To Gamble

Some of the world’s largest companies could get involved with online casinos should a Bill introduced by Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank become reality.
If gambling online is legalized in the US, not only will banks and credit card companies no longer have to block online gambling transactions, they’ll be able to process them and profit from them.
‘We would do so as quickly as we could,’ said Alan Feldman, Senior Vice-President of MGM Mirage.
‘We would have it up and running within a year and I have to believe that just about everyone will get involved at some level. All the major players.’
Frank’s Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act was proposed in April with Congressional hearings in June and, if passed, would repeal sections of the UIGEA.
‘All the major entertainment companies will get involved, too. Sony, Apple, Universal, Columbia, Time Warner. It just seems logical that at some point they would find their way into the industry,” said Feldman.
The proposed Bill could also open a seven billion dollar betting window for venture capitalists and social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace.
Social networking and communications site, New York City-based Raketu, is already in search of gaming opportunities in places where online betting is legal, such as Asia.
“This is absolutely an opportunity but we will have to see if this bill passes,” said Greg Parker, Chief Executive Officer of Raketu.
“We already have the accounting and billing systems in place so we can get into that market pretty easily.”
Family-orientated companies such as Disney could even become involved should the US House of Representatives member’s Bill become law.
‘I know Disney has certain beliefs about its core brand structure that could prevent it but they could always create a sub-brand, as they do with their movie company Touchstone Pictures, which produces R-rated movies,’ said Feldman.
 

Some of the world’s largest companies could get involved with online casinos should a Bill introduced by Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank become reality.
If gambling online is legalized in the US, not only will banks and credit card companies no longer have to block online gambling transactions, they’ll be able to process them and profit from them.
‘We would do so as quickly as we could,’ said Alan Feldman, Senior Vice-President of MGM Mirage.
‘We would have it up and running within a year and I have to believe that just about everyone will get involved at some level. All the major players.’
Frank’s Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act was proposed in April with Congressional hearings in June and, if passed, would repeal sections of the UIGEA.
‘All the major entertainment companies will get involved, too. Sony, Apple, Universal, Columbia, Time Warner. It just seems logical that at some point they would find their way into the industry,” said Feldman.
The proposed Bill could also open a seven billion dollar betting window for venture capitalists and social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace.
Social networking and communications site, New York City-based Raketu, is already in search of gaming opportunities in places where online betting is legal, such as Asia.
“This is absolutely an opportunity but we will have to see if this bill passes,” said Greg Parker, Chief Executive Officer of Raketu.
“We already have the accounting and billing systems in place so we can get into that market pretty easily.”
Family-orientated companies such as Disney could even become involved should the US House of Representatives member’s Bill become law.
‘I know Disney has certain beliefs about its core brand structure that could prevent it but they could always create a sub-brand, as they do with their movie company Touchstone Pictures, which produces R-rated movies,’ said Feldman.
 

Over 650 attendees from 40 different countries got a glimpse into the redefined future of interactive gaming last week at Montreal’s Palais des Congres, which hosted the ninth annual Global Interactive Gaming Summit and Expo (GIGSE), organized by Clarion River City Group.
Conference sessions addressed topics across a variety of issues confronting the global industry and 68 speakers presented their research and views on items ranging from financial, jurisdictional, legal and political considerations for businesses in this arena. Although Montreal’s proximity to the United States was palpable, conference sessions, moderated by some of the industry’s foremost observers and executives, provided balanced coverage of many jurisdictions, with special focus on the burgeoning Latin American, Asian and European markets.
Emery Brett Ledger, Senior Partner at Ledger & Associates, spoke highly of the event saying, Having attended both GIGSE & EiG conferences in the past I found GIGSE ‘07 to be the most educational and productive yet. I. Nelson Rose’s opening comments were truly insightful and inspirational. Those who attended had an opportunity to conduct more business than ever due to the intimate level of the crowd.’
Extended hours on the exhibition floor allowed representatives from across the industry’s software, payments, technology, consultancy, legal and editorial sectors to showcase the latest products, services and information.
‘Although the (attendance) numbers were down this year, we found that we were able to spend more time with people - which was most beneficial’ said David Hedge, Director of Ezybonds Global.
In incisive fashion, keynote speaker and distinguished gambling law authority I. Nelson Rose, argued that in consonance with its history, the interactive gambling industry will continue to proliferate, although regulatory initiatives, especially in the United States, may be slow in catching up.
‘We’ve been tracking this industry since 1995 and it’s been different every year,’ echoed Sue Schneider, CEO, Clarion River City Group. ‘This year exemplified this fluidity with its increased emphasis on markets like Europe, Asia and Latin America.’
Proving the attraction of the conference and exhibition to industry newcomers, fully 44 percent of this year’s event-goers were first-time GIGSE attendees.
‘All of our events in 2007 have featured new i-gaming industry entrants, who have come to learn about what opportunities there are in this ever-changing business,’ said Schneider, ‘And we expect this trend to continue at upcoming regional and niche-specific events we produce’.
About River City Group:
Since 1995, River City Group staff have been serving the interactive gaming and gambling industry with thorough and thoughtful business services. From our marquee events to our widely-read publications, RCG proudly works to assist companies in this industry to excel.
In 2006, River City Group was purchased by Clarion Events, a UK event-production company. In conjunction with our Gaming Division partner, ATE, we are now even better equipped to produce high-quality events that serve the only industry in which we work: i-gaming.

Government should act over casino fiasco:
Hugo Swire has called on Gordon Brown and the Government to “clear up the mess” over casino policy after a legal move designed to shield existing casinos from plans to build a new generation of venues across the country failed in the High Court.
Commenting after the British Casino Association lost its High Court challenge to the Government’s policy, the Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary said: “It is now time for ministers to indicate just what they intend to do over the casino fiasco.”
In the High Court, the BCA warned that Government proposals for a super-casino in Manchester, plus other large new venues in other parts of the country, would discriminate against existing operators, whose premises would be reduced to second class status. But the Government said the challenge was without merit and Mr Justice Langstaff ruled against the BCA on all counts.
Mr Swire declared: “After 10 years of legislatory time, having spent millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money, Tessa Jowell was quoted as saying ‘I don’t think this is the top of anyone’s list’.
“Quite clearly the Government is in retreat on this issue, and it must now clarify what it intends to do to clear up this mess. Those towns and cities waiting for a decision on the future of their casino bids deserve to know once and for all whether Gordon Brown is going to give them the thumbs up or the thumbs down.”

After their famous progressive jackpot was recently hit for an all time high of $179,166, Slotland.com has increased the jackpot seed for their frequently hit progressives to a whopping $50,000. A player known as TOPNOTCHED was playing the Golden 8 slot machine when he hit the amazing jackpot. His win surpassed Slotland.com’s previous jackpot record of $163,114 last March.
This time when Slotland re-set the progressive jackpot, they doubled the usual jackpot seed money from $25,000 to $50,000. Since TOPNOTCHED’s record win, the progressive jackpot is already well over $100,000.
“Doubling the starting amount means that jackpots will build higher in a shorter period of time,” said Hannah Morante of Slotland.com. “Even when jackpots occur within weeks of each other, all winners will be guaranteed a minimum win of $50,000 — double the previous jackpot starting value.”
When Slotland.com first went online in 1998, jackpots were started at $10,000. A few years ago, as the popular slot machine and video poker web site’s player base grew, the starting jackpot was boosted to $25,000. Slotland.com has earned a reputation for fairness and integrity – and for having the best selection of unique slot machine and video poker games – so its membership has continued to grow.
“We noticed that no one complained last time we increased the jackpot seed!” mused Morante, “Now we have so many players all over the world that we’re able to raise it again.”
Slotland.com had three jackpot winners this time last year and ended up with seven more by year-end. While the increased starting value won’t necessarily mean more winners, the jackpots will most certainly be bigger.
The progressive can be played on any of the nine unique slot machines and video poker games on the Slotland.com web site. All five games that are also available on mobile phones and PDAs are also tied into the same progressive jackpot, so the next big winner could be at their computer or anywhere they take their mobile phone.

According to gambling news site, Gambling911.com, Moniker.com’s silent auction of online gambling domain names brought in a staggering total of $1.3 million.
From that figure, Scores.com took the largest percentage securing a hefty $1.2 million. Slots.com and other online casino related domains each sold for no more than $100,000 each.One of the most sought after names, Poker.com, is not included in the above figures as the sale is still reportedly under contention. An alleged offer near to $30 million was put on the table but there have been no confirmed acceptances at this time.
Moniker, the first and only provider of domain asset management services, hosted its first online silent auction of premium gaming and casino industry domain names during the Casino Affiliate Convention 2007, which took place in Amsterdam on May 3 to May 5 at the NH Grand Krasnapolsky Hotel.

Gaming Investor is the only European conference dedicated to the express needs of those in investment banks, venture capital, private equity houses and other financial institutions with an active interest in the gaming industry.
For the second year, this niche and focused one-day event addresses the key issues affecting those investing in both the online and offline sectors of the gaming industry.

Which sectors offer the richest pickings in 2007 and beyond?
Where are the best opportunities, and which are the areas to avoid?
How will the many changes in the European market be resolved?
Is offline or online the market of choice?
Which investment models will emerge in this new investment landscape?
At Gaming Investor you will meet and network with your peers from across the field of gaming investment. Directors of Corporate Finance, Heads of Gaming, Leisure Analysts, Heads of M&A and key members of gaming and leisure teams from the cream of the investment industry will gather together under one roof for a single day of networking, case studies, fresh ideas and new contacts.

Confirmed speakers include:
Amedeo Carassai, Partner, Apax Partners
Ivor Jones, Research Director, Panmure Gordon
Adam C. Rosenberg, Managing Director and Co-Head of Gaming Group, Goldman Sachs & Co
Vineet Patel, Finance Director, Better
Neil Murphy, Director of Development, Sun International
Brian Mattingley, Chairman, Fox Poker Club
Jeremy Greenhalgh, Partner, Charterhouse Capital Partners
Pontus Lindwall, Group President & CEO, Betsson
Hilary Stewart-Jones, Partner, Berwin Leighton Paisner
Sally Leeson, Investment Director, Endeavour Ventures
Paul Leyland, Analyst, Arbuthnot Securities

PLUS, Exclusive CEO panel:
Henry Birch, CEO, Leisure and Gaming plc
Johan Torqvist, CEO, Play ‘n GO
Charles Walker, CEO, JPM International
Richard Glynn, CEO, Sporting Index Limited
Luke Alvarez, Co-CEO, Inspired Broadcast Networks
Wayne Lochner, Chairman & CEO, BetBroker Ltd

CAC 2007 Platinum sponsor, World 3D Poker, together with co-sponsors Zipang Casino and 777 Baby, has announced its party plans for the forthcoming Casino Affiliate Convention in Amsterdam.
The sponsors are to take guests “out of this world” on the night of Thursday 3 May 2007, with an exclusive party at the Odeon Nightclub. Doors will open at 9pm but the party is exclusive to visitors of the CAC and they are advised to pick up information from the convention floor to gain entry.
The party is expected to attract over 400 guests and World 3D Poker is planning “a unique affair.”
“The revolution in Internet gaming has arrived with the launch of World 3D Poker,” said Norihito Suzuki, affiliate manager. “As platinum sponsors of CAC 2007, we are holding the biggest party of this year’s conference. Visit our booth or look out for our promotional girls to find out more.”
The CAC is the largest affiliate conference in the gaming industry and is scheduled for 3 to 5 May 2007. Now in its fifth year, the convention will cover European online gaming marketing and advertising, including internet, traditional and affiliate marketing with a focus on marketing to the EU gaming market.

Betfair online poker room is offering players the chance to win “Passport Stamps” which can be converted into buy-ins for live poker events anywhere in the world. Weekly satellites for the stamps start from $5.50, and winners can go on to claim stamps worth $3,000 for tournament buy-ins. Stamps can also be accumulated for bigger events such as the WSOP, and can even be used to cover the cost of getting to the tournament.
“This satellite structure puts our customers in the driving seat,” said Betfair’s Head of Poker Ben Fried. “The Passports, combined with the Threedom Pass, give our live event offering the best value and flexibility in the industry.”
The weekly Passport Stamp satellites culminate in a final table on Sundays at 21.45 GMT, and have a $150+$15 direct buy-in. At least one Stamp is guaranteed every week, and each stamp is valid for 18 months.
Any player making a significant live tournament final table will qualify for The Threedom Pass, which offers free buy-in for three years. The pass is transferable to comparable tournaments.
 

For this example we will assume you are playing a multi-deck game and the cards are being dealt from a shoe. Each player is dealt two cards face up. The dealer receives one card face up and one card face down known as the hole card. After the cards are dealt the dealer will ask each player in turn to make their decision. The player to the left of the dealer acts first. This position is known as first base. The position of the last person to act is called third base. You will make your decision about how to play your hand based on the dealer’s up card and the two cards that you were dealt. A rule of thumb for the beginner is to assume the dealer has a ten in the hole. (This is not always the case but it makes it easier to base your decision on this premise.) You will use hand signal to make your decisions known. (more…)