Issue N5, 2010
February 3, 2010
Online Gambling Operators Choose Neovia as Payment Processor
Neovia Financial, which boasts payment products such as Neteller, said that the recent International Gaming Expo in London proved to be a particularly lucrative event for the group, as it managed to sign on some big names in the industry. As such, companies such as Sega, BSkyB and UWin will be using Neovia’s services for their quality sites as a payment processor. BSkyB has chosen Neteller as a payment choice for its top brands that include Sky Bet, Sky Bingo and Sky Vegas.
The Head of Gaming Operations for Sky Betting and Gaming, Bernard Casey said: “We were in the process of expanding our gaming operation and were looking at alternative payments over and above credit cards. We chose Neovia's Neteller as our first e-wallet because of its reputation as the industry's premier e-wallet as used by the majority of gaming players.”
Sega Games, which recently launched two top brands, Sega Poker and Sega Casino, has also chosen Neteller as a payment option for their players. “Neovia continues to capitalize on the remarkable growth of the online gaming market by providing trusted, secure and innovative payment services to one of the largest and best names in the industry, Sega Games Ltd., said the Executive Vice President of Sales at Neovia, Dan Starr.
Ladbrokes Joins European Sports Security Association
UK gambling group, Ladbrokes, announced that it has joined the European Sports Security Association (ESSA) in a bid to help the fight against betting corruption. As a member of ESSA, Ladbrokes will need to commit to the reporting of irregular betting patterns and use ESSA’s Early Warning System. Ladbrokes’ membership marks the first time that a gambling group that has operations both on and offline joins the association.
“This is an important step to ensuring ESSA becomes the industry standard organization that has the support of both online and offline operators,” said Khalid Ali, the Secretary General of ESSA. “We welcome Ladbrokes and we are sure they have an important contribution to developing industry wide standards in this area. We would urge all operators in the industry, online and offline to wok with ESSA.”
“The European Sports Security Association is dedicated to improving the sharing of information between betting operators and sports bodies,” said the Trading Director of Ladbrokes, Mike O'Kane. “Currently the issue is surrounded by rumor and sensationalism, whereas in reality the incidence of betting corruption in sport is minimal.”
“By giving regulators and sporting bodies a full and accurate picture of unusual betting patterns, we can assist them in protecting the integrity and reputation of both sport and its participants,” he added.
Sydney Poker Player Wins Aussie Millions
Tyron Krost beat a field of 746 players to become this year’s winner of the Aussie Millions Poker competition. The 23 year old university student, a native Sydney player, took time off this year to concentrate on his studies, but was urged by a friend to enter the competition through a Party Poker qualifier. Krost won a package through this top online poker site to play in the Aussie Millions, and the rest is history. The player fought his way through a final table that consisted of talented players such as Sorel Mizzi and Annette Obrestad, to finally land himself the first prize of $2 million.
Speaking of his win, Krost said: “I just ran really well and got really lucky. I had a lot of big hands.”
"It feels like a dream and I don't want to wake up,” he said. "$2 million, it's amazing. In total, I spent $700 trying to qualify for a package and I have managed to turn that into $2 million! I got some really good spots on the final table. When I needed a hand I seemed to get it.”
Playtech Enters UK Football Market
Playtech has entered into an agreement with Sportech, owners of the newly branded New Football Pools, which will see the group acquire a 9.9% stake in the newly expanded Sportech. Thanks to the 20 million new shares acquired by Playtech, Sportech has been able to purchase the US based Scientific Games Racing for $83 million. The new deal will see Playtech spread its casino products across Sportech and SGR platforms.
“This is a further significant alliance for Playtech in the growing international regulated gaming arena,” said Playtech Chief Executive Officer, Mor Weizer. “Through its acquisition of SGR, Sportech has strengthened its already leading position in regulated pari mutuel markets by adding horseracing to football - two of the most popular gaming sports in the world. We share man of Sportech's goals in growing our business in regulated markets and look forward to helping the company fulfill its great potential.”