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New Jersey looks headed for a dispute with the World Trade Organization as legislators moved it another step closer to becoming the first US state to legalize online gambling. Atlantic City Online The state senate approved a bill last week that would allow New Jersey residents and foreigners to bet online via serves located in Atlantic City casinos. However, the bill, which passed 29-5, would prohibit players from other US states from using the facilities to gambling online. The bill, which included an amendment for a 15% tax on gross gaming revenue, authorized casinos to offer a myriad of services online, including slots, poker, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, craps and a host of other games. Some Provisions However, the inclusion of provisions for foreigners to use the facilities could put New Jersey in conflict with the World Trade Organization, something the bill's initiator, Senator Raymond Lesniak has already admitted. "We are going to be raising World Trade Organization issues by taking international gaming in New Jersey and showing how juvenile our federal government's policy is with regards to online gambling," he said. Overturning UIGEA Meanwhile, pro-gambling legislators in Washington are continuing to push forward bills to overturn the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which effectively banned online gambling by criminalizing the transfer of funds from financial institutions to Internet gambling sites.
Online casino Crazy Vegas has released three new games on to its Flash platform, just in time for the festive Christmas period. 243 Winning Combinations Santa's Wild Ride is clearly the highlight, a video slot with a theme that fits perfectly with the December holiday season. This 5-reel online video slot gives players 243 different winning payline combinations and features Santa Claus riding around on a Harley Davidson instead of his famous sleigh. The appearance of at least three of Santa's Harleys on the reels triggers the free spins bonus, giving players the chance to double all wins and to enjoy an increased amount of wilds, represented by the three elves symbol. 50 Paylines Silver Fang is the second video slot to be released for the holidays: this 5-reel, 50 payline slot features the animals of the Arctic Circle as symbols, including wolves, moose, wolf tracks and of course the Silver Fang Symbol. The howling wolf symbol acts as the wild and as a substitute for all other symbols apart from the scattered wolf track. The free spins feature is triggered by the appearance of at least three scattered wolf tracks on the screen, multiplying winnings by x5. 10,000 Jackpot Finally, the Big Break Instant Win Game is a virtual scratch card based on the 5-reel video slot of the same name. Players are presented with a scratch card panel including nine blocks, six multiplier symbols of different values and a top multiplier jackpot of x10,000.
Online software giant Playtech has announced the signing of an exclusive multi-year bingo licensing agreement with gaming operator Unibet. The deal, a long time in the making, will mean Playtech will provide its online bingo solution through the company's subsidiary, developer and online bingo licensor Virtue Fusion Alderney. Change of Platform Under the agreement, MariaBingo and Bingo.com, two of the largest online bingo sites in Europe, will switch to the Virtue Fusion network along with Unibet's other white label sites. Unibet, which has more than 4.7 million customers in more than 100 countries, has been a licensee of Playtech's games tab platform provider GTS since 2006, but this new agreement takes the relationship between the two gaming giants to a new level. Good Deal for Both Sides Unibet CEO Henrik Tjarnstrom said the agreement marks a very positive step for Unibet bingo, adding: "We're happy that Virtue Fusion have delivered a strong bingo client - designed by Unibet's own in house UX team - which allows Unibet to gain the benefits of being on a network whilst retaining the unique offer in the market which is central to our strategy." Playtech CEO Mor Weizer called it "one of the most significant B2B bingo deals over the past few years," adding that reinforces the ability of his company to compete in the European market.
In a news story that sounds more like something out of Hollywood than real life, a lone gunman has stolen $1.5 million worth of gambling chips from the Bellagio hotel and casino in Las Vegas. Acting Alone The man stuffed the chips into a backpack and ran to the exit where he fled the scene on a black motorcycle, it was reported. An 11-second video taken by a surveillance camera and broadcast later to the public showed running down the hotel corridor while carrying a pistol and wearing a motorbike helmet that concealed his face. No shots were fired during the robbery, which took place at around 3:50 on Tuesday morning, Las Vegas time, and which lasted around two to three minutes according to police. "He parked, walked in, committed the robbery and left," police spokesperson Clint Nichols was quoted as saying by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Land Based casinos Police also believe the same gunman may have been behind a robbery last week at the Las Vegas Suncoast Casino poker room, in which around $20,000 worth of chips were stolen. The news will no doubt also come as a boost for the online casino industry, which can point to the absence of hard currency and chips as a security benefit of playing on the internet rather than at a bricks-and-mortar establishment.
The British territory of Gibraltar is set to raise the tax rate on online gambling companies based there from 1% to 10%, a move that industry insiders say will reap it huge financial dividends. Tax Rises Tenfold Online gaming companies will now pay the standard 10% tax rate that all other businesses pay, but will still be exempt from Value Added Tax, British newspaper The Guardian reported. Gibraltar has been a haven for many gambling firms, with the attraction of a low tax rate and relaxed laws. And it doesn't look like any of them will be leaving any time soon, even with the increased tax rate. What Effect? This includes Victor Chandler International, whose chairman Victor Chandler told the Spanish-language El País newspaper that nobody would leave the territory, "although we'll all complain about the tax rate going up." Even with the previous 1% tax rate,Gibraltar's government made a tidy £10.5 million in online gambling tax revenue in 2009. Should all the companies with operations there remain, including leading Victor Chandler and fellow British companies William Hill and Ladbrokes, this amount would skyrocket in the coming years, and boost the already healthy coffers of this territory of only around 30,000 people.
British bookmaker Ladbrokes confirmed on Monday that it is in talks to acquire online gambling firm 888, a day after announcing that it was in discussion for a possible offer. Mega Deal The Sunday Telegraph newspaper had reported that the bookmaker was considering an offer of around 70% per share, putting 888 at a total value of around 240 million pounds ($375 million). New Ladbrokes CEO Richard Glynn is believed to be motivated by the need to strengthen Ladbroke's online presence, which is weaker than that of its main rivals. The same issue was behind plans by his predecessor Chris Bell to buy 888 four years ago for a price of around 470 million pounds, a move that ultimately was not made because of the threat of legal action in the United States following the passage of the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which effectively banned online gambling there. Evaluation According to industry analysts the takeover 888 would be a good move for Ladbrokes, which could combine its strong sports book with 888's big online portfolio, which includes 888 casino and B2B business Dragonfish. Analysts also predict that it would help Ladbrokes narrow the gap between it and its main British rival William Hill, which has gone from strength to strength since signing a deal with online gaming software giant Playtech.
The co-founder of online gambling company PartyGaming was sentenced on Thursday to one year of probation and no time in jail in a verdict that will undoubtedly cause further confusion over the application of US online poker laws. No Jail Time Anurag Dikshit, an Indian national and former billionaire had travelled from the British territory of Gibraltar to New York on a one-way ticket to attend his sentence hearing last Thursday, which carried a maximum possible punishment of two years in jail. US District Judge Jed Rakoff said in handing down the sentence that he was "persuaded that no jail time is appropriate here." Dikshit, 39, pleaded guilty in 2008 to one count of violating the US Federal Wire Act, by using wires to transmit bets and wagering information in interstate commerce. He also agreed at the time to forfeit $300 million and to cooperate with prosecutors in return that they would request lenience from the judge. PartyGaming PartyGaming, registered in Gibraltar, was founded in 1997 and was once the world's largest online poker brand, in addition to offering casino and other services. Its market share has dropped since the legal problems in the US, but it still has one of the biggest online poker rooms in the world.
Jackpot City mobile casino is bringing its new customers a gift in time for Christmas, with a promotion promising up to $5 in free playing money just for playing one of a selection of popular games over the holiday period. How to Claim To claim your bonus, simply play any of 20 of the mobile casino's most popular games, such as 3 Card Poker, Avalon, Keno, Fruit Fiesta, Mega Moolah and Major Millions, Thunderstruck and Tomb Raider. In addition, Jackpot City will also continue to run its generous welcome bonus to new customers, with up to $150 in free playing money upon making a first deposit. About JackpotCity With 12 years of history behind it, Jackpot City has a lot of experience providing the best in online gaming, and more recently in mobile gaming. Jackpot City's Mobile Casino allows you to play from anywhere you want, whether it's on the train en route to a holiday dinner with the family, or while on vacation over the New Year period. Games are available in all the major categories, including video slots, video poker, progressive jackpots and table games such as blackjack, baccarat and roulette. And all of it comes complete with 24/7 customer support for all your needs.
A sterling online casino enters the Top 10 of 2010 series this week. It's the prestigious Noble Casino that stars with a smattering of superb online games and exclusive bonus offers. Noble Casino is powered by Playtech gaming software - a world leader in the online gaming development sector. Among others, NobleCasino's games offer innovative features, Las Vegas-style action and a rich array of audio-visual effects. NobleCasino rolls out the red carpet this holiday season Santa's little helper is waiting to receive online players with a range of 5 exciting promotional offers. These include the following: A jumbo-sized welcome bonus awaits all players. Enjoy up to 100% matching deposit bonuses on the first 4 deposits at NobleCasino. A jam-packed monthly promotions calendar is ready and waiting. Make this holiday season extra special with a mega-dose of daily and weekly promotional events. Enjoy solid gaming action with things like Spin & Win, Up, up and Away, Beaming Bonuses, Build a Bonus, Extra Value Day and many more. Simply log on to Noble Casino and sneak a peek at their advent calendar. There's a jolly good alternative payment bonus available to players wagering with NobleCasino's preferred payment processing options. Enjoy 100% coupons and 15% deposit coupons as you play for real money. Friend referral bonuses come thick and fast with NobleCasino. For each friend you invite who signs up for a real-money account, you stand to receive real cash. Comp Points are earned on every dollar spent at Noble Casino. The more you play the more it pays you. At Noble Casino, everyone's a winner this holiday season. Find your lucky star in Noble's rich gaming enclave today.
The World Series of Poker is continuing with its international expansion, having announced a deal in the past week to launch an online poker network in Italy. Italian Poker Caesars Interactive Entertainment - WSOP's parent company - announced the deal with Italian online gaming company Microgame that will bring the poker network to the third biggest economy on the European continent. The new network adds to an already large selection of sites especially tailored to Italians, including Microgame's current poker network - which it says is the largest in the country - and .it domains for the world's two biggest poker rooms, PokerStars and Full Tilt. Working Together According to Caesars CEO Mitch Garber, the new partnership between WSOP and Microgame will see them work together to market the brand in Italy, with online and offline poker tournaments and promotions. "This agreement is a logical step in our European and global expansion strategy to partner with leading local companies as we look to expand the WSOP brand," he said. Regulated Market The deal comes as the Italian government is reportedly preparing to issue licenses to online gambling companies from January 1. The Italian online gambling industry has become a target for all the major companies since the country removed barriers to foreign operators earlier in 2010 in order to comply with European Union standards
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