Issue N43, 2007
November 8, 2007
888.com Expands to Sports Betting
888.com, the popular online casino company, has decided to expand its international markets even more by teaming up with the British-based sports betting firm, Rank. According to details about the new partnership, Rank’s online sports betting site, BlueSquare.com will provide a sports wagering service for 888.com, and will also manage its fixed odds betting contents. This is not the first sports betting venture taken on by 888.com. In recent months, the company launched an Italian site that is proving to be very successful.
888’s business expansion comes in the wake of the post-UIGEA reality that saw the company losing more than half its customer base in one sweep. Faced with no other option, 888.com began an aggressive move to seek out new international markets, especially in Europe and the UK where gambling laws are less restrictive than in the United States. The company’s strategy seems to be paying off: 888.com recently published its third quarterly report and showed an increase of revenue, up from last year at the same time. Industry experts foresee a promising 2008 for 888.com, especially in light of the new partnership deal with Rank.
CAP Euro London Promises to be Great Success
The Casino Affiliate Programs (CAP) European event is due to take place London, UK in January, 2008. This week, organizers of the conference announced that registration for CAP London was now officially open and urged anybody who wishes to take part in the event to place their bookings now. From previous experience, CAP events are some of the most sought-after gatherings in the online gambling industry and people should reserve in advance so as to avoid disappointment.
The founder of CAP, Mr. Lou Fabiano noted last week that CAP Euro is not simply an industry event with no agenda. “It is a meeting place for affiliates and operators from around the world to network, do business, and have fun in an environment that you can only imagine,” he said. Fabiano mentioned some of the reasons why CAP is such a resounding success, including the fact that affiliates are not charged to attend, and that organizers spend much time planning exhibition stands instead of simply booking as many as possible to increase profit. In short, CAP puts a lot of emphasis on the quality of the event and there is nothing to show that CAP Euro London 2008 will be any different.
Unibet Boss Blames France for ‘Harassment’
The Chief Executive Officer of the Swedish gambling company, Unibet, has slammed French authorities for harassing him after he was arrested and released on bail on charges of illegal gambling and advertising. Petter Nylander was issued with a European warrant of arrest in Amsterdam’s Schipol airport and brought before a French judge earlier this week. After being released on nearly $300,000 bail, Nylander returned home to London and spoke out against the monopoly laws governing the French gambling industry.
Nylander noted that the French gambling laws were archaic and could not continue much longer, especially in a united Europe that is governed by a free market system and in the era of the internet. “We need to create a modern form of a gaming industry, to find a way for responsible companies like Unibet and others to work and be non-discriminated compared to state companies in Europe,” Nylander stated.
France operates two state-run gambling companies, PMU and Francaise des Jeux and, despite warnings by the European Commission, has refused to open its gambling markets to international operators. Industry observers feel, however, that France will eventually need to make significant changes to its law books because of mounting pressure.
Antigua to Lobby American Lawmakers at Regional Conference
Government authorities and officials from the twin-state nation of Antigua and Barbuda intend to state their case over what they see as the United State’s unfair online gambling policy, at a regional conference this week. Up to a dozen US lawmakers will attend the annual Caribbean and Latin American Aquaculture Congress, due to take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico and it is hoped that meetings between the two nations over the issue will be able to take place both publicly and in private.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Finance Minister, Mr. Errol Cort said that his country is keen to invite US politicians to hear why they are seeking over $3-billion in trade sanctions through the World Trade Organization. He also said that his intention was to make these same politicians understand that Antigua and Barbuda had the ability to regulate gaming operations based in the country. The US anti-gambling UIGEA dealt a major blow to the country with a population of 70,000, many of who earn a living through remote gambling services. Antigua and Barbuda argue that the US is going against regional trade agreements by barring foreign gambling companies from operating within its borders, yet at the same time allowing local companies to operate sports betting services and others.