Issue N10, 2009
March 13, 2009
European Parliament Adoption of Online Gambling Report Disappoints
There was disappointment all around among online gambling operators, after the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of a report initiated by a Danish Socialist MEP, Christel Schaldemose. The controversial, albeit non-binding, paper essentially called for online gambling to be an internal issue among member states, which should not be answerable to the European Commission. In the past, the Commission has demanded that member states respect the open border treaties signed amongst them and allow online operators to offer their products and services in traditionally monopolistic markets.
In addition, the report painted the entire online gambling industry in a very poor light, saying that it could lead to corruption, money laundering and underage gambling.
The Remote Gambling Association (RGA), a powerful group that represents many of Europe’s top gaming groups, commented on the adoption of the report, with its Chief Executive Officer, Clive Hawkswood stating: “From the beginning, the industry welcomed the initiative by the European Parliament to examine the integrity of the online gaming industry. We have a good story to tell if people are willing to hear it, but unfortunately, people have deeply ingrained anti gambling prejudices and, of course, there are powerful vested interests that are opposed to the opening up of the European market.”
"The serious claims in this Resolution are highly detrimental to European licensed operators, which already comply with stringent legislation and high standards of consumer protection and social responsibility," continued Hawkswood. "Moreover, it blindly ignores the findings of the Parliament's own study, prepared by Europe Economics, which demonstrates the lack of evidence to support many of these arguments.”
Party Gaming Enters into New White Label Deal
Party Gaming, the top performing software company, which runs popular gaming sites such as Party Bingo and Party Poker, has announced a new white label deal that will see its products offered to an even more diverse group of players than before. The deal with DM Plc will mean that Party Gaming produces a series of DM-branded games for this marketing company, which deals with database products, scratch cards and direct mail.
“We are pleased to announce that DM has joined our white label portfolio just a few weeks after we signed an agreement with CIRSA to explore and develop online gaming opportunities in Spanish speaking countries,” said the Chief Executive Officer of Party Gaming, Jim Ryan. “We look forward to the launch and development of the DM branded casino and bingo gaming services, which conforms to our strategy to build a strong business to business operation by leveraging our assets and those owned by other companies.”
“As the UK market leader in our sector, DM welcomes this exciting opportunity to make our assets work harder by offering customers exciting and entertaining online bingo and casino games,” said the Chairman of DM, Adrian, “We are delighted to be working with Party Gaming and look forward with confidence to developing a highly successful business to business relationship.”
WPT Hits Italy
The main event of the upcoming World Poker Tour will take place in Venice, Italy, beginning the first week of May. This makes it the first time in the WPT history that Italy has been earmarked to host this great event. The tournament, to run from May 6th to May 10th at the Casino di Venezio, will be rewarding players with top prizes, over and above the prize pool, including a $25,000 package to attend the World Poker Tour event in 2010.
The World Poker Tour partnered with bwin to bring players the Venice tournament, and this top gambling group said that it would broadcasting the event on its web based TV channel. “We are delighted to be working with the WPT on this spectacular tournament,” said Manfred Brodner, speaking for bwin. “This event will bring in the excitement that only bwin can offer - people will be able to bet on the players of the final table while watching the action on the screen.”
“We are thrilled to launch our first ever brick and mortar WPT tournament offering in Italy,” said Steve Lipscomb, Chief Executive Officer for the World Poker Tour. “Bwin is a strong partner with the right market position in the region. We look forward to working with them to bring this event and the WPT brand to poker players in Italy and Europe”.
Rome Casino Introduces New Slot Options
Rome Casino, which runs off the innovative Top Game software platform, announced this week the release of three brand new slot games that are sure to thrill online slots fans. The games include Black Diamond, Ocean Fantasy and Shia Safavid’s Treasure – exciting titles that definitely indicate a promise of things to come.
All three games have five reels and 25 paylines for the ultimate in online slots entertainment. Their delightful themes and bonus features galore mean that a visit to Rome Casino is a definite must for any online gambler seeking new and exciting slots options.