.’
Asia casino gambling roundup
Crown Ltd.’s plans to launch a UK-facing online product hit a snag after Crown Bingo claimed trademark infringement. The earning power of Las Vegas Sands’ Asian properties was enough to propel Sheldon Adelson back onto the USA’s top-10 richest list. Adelson also made Inside Asian Gaming’s fourth annual list of the Asian gaming world’s movers and shakers, as did Sunplus’ Tom Hall, one of the few online gambling peeps to make the cut. Macau announced it intends to place limits on table game growth in the Asian gambling mecca. Caesars (who infamously turned down the opportunity to apply for a Macau license way back when) announced plans to open a non-casino resort hotel on the Chinese island of Hainan. Well, it’s a start.
The urge to merge shows no signs of abating
William Hill and mobile specialists Probability confirmed that they’ve been exchanging furtive glances for some time now, and are starting to imagine how the other looks in their skivvies. Meanwhile, Ladbrokes is supposed to make its takeover intentions known regarding Sportingbet by October 17, or else the Lads will be legally required to take cold showers for six months before they get another opportunity to get past first base.
Nevada approves mobile betting from hotel rooms
Nevada regulators have expanded the reach of mobile wagering to casino hotel rooms and parking lots, meaning Vegas visitors now have something else to do in their hotel suite while waiting two hours for their room service order to arrive.
New CEO for BetClic Everest Group
Ignicio Martos has assumed the top job at BetClic Everest following the departure of Nicolas Béraud.
Quickfire inks deals with 188Bet, Chiligaming
The Microgaming-powered QuickFire did some double dealing this week, inking pacts to supply its casino games to Chiligaming and 188Bet.
VIDEO PICK
Rebecca Liggero’s three-part day-by-day video coverage of the European iGaming Congress & Expo 2011 is the next best thing to having been there, and you can also read her post-conference wrap-up here.
