Archive for April, 2009

Online Gamblers More Disciplined?

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

The majority of online gamblers are gambling in a more moderate and disciplined manner than they were in the 1970.

, according to a new report by the director of the Harvard Medical School’s Addictions Department.

The results of Dr. Howard Shaffer’s according to a new report, which was conducted in conjunction with Austrian-based online gambling company Bwin, show that problem gambling has not increased despite the increase in the amount of general gambling in the United States since the 1970s.

The proportion of problem gamblers among the population had actually dropped – from 0.7 percent of the population in the 1970s to 0.6 percent of the population today.

The report will come as a timely boost for pro-gambling US lawmakers in their push to overturn the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

Casino Industry Worried By Swine Flu Epidemic

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Swine Flu epidemic continues to grow, land based casinos could be at risk of losing even more customers.

The epidemic is ravishing Mexico, with 159 confirmed deaths due to the virus. The rest of the world has been put on alert that it may spread by the World Health Organization.

Chris Frucose said: “If the virus continues to spread, there is the possibility that less people would go out to casinos and that would further hurt revenue numbers for the month of May”, “This is not what these land based casinos need at a time of continuing financial strain.”

If people do chose to stay at home to play casino games, Internet gambling sites may see to grow. The vaccine for the Swine Flu is not expected out for a couple of months.

Former Vegas Employee Wins Judgment Against Dennis Rodman

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

Former Vegas employee Sara Ure has just won a judgment for USD225,000 against Dennis Rodman.

According to Ure’s lawyers, Rodman’s actions, both in Las Vegas and toward the lawsuit, were considered inappropriate.

Kathleen England and Jocelyn Cortez in their motion said: “Defendant Rodman injured and humiliated Ms. Ure at her place of employment,”.

Former Vegas employee Sara Ure claims that Rodman accosted her, slapped her behind and forced her to dance with him,  Rodman was back at the hotel and when Ure brought it to Hard Rock management’s attention, she was fired.

888.com Website Should Be Blocked In Argentine?

Monday, April 27th, 2009

An Argentine judge in Buenos Aires has ruled that 888.com website should be blocked.

The ruling was made by municipal prosecutor Luis Duacastella Arbizu and was published in the Buenos Aires government’s official journal. Arbizu considered that 888.com’s website violates articles 116, 117 and 118 of the Buenos Aires ‘Contravention Code’.

Also this code specifically prohibits the local operation and or promotion of gambling services without a gambling license.

The 888 brand offers players an online poker room, sports betting and bingo.

Czech Finance Ministry Allows Online Betting in Czech Republic

Friday, April 24th, 2009

The Finance Ministry of the Czech Republic has decided to permit regulated online wagering in the country.

Also the Finance Ministry’s decision gives Czech gaming companies more leverage in the competition with international online wagering organizations.

Tipsport, which manages 1,020 shops in the Czech Republic, is feeling the effects after only four months. Company spokesperson Lubomir Jezek said that online casino gaming accounts for about thirty percent of Tipsport’s business and expects an even bigger interest in online gaming in the future.

Also Lubomir Jezek said that we see the World Wide Web as a new business opportunity rather than something to edge out land-based shops.

Connecticut Casino Gambling With No Smoking

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Members of the Connecticut state government Administration and Elections Committee approved a ban of casino smoking in Connecticut casinos.

Other states have already banned smoking in public places.

The owners of Mohegan Sun believe that the smoking ban is a violation of that compact, and are prepared to battle for what they believe in court.Also he said that they were open to a compromise involving smoking.

Other lawmakers point to an obligation of state government to protect employees.

Senator Gayle Slossberg said: “These people are our constituents,”,  “No money can pay to bring someone back who has lost their life to lung cancer.”

World Poker Tour(WPT)

Friday, April 17th, 2009

European poker players can enjoy two more opportunities to take part in the World Poker Tour (WPT) this year, with events in Barcelona and Cyprus now confirmed.

Last year’s tournament featured 253 entrants and a prize pool of almost $2 million (£1.3 million), with Casper Hansen of Denmark eventually beating Sweden’s Stefan Mattsson to the $655,720 first prize.

In addition to the Barcelona championship, the WPT has revealed details of a new event taking place in northern Cyprus. The tournament will be held at the Merit Casino with a buy-in of $10,000 + $300.

Next month, the European leg of the WPT begins in Italy with the inaugural WPT Venice.
This year will also see the WPT head to Africa for the very first time, with WPT Marrakech scheduled to take place in the Moroccan city in October.

Betfair – The Cricket Sponsor

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Tuesday, online bookmaker Betfair announced it has signed a deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Test Match Grounds to become the organizations’ official betting partner. The deal comes only months before the start of the English cricket season, which will feature the much-anticipated npower Ashes Test Series against Australia.

The new deal will grant Betfair the use of the ECB logo on its collateral and will see the betting exchange featured prominently on perimeter boards, tri-vision sight- and replay-screen advertising, product sampling and promotional activity at all eight Test match grounds. In a press release, the company said it will use the new advertising space to increase brand awareness and to “reward existing customers both in the U.K. and internationally.”

The company also said it will continue to sponsor the “Betfair Blimp,” which provides Sky Sports with aerial footage of the npower Ashes Series.

Australian Biker War Spreads To Casino

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

Australian police deployed their riot squad yesterday when a brawl involving bikers erupted at a Sydney casino, in the latest skirmish in a bitter war between rival gangs.

Police said over 20 people, both men and women, used chairs and glasses as weapons when the fight broke out in the casino at about 1:30am.

Police arrested 10 men and one woman, most of whom were allegedly linked to the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang, and charged three of them with affray.

PokerStars Host Charity Tournament For Africa

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

PokerStars, the online poker site are pleased to announce a special star-studded addition to its European Poker Tour (EPT) Grand Final week with the first ever Ante Up For Africa Europe Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament. The event is aimed at raising money within the poker community for the current humanitarian mission in crisis torn Darfur.

The event will take place on April 27, 2009 at 6pm, a day before the PokerStars EPT Season Five Grand Final Main Event. A field of A-list celebrities and poker pros including Team PokerStars Pros Daniel Negreanu, Joe Hachem and Vanessa Rousso will compete in the €4,000 buy in no-limit Texas hold’em tournament held in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

All of the prize money from the PokerStars Ante Up For Africa Europe tournament will be donated to Ante Up For Africa.