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Online "predictive markets" do not share the heat that is online gambling's fortune. While online poker and the likes are in effect banned by US law, American politicians do not attack these websites. The New York Times published an article by Paul McNamara of the IDG (International Date Group) that raised this issue. The online predictive market website Intrade, which is based in Ireland, has seen hundreds of thousands of dollars placed in shares of John McCain's presidential elections winning chances. This has quickly been followed by such comments that this was"one of the most foolish investors in the world." It was also followed by a statement by Intrade saying that this was the move of a single "institutional investor." The clarification, though unsolicited, was just in place. It makes one wonder, the article implies, where does regulation come in when dealing with such predictive market websites. A further question is why online gambling is illegal while sites such as the onebased in Ireland are allowed. For wouldn't all websites and users alike benefit from a regulated industry? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, said the English Bard. Perhaps that is a hint for online gambling to baptize itself "online predictive markets."
The supposition that gambling is recession proof has stood the test of time. Still, the dramatic downfall in the world markets has caused a scare throughout Las Vegas, Macau, and the online gambling business too. What will be of online gambling now that margins are likely to shrink? In a world of growing investors' scrutiny, what best business plan is right? These are thoughts that have concerned us all these days, whether we are from the industry or mere players who put some money aside for our off hours entertainment. The experts have an opinion, or rather more than one, on all of these issues and more. Watch this videos and see what the CEOs of Bet Brain, Webroute Affiliates, the Poker Channel, Europoint Ventures and Million Dollar Poker Club have to say.
William Hill feels confident their plans to acquire Playtech affiliates will yield positive returns. The bookmaker, boosted by their team Hull City's start to the Premier League, is eager to get software maker Playtech on board to continue positive growth in the industry. The effect of the worldwide global meltdown has yet to arrive on William Hill's doorstep and they are doing all they can to maximize their earning potential with the new Playtech deal. The moves to acquire Playtech's customer service, marketing, gaming brands and websites operations bodes well for William Hill. Licence agreements William Hill signed several agreements with Playtech, one of them a five-year software agreement for poker and casino gaming. The agreements effectively push William Hill Online to the leader board of Europe's most profitable online sports/gambling companies. If the number-crunching adds up, William Hill Online will yield net revenues of £190 million before interest, tax and the amortisation of £75 million. Playtech does not walk away empty handed: they will receive 29%, possibly up to 32%, of William Hill Online but WH has the option of re-acquisition within 4-6 years. Additionally William Hill retains a 71% shareholding based on their contribution to EBITDA. The figures Given the global crisis, they're impressive: 9% increase in total gross wins. The sterling performance of Hull City has helped William Hill to post such phenomenal earnings. The economic slowdown is expected to hit in 2009, but until then William Hill is looking to bolster their performance. Added to a 14% rise in the share price of William Hill this year, the Playtech affiliates acquisition certainly looks like the right move.
We first saw Crispin Neiboer, CEO of the Poker Channel, speak on the CEO panel at CAP euro in Barcelona. We then went aside and recorded this interview. Round-the-clock, 24/7 poker on television. The Poker Channel is an entire TV network dedicated to poker. It broadcasts - in English - in 16 European countries. (Crispin counts 15, only days before the Channel launched in Poland.) Since its launch in March 2005, the Poker Channel carries poker tournaments such as the World Series of Poker and other events. Advertising throughout europe, while being based in London, and other significant issues that promote the Channel and the industry at large are here discussed.
Former world number 92 Federico Luzzi has died of leukemia aged 28. The Italian Tennis Federation said he died in hospital in his hometown of Arezzo. Luzzi's death came as a shock. Just last Sunday he participated in a club match on the Italian island of Sardinia, when he retired because of a strong fever. Although initially believed to be a form of bronchopneumonia, tests at the San Donato hospital in Luzzi's home town revealed that he had leukaemia. The Italian reached a career high ranking of 92 in February 2002, but his name hit the headlines six years later when he was one of several players punished by the Association of Tennis Professionals for betting on the outcome of matches at the beginning of a prolonged campaign by the ATP to crack down on such activities. In February 2002 Luzzi was fined $50,000 by the ATP and banned for 200 days after being found guilty of wagering on the outcome of matches from May 2004 to April 2007. In a statement on their website, ATP Chairman Etienne de Villiers said, "Losing a young man so tragically in the prime of his life, a son to a loving family and a great sportsman is a terrible blow. Federico was hugely respected by his fellow professionals and was one of the most popular players on the ATP Tour. Federico will be much missed by all who knew him and the thoughts and the prayers of everyone at the ATP are with Federico's family on this very sad day for tennis."
Barack Obama continues to shorten in the odds just over a week out from the 2008 US presidential election. Obama now stands at 1.07 at Ladbrokes, against McCain's 7.5. The odds on Obama winning more than 370 of the 568 seats on offer have shortened to 2.62, with the Democrat candidate favored to win most of the battleground states. On the question of whether McCain will manage to win 22 states or more, as opposed to 21 states or less, odds of 1.83 are being offered on both options. McCain could win half the states in the union but still lose by a large margin, given that most of the states he is favored to win are in more sparsely-populated areas. Secretary of State odds With Obama considered a shoe-in by the bookmakers, Democrats lead the odds to be the next secretary of state. Richard Holbrooke, who was US ambassador to the United Nations during Bill Clinton's presidency, leads the charge at odds of 3.00. Holbrooke is the only person to have been assistant secretary of state for two regions - Asia and Europe. Hot on his heels is Anthony Lake, 6.00, a veteran political figure in Washington, and a former national security adviser to Bill Clinton. 2004 Democrat presidential nominee John Kerry, 7.00, is reportedly interested in the job as well. Another notable name to feature is Colin Powell, 21.00, who of course held the position during George W. Bush's first term in office. Powell has recently swung over to the other side, publicly endorsing Barack Obama for the presidency. Hillary Clinton and John McCain are both 26.00, Al Gore and Bill Clinton are both 34.00, and two stalwarts in Henry Kissinger and Jimmy Carter are both an unlikely but tempting 101.00.
CAP Euro Barcelona guest speaker, advocate Peter Wilson of Blake Lapthorn law firm, is himself an Englishman. UK law is in fact his specialty and so this installment, Part 2 of 3, in which he discusses the current legal status of online gambling in the UK post the 2005 Gambling Act is of special interest. The lawyer explains the situation in the UK with an emphasis on advertising, now legal under certain constraints in the UK.
CAP Euro Barcelona was launched two days after the controversial decision in Kentucky to seize 141 online gambling domains. Some participants haven't even heard of this, having travelled over that time to get to Barcelona. Such was advocate Peter Wilson of Blake Lapthorn law firm's legal lecture welcome and needed. In this video the lawyer explains his take on the case from a legal perspective.
For Ohio natives, November 4 is not only a chance to help choose who will be U.S. president for the next four years, but also a day of decision-making on casinos. Issue 6 is a proposed amendment to the state's constitution that would allow a single non-Indian casino resort costing $600 million to be built by Blue Water Joint Venture LLC in the town of Wilmington, 65 miles (105km) south-west of the state capital Columbus. The motion does not allow or block Native Americans from opening their own casinos, a right already enshrined in law. But critics have expressed concern that a spate of Indian casinos could be built if Issue 6 is passed, pointing out that the amendment authorizes for the new casino to provide more than just the bingo and lottery-style games already permitted. Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio), a longtime opponent gambling, is one of those critics. "Ohio doesn't allow table games, but Issue 6 would change that, giving (tribes) half of what they need to open up other casinos if they win their land claims," Voinovich said. A recent poll by the Columbus Dispatch found that Ohio voters favor the amendment by a clear nine-point margin. Meanwhile, a group of developers backing the bid, called MyOhioNow.com, are suing their opponents, accusing them of running false ads against the motion. The group wants monetary damages against an anti-gambling committee called "No on 6", claiming their ads falsely state that Ohio would lose hundreds of millions of dollars in casino profits each year because it would owner by an interstate company.
It's taken some time, but the waiting is almost over. CAP - the premier iGaming forum for affiliates and their managers will be hosted in Australia. This November from Tuesday 25th November right through until Friday 28th in Sydney, delegates, affiliates, sponsors and the public will be in attendance. The venue is the exotic and stunning 5-star Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney's world famous harbour. Excitement A world-class convention replete with delegates, Q&A, gourmet meals and an interactive forum await those in attendance. The sponsored networking activities will showcase the latest developments, trends, and movements in the iGaming sector: the event brings together the best and the brightest of the iGaming world. The conference is free for affiliates and there are nominal charges for the certified programs being offered. Renowned industry speakers will be there to offer sound advice and share their invaluable knowledge with both vendors and affiliates.
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