Issue N8, 2009

February 25, 2009

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Chided for Insider Winnings

The overseer for Ontario, Canada, has rapped the Ontario Lottery and Gaming for the high incidences of insider winnings. The ombudsman said that the lottery group, which runs all of Ontario’s lotteries, horseracing tracks, slot machines and casinos, will need to do more to bring down the high percentage of fraud that is prevalent in the province. “Insiders are in purgatory,” said the ombudsman this week. “If they prove to be an ungovernable lot, they shouldn't be allowed to play.”

The ombudsman said that relatives and employees may be barred from the Ontario Lottery altogether if no progress was made in bringing down the fraud numbers within six months.

“This is not a clean bill of health for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming,” said Andre Marin, the ombudsman who wrote a report, “A Game of Trust” several years ago. “If insiders can't control their itchy fingers, we're going to have to treat them like kids and bar them.”

Since 1995, insider winnings have made up around $160 million, according to the ombudsman – a number that has been challenged as being far too high by Ontario Lottery and Gaming.

Major Freeroll Slots Tournament Launched

If you fancy winning $100,000 for doing absolutely nothing other than playing your favorite slots games, then it is time to head on down to Golden Casino online casino and register for next month’s March Mania freeroll slots tournament. This amazing event has a guaranteed prize pool of an incredible $200,000 and is open to players who don’t have to invest one single cent in order to stand in line to win this amount!

The March Mania Guaranteed $200,000 Slots Tournament kicks off on March 3rd at Golden Casino and will run until March 20th at 7 pm – giving you plenty of time to sign up, play your favorite slots games and win a cash prize. Rebuys are unlimited and cost $20.

Golden Casino has promised to reward 200 players with cash prizes in this competition, with the first place winning an amazing $100,000! Second, third and fourth placed players will win $30,000, $16,000 and $11,000 and the prizes will descend in order of the winners’ placing on the leaderboard.

Players wishing to get in on the action should register for the March Mania Guaranteed $200,000 slots tournament at Golden Casino and they, too, may win big during this competition!

Bingo Sites Among those Granted eCOGRA Awards

eCOGRA, the Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance industry watchdog group, awarded its Safe and Fair seal to three new online gambling entities this week. This was the first time that bingo sites have been honored with this seal and goes to show just how far the game of online bingo has come in the industry. The seals were given to Interwetten Online Casino, as well as All Bingo Club (The Jackpot Factory group) and the Fortune Lounge Group’s Platinum Play Bingo, in time for eCOGRA’s fifth

The Vice President for the Jackpot Factory Group, David Brickman noted his pleasure at the new Safe and Fair seal. “Our poker and casino operations have all qualified for the practical and valuable Fair and Safe seal accreditation over the years,” he said, “and it's good to know that our bingo operations also measure up to these high operational standards.”

"eCOGRA can look back on the last five years with some satisfaction," said Andrew Beveridge, Chief Executive Operator for eCOGRA. “It has seen our standards, inspection and monitoring systems and professional staff expand to embrace all the main internet gambling platforms, from mobile, live dealer and bingo, through sports to casino and poker. Going forward, we intend to remain at the leading edge of online gambling standards and player protection in a dynamic and challenging high tech industry, constantly ensuring that our standards and systems are current with technology and best business practice.”

Peter “Zupp” Jepsen Joins Betfair Poker

Peter Jepsen, one of the most talented poker professionals in the business, has joined a handful of highly gifted players in the Betfair Poker team. Jepsen will represent Betfair Poker at poker tournaments – both online and offline. “When we are looking for new players, we look for young, successful online players who have the ability to perform well at offline tournaments,” said Bruce Stubbs, Head of Betfair Poker. “We now have four of the best sponsored multi discipline players in the industry and I am confident that Peter will feel right at home on the Betfair Poker tables.”

“I am looking forward to starting my sponsorship with Betfair Poker,” said Jepsen, who won the European Poker Tour Polish Open event in 2007. “They have been really welcoming and I already feel like I'm part of the team. It's given me new impetus to go out and get a big win under my belt.”

Casino News, February 2009