The respected top political reporter for CNet News, Declan McCullagh, wrote a fascinating update this week on a little known law currently being drafted in the United States which could hand the White House the power to disconnect private-sector computers from the Internet.
There are reports from Toronto that the apparently error-prone Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation could be in for a shake-up as politicians vie for kudos in straightening out the state company.
The American lottery Mega Millions draw started Friday night with a jackpot of $333 millions after a series of roll-overs when no winning numbers were drawn, and the latest news is that it was a big win for two at present unidentified ticket holders.
Gaming technology and services firm GTech Corporation has been selected as the exclusive technology provider for LottoTech Limited, which has a ten-year deal to implement and operate the national online and instant-ticket lottery for Mauritius, a tripical island in the Indian Ocean off Africa.
Online gambling software provider Net Entertainment reports that an as yet unnamed player on Betclic.com online casino site has hit a Euro 1 033 438 jackpot on the Arabian Nights progressive video slot. Betclic is member of the Mangas Gaming group.
Interviewed by reporters and analysts during the release of Party Gaming’s half year results this week, CEO Jim Ryan made some interesting comments about the direction in which his company is headed – the French online poker market and more acquisitions.
The Daily Mail ended the week on a controversial note with an article claiming that Bet365 director and football club owner Peter Coates had paid a “…GBP100 000 ‘thank you’ to Labour after his firm benefited from the controversial decision to relax the [UK] betting laws.”
In their continuing quest to “prevent corrupting influences from online gambling” US Open tennis authorities this week warned players against the use of the social networking site Twitter whilst on the court.
The UK Gambling Commission has published its latest report on the gambling industry – both land and online – in Britain.
Bodog Europe has become the latest online betting company to join a growing list of football club sponsors, signing with Fulham FC in a three year sponsorship deal which makes Bodog the Barclays Premier League team’s exclusive official betting and gaming partner.
Online gambling group PartyGaming has released its first half results, showing a 6.5 percent fall in operating profit, which management has attributed to competitive pressures and the consumer slowdown.
The Vienna listed online gambling group Bwin has also been active in the sports of football this week, securing the broadcast rights for the Spanish Primera and Segunda divisións in a live-streaming agreement that runs through to 2012 and covers over 80 countries.
William Hill plc has become the latest online and land betting company to sign a shirt sponsorship deal with a leading football team, inking an agreement with the Spanish club Malaga FC this week.
What appears to be a premature announcement from Top Game-powered online casino Rome Casino.com has triggered a tough response from the US card giant American Express.
Direct mail and print services group Communisis plc had better news this week as it announced that William Hill plc had joined its client list.
Software provider Net Entertainment has reported another set of strong results for the half year to June 30th 2009, with revenues, profits and margins all up.
Online scratchcard software developer Neogames has been active again, launching a new nine square jungle-themed scratch card game branded Jungle Joy.
Player and casino details are not yet available, but over the past 24 hours a player on the Jackpot Cleopatra’s Gold progressive has lucked into a giant win of $254 910.
Online gambling software and games developer WagerWorks has launched Rainbow Riches Win Big Shindig, a new 10 line slot with an Irish ambience and a top prize of 25 000 credits. With two bonus rounds, the game offers good potential rewards.
The Greek gambling monopoly OPAP, arguably Europe’s largest betting firm, is considering the introduction of in-play betting on its fixed-odds Stihima game next year, its CEO Christos Hadjiemmanuil told an analysts’ conference on Wednesday.
The latest roll-over on the multi-state Mega Millions lottery has resulted in the largest jackpot in two years, reports The Lottery Post. Friday’s draw will see $325 million in the jackpot, hopefully giving a lump-sum payout to some lucky punter of $205 million.
The Greek daily newspaper Ethnos reports that effective September 21st 2009 the government will be implementing a 10 percent tax on gambling winnings.
Online gambling group Entraction has released an impressive set of half year 2009 numbers, showcasing operating profit that has soared 122 percent to SEK 27.3 million, and EBITBA up an impressive 81 percent to SEK 33.8 million.
The chief operating officer for William Hill Online, Peter Marcus, has revealed that he is a casualty of the company restructuring program following its deal with Playtech, saying that he will depart in weeks rather than months.