Full Tilt Poker was quick to react - albeit in a somewhat patchy distribution - to yesterday's announcement by the Alderney Gaming Control Commission that its licensing had been revoked (see previous report)
In a statement that information site Poker Strategy claimed as an exclusive, the troubled online poker operator complained that the Commission's decision has made it more difficult to arrange the sale of the company, and was thus not beneficial to players still awaiting …
Full Story: FULL TILT POKER REACTS TO LICENCE REVOCATION
The latest announcement from the French internet gambling group Chili Gaming hints at the US intentions of the group, advising that it is to open an office in San Francisco soon, with the focus on internet poker.
The company's plans include the initial provision of a fully legal, free-to-play social poker gaming network using Chili's proprietary software and virtual currency. The resulting multi-lingual site will also offer accessibility via mobile devices including Android …
Full Story: U.S. MOVES FOR FRENCH ONLINE GAMBLING OPERATOR
Kyrgyzstan became a no-go area for gambling last week when the parliament overwhelmingly decided to introduce a blanket ban on the pastime, potentially closing existing operators throughout the country.
The BBC reports that there was virtually no opposition to the proposal, with lawmakers influenced by reports that compulsive gambling in the nation has become a major social problem.
Full Story: KYRGYZSTAN BANS ALL GAMBLING
Casino Enterprises, the Swaziland-based company which operates veteran online gambling casino Piggs Peak, has lost its long-running legal battle on where internet gambling takes place in a landmark decision by the South African courts.
The company issued a statement this week advising that it had lost its latest round of litigation in the Appeal Court in Bloemfontein, and as a consequence will no longer accept South African action.
Full Story: LONG-RUNNING ONLINE GAMBLING LEGAL FIGHT ENDS
Greece’s gambling monopoly OPAP will pay Euro 935 million to the Greek government in order to extend its grip on the market and acquire a new video lottery licence, reports the Reuters news agency.
The OPAP board of directors authorised the expenditure Thursday, clearing the way for an extension of the monopoly for a further ten years from 2020, and the right to install 35 000 video lottery machines across the country.
Full Story: OPAP BOARD APPROVES MULTI-MILLION LICENCE FEE
The major European land and online gambling group Paddy Power is following rivals William Hill, 888 Holdings and Betfair into the US market, it appears from American media reports this week.
William Hill and Betfair have both invested in racing companies in the States, whilst 888 Holdings has a partnership with Caesars Entertainment (see previous reports), but it appears that Paddy Power has set its sights on an online poker licence from Nevada, once these are made available.
Full Story: PADDY POWER GOES AFTER NEVADA MOBILE GAMBLING LICENCE
Last week's concern that a presidential petition for the legalisation of online poker in the USA would not reach minimum threshold numbers (see previous report) has faded as fans of the game around the United States add their support to the initiative.
The petition is in response to a White House initiative in which Americans have been invited to submit their concerns in petition form, with 5 000 being the minimum number of signatures necessary to get attention.
Full Story: PRESIDENTIAL PETITION NUMBERS BUILDING
The Spanish government's green light for taking its national lottery public (see previous report) was switched to red this week as officials suspended the listing due to weak market conditions.
Spain’s Finance Ministry said it postponed the sale of 30 percent of Sociedad Estatal Loterias & Apuestas del Estado SA as market conditions don’t “guarantee revenues that reflect the value” of the operator.
Full Story: SPANISH LOTTERY IPO SHORTLIVED
Italian gambling regulator AAMS has reported on the nation’s 8-month total gaming wagers, which at Euro 48.3 billion are up 23.85 percent.
August wagers totaled Euro 6.418 billion.
Full Story: ITALIAN GAMBLING NUMBERS KEEP RISING
Pokerstars has released the full statistics on its recently completed World Championship of Online Poker, showcasing still impressive numbers despite declines compared with the event’s last outing.
Given the economic and US legal turmoil that has impacted the industry since then, some decline was perhaps inevitable.
Full Story: POKERSTARS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF ONLINE POKER NUMBERS