Issue N6, 2012
February 8, 2012
Robbie Williams Looks to Online Poker Industry
Robbie Williams, the platinum selling singer and former member of the famous 1990’s boy band, Take That, has decided to take a very different path by launching his own online poker site. Robbie Williams Poker will offer free online poker games, and the site is already touting itself as “the new home for free fun poker.”
“So get your poker face on for free online poker tournaments and perfect your Hold'em Poker skills,” players are told. Prizes at the new site include, of course, Robbie Williams related gear, including tickets to his concerts and even the chance to meet the musician in the flesh.
Unfortunately, not everyone is thrilled about the new Robbie Williams online poker site. The singer once battled substance abuse and depression, and many of his critics are saying that he shouldn’t get involved in a venture that has the potential to create other addicts (of the gambling sort). A UK MP, Tessa Munt said: “Robbie Williams of all people should be sensitive to the problem of addiction. I don't believe there is anything harmless about gambling in this way. The problem is escalation, and he must know what this is like.”
NextGen Slot Game Goes Mobile
NextGen Gaming, which merged in recent months with the NYX group, announced that its popular Dr. Love video slot game will now be available to mobile casino users. The game was released to the Apple Store, allowing players to directly access the game and play for fun on their Apple iPhones. The game is exactly the same as the real money Dr. Love slot game available online, and has a cheeky storyline, plenty of bonus features and a number of ways to win big when played in the play-for-real format.
Matt Davey, the Chief Executive Officer of the NYX Gaming Group, said about the release of Dr. Love slot to the mobile gaming industry: “Our move into providing content via the App Store reiterates our commitment to providing players with content wherever they desire it. In tandem with its full sized predecessor, the Doctor Love app retains NextGen’s advanced slots technologies such as true reel bounce, offering players the excitement of following the win and the near miss as they chase triggering events.”
Online gambling companies recognize the incredible growth of the mobile gaming industry and continue to introduce their most popular titles to mobile platforms across the board.
DOJ Dampens Superbowl Betting Fun
With millions of US citizens placing bets on the most famous sporting event of the year, the Superbowl championship final, one can’t help but shake one’s head at the timing of the US Department of Justice to shut down sixteen online sports betting sites only hours before the event took place on Sunday. Using the infringement of copyright laws as an excuse for their move, the Department of Justice shut down the live streaming sites, leaving many players out in the cold after having placed their bets to back their favorite teams.
The websites affected were as follows: firstrow.tve, firstrowsports.com, firstrowsports.net, firstrowsports.tv, soccertvlive.net, hq-streams.tv, sports95.com, robplay.tv, sportswwe.net, sportswwe.tv, xonesports.tv, sportswwe.com, youwwe.net and youwwe.com.
According to industry analysts, the shut downs were ordered by Preet Bharara who was instrumental in closing down Poker Stars, Ultimate Bet and Full Tilt Poker in the United States in what came to be known as Black Friday in April last year.
$93,889,840 was wagered on the showdown between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants on Sunday – a number which falls just short of the record $94,534,272 wagered on the 2006 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks.
Betfair Blocks South African Online Gamblers
South African gamblers were dealt bad news this week after they were told that one of their favorite online gaming sites, Betfair, would not be able to offer them non-sports betting action from next week. The international gaming group, told gamblers in a press release that it was being forced to adhere to a South African Supreme Court ruling that local citizens are not allowed to play casino games such as slots and poker online.
The public affairs manager for Betfair, Tom Tuxworth said: “Our website is in the process of being IP blocked to the entire country.” South African gamblers were told by Betfair that they needed to withdraw their funds before next Tuesday.
Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that online gambling was an illegal pastime and operators, as well as players, could face stiff fines and even jail time if caught. The entire South African gambling regime is currently under review, and punters are hoping that a regulated and legalized industry will be introduced in due time.
Betfair recently applied for license to offer sports book services in the Western Cape.