Full Tilt Poker was once again dominating the week’s headlines. The latest drama began when the Alderney Gambling Control Commission officially pulled the plug on FTP’s operating license. In response, FTP claimed that the revocation would make finding a white knight investor difficult, only to announce the very next day that it had signed an ‘acquisition agreement’ with Groupe Bernard Tapie, which was followed by Monsieur Tapie throwing lukewarm water on FTP’s announcement later that same day. Confused yet?
Nevada moves closer to interstate online poker regulations
Not wanting to get left behind if US federal politicians approve online poker legislation this fall, the Nevada Gaming Control Board held its first public consultation with stakeholders to help shape regulations that would give teeth to any federal law.
Paddy Power in the hunt for Nevada gaming license
Those crafty leprechauns at Paddy Power are hoping to make gambling history by becoming the first European gaming firm to be granted a Nevada license as a manufacturer and operator of mobile gaming devices.
New Jersey makes another play for sports betting rights
While most of the gambling talk in US political circles revolves around online poker, New Jersey pols are once again trying to bring sports betting windows to Atlantic City casinos.
German court upholds gaming law, confirms Bwin’s pirate operator status
Germany’s highest civil court dismissed challenges of the country’s existing state gaming treaty, effectively fitting Bwin boss Norbert Teufelberger with an eyepatch, a peg leg and a hook where his right hand used to be (better learn to wank left-handed, Norbert). As for what might replace the existing state treaty when it expires at the end of this year, there are suggestions it might resemble the system over the border in France.
Hungary introduces new online gambling regime
The politicians in Budapest looked like Hungry Hungary Hippos after approving new revenue-generating license and taxation schemes for online gambling operators effective Jan. 1, 2012. Politicians in Kyrgyzstan went the other way, planning to close all land-based casinos on Jan 1.
South Africa appeals court upholds online gambling ban
Swaziland-based operator Piggs Peak got skewered like a pig in a poke after its challenge of South Africa’s online gambling ban was rejected by South African appeals court.
Betfair reveals massive cyber-breach, failure to notify customers
Betfair’s ‘September to dismember’ closed out the month with a thud, following revelations that cyber thieves had made off with mounds of sensitive customer data — a breach the company chose not to reveal to its customers. The revelation may or may not have played a role in Betfair’s chief security watchdog announcing his departure less than 24 hours later. Betfair also refused to make good on customers’ winning bets that were voided when Betfair’s technology failed.
Bodog88 throws lively party to celebrate launch of new Live Dealer Casino
CalvinAyre.com’s Bill Beatty stopped ogling the girls at the Bodog88 Live Dealer Casino party just long enough to talk with some of the architects of online gambling’s next great leap forward.
I. Nelson Rose ponders the possibility of a US amnesty for online poker sites
I. Nelson Rose suggests that the US may ultimately adopt a French-style general amnesty for online poker operators currently considered outlaws by the US government. In the meantime, French operator Chiligaming has decided to launch a US-facing free poker site.
Ho no mo’
It’s the end of an era as aging Macau gaming icon Stanley Ho transferred his remaining stake in Sociedade de Tourismo e Diversoes de Macau (SJM) to fourth ‘wife’ Angela Leong On Kei.
PokerScout extortion attempt backfires
Dan Stewart, owner of poker tracking site PokerScout.com, was ‘outed’ as being behind a failed bid to extort a seven-figure sum from Bodog Poker in exchange for PokerScout ‘delisting’ their data.
OPAP okays 10-year monopoly extension deal
Greek gaming operator OPAP okayed a €935m deal with the Greek government for the right to install 35k videolotto terminals and extend its monopoly by another 10 years to 2030. But with Greece looking like it’s headed for a catastrophic financial default, will Greece as we know it exist in 2030?
VIDEO PICK: European iGaming Conference and Expo 2011 Conference highlights
The next best thing to being in Milan is Rebecca Liggero’s overview of the EiG 2011.
