Issue N51, 2008
December 17, 2008
Norway Angers Gamblers by Banning Online Wagering
After months of discussions and proposals, it was announced this week that the Norwegian government has passed a law that will essentially rule out all types of internet gambling, except where it involves the state run monopoly company, Norsk Tipping. The new law has been compared to the controversial anti gambling Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in the United States and the similarities are striking. For example, just as in the case of the UIGEA, the Norwegian government will make it an offence for banks and financial institutions to transfer money to and from online gambling companies.
Norwegian gamblers are angered by this new ruling, which is not expected to kick into force before July 2009. They believe that the government’s claim that the rule was created to protect problem gamblers is a pretense to protect the interests of Norsk Tipping, which has paid out over 80 billion NOK to Norwegian charities since its creation 50 years ago. Opposition groups are already slamming the law and it is believed that the European Commission will step in and criticize the law on an official level, even perhaps taking the Norwegian government to the European Court of Justice for contravening EU trade laws.
Infrograme Entertainment Buys Out Cryptic Studios
The parent company of Atari gaming company, Infograme Entertainment has announced that it has acquired a new game company that should see it enter the online gaming industry in a big way. Infograme Entertainment has entered into a partnership deal with Cryptic Studios, a company that develops, publishes and operates multiplayer online casino games. Atari will acquire the tools and proprietary software of Cryptic Studios and incorporate them into its own company and its first step into the lucrative online gaming market. All Cryptic Studios staff will be hired by the new parent company.
“The acquisition of Cryptic Studios brings to Infogrames an outstanding creative organization, with a proven track record of success in the fast growing MMO category,” said The Chief Executive Officer of Infograme, David Gardner. “Cryptic's success is founded on leading-edge technology and the vision of a seasoned executive management team. I am impressed with the tools and technology that Cryptic has developed to make MMOs less expensive to build.”
Victor Chandler and Net Entertainment Launch New Online Casino
After a partnership deal was signed between the British based wagering company, Victor Chandler and the Swedish gaming company, Net Entertainment earlier this year, the two have decided to cement the deal with the launch of a brand new online casino site this week, named VCCasino.com. The new site will be powered by Net Entertainment using the award winning CasinoModule gaming platform.
“Given the size of our business, it is crucial for us to work with software that is stable yet flexible,” said the Chief Executive Officer for Victor Chandler, Michael Carlton. “VCCasino.com is a core part of our product offering and we were very pleased to seal a strategic partnership with Net Entertainment. Now that we have launched our new casino, we are fully expecting significant growth through 2009.”
The Chief Executive Officer for Net Entertainment, Johan Ohman was also very optimistic about the new partnership. “We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Victor Chandler, one of the most well known and largest gaming operators in the world,” he said. “The agreement is further evidence of Net Entertainment's ability to attract high profile licensees to its client base," continued Ohman. "It was a milestone for Net Entertainment. Not only did we manage to sign an agreement with Victor Chandler, but we also took a large step into the UK market with a prominent UK brand. This proves yet again that we are market leaders in browser based casino software.”
600 Gambling Portals Carry Prestigious GPWA Seals of Approval
Only months after rewarding its 500th Seal of Approval to a deserving gambling portal, the Gambling Portal Webmasters Association announced that it has already reached its 600th milestone. Representing some six thousand gambling sites, the GPWA has a mission to help its members advance in the online gambling industry and maintaining high standards.
“We are extremely proud of the fact that we have now awarded 600 seals,” said The Program Manager for the Gambling Portal Webmasters Association, Steven Corfman. “It was only a few months ago that we awarded the 500th seal. To have reached the 600th seal so quickly underscores the increased enthusiasm and single minded determination of our members all over the world to demonstrate that their sites are trustworthy and honorable and can be visited with complete peace of mind. It's both exciting and gratifying to see the accelerated pace at which webmasters are joining the Seal of Approval program.”
Sites who are considered for the Seal of Approval need to prove that they are managed independently of the sites that they promote, and also need to refrain from underhanded marketing tricks such as spam and pornographic content.