Issue N4, 2009
January 29, 2009
Bingo.com Heads for European Gaming Markets
Bingo.com, the leading bingo brand that left the US market after the introduction of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, has landed itself the opportunity of targeting the European gaming market in a big way. The company’s wholly owned subsidiary in Malta has been awarded a Letter of Intent by the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority, allowing the company to launch a gambling site from its jurisdiction.
“We are very pleased to have received a Letter of Intent from the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority,” said Tarnie Williams, the Chief Executive Officer of Bingo.com. “Online bingo is booming in the United Kingdom and we are excited to have the opportunity to strengthen our position as one of the premier online bingo destinations for European players.”
Williams spoke about the excellent opportunity derived from the Letter of Intent, which will become permanent once the company irons out several minor details. “Bingo.com will now have a full breadth of marketing opportunities available from which to promote our brand and attract new visitors to our gaming and entertainment system,” said Williams. “While we continue to develop support for different currencies and different languages around the world, the UK is a critical market for our success.”
Head of Casino Affiliate Program Resigns
The head of the Casino Affiliate Program (CAP) announced this week that he would be resigning from his position as soon as the CAP conference in London comes to an end this week. Lou Fabiano was reacting to accusations made towards him on several online gambling portals regarding the link between CAP and the rogue online poker room CardSpike.
“After all the negative press and activity of the past few months I have decided it's probably best for the community moving forward if I left”, said Fabiano in a statement. “For whatever reason, I create too much of a distraction and raise too many questions by even being here anymore.”
“I know many believe that I am some kind of monster now and even my old friends have fallen silent in support,” added the head of CAP. “I will do what's best and simply move on. It's been a great run and I truly enjoyed it. I have met some of the best people I have ever known through CAP and it's taken me wonderful places around the world. I would rather remember it fondly than grow bitter and forget all the good we have done together.”
Antigua To Continue Online Gambling Talks with US
Mark Mendel, the attorney acting behalf of the Caribbean island state of Antigua in the ongoing conflict with the United States over online gambling compensation payment, said that the country was not ready to leave the negotiation table yet and was even willing to be flexible regarding its demands. “What would satisfy Antigua is a veritable moveable feast or perhaps an algebraic equation, it all depends on what is on offer, but at the end of the day it has to be reasonable under all of the circumstances,” said Mendel. “Contrary to public rumor, Antigua has never insisted on full market access. A compromise usually involves compromise by everyone, and I think Antigua understands that.”
The United States was ordered by an arbitration panel to pay Antigua and Barbuda around $21 million each year for going against regional trade treaties and barring Antigua based gambling sites from entering the US market. Although Antigua has entered into negotiations with the United States time after time regarding the way compensation will be paid out, the latter continues to spurn these attempts and regularly misses deadlines. “Antigua still retains its ability to contest the withdrawal of the American commitment to the provisions of cross border gambling and betting services, and it still has the right to suspend United States intellectual property rights,” said Mendel. “However, the Antiguan government has decided to exhaust its settlement options prior to taking any further WTO action.”
New Games for Parlay5 Platform
Parlay Entertainment is using the International Gaming Expo platform in London to launch the expansion of its ParlayGames software. As the world’s most popular bingo software provider, Parlay Entertainment is continuously updating its games portfolio, including bingo titles, as well as side games that provide alternative entertainment on bingo sites. The new MiniGames will provide bingo players with the opportunity of enjoying a multitude of top quality side games directly from their bingo game windows. Essentially, this means that players will be able to enjoy a quick game of slots while waiting for the next game of bingo to begin, for example. In addition, a new 80-ball bingo game has been launched.
“We have introduced significant new capabilities, features and content to the ParlayGames platform,” said the Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Parlay Entertainment, Perry Malone about the new games. “Parlay is rolling out a breadth and variety of games to our customers that is unmatched in the industry.”