We’re just going to assume you’ve already brought yourself up to date on all the Black Friday coverage, so let’s head straight to the week’s other headlines…
888 Holdings CEO Gigi Levy calls it quits
Gigi Levy, 888 Holdings’ CEO for the past four years, abruptly quit last Sunday, apparently after strategic disagreements with 888’s majority stakeholders. It’s later revealed that Levy agreed to remain on 888’s board for six months in order to spare the company an immediate £48.7m payout to the owners of Wink Bingo. That scenario likely came in handy when Levy was negotiating his severance package.
Ladbrokes breaks off talks with 888 Holdings
888’s downward spiral continue as merger talks with Ladbrokes collapse. Months of negotiations fail to produce mutually acceptable terms, plus everyone felt that the proposed ‘Broke888’ name change conveyed entirely the wrong message.
Details emerge on Washington, DC’s intrastate online poker setup
Florida and Hawaii see their intrastate online poker dreams die, a severely amended bill gets past a Nevada committee and DC reveals details on its plan to offer poker via ‘hotspots’ in local bars. We don’t think ‘hotspots’ is intended as sexual innuendo, but then again, they haven’t released the names of the specific bars.
William Hill acquires American Wagering Inc.
William Hill jumped across the pond to acquire the Club Cal Neva Satellite Race and Sportsbook, plus American Wagering Inc, purveyors of Nevada’s pioneering remote sportsbetting system Leroy’s App. The price tag for the deals, which still need approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission, was $39m.
Canadian court strikes down marijuana prohibition
Oh, Cannabis… An Ontario Superior Court struck down parts of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act prohibiting the possession and production of pot. Canada already has online gambling, now all it needs is for the Canucks or Canadiens to bring the Stanley Cup home and all will be well in the Great White North.
Cake Poker sued by early contributors
Two early contributors to what became the Cake Poker network sue Cake principals in a Canadian court, seeking redress for alleged withholding of dividends. Smoke or fire? Shakedown or cry for justice? This one bears watching.
Net neutrality up for debate in US Congress
The US House of Representatives debates the hot-button issue of net neutrality, holding vast implications for anyone who makes their living in the digital world.
French sportsbetting market takes a tumble
In France, the snow has melted, revealing a pile of turd where a sportsbetting market used to be. Overall sportsbetting handle fell 26.5% in the first quarter of 2011.
Online gambling gets a new patron saint in Dr. Patrick Basham
After a weekend of watching gambling’s name dragged through the mud in the US media, Dr. Patrick Basham’s sermon on the proven benefits of gambling goes down like a cold beer on a hot day. Enjoy.
