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Comcast this fall will launch the X2 entertainment system for the home, which used cloud technology and includes a new set-top box and a reinvented remote control
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts made his first appearance at the annual National Cable and Telecommunications Association convention since 2011 on Tuesday -- and before introducing the crowd to the cable and broadband giant's next product launch, the X2 entertainment system, he admitted that the industry has been slow to roll out TV Everywhere services. “Guilty as charged. We haven’t made it as easy as we need to. There’s a lot of effort around that,” said Roberts. “It’s a matter of focus and commitment to it. We’re now heading in a good direction. We’ve got more TV Everywhere usage, and a year from today we will have more than we have today.”
Roberts said the future of cable will be “more interactive, more personalized” with content “working on every device.” After being interviewed by Becky Quick of CNBC, Roberts presented a keynote addressing what that future will look like. He used his appearance to announce and demonstrate how Comcast has reinvented the way its technology interacts with its customers, including new, simplified screens filled with information that is personalized specifically for them.
Roberts said that in a decade the industry has gone from slow dial-up services to digital platforms that deliver content 11 times faster, and that is just the start. In 1996, he debuted a 10 Mbps connection that quickly downloaded photos, and in 2007 he downloaded the Encyclopedia Britannica over a 160 Mbps connection using a new DOCSIS 3.0 modem. In 2011, he demonstrated a 1 Gbps broadband connection for the first time.
Roberts said Comcast will introduce 4k Ultra HD service this fall along with a new X13 cable box that will be four times faster and three times smaller than past units, using half as much power. They have also redesigned and rethought the remote control with what he described as “cool features” and “open architecture.”
Comcast calls the new entertainment system the X2.
To make his point, Roberts opened an e-mail he said was sent from Paul Allen, with the visual on a giant screen behind him. He said using existing cable systems they are able to demonstrate how the download is 300 times faster than that first demonstration he did in 1996 and twice as fast as what they could do a year ago.
“It’s the cloud,” said Roberts. “The cloud is a game changer. We had an aha moment. We can take most of the cable box and move it to the cloud.”
A lot of effort went into the onscreen guide to make it simpler, more personal, more user-friendly and much more informative. When the customer turns it on, there are easy-to-use buttons to see the last channel watched, the channels most watched, and more.
Roberts said their data shows 80 percent of DVR viewing is done in the first 18 hours after a program is recorded, so they have pop-ups that tell the user what is available. There is also easy bookmarking to save shows for later.
There are separate guides for movies, children's programming, sports and even some that are personalized to what the user likes to watch and wants to know.
When a movie is opened, there is also information from Rotten Tomatoes on how it rated; and for a TV show there is data from Twitter that shows a score based on the buzz that program is generating and how many tweets per hour have posted.
For kids, there is data from Common Sense to suggest programs specific to each age, so the shows for kids age 7 are different than those who are age 8.
To go with a suite of services Comcast offers in terms of security, operation of home appliances and heating and cooling systems, and cameras placed around the home, Roberts showed it is all available at a single click.
“It’s part of your future,” said Roberts. “I think it’s going to be better than ever before. And what is critical is you can do it on any connected device. The whole look and feel is to be easy, fast and fun. And were just scratching the surface.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts made his first appearance at the annual National Cable and Telecommunications Association convention since 2011 on Tuesday -- and before introducing the crowd to the cable and broadband giant's next product launch, the X2 entertainment system, he admitted that the industry has been slow to roll out TV Everywhere services. “Guilty as charged. We haven’t made it as easy as we need to. There’s a lot of effort around that,” said Roberts. “It’s a matter of focus and commitment to it. We’re now heading in a good direction. We’ve got more TV Everywhere usage, and a year from today we will have more than we have today.”
Roberts said the future of cable will be “more interactive, more personalized” with content “working on every device.” After being interviewed by Becky Quick of CNBC, Roberts presented a keynote addressing what that future will look like. He used his appearance to announce and demonstrate how Comcast has reinvented the way its technology interacts with its customers, including new, simplified screens filled with information that is personalized specifically for them.
Roberts said that in a decade the industry has gone from slow dial-up services to digital platforms that deliver content 11 times faster, and that is just the start. In 1996, he debuted a 10 Mbps connection that quickly downloaded photos, and in 2007 he downloaded the Encyclopedia Britannica over a 160 Mbps connection using a new DOCSIS 3.0 modem. In 2011, he demonstrated a 1 Gbps broadband connection for the first time.
Roberts said Comcast will introduce 4k Ultra HD service this fall along with a new X13 cable box that will be four times faster and three times smaller than past units, using half as much power. They have also redesigned and rethought the remote control with what he described as “cool features” and “open architecture.”
Comcast calls the new entertainment system the X2.
To make his point, Roberts opened an e-mail he said was sent from Paul Allen, with the visual on a giant screen behind him. He said using existing cable systems they are able to demonstrate how the download is 300 times faster than that first demonstration he did in 1996 and twice as fast as what they could do a year ago.
“It’s the cloud,” said Roberts. “The cloud is a game changer. We had an aha moment. We can take most of the cable box and move it to the cloud.”
A lot of effort went into the onscreen guide to make it simpler, more personal, more user-friendly and much more informative. When the customer turns it on, there are easy-to-use buttons to see the last channel watched, the channels most watched, and more.
Roberts said their data shows 80 percent of DVR viewing is done in the first 18 hours after a program is recorded, so they have pop-ups that tell the user what is available. There is also easy bookmarking to save shows for later.
There are separate guides for movies, children's programming, sports and even some that are personalized to what the user likes to watch and wants to know.
When a movie is opened, there is also information from Rotten Tomatoes on how it rated; and for a TV show there is data from Twitter that shows a score based on the buzz that program is generating and how many tweets per hour have posted.
For kids, there is data from Common Sense to suggest programs specific to each age, so the shows for kids age 7 are different than those who are age 8.
To go with a suite of services Comcast offers in terms of security, operation of home appliances and heating and cooling systems, and cameras placed around the home, Roberts showed it is all available at a single click.
“It’s part of your future,” said Roberts. “I think it’s going to be better than ever before. And what is critical is you can do it on any connected device. The whole look and feel is to be easy, fast and fun. And were just scratching the surface.”
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2006/12/07
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29893
While the state of Ohio is only speculating an online gambling regime at present, with no actual law in the legal pipelines, one potential obstacle in its path may be Ohio’s own constitution.
A 2009 state constitutional amendment dictates that casino gambling can only take place in four clear locations in Ohio – at the Horseshoe Casinos in Cincinnati and Cleveland, and at the Hollywood Casinos in Toledo and Columbus. This means that, in theory, online gambling and poker in Ohio may be problematic since residents will be gambling outside the physical boundaries of these casinos and potentially breaking state law.
There are ways around the issue, as has been demonstrated in New Jersey which has a similar state law. Lawmakers in New Jersey circumvented the issue by ruling that the servers of the new online casinos needed to be physically located on the grounds of Atlantic City casinos.
According to gambling law expert, Prof. I Nelson Rose from California, this may be a viable option for Ohio. ”It’s not a guarantee it would work; it has worked in other states,” he said. “I don’t even know if there’s been a lot of court cases.”
Another option would be to place online gambling under the auspices of the National Lottery. however Ohio Lottery has stated that it has no plans at present to introduce online gambling.
Those active in Ohio’s terrestrial casino industry are already pursuing online gambling interests in states where this type of industry has been legalized. Caesars Entertainment for example, which is part owner in the Horseshoe casinos in Ohio, is set to launch a WSOP branded online poker site in Nevada in the coming weeks with its business partner, 888 Holdings.
The general consensus is that Ohio may be open to the idea of online gambling, but it may not happen for a while yet.
“I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that we’ll have iGaming in Ohio,” said Christy Prince, an industry observer and Ohio attorney. At best, she added, the state is not “going to be a pioneer in the field.”
Constitutional Obstacles in Ohio’s Path to Online Gambling
A 2009 state constitutional amendment dictates that casino gambling can only take place in four clear locations in Ohio – at the Horseshoe Casinos in Cincinnati and Cleveland, and at the Hollywood Casinos in Toledo and Columbus. This means that, in theory, online gambling and poker in Ohio may be problematic since residents will be gambling outside the physical boundaries of these casinos and potentially breaking state law.
There are ways around the issue, as has been demonstrated in New Jersey which has a similar state law. Lawmakers in New Jersey circumvented the issue by ruling that the servers of the new online casinos needed to be physically located on the grounds of Atlantic City casinos.
According to gambling law expert, Prof. I Nelson Rose from California, this may be a viable option for Ohio. ”It’s not a guarantee it would work; it has worked in other states,” he said. “I don’t even know if there’s been a lot of court cases.”
Another option would be to place online gambling under the auspices of the National Lottery. however Ohio Lottery has stated that it has no plans at present to introduce online gambling.
Those active in Ohio’s terrestrial casino industry are already pursuing online gambling interests in states where this type of industry has been legalized. Caesars Entertainment for example, which is part owner in the Horseshoe casinos in Ohio, is set to launch a WSOP branded online poker site in Nevada in the coming weeks with its business partner, 888 Holdings.
The general consensus is that Ohio may be open to the idea of online gambling, but it may not happen for a while yet.
“I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that we’ll have iGaming in Ohio,” said Christy Prince, an industry observer and Ohio attorney. At best, she added, the state is not “going to be a pioneer in the field.”
Constitutional Obstacles in Ohio’s Path to Online Gambling
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2006/12/07
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The Alderney Gambling Control Commission was established in May of 2000 and is an independent and non-political organization that regulates internet wagering for the Sates of Alderney. It is made up of three board members and a chairperson who insist that the highest international standards are met.
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission has become one of North America's most consulted regulatory bodies and it has now formed a joint venture arrangement with the Spectrum Gaming Group to provide a full range of services to governments that will be regulating online gambling. The new entity will be named Alderney Spectrum e-Gaming Advisors and it will provide assistance in drafting, reviewing and improving regulations, developing technical guidelines and standards as well as other strategic elements.
AGCC's Executive Director Andre Wilsenach commented,"AGCC has for several years provided help and advice to the leading new jurisdictions in Europe, using the experience we have acquired in more than ten years of operating as a top-tier jurisdiction," Wilsenach continued, "With the impending emergence of multiple new remote gambling jurisdictions in the USA, ASeGA provides a useful, scalable means of supporting a number of jurisdictions at the same time, together with an opportunity to progress common best practice standards of operation."
Spectrum’s Managing Director Michael Pollock also commented in the arrangement, "This is a perfect fit between an experienced, respected regulatory agency and a private firm that already serves tribal, state and national governments around the world," Pollock added, "We share the same values, and we fully understand the goals and challenges that regulatory agencies, tribal councils and others will face as online wagering expands rapidly in coming months."
Spectrum authored the October 2010 white paper, "Internet Gambling Developments in International Jurisdictions: Insights for Indian Nations." Which was commissioned by the 184-member National Indian Gaming Association, the report examined the development and status of Internet gambling in Europe, and suggested strategies for entering the likely Internet gambling market in the United States.
Alderney and Spectrum Form Online Gambling Advisory
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission has become one of North America's most consulted regulatory bodies and it has now formed a joint venture arrangement with the Spectrum Gaming Group to provide a full range of services to governments that will be regulating online gambling. The new entity will be named Alderney Spectrum e-Gaming Advisors and it will provide assistance in drafting, reviewing and improving regulations, developing technical guidelines and standards as well as other strategic elements.
AGCC's Executive Director Andre Wilsenach commented,"AGCC has for several years provided help and advice to the leading new jurisdictions in Europe, using the experience we have acquired in more than ten years of operating as a top-tier jurisdiction," Wilsenach continued, "With the impending emergence of multiple new remote gambling jurisdictions in the USA, ASeGA provides a useful, scalable means of supporting a number of jurisdictions at the same time, together with an opportunity to progress common best practice standards of operation."
Spectrum’s Managing Director Michael Pollock also commented in the arrangement, "This is a perfect fit between an experienced, respected regulatory agency and a private firm that already serves tribal, state and national governments around the world," Pollock added, "We share the same values, and we fully understand the goals and challenges that regulatory agencies, tribal councils and others will face as online wagering expands rapidly in coming months."
Spectrum authored the October 2010 white paper, "Internet Gambling Developments in International Jurisdictions: Insights for Indian Nations." Which was commissioned by the 184-member National Indian Gaming Association, the report examined the development and status of Internet gambling in Europe, and suggested strategies for entering the likely Internet gambling market in the United States.
Alderney and Spectrum Form Online Gambling Advisory
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2006/12/07
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29893
A system that has been with us on the internet to provide gamblers the great games on mobile and desktop computer alike for a long time now was about to be considered redundant. Flash is not as dead as we were led to believe over the last few years with the incoming platform known as HTML5 supposedly taking its place.
Now after the dust has settled it is apparent that both Flash and HTML5 have a future together in web development plans. Online gambling firm bet365 has discovered there isn’t just one technology that can serve the content required by a vast variety of internet connected devises used by people today.
Bet 365 has revealed through its research that HTML5 is but one of the various technological advancements required to support the huge variances in the types of devices used to play games and access data online.
Browsers such as Internet Explorer 8 and earlier don’t support the HTML5 audio or video tags. These browsers are still used by about a third of desk top computer users causing a delay for web developers. This is the main reason that bet365 doesn't want to abandon Flash in favour of HTML5 just yet.
Alan Reed, Head of the systems team at bet365 said, "I think it's fair to say that the saturation of Flash on the desktop is still higher than the number of people who can receive HTML5 globally. We still have customers on IE6," Reed continued to explain, "Mobile has given us a different set of challenges, where you're looking at pretty much a no-Flash world on mobile and tablet whereas we've been using Flash as our standard bearer and way of delivering that richness on the desktop," Reed added, "It's a huge challenge because it seems to be every day somebody, somewhere brings out a new device and we're trying to get global coverage,"
Flash Still Valid for Online Gambling Development
Now after the dust has settled it is apparent that both Flash and HTML5 have a future together in web development plans. Online gambling firm bet365 has discovered there isn’t just one technology that can serve the content required by a vast variety of internet connected devises used by people today.
Bet 365 has revealed through its research that HTML5 is but one of the various technological advancements required to support the huge variances in the types of devices used to play games and access data online.
Browsers such as Internet Explorer 8 and earlier don’t support the HTML5 audio or video tags. These browsers are still used by about a third of desk top computer users causing a delay for web developers. This is the main reason that bet365 doesn't want to abandon Flash in favour of HTML5 just yet.
Alan Reed, Head of the systems team at bet365 said, "I think it's fair to say that the saturation of Flash on the desktop is still higher than the number of people who can receive HTML5 globally. We still have customers on IE6," Reed continued to explain, "Mobile has given us a different set of challenges, where you're looking at pretty much a no-Flash world on mobile and tablet whereas we've been using Flash as our standard bearer and way of delivering that richness on the desktop," Reed added, "It's a huge challenge because it seems to be every day somebody, somewhere brings out a new device and we're trying to get global coverage,"
Flash Still Valid for Online Gambling Development
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The sequel to Dumb and Dumber has hit a road block. The in-development follow-up to the hit 1994 comedy was in the works at New Line Cinema, but New Line’s parent company, Warner Bros., has dropped the project, EW confirmed Tuesday. THR first reported the news.
Bobby and Peter Farrelly — the writer-director brothers who created the original — are now searching for a new financier and distributor for Dumb and Dumber To (yes, that’s the title). Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are expected to return as short-on-smarts pair Lloyd and Harry. In the sequel, the two friends will go on a road trip to find Harry’s illegitimate daughter for a kidney transplant.
New Line Cinema produced the 1994 original and also made a 2003 prequel called Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd without Carrey, Daniels, or the Farrelly brothers. The movie depicted Lloyd and Harry’s high school years in the 1980s.
Bobby and Peter Farrelly — the writer-director brothers who created the original — are now searching for a new financier and distributor for Dumb and Dumber To (yes, that’s the title). Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are expected to return as short-on-smarts pair Lloyd and Harry. In the sequel, the two friends will go on a road trip to find Harry’s illegitimate daughter for a kidney transplant.
New Line Cinema produced the 1994 original and also made a 2003 prequel called Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd without Carrey, Daniels, or the Farrelly brothers. The movie depicted Lloyd and Harry’s high school years in the 1980s.
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The introduction of federal legislation to regulate Internet gambling could bring a calm to the patchwork of state laws that appear inevitable — or it could split the gaming lobby, leaving it up to states to write their own online gaming laws.
“I think that’s a positive,” said state Rep. Bobby Moak, D-Bogue Chitto, who has made two unsuccessful attempts to pass online gaming bills on the state level in Mississippi.
Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., last week introduced a bill that would fully regulate in at the federal level.
Bills to legalize Internet poker have failed in recent years, but this year’s legislation comes on the heals of three states taking significant steps to provide online gaming with their borders.
In 2011, the U.S. Justice Department ruled that online gambling would be legal in states that passed the necessary legislation. Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have legalized some kind of online gambling, and legislatures in other states are weighing the issue.
“I actually favor a broader piece of legislation. It’s easier for the industry, and a lot of folks in Mississippi have gaming houses in lots of other jurisdictions in the United States,” said Moak. “I think federal is the way to go to give states guidance and parameters.”
Even with his support of the federal bill, Moak said he plans to again introduce online gaming legislation in 2014.
Larry Gregory, executive director of Mississippi Casino Owners Association, said he and his group are taking a wait-and-see approach.
“We’re not going to get excited about this yet,” said Gregory. “We’ve been hearing about it for 10 years, and it just doesn’t look like there’s any appetite at federal level. We might see some action at the state level, but until then, we’re just going to sit back and observe and see where internet gaming is headed.”
For some states, particularly high-population states, it may be a race to pass their own legislation to avoid any federal restrictions.
King says his measure, called the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2013, would allow states and players to navigate the world of online betting with confidence.
“A common federal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underage gambling, and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers and regulators to navigate and freely participate,” he said in a statement, the Associated Press reported.
The bill would create an office of gambling oversight in the Treasury Department, impose safeguards against underage and compulsive gambling, and facilitate interstate online wagering.
States and American Indian casinos would have right to opt-out of a federal system and keep their own internal gaming practices.
“That’s one of the provisions that’s been looked at during the years,” said Moak. “The issue has always been that if Congress got involved, those states that have already put in a legalized gaming mechanism would be able to opt-out if they decide to not participate. If you have an opt-in provision, that’s almost like going through the gaming statutes again for each state.”
Morgan Stanley predicts that by 2020, online gambling in the U.S. will produce the same amount of revenue as Las Vegas and Atlantic City markets combined: $9.3 billion.
But not all Internet gambling supporters are going all-in.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., tried to legalize Internet poker but never introduced the legislation. The bill failed in part because opposition felt it gave too much regulatory power to Nevada.
Reid told the Las Vegas Sun that King’s legislation made the prospects of a poker bill even bleaker, because it “basically authorizes everything — 21, poker, everything.”
While Reid added that he doubted King’s bill would pass, the introduction of a broad piece of gaming legislation both divides the sympathies of pro-gaming lawmakers and helps to stiffen the resolve of those opposed to gaming.
The American Gaming Association, meanwhile, is not sure about King’s bill. “We spent the last four years working very, very hard to get in a position to support such legislation if it was introduced,” American Gaming Association CEO Frank Fahrenkopf told the Associated Press. “So we’re now left in a situation where Kyl, who was very important in the process, has retired, and you’ve got a multitude of states starting to pass legislation, so we think the urgency is even more important now.”
The AGA, which has supported an online poker-only strategy, is expected to decide whether to change its stance and support the King bill next month.
King’s bill will probably need to be added to unrelated House legislation to pass, an aide told the New York Daily News last week.
State lawmaker calls federal online-gaming legislation positive - Business Blog
“I think that’s a positive,” said state Rep. Bobby Moak, D-Bogue Chitto, who has made two unsuccessful attempts to pass online gaming bills on the state level in Mississippi.
Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., last week introduced a bill that would fully regulate in at the federal level.
Bills to legalize Internet poker have failed in recent years, but this year’s legislation comes on the heals of three states taking significant steps to provide online gaming with their borders.
In 2011, the U.S. Justice Department ruled that online gambling would be legal in states that passed the necessary legislation. Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have legalized some kind of online gambling, and legislatures in other states are weighing the issue.
“I actually favor a broader piece of legislation. It’s easier for the industry, and a lot of folks in Mississippi have gaming houses in lots of other jurisdictions in the United States,” said Moak. “I think federal is the way to go to give states guidance and parameters.”
Even with his support of the federal bill, Moak said he plans to again introduce online gaming legislation in 2014.
Larry Gregory, executive director of Mississippi Casino Owners Association, said he and his group are taking a wait-and-see approach.
“We’re not going to get excited about this yet,” said Gregory. “We’ve been hearing about it for 10 years, and it just doesn’t look like there’s any appetite at federal level. We might see some action at the state level, but until then, we’re just going to sit back and observe and see where internet gaming is headed.”
For some states, particularly high-population states, it may be a race to pass their own legislation to avoid any federal restrictions.
King says his measure, called the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2013, would allow states and players to navigate the world of online betting with confidence.
“A common federal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underage gambling, and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers and regulators to navigate and freely participate,” he said in a statement, the Associated Press reported.
The bill would create an office of gambling oversight in the Treasury Department, impose safeguards against underage and compulsive gambling, and facilitate interstate online wagering.
States and American Indian casinos would have right to opt-out of a federal system and keep their own internal gaming practices.
“That’s one of the provisions that’s been looked at during the years,” said Moak. “The issue has always been that if Congress got involved, those states that have already put in a legalized gaming mechanism would be able to opt-out if they decide to not participate. If you have an opt-in provision, that’s almost like going through the gaming statutes again for each state.”
Morgan Stanley predicts that by 2020, online gambling in the U.S. will produce the same amount of revenue as Las Vegas and Atlantic City markets combined: $9.3 billion.
But not all Internet gambling supporters are going all-in.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., tried to legalize Internet poker but never introduced the legislation. The bill failed in part because opposition felt it gave too much regulatory power to Nevada.
Reid told the Las Vegas Sun that King’s legislation made the prospects of a poker bill even bleaker, because it “basically authorizes everything — 21, poker, everything.”
While Reid added that he doubted King’s bill would pass, the introduction of a broad piece of gaming legislation both divides the sympathies of pro-gaming lawmakers and helps to stiffen the resolve of those opposed to gaming.
The American Gaming Association, meanwhile, is not sure about King’s bill. “We spent the last four years working very, very hard to get in a position to support such legislation if it was introduced,” American Gaming Association CEO Frank Fahrenkopf told the Associated Press. “So we’re now left in a situation where Kyl, who was very important in the process, has retired, and you’ve got a multitude of states starting to pass legislation, so we think the urgency is even more important now.”
The AGA, which has supported an online poker-only strategy, is expected to decide whether to change its stance and support the King bill next month.
King’s bill will probably need to be added to unrelated House legislation to pass, an aide told the New York Daily News last week.
State lawmaker calls federal online-gaming legislation positive - Business Blog
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2006/12/07
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Bulgaria’s Gambling Commission amended the country’s Gambling Act, in 2012. The new rules required all operators offering gambling services to acquire a Bulgarian gambling license.
Now according to the Sofia Globe, it was reported that Bulgaria’s Gambling Commission has blacklisted 22 online betting sites for failing to acquire a license to operate in Bulgaria. The constantly updated blacklist includes the top tier online bookmakers such as Bet365, Ladbrokes, 888, Bet-at-Home, BetFred, BetFair and Sportingbet. The list of banned sites does not include online poker websites or other forms on internet wagering.
Only three local operators hold a license to operate in Bulgaria and they offer sports betting. The state-owned Bulgarian Sport Totalisator and privately owned Eurofootball and Eurobet, are the only legal sites available to Bulgarian punters. Bulgaria is slow in enacting application procedures for those wishing to acquire the license. Two blacklisted firms have applied to offer internet gambling within the jurisdiction.
An appeal process is available for two weeks after the announcement by the Bulgarian Gambling Commission but it doesn’t stop the decision by the Commission to suspend services if the rule is not adhered too. The banned web sites have a 72 hour grace period in which they must comply with the governing body’s orders. Should the operators not voluntarily comply the Commission may request the Sofia District Court to order the country’s internet service providers to block access to the blacklisted websites.
Licensed operators in Bulgaria are required to pay tax on their turnover. It wasn't until 2007 that Bulgaria started considering online gambling. The Bulgarian Ministry of Finance watched as potential tax money flowed out of the country and into international gambling sites hosted abroad. In February of 2008, online gambling was legalized in Bulgaria. It is currently heavily taxed at a flat rate of 10% on profit, which has the EU and casino operators up in arms and protesting.
Bulgarian Online Gambling Bans Illegal Sites
Now according to the Sofia Globe, it was reported that Bulgaria’s Gambling Commission has blacklisted 22 online betting sites for failing to acquire a license to operate in Bulgaria. The constantly updated blacklist includes the top tier online bookmakers such as Bet365, Ladbrokes, 888, Bet-at-Home, BetFred, BetFair and Sportingbet. The list of banned sites does not include online poker websites or other forms on internet wagering.
Only three local operators hold a license to operate in Bulgaria and they offer sports betting. The state-owned Bulgarian Sport Totalisator and privately owned Eurofootball and Eurobet, are the only legal sites available to Bulgarian punters. Bulgaria is slow in enacting application procedures for those wishing to acquire the license. Two blacklisted firms have applied to offer internet gambling within the jurisdiction.
An appeal process is available for two weeks after the announcement by the Bulgarian Gambling Commission but it doesn’t stop the decision by the Commission to suspend services if the rule is not adhered too. The banned web sites have a 72 hour grace period in which they must comply with the governing body’s orders. Should the operators not voluntarily comply the Commission may request the Sofia District Court to order the country’s internet service providers to block access to the blacklisted websites.
Licensed operators in Bulgaria are required to pay tax on their turnover. It wasn't until 2007 that Bulgaria started considering online gambling. The Bulgarian Ministry of Finance watched as potential tax money flowed out of the country and into international gambling sites hosted abroad. In February of 2008, online gambling was legalized in Bulgaria. It is currently heavily taxed at a flat rate of 10% on profit, which has the EU and casino operators up in arms and protesting.
Bulgarian Online Gambling Bans Illegal Sites
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2006/12/07
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29893
When one looks at the geographical location of Tasmania, an island off the south shores of Australia, it lends itself perfectly to a jurisdiction that could use the online gambling industry. Like other island locations the struggle to make an economic go of things is always there.
Tasmania has a Commission consisting of three board members that oversees the gambling activities in Tasmania. Online gaming is regulated in Tasmania by the Gaming Control Act of 1993. Major amendments to the Act came into effect in 1999 which extended the existing regulatory framework to also include gaming activities conducted via the Internet, telephone, and any other means of communication.
The Act does not include online poker or any other Internet-based gaming other than fixed-odds wagers of horse races, harness races, greyhound races, sports wagering, simulated games, totalizers and major lotteries. In 2005, the Act was amended to permit betting exchanges.
The Act also established the Tasmanian Gaming Commission, a regulatory body responsible for overseeing the day-to-day regulation of gaming, the administration of the Act as well as being responsible for considering gaming license applications and providing for the taxation of regulated gambling activities. The application fee for a Tasmanian Gaming License is $43,200. A Tasmanian Gaming License has effect not exceeding five years and is renewable and licensees may apply for another type of endorsement not already covered in the existing gaming license with no fee implemented; however, the costs incurred by the Commission in assessing a new endorsement are recovered from the license provider.
In early 2008, Tasmania was added to the white list of jurisdictions in the United Kingdom allowing operators to advertise online gambling in the U.K. Tasmania was one of the first three offshore jurisdictions to be added to the list. The Strategic Priorities of the TGC for the next three years was recently revealed by the Commission that include harm reduction and responsible gambling initiatives.
Online Gambling in Tasmania
Tasmania has a Commission consisting of three board members that oversees the gambling activities in Tasmania. Online gaming is regulated in Tasmania by the Gaming Control Act of 1993. Major amendments to the Act came into effect in 1999 which extended the existing regulatory framework to also include gaming activities conducted via the Internet, telephone, and any other means of communication.
The Act does not include online poker or any other Internet-based gaming other than fixed-odds wagers of horse races, harness races, greyhound races, sports wagering, simulated games, totalizers and major lotteries. In 2005, the Act was amended to permit betting exchanges.
The Act also established the Tasmanian Gaming Commission, a regulatory body responsible for overseeing the day-to-day regulation of gaming, the administration of the Act as well as being responsible for considering gaming license applications and providing for the taxation of regulated gambling activities. The application fee for a Tasmanian Gaming License is $43,200. A Tasmanian Gaming License has effect not exceeding five years and is renewable and licensees may apply for another type of endorsement not already covered in the existing gaming license with no fee implemented; however, the costs incurred by the Commission in assessing a new endorsement are recovered from the license provider.
In early 2008, Tasmania was added to the white list of jurisdictions in the United Kingdom allowing operators to advertise online gambling in the U.K. Tasmania was one of the first three offshore jurisdictions to be added to the list. The Strategic Priorities of the TGC for the next three years was recently revealed by the Commission that include harm reduction and responsible gambling initiatives.
Online Gambling in Tasmania
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2006/12/07
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Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, on Thursday announced an extended range of Arabic programming on its award-winning ice Digital Widescreen in-flight entertainment system from July onwards.
The added content represents an increase of 50 per cent more movie content and a near doubling of TV content compared to the same period in 2012.
This equates to over 200 hours of movies and TV being available by August 2013 to keep customers fully entertained over the busy Eid Al Fitr travel period. The programming is continually refreshed so that frequent travellers can expect to see around a third of the content updated every month. Content highlights include the popular satirical series Boqaat Dhaw, Ramadan Mat Jo return to keep the younger passengers entertained and two complete 30-part TV series, Znoud El Sit Season two and Ahla Al Ayam, will feature in August, a world airline entertainment exclusive to Emirates.
The variety of entertainment is impressive, with Emirates’ ice Digital Widescreen system offering passengers over 30 Arabic new release and classic movies, 150 hours of TV and more than 50 Arabic music and podcast options including channels dedicated to classical Arabic, Arab Beat, Rai, Khaleejeyah, popular Arabic and podcasts.
“Emirates recognises that excellent and varied in-flight entertainment is important to our passengers and we always strive to deliver the very best content available,” said Patrick Brannelly, vice president of product, publishing, digital and events, Emirates.
The added content represents an increase of 50 per cent more movie content and a near doubling of TV content compared to the same period in 2012.
This equates to over 200 hours of movies and TV being available by August 2013 to keep customers fully entertained over the busy Eid Al Fitr travel period. The programming is continually refreshed so that frequent travellers can expect to see around a third of the content updated every month. Content highlights include the popular satirical series Boqaat Dhaw, Ramadan Mat Jo return to keep the younger passengers entertained and two complete 30-part TV series, Znoud El Sit Season two and Ahla Al Ayam, will feature in August, a world airline entertainment exclusive to Emirates.
The variety of entertainment is impressive, with Emirates’ ice Digital Widescreen system offering passengers over 30 Arabic new release and classic movies, 150 hours of TV and more than 50 Arabic music and podcast options including channels dedicated to classical Arabic, Arab Beat, Rai, Khaleejeyah, popular Arabic and podcasts.
“Emirates recognises that excellent and varied in-flight entertainment is important to our passengers and we always strive to deliver the very best content available,” said Patrick Brannelly, vice president of product, publishing, digital and events, Emirates.
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2006/12/07
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Casino companies and their Web partners will have little time to waste if they want to cash in on what is expected to be New Jersey’s next gambling craze — Internet wagering on slot machines and table games.
On Friday, New Jersey regulators set June 30 as the deadline for casinos to submit their requests for online gambling permits. In addition, online vendors who form partnerships with the casinos have until July 29 to file their applications for Internet licenses.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, which regulates Atlantic City’s $3 billion casino industry, has set those deadlines to give it enough time to conduct background investigations for licenses before Internet gambling goes live late this year. Only the companies that meet “the highest standards of integrity” will be approved as casino Web partners, New Jersey regulators say.
“The Division of Gaming Enforcement is fully committed to a robust Internet gaming system in New Jersey that promotes public confidence in the effectiveness and integrity of the regulatory process and oversight of gaming operations,” David Rebuck, the agency’s director, said in a statement.
Nov. 26 remains the state’s formal date for launching Internet gambling. However, it is not yet clear whether all 12 Atlantic City casinos will be able to make that date or will wait until later to offer online bets on their slot machines and table games.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa plans to go live Nov. 26 through its previously announced partnership with Bwin.party, said Joe Lupo, the casino’s senior vice president of operations.
Gibraltar-based Bwin.party is one of the online gambling giants in Europe. Foreign companies are allowed to seek Internet licenses under New Jersey’s regulations.
Lupo said Borgata’s Internet gambling operation will be similar to the full-service sites Bwin.party provides in Europe. The Borgata-Bwin.party partnership combines a European powerhouse with Atlantic City’s top-grossing casino.
“We’re very excited,” Lupo said. “We’re very excited not only about our partnership with Bwin.party, but also about continuing to be the leader in New Jersey.”
Caesars Entertainment Corp., the world’s largest casino company, is partnering with 888 Holdings for Internet gambling at the Bally’s, Caesars, Harrah’s Resort and Showboat casinos in Atlantic City, company spokesman Gary Thompson said. Based in Gibraltar, 888 Holdings operates high-profile gambling websites in Europe.
Revel, Atlantic City’s newest casino, has not yet entered into any partnerships for Internet gambling. Jeff Hartmann, the casino’s interim CEO, said Revel’s board of directors is evaluating its options.
Resorts Casino Hotel is not disclosing its plans at this time for online gambling options, spokeswoman Courtney Birmingham said.
Other Atlantic City casinos did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday about their Internet gambling plans.
Internet betting represents the biggest expansion of gambling in Atlantic City since the land-based casinos began operating in 1978. In New Jersey, Internet gambling is expected to provide a huge boost for the casinos, with revenue estimates ranging anywhere from $200 million to $2 billion annually. New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada have legalized Internet gambling.
New Jersey will initially allow online wagering on computers and mobile devices located only within its borders, although multistate Internet agreements may be explored later. Gamblers will set up accounts to play on casino websites. New Jersey regulators say there will be safeguards to prevent cheating and underage gambling.
State sets deadline for casino requests for online gambling permits - pressofAtlanticCity-com: Breaking News
On Friday, New Jersey regulators set June 30 as the deadline for casinos to submit their requests for online gambling permits. In addition, online vendors who form partnerships with the casinos have until July 29 to file their applications for Internet licenses.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, which regulates Atlantic City’s $3 billion casino industry, has set those deadlines to give it enough time to conduct background investigations for licenses before Internet gambling goes live late this year. Only the companies that meet “the highest standards of integrity” will be approved as casino Web partners, New Jersey regulators say.
“The Division of Gaming Enforcement is fully committed to a robust Internet gaming system in New Jersey that promotes public confidence in the effectiveness and integrity of the regulatory process and oversight of gaming operations,” David Rebuck, the agency’s director, said in a statement.
Nov. 26 remains the state’s formal date for launching Internet gambling. However, it is not yet clear whether all 12 Atlantic City casinos will be able to make that date or will wait until later to offer online bets on their slot machines and table games.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa plans to go live Nov. 26 through its previously announced partnership with Bwin.party, said Joe Lupo, the casino’s senior vice president of operations.
Gibraltar-based Bwin.party is one of the online gambling giants in Europe. Foreign companies are allowed to seek Internet licenses under New Jersey’s regulations.
Lupo said Borgata’s Internet gambling operation will be similar to the full-service sites Bwin.party provides in Europe. The Borgata-Bwin.party partnership combines a European powerhouse with Atlantic City’s top-grossing casino.
“We’re very excited,” Lupo said. “We’re very excited not only about our partnership with Bwin.party, but also about continuing to be the leader in New Jersey.”
Caesars Entertainment Corp., the world’s largest casino company, is partnering with 888 Holdings for Internet gambling at the Bally’s, Caesars, Harrah’s Resort and Showboat casinos in Atlantic City, company spokesman Gary Thompson said. Based in Gibraltar, 888 Holdings operates high-profile gambling websites in Europe.
Revel, Atlantic City’s newest casino, has not yet entered into any partnerships for Internet gambling. Jeff Hartmann, the casino’s interim CEO, said Revel’s board of directors is evaluating its options.
Resorts Casino Hotel is not disclosing its plans at this time for online gambling options, spokeswoman Courtney Birmingham said.
Other Atlantic City casinos did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday about their Internet gambling plans.
Internet betting represents the biggest expansion of gambling in Atlantic City since the land-based casinos began operating in 1978. In New Jersey, Internet gambling is expected to provide a huge boost for the casinos, with revenue estimates ranging anywhere from $200 million to $2 billion annually. New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada have legalized Internet gambling.
New Jersey will initially allow online wagering on computers and mobile devices located only within its borders, although multistate Internet agreements may be explored later. Gamblers will set up accounts to play on casino websites. New Jersey regulators say there will be safeguards to prevent cheating and underage gambling.
State sets deadline for casino requests for online gambling permits - pressofAtlanticCity-com: Breaking News
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The Internal Revenue Service in the USA has been trying to control the virtual currency known as Bitcoin but as it turns out because it lacks a centralized network, there are no operators to arrest. It's not clear who would be arrested and for what crime.
In May, the Department of Homeland Security seized the U.S. dollar accounts of Mt. Gox, the world's largest Bitcoin exchange, at Dwolla, a mobile payments company, because Mt. Gox had failed to register with Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that according to the seizure warrant, Mt. Gox "is engaged in a money transmitting business but is not registered as required with FinCEN," and the contents of the account were seized and are subject to forfeiture. In response to the increasing attention, Mt. Gox, the world's largest Bitcoin exchange, announced it would strengthen its identification procedures for users depositing or withdrawing traditional currencies.
Bitcoin is not the only virtual currency, others include Litecoin, Freicoin and Ripple. A few companies, such as Amazon, have their very own virtual currencies, although they can as a rule only be used to purchase their own goods.
U.S. tax officials are investigating the use of Bitcoin and other virtual currencies that may be used for tax evasion and other financial crimes such as money laundering or illegal online gambling.
Victor Lessoff, Director of the IRS' cyber threats unit spoke to the Financial Times saying, Digital currencies are a "significant emerging threat," Lessoff, continued to add, "Clearly the increasing use and misuse of cyber-based currency and payment systems to anonymously transfer illicit funds as well as hide unreported income from the IRS is a threat that we are vigorously responding to,"
Lessoff also explained, In addition to cracking down on virtual currencies, taxpayers might be required to disclose to the IRS if they are using PayPal accounts to transfer money virtually.
The online gambling industry was hoping the government could not reach them if they used a virtual currency, unfortunately they IRS and Homeland Security is not going to let that happen.
Online Gambling and Bitcoin Tax Issue Revealed
In May, the Department of Homeland Security seized the U.S. dollar accounts of Mt. Gox, the world's largest Bitcoin exchange, at Dwolla, a mobile payments company, because Mt. Gox had failed to register with Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that according to the seizure warrant, Mt. Gox "is engaged in a money transmitting business but is not registered as required with FinCEN," and the contents of the account were seized and are subject to forfeiture. In response to the increasing attention, Mt. Gox, the world's largest Bitcoin exchange, announced it would strengthen its identification procedures for users depositing or withdrawing traditional currencies.
Bitcoin is not the only virtual currency, others include Litecoin, Freicoin and Ripple. A few companies, such as Amazon, have their very own virtual currencies, although they can as a rule only be used to purchase their own goods.
U.S. tax officials are investigating the use of Bitcoin and other virtual currencies that may be used for tax evasion and other financial crimes such as money laundering or illegal online gambling.
Victor Lessoff, Director of the IRS' cyber threats unit spoke to the Financial Times saying, Digital currencies are a "significant emerging threat," Lessoff, continued to add, "Clearly the increasing use and misuse of cyber-based currency and payment systems to anonymously transfer illicit funds as well as hide unreported income from the IRS is a threat that we are vigorously responding to,"
Lessoff also explained, In addition to cracking down on virtual currencies, taxpayers might be required to disclose to the IRS if they are using PayPal accounts to transfer money virtually.
The online gambling industry was hoping the government could not reach them if they used a virtual currency, unfortunately they IRS and Homeland Security is not going to let that happen.
Online Gambling and Bitcoin Tax Issue Revealed
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Coventry City will emerge from administration next week, effectively under the same ownership.
The administrator, Paul Appleton, confirmed on Friday night that he had accepted a bid from Otium Entertainment Group Ltd.
That company is linked to the former owners, hedge fund SISU, who were among the largest creditors.
Adminstrator Paul Appleton said in a statement: 'Following a stringent sale process, I can confirm a bid has now been accepted from Otium Entertainment Group Limited.
'This offer allows me to achieve the purpose of the administration and, following discussions with the Football League, I am hopeful a completion of the sale can be achieved as swiftly as possible.'
'I realise and appreciate the end result of the sale process will not necessarily be welcomed by a large number of Coventry City fans.
'However, the bid from Otium Entertainment Group Limited was substantially more than any of the other three bids received and was the bid which gave the greatest return to the unsecured, non-connected creditors of CCFC Limited by a considerable margin.'
Coventry, who have been in administration since March, added in a statement: 'We are pleased with the decision which helps to assure the future of the club.
'Our absolute focus now is to exit CCFC Limited from the administration process so we can get back to running a football club and make the decisions we need to in time for next season.'
Read more: Coventry accept bid from Otium Entertainment as club looks to secure future | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
The administrator, Paul Appleton, confirmed on Friday night that he had accepted a bid from Otium Entertainment Group Ltd.
That company is linked to the former owners, hedge fund SISU, who were among the largest creditors.
Adminstrator Paul Appleton said in a statement: 'Following a stringent sale process, I can confirm a bid has now been accepted from Otium Entertainment Group Limited.
'This offer allows me to achieve the purpose of the administration and, following discussions with the Football League, I am hopeful a completion of the sale can be achieved as swiftly as possible.'
'I realise and appreciate the end result of the sale process will not necessarily be welcomed by a large number of Coventry City fans.
'However, the bid from Otium Entertainment Group Limited was substantially more than any of the other three bids received and was the bid which gave the greatest return to the unsecured, non-connected creditors of CCFC Limited by a considerable margin.'
Coventry, who have been in administration since March, added in a statement: 'We are pleased with the decision which helps to assure the future of the club.
'Our absolute focus now is to exit CCFC Limited from the administration process so we can get back to running a football club and make the decisions we need to in time for next season.'
Read more: Coventry accept bid from Otium Entertainment as club looks to secure future | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
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Internet gambling isn’t expected to start in New Jersey until around Thanksgiving, but Atlantic City’s 12 casinos must move fast to line up partners for their online operations.
The state Gaming Enforcement Division has told the casinos they have until June 30 to arrange Internet gambling deals.
The short time frame is intended to give state regulators time to examine the qualifications and backgrounds of the companies that want to partner with the casinos, particularly because several foreign companies are considered likely to join with Atlantic City casinos.
One of them, Bwin.party, is based in Gibraltar, and has inked a deal to partner with Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa to offer Internet gambling. Joe Lupo, senior vice president of Borgata, said the casino moved early on to partner with the firm.
“They have a big market share and a tremendous platform,” Lupo said.
The four Atlantic City casinos owned by Caesars Entertainment — Caesars, Harrah’s, Showboat and Bally’s — are partnering with 888 Holdings, said Seth Palansky, of the company’s Caesars Interactive division.
The two casinos owned by Trump Entertainment Resorts, Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino and the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, still are evaluating potential online partners. Each of the casinos will offer a different online brand, company CEO Robert Griffin said. He said he expects a decision “to come right down to the wire” as the deadline nears.
“Our choices are solid,” Griffin said. “It will come down to who gives us the best deal for all our shareholders, and who has the strongest brand in gaming.”
Tropicana Casino and Resort and The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel declined to discuss their online plans, and officials at the city’s other three casinos did not return messages Friday seeking comment about their plans.
David Rebuck, director of the Gaming Enforcement Division, said casinos that miss the filing deadline can’t be assured they’d be allowed to start offering Internet gambling on the first day it is permitted.
New Jersey is one of three states in the nation to legalize Internet gambling, along with Delaware and Nevada, which already has started taking bets online.
The state views online betting as a potential way to turn around a nearly seven-year revenue decline that has plagued Atlantic City’s casinos since neighboring states began offering casino gambling, cutting into New Jersey’s casino winnings and jobs. In 2006, when the first Pennsylvania casino opened, Atlantic City’s casinos took in a high of $5.2 billion. That figure fell to just over $3 billion last year.
NJ sets early deadline for online gambling partners | The Daily Journal | thedailyjournal-com
The state Gaming Enforcement Division has told the casinos they have until June 30 to arrange Internet gambling deals.
The short time frame is intended to give state regulators time to examine the qualifications and backgrounds of the companies that want to partner with the casinos, particularly because several foreign companies are considered likely to join with Atlantic City casinos.
One of them, Bwin.party, is based in Gibraltar, and has inked a deal to partner with Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa to offer Internet gambling. Joe Lupo, senior vice president of Borgata, said the casino moved early on to partner with the firm.
“They have a big market share and a tremendous platform,” Lupo said.
The four Atlantic City casinos owned by Caesars Entertainment — Caesars, Harrah’s, Showboat and Bally’s — are partnering with 888 Holdings, said Seth Palansky, of the company’s Caesars Interactive division.
The two casinos owned by Trump Entertainment Resorts, Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino and the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, still are evaluating potential online partners. Each of the casinos will offer a different online brand, company CEO Robert Griffin said. He said he expects a decision “to come right down to the wire” as the deadline nears.
“Our choices are solid,” Griffin said. “It will come down to who gives us the best deal for all our shareholders, and who has the strongest brand in gaming.”
Tropicana Casino and Resort and The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel declined to discuss their online plans, and officials at the city’s other three casinos did not return messages Friday seeking comment about their plans.
David Rebuck, director of the Gaming Enforcement Division, said casinos that miss the filing deadline can’t be assured they’d be allowed to start offering Internet gambling on the first day it is permitted.
New Jersey is one of three states in the nation to legalize Internet gambling, along with Delaware and Nevada, which already has started taking bets online.
The state views online betting as a potential way to turn around a nearly seven-year revenue decline that has plagued Atlantic City’s casinos since neighboring states began offering casino gambling, cutting into New Jersey’s casino winnings and jobs. In 2006, when the first Pennsylvania casino opened, Atlantic City’s casinos took in a high of $5.2 billion. That figure fell to just over $3 billion last year.
NJ sets early deadline for online gambling partners | The Daily Journal | thedailyjournal-com
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Internet gambling isn’t expected to start in New Jersey until around Thanksgiving, but Atlantic City’s 12 casinos must move fast to line up partners for their online operations.
The state Gaming Enforcement Division has told the casinos they have until June 30 to arrange Internet gambling deals.
The short time frame is intended to give state regulators time to examine the qualifications and backgrounds of the companies that want to partner with the casinos, particularly since several foreign companies are considered likely to join with Atlantic City casinos.
One of them, Bwin.party, is based in Gibraltar, and has inked a deal to partner with the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa to offer Internet gambling. Joe Lupo, senior vice president of the Borgata, said the casino moved early on to partner with the firm.
“They have a big market share and a tremendous platform,” Lupo said.
The four Atlantic City casinos owned by Caesars Entertainment — Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, the Showboat Casino Hotel and Bally’s Atlantic City — are partnering with 888 Holdings, said Seth Palansky, of the company’s Caesars Interactive division.
The two casinos owned by Trump Entertainment Resorts, Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino and the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, still are evaluating potential online partners. Each of the casinos will offer a different online brand, company CEO Robert Griffin said. He said he expected a decision “to come right down to the wire” as the deadline nears.
“Our choices are solid,” Griffin said. “It will come down to who gives us the best deal for all our shareholders, and who has the strongest brand in gaming.”
The Tropicana Casino and Resort and The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel declined to discuss their online plans, and officials at the other three casinos did not immediately return messages Friday seeking comment about their plans.
David Rebuck, director of the Gaming Enforcement Division, said casinos that miss the filing deadline can’t be assured they’d be allowed to start offering Internet gambling on the first day it is permitted.
The state also set a July 29 deadline to have completed applications submitted to the division.
New Jersey is one of three states in the nation to legalize Internet gambling, along with Delaware and Nevada, which already has started taking bets online.
The state views online betting as a potential way to turn around a nearly seven-year revenue decline that has plagued Atlantic City’s casinos since neighboring states began offering casino gambling, cutting into New Jersey’s casino winnings and jobs. In 2006, when the first Pennsylvania casino opened, Atlantic City’s casinos took in a high of $5.2 billion. That figure fell to just over $3 billion last year.
Read more: N.J. sets deadline for online gambling partners | Maryland Daily Record
The state Gaming Enforcement Division has told the casinos they have until June 30 to arrange Internet gambling deals.
The short time frame is intended to give state regulators time to examine the qualifications and backgrounds of the companies that want to partner with the casinos, particularly since several foreign companies are considered likely to join with Atlantic City casinos.
One of them, Bwin.party, is based in Gibraltar, and has inked a deal to partner with the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa to offer Internet gambling. Joe Lupo, senior vice president of the Borgata, said the casino moved early on to partner with the firm.
“They have a big market share and a tremendous platform,” Lupo said.
The four Atlantic City casinos owned by Caesars Entertainment — Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, the Showboat Casino Hotel and Bally’s Atlantic City — are partnering with 888 Holdings, said Seth Palansky, of the company’s Caesars Interactive division.
The two casinos owned by Trump Entertainment Resorts, Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino and the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, still are evaluating potential online partners. Each of the casinos will offer a different online brand, company CEO Robert Griffin said. He said he expected a decision “to come right down to the wire” as the deadline nears.
“Our choices are solid,” Griffin said. “It will come down to who gives us the best deal for all our shareholders, and who has the strongest brand in gaming.”
The Tropicana Casino and Resort and The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel declined to discuss their online plans, and officials at the other three casinos did not immediately return messages Friday seeking comment about their plans.
David Rebuck, director of the Gaming Enforcement Division, said casinos that miss the filing deadline can’t be assured they’d be allowed to start offering Internet gambling on the first day it is permitted.
The state also set a July 29 deadline to have completed applications submitted to the division.
New Jersey is one of three states in the nation to legalize Internet gambling, along with Delaware and Nevada, which already has started taking bets online.
The state views online betting as a potential way to turn around a nearly seven-year revenue decline that has plagued Atlantic City’s casinos since neighboring states began offering casino gambling, cutting into New Jersey’s casino winnings and jobs. In 2006, when the first Pennsylvania casino opened, Atlantic City’s casinos took in a high of $5.2 billion. That figure fell to just over $3 billion last year.
Read more: N.J. sets deadline for online gambling partners | Maryland Daily Record
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Jay-Z is teaming up with Samsung to release his new album, unveiling a three-minute commercial during the NBA Finals on Sunday and announcing a deal that will give the music to 1 million users of Galaxy mobile phones.
The new album, called "Magna Carta Holy Grail," will be free for the first 1 million android phone owners who download an app for the album. Those who do so will get the album on July 4, three days before its official release, according to a Sunday statement.
Samsung is a leader in the mobile phone market and has been steadily chipping away at Apple's share of the market with its Galaxy phones. The deal with Jay-Z is yet another example of how mobile companies are using music to lure new consumers.
Read more here: NEW YORK: Jay-Z announces new album with Samsung deal - Entertainment - MiamiHerald-com
The new album, called "Magna Carta Holy Grail," will be free for the first 1 million android phone owners who download an app for the album. Those who do so will get the album on July 4, three days before its official release, according to a Sunday statement.
Samsung is a leader in the mobile phone market and has been steadily chipping away at Apple's share of the market with its Galaxy phones. The deal with Jay-Z is yet another example of how mobile companies are using music to lure new consumers.
Read more here: NEW YORK: Jay-Z announces new album with Samsung deal - Entertainment - MiamiHerald-com
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2006/12/07
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Atlantic City’s casinos are moving with haste to secure partners for their online gambling operations. And the hustle and bustle are for good reason. The state Gaming Enforcement Division has informed the casinos of a June 30th deadline. The New Jersey-based casinos have until then to facilitate Internet gambling deals.
With Internet gambling expected to go live in November, the deadline was established to give state regulators ample time to explore, study, and examine the qualifications and backgrounds of the firms with which the casinos will partner.
So far, we know that the four prominent Atlantic City casinos (Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, the Showboat Casino Hotel and Bally’s Atlantic City) are partnering with 888 Holdings.
David Rebuck, director of the Gaming Enforcement Division, said casinos that miss the filing deadline can’t be assured they’d be allowed to start offering Internet gambling on the first day it is permitted.
An Associated Press report Monday notes that the state also set a July 29th deadline to have completed applications submitted to the division.
As of this writing, New Jersey remains just one of three states to legalize Internet gambling. Delaware and Nevada are the only two other states that have begun accepting bets online.
New Jersey Officials Say Online Gambling Plans in Full Swing | Mobile Marketing Watch
With Internet gambling expected to go live in November, the deadline was established to give state regulators ample time to explore, study, and examine the qualifications and backgrounds of the firms with which the casinos will partner.
So far, we know that the four prominent Atlantic City casinos (Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, the Showboat Casino Hotel and Bally’s Atlantic City) are partnering with 888 Holdings.
David Rebuck, director of the Gaming Enforcement Division, said casinos that miss the filing deadline can’t be assured they’d be allowed to start offering Internet gambling on the first day it is permitted.
An Associated Press report Monday notes that the state also set a July 29th deadline to have completed applications submitted to the division.
As of this writing, New Jersey remains just one of three states to legalize Internet gambling. Delaware and Nevada are the only two other states that have begun accepting bets online.
New Jersey Officials Say Online Gambling Plans in Full Swing | Mobile Marketing Watch
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Online gambling games such as blackjack and poker took a significant knock in the US in 2011 when new laws came in to criminalise the practice.
However, after much petitioning there is now clear indications that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Many states have now introduced their own laws to legalise games that require a certain amount of skill, but only Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey have so far legalised games of chance such as online poker.
As a result, there is much confusion about what games fall under which category, with different rules between states. Some games are clear-cut, but others - such as blackjack and poker - require some skill but include an element of chance.
If the Reid-Kyl bill makes it to Capitol Hill, there is potential that online gambling will become simpler for players and regulators across the country.
Mon, 06/17/2013 - 09:57 - Online gaming laws are confusing for players | 777-com
However, after much petitioning there is now clear indications that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Many states have now introduced their own laws to legalise games that require a certain amount of skill, but only Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey have so far legalised games of chance such as online poker.
As a result, there is much confusion about what games fall under which category, with different rules between states. Some games are clear-cut, but others - such as blackjack and poker - require some skill but include an element of chance.
If the Reid-Kyl bill makes it to Capitol Hill, there is potential that online gambling will become simpler for players and regulators across the country.
Mon, 06/17/2013 - 09:57 - Online gaming laws are confusing for players | 777-com
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Montreal Canada based Amaya Gaming announced recently the firm has acquired Diamond Game Enterprises.
The deal will still be subject to the regulatory and shareholder approvals to take place sometime in the last quarter of the year. Diamond Game Enterprises is a USA based manufacturer and designer of gaming products for the casino and lottery industry.
It was reported that the company will pay $25 million in cash and will provide as much as 2.5 million in credit to Diamond Game to support equipment acquisitions needed to complete existing contracts held by Diamond.
The Chief Executive Officer and President for Diamond Game Enterprises, Jim Breslo commented on the deal, "Diamond Game's sale to Amaya exemplifies the hard work and dedication of our management team and employees over the past 19 years, who have established the company as an innovative supplier to the gaming industry. Breslo continued, "The transaction unlocks value for both companies by pairing our patented technology, products and key contracts in the lottery segment with a well-capitalized entity in Amaya, which possesses a solid foundation of expertise throughout its organization as well as key relationships throughout the industry."
David Baazov Amaya Gaming’s Chief Executive Officer also commented on the acquisition, "Diamond Game's lottery technology will increase our lottery footprint in North America. We see upside for its latest lottery product, the LT-3, which has already been placed in Maryland and Ontario and which Diamond Game expects to be placed in new jurisdictions in the near future. Our extensive game library can be integrated with their lottery technology."
The executive for Amaya said he expected benefits of the transaction to include, the easy integration of Amaya online games into Diamond's lottery product lineup. Importantly the purchase will allow for the leveraging of Amaya's contacts to improve revenues and opportunities for Diamond and expanding Amaya's opportunities through US lottery relationships already in Diamond’s portfolio.
Amaya Online Gambling Acquires Diamond Game Enterprises
The deal will still be subject to the regulatory and shareholder approvals to take place sometime in the last quarter of the year. Diamond Game Enterprises is a USA based manufacturer and designer of gaming products for the casino and lottery industry.
It was reported that the company will pay $25 million in cash and will provide as much as 2.5 million in credit to Diamond Game to support equipment acquisitions needed to complete existing contracts held by Diamond.
The Chief Executive Officer and President for Diamond Game Enterprises, Jim Breslo commented on the deal, "Diamond Game's sale to Amaya exemplifies the hard work and dedication of our management team and employees over the past 19 years, who have established the company as an innovative supplier to the gaming industry. Breslo continued, "The transaction unlocks value for both companies by pairing our patented technology, products and key contracts in the lottery segment with a well-capitalized entity in Amaya, which possesses a solid foundation of expertise throughout its organization as well as key relationships throughout the industry."
David Baazov Amaya Gaming’s Chief Executive Officer also commented on the acquisition, "Diamond Game's lottery technology will increase our lottery footprint in North America. We see upside for its latest lottery product, the LT-3, which has already been placed in Maryland and Ontario and which Diamond Game expects to be placed in new jurisdictions in the near future. Our extensive game library can be integrated with their lottery technology."
The executive for Amaya said he expected benefits of the transaction to include, the easy integration of Amaya online games into Diamond's lottery product lineup. Importantly the purchase will allow for the leveraging of Amaya's contacts to improve revenues and opportunities for Diamond and expanding Amaya's opportunities through US lottery relationships already in Diamond’s portfolio.
Amaya Online Gambling Acquires Diamond Game Enterprises
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2006/12/07
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The highly anticipated Boy Meets World spin-off has been picked up to series by the Disney Channel.
Described as “a comedy series for kids,” the show will reunite original cast-members Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel, as on-screen sweethearts Cory and Topanga, and follow their tween daughter Riley, played by Rowan Blanchard.
Fans have been buzzing about the ’90s sitcom reboot since news of the pilot broke late last year, with plenty of speculation about which BMW castmembers would be reprising their roles. So far, that includes William Daniels, who will be returning — at least for the first episode – as Mr. Feeny. (Meanwhile fan-favorite alums Rider Strong and Will Friedle have been spotted on set). Fans, however, will have to wait awhile before they can get their nostalgia fix: The multi-camera series, which will film in Los Angeles this summer, won’t premiere until 2014.
Described as “a comedy series for kids,” the show will reunite original cast-members Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel, as on-screen sweethearts Cory and Topanga, and follow their tween daughter Riley, played by Rowan Blanchard.
Fans have been buzzing about the ’90s sitcom reboot since news of the pilot broke late last year, with plenty of speculation about which BMW castmembers would be reprising their roles. So far, that includes William Daniels, who will be returning — at least for the first episode – as Mr. Feeny. (Meanwhile fan-favorite alums Rider Strong and Will Friedle have been spotted on set). Fans, however, will have to wait awhile before they can get their nostalgia fix: The multi-camera series, which will film in Los Angeles this summer, won’t premiere until 2014.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
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Though nothing has been proposed by legislators, it was revealed that an Ohio amended statute requires gambling in the Buckeye State be limited to four locations. This could severely hinder any online gaming initiatives and would require some legal maneuvering for residents to legally play over the Internet from their homes, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.
The situation is similar to New Jersey, where Governor Chris Christie often spoke of the constitutional requirement that all gambling take place in Atlantic City. Garden State attorneys believe that statute is being met by housing all of the state’s Internet servers in its online gambling scheme in the Atlantic City casinos.
All the talk of Internet gaming in Ohio may be a bit premature, as no proposals are currently before the Ohio state legislature. But discussions may ensue sooner rather than later if the state’s projected gambling revenue doesn’t show better signs of stability.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission reported that revenue from its four casinos reached $72 million for the month of May. That total was a significant decrease from the previous month and may result in the state missing its projected gambling revenue for the year by some $350 million.
While the Horseshoe casinos in both Cleveland and Cincinnati saw increases in generated revenue, the Hollywood casinos in both Columbus and Toledo saw declines of over 5% combined from April totals. Adding to the problem is the fact that the state’s racetracks are also failing to reach the winner’s circle with regard to annual revenue projections.
Like other states, Ohio counts on revenue from land-based gambling operations to meet budget expectations. When those numbers fall off, online gambling is often mentioned as a way to possibly increase revenue. If Ohio lawmakers were to propose such an endeavor, the constitutional amendment issue would certainly have to be addressed.
Online Gambling in Ohio Faces Obstacle