Issue N3, 2007

January 25, 2007

British Public Supports New Internet Gambling Laws

The results of a recent survey that shows the British public’s sentiments on the new online gambling laws in the country reflect a situation that is in total contrast to the goings-on across the ocean in the United States. Over 4600 people were questioned regarding their stance on controversial new laws issued by the British government regarding the regulation of the internet gambling industry.

63% of those took part in the Poker 2007 survey agreed with UK Secretary of Culture, Tessa Jowell that the gambling industry should be overseen from inside British borders. The same percentage agreed that internet gambling sites should operate with a license. In contrast, a mere 5% said that licensing was not important at all. 70% said that they would prefer the licenses to be issued by the British authorities. Non-gamblers were also among the 4600 questioned. 50% of those said that they were in support of a regulated industry. These numbers show that the English public is more than ready to go ahead with the revolutionary new laws and indicates the high level of trust that it has in its government.

Parlay Entertainment and Orbis Join Forces

This week, a new partnership deal was signed between two industry greats – Parlay Entertainment and Orbis. Under the deal, Orbis OpenBet Casino and Fixed Odds Games concepts will be integrated into Parlay’s back office system. Parlay is a bingo solutions developer and licensor and is considered a leader in the field.

Orbis’ portfolio contains over 50 flash (non download) games, including fixed-odds concepts, popular casino games and other game types. The company’s software modules comprise of Sportsbook, Casino, Rake Games, Fixed Odds Games, Exchange, Retail and Marketing. They provide a wide platform with up to date payment, language and support solutions.

eCOGRA Survey Results Break Gender Myths

This week, the e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance watchdog group (eCOGRA) finally released the results of its most comprehensive survey to date. Over 11,000 participants from 96 countries were questioned on a broad variety of subjects relating to internet gambling and gambling in general. There were some surprising facts that emerged from the research that was undertaken for eCOGRA by Nottingham Trent University’s Betting and International Gaming Research Unit. Most noticeable was the fact that 54% of those who called themselves online casino players were women. This dispels the theory once and for all that online gambling is a male dominated arena. On the other hand, 73% of all online poker players are men. Another interesting fact reflected in the survey results shows that nearly 30% of online casino players are between 46 and 55 years of age.

The average online gambler takes part in his or her favorite pastime between twice and three times a week, usually spending one to two hours at a time on a gambling session. Gambling is not new to most online players – the majority took up the pastime between two and three years ago.

But industry analysts feel that the most important truth that came out of the eCOGRA survey related to the reason why people play at online casino sites. An overall consensus was shown right across the board that the majority of casino players played online to relax, have some fun and relieve boredom. Only a small minority claimed that they gambled online because they wanted to make money in the long run or to get rich. This interesting fact paints a different picture to the one portrayed by United States authorities who constantly try to convince us that the new legislation was set in place to protect players from the ‘evils’ of gambling. If, as the survey explains, most players view online gambling in the same vein as watching a good movie or taking part in an interesting hobby, why do they need protection from the U.S. Senate in the form of the UIGEA? It is hoped that the American authorities will sit up and take note of the results of the eCOGRA result in order to get a better picture of the true situation on the ground.