Issue N29, 2008

July 17, 2008

888 Continues Industry Expansion

888 continues to wow its customers with a dizzying number of new products that seem to appear each new month across its gaming platforms. The company announced two new products this week in continuation of this gambling operator’s aggressive expansion strategy. The first new product announced was the launching of a new white-label poker room, under the terms of an agreement with the Australian based The Poker Dome Group.

Speaking about this deal, 888’s Chief Executive Officer, Gigi Levy said: "We are excited to partner with an innovative and diverse poker operator such as Poker Dome. We recognize Poker Dome's expertise as an offline operator and look forward to serving their customers in the online environment. Poker Dome have a close association with two World Series of Poker bracelet winners, so we expect a mutually successful relationship."

The other new venture was the signing of an agreement with Ash Gaming, a company specializing in virtual horse and dog racing games. The UK based company will supply 888’s platforms with an array of its offerings, and complement its already staggering portfolio of games.

Gabi Campos, 888's Senior Vice President and Head of Offering said about the new deal with Ash Gaming: "Our analysis shows that sports fans that frequent 888's branded websites or those of our strategic partners like to combine their real-world sports gaming experience with a virtual sports gaming extension. The partnership with Ash Gaming provides a solid response to this demand and complements our current extensive gaming offering.”

"We are excited to be working with 888 in their new strategic direction and are confident our products will be a top performing addition to the 888 suite of games," said Steve Schrier, Head of Business Development for Ash Gaming.

Belgium to Take its National Lottery Online By Next Year

The Belgium House of Representatives heard this week about plans to take the country’s National Lottery onto the internet – an idea that has been mulled since new laws governing the lottery were passed in 2002. Belgium’s Minister of Finance, Didier Reynders said that there was no stopping bringing the National Lottery to the internet. “More and more persons use the internet to purchase a variety of legal and illegal services and goods," he said.

Reynders explained the motives behind the move by saying: “If the National Lottery is expected to fulfill the objectives it has been tasked with by law and by management, it should follow this evolution. Consumers who wish to play should be given the possibility by the National Lottery to do so in a responsible and safe manner, by means of a modern and attractive game offering and using modern communication technologies.”

Analysts believe that the first stage of the plan will involve offering current draw games such as Keno, Lotto, Pick 3 and Euro Millions on the internet, although they believe that expansion will eventually occur to keep up with competition and offer viable alternatives to Belgian gamblers.

UIGEA Prompts Irish Online Gambling Decisions

Ireland’s recently formed Casino Committee released the results of a government study that will bring this country one step closer to legalizing and regulating online gambling. The report stated that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act that was passed in the United States had caused many companies to relocate to Europe and the United Kingdom, and the Irish government could profit from the situation. “The recent United States prohibition of payment mechanisms for gambling online presents a window of opportunity for Ireland," said the report.

The report also stated: “Should this opportunity be grasped within the appropriate timescale, Ireland, as a gaming friendly centre of excellence, can reasonably expect to attract a reasonable portion of this dynamic industry.”

All Slots Announces Bonus Trek Promotion

Regular players at All Slots online casino will be pleased to note that this site will be part of the Jackpot Factory Group’s amazing new Bonus Trek promotion, that will see lucky players win up to 70,000 free credits during the course of this month and next.

David Brickman, the Jackpot Factory's Vice President of Player Affairs said, “The space-themed promotion is being run now to coincide with the anniversary of the first moon landing that took place 39 years ago. All of our online slot casinos are filled with excitement in part because of the wide range of games and progressive jackpots, but also because of our exhilarating promotions. We think this one will be a real winner amongst our players.”

The promotion will be played out in a traditional leader board fashion and will award thousands of free credits to players who reach the top 120 places on the board each week. The highest placed player every week will receive 1000 free credits.

All Slots is also currently running a number of other hot promotions, including its $100,000 free slots tournament.

Casino News, July 2008