Full Tilt inches closer to new ownership
Groupe Bernard Tapie claimed to have reached an agreement in principle with the US Department of Justice, in which Full Tilt Poker shareholders would forfeit their assets to the DoJ, which would then punt FTP on to GBT for $80m (or $40m). Meanwhile, Chris ‘Jesus’ Ferguson filed a claim for many millions of what he claims are players’ funds that were frozen by the feds. Ferguson acknowledged making these claims under penalty of perjury. If it went to court, would ‘Jesus’ be exempt from swearing on the Bible?
Online gambling gets back to back hearings on Capitol Hill
Two online gambling hearings in two days? The times they are a changin’, even if the laws aren’t. The Senate listened as the nation’s Indian tribes (a) expressed concerns over online gaming’s impact and (b) demanded a seat at the table, because they won’t get fooled again. The next day, the House heard first from a trio of Representatives — two of which were in favor of online poker, while the third was in favor of seeing his two colleagues in hell (where they belonged). Now all eyes turn back to the Senate in anticipation of Harry Reid’s ‘phantom’ poker bill, with or without Jon Kyl as co-sponsor.
European Parliament votes for online gaming something or other
Members of the European Parliament approved a non-binding resolution they hope will lead to EU member states linking arms and singing an online gambling version of Kumbaya. But one naysaying MEP described the agreement as a victory for protectionism. As if on cue, Cyprus announced it was dramatically boosting fines and jail terms for certain online gaming operators it didn’t like.
Unibet headed back to France with Solfive acquisition
After quitting the French market because its tax rate made business unsustainable, Unibet acquired the French-facing EuroSport operations. Are Unibet eternal optimists or gluttons for punishment? Not to be outdone, Paddy Power acquired Bulgarian games developer Cayetano.
Nevada regulator plans to hang online poker shingle out early next year
Nevada plans to be in a position to issue online poker licenses as early as February (assuming the feds pass the relevant legislation). They’re focused so hard on getting the online rules ready that they won’t have time to process Paddy Power’s regular gaming license application.
BLR Technologies casino software exposed after cheating players
The exposure of rigged online casino software proves cheaters don’t prosper — not with alert players and strong independent consumer watchdogs.
Saturday night’s all right for (wagering on) fighting
Manny Pacquiao may have won (barely) his welterweight boxing match against Juan Manuel Marquez last Saturday, but Cain Velasquez’s 64-second loss to new UFC heavyweight champ Junior Dos Santos cost (formerly) Dead Cert Man £30k.
Betfair confirms Corcoran appointment, Wass departure
Everyone already knew it, but Betfair officially confirmed Breon Corcoran is getting outgoing CEO David Yu’s key to the executive washroom. Corcoran’s selection is reportedly why Niall Wass decided to leave Betfair. But did it also prompt Betfair co-founder Andy Black to sell £1.5m worth of his stock?
LIVE POKER RESULTS
Felt finishes from the Partouche Poker Tour, Punta Cana Poker Classic, Master Classics, APT Goa, GUKPT Blackpool and the Party Poker Premier League Mixed Game Championship.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Q3 figures from Paddy Power, Cherryföretagen, Philweb, Codere and Atlantic City.
VIDEO PICK
Rebecca Liggero had so much fun talking about branding with Virgin Games’ Simon Burridge and Comeon!’s Andan Masio that she went back for round two.
