Quite the week for Full Tilt Poker. First came rumors that casino figure Jack Binion was negotiating to provide FTP with a badly needed capital injection, then the Alderney Gambling Control Commission gave FTP’s bunghole a stiff regulatory injection by suspending FTP’s operating license. The notoriously incommunicative FTP eventually released a statement, then the LA Times claimed European investors were riding to FTP’s rescue and Phil Ivey dropped his month-old lawsuit against Tiltware. Whew…
For more upbeat poker news, check out the latest honor roll of WSOP bracelet buddies.
Betfair confirms CEO Yu’s departure, reveals full year results
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times for Betfair. While the company revealed better than expected FY numbers, it didn’t seem to help their share price much, and they’re still looking for a new captain to take the tiller.
District of Columbia holds online gambling hearing, gets cold feet
Following the first public hearing on their intrastate/intradistrict online gambling plans, the DC Council may be putting the brakes on their scheduled Sept. 8 rollout of real-money games. Be sure to read I. Nelson Rose’s take on DC Lottery’s plans.
European Court of Justice claims betting monopolies can be justified
The complaint brought by Maltese operators Zeturf was kicked to ze curb by an ECJ ruling that betting monopolies such as that enjoyed by French horseracing outfit PMU were justified so long as they tried really, really hard to be guarding their profits, er, guarding against money laundering and fraud.
German court says lottery addiction is a myth
A German court delivers a sharp ‘Nein!’ to those who propagate the myth of lottery addiction to impose restrictions on operators.
Betfred announces Tote boss Trevor Beaumont as new group CEO
Betfred founder Fred Done figures to be too busy counting all the filthy lucre that his recent Tote acquisition will bring in, so he’s handed Tote boss Beaumont the executive reins.
Macau breaks more records
Gross gaming revenue in Macau jumps 52.4% in June. Macau casino bosses jump for joy. Wash, rinse, repeat…
Ladbrokes shakes up senior management
As part of CEO Richard Glynn’s ‘change everything’ plan, the seniors over at Ladbrokes got some new seat assignments for dinner as the company reorganizes its management structure.
National Basketball Association locks out players
A week ago, it seemed that the NFL had given the sportsbetting industry an early Christmas present with news that they’d headed off their labor dispute, then came word that the deal may be unraveling. Then NBA owners pour gasoline on the fire by locking out their players. Should be a very sweaty summer.
Entraction to delist from Nasdaq
Swedish software stars/poker network operators have decided to give their Nasdaq listing the kiss-off. We hear they used the old “it’s not you, it’s me” excuse.
West Bromwich Albion boots Bodog into the Premier League
Calvin Ayre’s sporting a serious stiffie on news of the jersey sponsorship deal between the West Midlands footie squad and Bodog Europe.
Poker is a skill game? Poppycock, says legal eagle
New CalvinAyre.com legal contributor Alfred Denning made quite the ruckus with his view that the oft-repeated ‘poker is a game of skill’ argument is, in his view, utter bollocks.
VIDEO PICKS:
Rebecca Liggero brings us highlights from the Women In Gaming conference, while Dana Workman points her camera lens into the party scene at G2E Asia.
