Overseas-based gambling operators face having to pay millions of pounds in levies to support horseracing and research into gambling addiction, under new regulations being considered by ministers.
MPs have complained about the unfairness of British-based operators paying such levies while operators licensed offshore are allowed to advertise their products in the UK, yet pay nothing.
The view is shared by UK-based bookmakers who this week agreed to a further year of contributions to the Horserace Betting Levy, amounting to 10 per cent of their gross profits and adding up to about £100m ($148m).
Gerry Sutcliffe, sports minister, will announce on Thursday a review by the Gambling Commission and civil servants aimed at creating a fairer system of payments and “a more level playing field between British businesses and their overseas counterparts”.
As well as contributing to the horseracing levy, companies that have offshore servers such as PartyGaming, 888, Sportingbet and Betfair could be expected to help pay for regulating the industry and the treatment of problem gambling.
But the review faces complex issues, such as whether it would be possible to distinguish between the profits offshore companies make from UK and non-UK punters in order to determine the levy.
Mr Sutcliffe said the remit would also look into issues such as allegations of match fixing and what gambling operators are doing to preserve the integrity of sport.
He has already beefed up the commission’s investigations into betting irregularities by bringing in outside experts from sport, the betting industry and the police.
The commission and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will also review the controls introduced in the 2005 Gambling Act that created a regulated market for online operators.
Since September 2007, companies licensed in UK-recognised licensing jurisdictions such as Alderney, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man have been allowed to advertise under regulations policed by the commission.
MPs have been pressing ministers to explain why vast amounts of the £1.4bn generated by online gambling in the UK goes abroad.
Mr Sutcliffe said the Gambling Act, though freeing up the industry, was aimed at protecting consumers.
“We have taken steps in the right direction, but technology is changing and attitudes are changing,” he said.
Mr Sutcliffe said he recognised that Britain’s gaming taxation regime discouraged operators from basing their servers in the UK, but the issue was one for the Treasury to examine. (Credit: Financial Times)
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Poker fan Pete indulges in horseplay - The Shields Gazette - 30th April 2009
A Boldon man turned up to a North East poker festival dressed as a Grand National runner.
Pete Turner, 32, from East Boldon, made up in laughs what he lacked in poker luck – going out in the fifth level.
It was the second time the Virgin Poker festival has came to Newcastle, and saw both amateur and professional players competing for a slice of the £30,000 prize pot.
One group of players from South Shields turned up in full Newcastle United football strips, hoping their luck would change after the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
However it was Ross Jarvis, 24, from London, who entered the last table with the most chips, and maintained his lead throughout the final leg, winning the Virgin Poker festival title and the top prize of £7,000.
Joe Legge, Poker Manager for Virgin Poker, said: "It was great to return to Aspers Casino for a second time and bring the fun of the Virgin Games experience to the people of North East England."
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Pete Turner, 32, from East Boldon, made up in laughs what he lacked in poker luck – going out in the fifth level.
It was the second time the Virgin Poker festival has came to Newcastle, and saw both amateur and professional players competing for a slice of the £30,000 prize pot.
One group of players from South Shields turned up in full Newcastle United football strips, hoping their luck would change after the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
However it was Ross Jarvis, 24, from London, who entered the last table with the most chips, and maintained his lead throughout the final leg, winning the Virgin Poker festival title and the top prize of £7,000.
Joe Legge, Poker Manager for Virgin Poker, said: "It was great to return to Aspers Casino for a second time and bring the fun of the Virgin Games experience to the people of North East England."
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
PartyGaming executives are wealthiest online gambling entrepreneurs according to The Rich List
The Sunday Times internet rich list has revealed that four PartyGaming executives feature in the listing of the top 10 richest online business people.
The annual Rich List of Britain’s 1,000 wealthiest people was published yesterday and includes individuals and families who were born out of the UK but who predominantly work or live in Britain.
Online gaming executives featured heavily on the list, with PartyGaming founders Russ De Leon and Ruth Parasol ranking second place on the internet list with £700 million. Anurag Dikshit, group operations director for the company was third on the list with £559 million with marketing director Vikrant Bhargava was in ninth place with £230 million.
Founders of the Bet365 company Peter Coates and his daughter Denise were sixth on the list with an estimated £400 million each, with Betfair having three of their executives featuring in the top 20; founder Ed Wray was number 11 with £190 million, Andrew Black was 12th with £185 million and Rich Koch, equity investment manager, was 17th with £129 million.
However, the list was topped by founder and owner of the internet securities dealer CMC, Peter Cruddas, with an estimated wealth of £1 billion.
The recession also played a role in the listing this year, with the economic slowdown causing a total of £155 billion to be missing from the list compared to last year, which is the biggest fall since the richest online business people list was first compiled 21 years ago.
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The annual Rich List of Britain’s 1,000 wealthiest people was published yesterday and includes individuals and families who were born out of the UK but who predominantly work or live in Britain.
Online gaming executives featured heavily on the list, with PartyGaming founders Russ De Leon and Ruth Parasol ranking second place on the internet list with £700 million. Anurag Dikshit, group operations director for the company was third on the list with £559 million with marketing director Vikrant Bhargava was in ninth place with £230 million.
Founders of the Bet365 company Peter Coates and his daughter Denise were sixth on the list with an estimated £400 million each, with Betfair having three of their executives featuring in the top 20; founder Ed Wray was number 11 with £190 million, Andrew Black was 12th with £185 million and Rich Koch, equity investment manager, was 17th with £129 million.
However, the list was topped by founder and owner of the internet securities dealer CMC, Peter Cruddas, with an estimated wealth of £1 billion.
The recession also played a role in the listing this year, with the economic slowdown causing a total of £155 billion to be missing from the list compared to last year, which is the biggest fall since the richest online business people list was first compiled 21 years ago.
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Tuesday, April 28, 2009
A New Chance for Online Gambling in the U.S., By Eric Pfanner - The New York Times - 26th April 2009
PARIS — Is online gambling coming in from the cold?
When the U.S. Congress cracked down on Internet betting in 2006, the big, publicly traded European companies that had dominated the business closed up shop in the United States. Growth in the booming industry shifted away from these companies, once the darlings of the stock market, to private operators in offshore locations like Antigua and the Isle of Man.
But now, executives of some of the European companies whisper excitedly that they may soon get a second chance in the United States. Meanwhile, a number of European countries that have long maintained barriers are moving, under pressure from regulators, to legalize, and tax, online gambling.
“There’s still a lot of gambling going on, where there’s no revenue coming in to the governments,” said Gavin Kelleher, an analyst at the research firm H2 Gambling Capital in Ireland. “They realize they could use the revenue.”
The biggest potential change would be in the United States, where, perhaps within days, Representative Barney Frank, Democrat of Massachusetts, is expected to introduce legislation aimed at overturning the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
“He supports the repeal and wants to move forward on it,” said Steve Adamske, communications director for the House Financial Services Committee, of which Mr. Frank is chairman.
Mr. Frank tried and failed to do so once before, in 2007. But advocates of liberalization think they might get a friendlier hearing in Washington this time around. President Barack Obama, they note, boasted of his poker prowess during the election campaign. And the Democrats, who are seen as less hostile to Internet gambling than the Republicans, have tightened their grip on Congress.
A study by PricewaterhouseCoopers says the U.S. government could raise more than $50 billion over 10 years from taxes on legalized online gambling.
“I’d be amazed if it didn’t happen over the next two or three years,” said Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of the Remote Gambling Association, a trade group based in London. “It’s just a question of what exactly the regulations will say.”
Some analysts say that may be getting a little bit ahead of the game. Opponents of a repeal, including the Christian Coalition of America and the National Football League, have vowed to fight any new effort to end the ban.
Michele Combs, a spokeswoman for the Christian Coalition, said the group was gearing up for a “massive campaign” of letter-writing and lobbying to try to prevent any loosening of the law.
“We’re not saying people shouldn’t go to Las Vegas,” she said. “But when it’s in your home, it’s too easy. It breaks up families.”
U.S. sports leagues, meanwhile, worry that the ease of online betting increases the chances of game-fixing. Even the most bullish advocates of online gambling acknowledge that Internet sports betting — as opposed to poker or casino games — is highly unlikely to be legalized.
“There’s a better chance now for some sort of gaming legislation to be approved,” said Nick Batram, an analyst at KBC Peel Hunt, a brokerage firm in London. “But it took longer than expected to put anti-gaming legislation in place, and it will probably will take longer than expected to remove it.”
Since the 2006 law was passed, North America, once the biggest market, has been passed by Europe and Asia, according to figures from H2 Gambling Capital. The law makes it illegal for financial institutions to handle payments to online gambling sites. But enough people have found ways around it, some by using overseas payment processors, to ensure that online gambling remains a thriving business. H2 says online gambling generated revenue of $6 billion last year in North America, more than a quarter the global total of $22.6 billion, up from $17.6 billion in 2006.
Pulling out of the United States cost PartyGaming about three-quarters of its business. Its position as the biggest online poker provider has been taken over by PokerStars, a privately held operator based on the Isle of Man.
This month, PartyGaming agreed to a $105 million settlement with the U.S. attorney’s office in New York, involving the period before 2006, when it acknowledged that its activities had been “contrary to certain U.S. laws.” In turn, the U.S. authorities agreed not to prosecute the company, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, or its executives.
The agreement fueled speculation that PartyGaming might be trying to position itself for a return to the U.S. market, if online gambling were legalized.
Analysts say one possibility for European companies like PartyGaming, should the ban be lifted, would be to form partnerships with American casino operators. That would allow the European companies to share their online expertise. Operating alone, they might struggle to obtain licenses, given their history of run-ins with U.S. law enforcement, analysts said.
“It’s my feeling that even if the market were opened up, the U.S. government, in a palatable way, would probably find a way to give local companies a favorable position,” Mr. Batram said.
So far, Las Vegas executives have maintained a cautious stance about legalization of online gambling. Steve Wynn, chief executive of Wynn Resorts, said in an e-mail message that he thought it would be “impossible to regulate.”
“Even though it would be a benefit to our company, we are strongly opposed,” he said.
But speculation that Las Vegas casino operators were looking into the possibilities was fueled by recent reports that Harrah’s Entertainment, which owns Caesars Palace and other casinos, recently hired Mitch Garber, former chief executive of PartyGaming, for an unspecified role. Harrah’s did not return calls.
Mr. Ryan said that PartyGaming planned to focus on acquisition opportunities to increase its market share in Europe and elsewhere, something that was difficult as long as investors were worried about the U.S. litigation. “We think Mr. Frank’s efforts are quite meaningful to the sector,” he said.
Several other online gambling companies whose shares are traded in London, including 888 Holdings and Sportingbet, are still in talks with the U.S. Justice Department. Analysts expect them, along with companies like Bwin International, whose stock is traded in Vienna, to be involved in a round of consolidation in the industry — along with a possible eventual move back into the United States.
As they await developments in Washington, online gambling companies are looking for growth in Europe and Asia. Under pressure from regulators in Brussels, several European Union members, including France, Italy, Spain and Denmark, have been moving to legalize some kinds of online gambling, turning it into a regulated and taxed business. Britain was the first big European country to do so, in 2005.
Other countries, like Germany, Greece and the Netherlands, continue to hold out, though, in what the European Commission sees as an effort to protect government-sponsored gambling monopolies from private competition.
The commission in March published a report arguing that the United States was violating World Trade Organization rules by keeping out European online gambling companies, given that online betting on horse racing is permitted in the United States. But the commission said that it favored negotiations, rather than legal action, to end the dispute.
Also in March, however, the European Parliament adopted a separate measure supporting the right of individual E.U. member states to make their own rules on online gambling.
“It’s interesting that the European Commission is telling the U.S. it’s persecuting European companies when it can’t even get its own house sorted out,” Mr. Batram said.
(Credit: The New York Times)
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When the U.S. Congress cracked down on Internet betting in 2006, the big, publicly traded European companies that had dominated the business closed up shop in the United States. Growth in the booming industry shifted away from these companies, once the darlings of the stock market, to private operators in offshore locations like Antigua and the Isle of Man.
But now, executives of some of the European companies whisper excitedly that they may soon get a second chance in the United States. Meanwhile, a number of European countries that have long maintained barriers are moving, under pressure from regulators, to legalize, and tax, online gambling.
“There’s still a lot of gambling going on, where there’s no revenue coming in to the governments,” said Gavin Kelleher, an analyst at the research firm H2 Gambling Capital in Ireland. “They realize they could use the revenue.”
The biggest potential change would be in the United States, where, perhaps within days, Representative Barney Frank, Democrat of Massachusetts, is expected to introduce legislation aimed at overturning the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
“He supports the repeal and wants to move forward on it,” said Steve Adamske, communications director for the House Financial Services Committee, of which Mr. Frank is chairman.
Mr. Frank tried and failed to do so once before, in 2007. But advocates of liberalization think they might get a friendlier hearing in Washington this time around. President Barack Obama, they note, boasted of his poker prowess during the election campaign. And the Democrats, who are seen as less hostile to Internet gambling than the Republicans, have tightened their grip on Congress.
A study by PricewaterhouseCoopers says the U.S. government could raise more than $50 billion over 10 years from taxes on legalized online gambling.
“I’d be amazed if it didn’t happen over the next two or three years,” said Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of the Remote Gambling Association, a trade group based in London. “It’s just a question of what exactly the regulations will say.”
Some analysts say that may be getting a little bit ahead of the game. Opponents of a repeal, including the Christian Coalition of America and the National Football League, have vowed to fight any new effort to end the ban.
Michele Combs, a spokeswoman for the Christian Coalition, said the group was gearing up for a “massive campaign” of letter-writing and lobbying to try to prevent any loosening of the law.
“We’re not saying people shouldn’t go to Las Vegas,” she said. “But when it’s in your home, it’s too easy. It breaks up families.”
U.S. sports leagues, meanwhile, worry that the ease of online betting increases the chances of game-fixing. Even the most bullish advocates of online gambling acknowledge that Internet sports betting — as opposed to poker or casino games — is highly unlikely to be legalized.
“There’s a better chance now for some sort of gaming legislation to be approved,” said Nick Batram, an analyst at KBC Peel Hunt, a brokerage firm in London. “But it took longer than expected to put anti-gaming legislation in place, and it will probably will take longer than expected to remove it.”
Since the 2006 law was passed, North America, once the biggest market, has been passed by Europe and Asia, according to figures from H2 Gambling Capital. The law makes it illegal for financial institutions to handle payments to online gambling sites. But enough people have found ways around it, some by using overseas payment processors, to ensure that online gambling remains a thriving business. H2 says online gambling generated revenue of $6 billion last year in North America, more than a quarter the global total of $22.6 billion, up from $17.6 billion in 2006.
Pulling out of the United States cost PartyGaming about three-quarters of its business. Its position as the biggest online poker provider has been taken over by PokerStars, a privately held operator based on the Isle of Man.
This month, PartyGaming agreed to a $105 million settlement with the U.S. attorney’s office in New York, involving the period before 2006, when it acknowledged that its activities had been “contrary to certain U.S. laws.” In turn, the U.S. authorities agreed not to prosecute the company, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, or its executives.
The agreement fueled speculation that PartyGaming might be trying to position itself for a return to the U.S. market, if online gambling were legalized.
Analysts say one possibility for European companies like PartyGaming, should the ban be lifted, would be to form partnerships with American casino operators. That would allow the European companies to share their online expertise. Operating alone, they might struggle to obtain licenses, given their history of run-ins with U.S. law enforcement, analysts said.
“It’s my feeling that even if the market were opened up, the U.S. government, in a palatable way, would probably find a way to give local companies a favorable position,” Mr. Batram said.
So far, Las Vegas executives have maintained a cautious stance about legalization of online gambling. Steve Wynn, chief executive of Wynn Resorts, said in an e-mail message that he thought it would be “impossible to regulate.”
“Even though it would be a benefit to our company, we are strongly opposed,” he said.
But speculation that Las Vegas casino operators were looking into the possibilities was fueled by recent reports that Harrah’s Entertainment, which owns Caesars Palace and other casinos, recently hired Mitch Garber, former chief executive of PartyGaming, for an unspecified role. Harrah’s did not return calls.
Mr. Ryan said that PartyGaming planned to focus on acquisition opportunities to increase its market share in Europe and elsewhere, something that was difficult as long as investors were worried about the U.S. litigation. “We think Mr. Frank’s efforts are quite meaningful to the sector,” he said.
Several other online gambling companies whose shares are traded in London, including 888 Holdings and Sportingbet, are still in talks with the U.S. Justice Department. Analysts expect them, along with companies like Bwin International, whose stock is traded in Vienna, to be involved in a round of consolidation in the industry — along with a possible eventual move back into the United States.
As they await developments in Washington, online gambling companies are looking for growth in Europe and Asia. Under pressure from regulators in Brussels, several European Union members, including France, Italy, Spain and Denmark, have been moving to legalize some kinds of online gambling, turning it into a regulated and taxed business. Britain was the first big European country to do so, in 2005.
Other countries, like Germany, Greece and the Netherlands, continue to hold out, though, in what the European Commission sees as an effort to protect government-sponsored gambling monopolies from private competition.
The commission in March published a report arguing that the United States was violating World Trade Organization rules by keeping out European online gambling companies, given that online betting on horse racing is permitted in the United States. But the commission said that it favored negotiations, rather than legal action, to end the dispute.
Also in March, however, the European Parliament adopted a separate measure supporting the right of individual E.U. member states to make their own rules on online gambling.
“It’s interesting that the European Commission is telling the U.S. it’s persecuting European companies when it can’t even get its own house sorted out,” Mr. Batram said.
(Credit: The New York Times)
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William Hill Intends to Move Jobs Offshore - Gambling911 - 27th April 2009
In a blow to the British government, the number two largest bookmaker, William Hill, has threatened to move approximately 90 jobs in the Internet division offshore.
Bookmakers warned the chancellor, Alistair Darling, before the Budget that increases in gross profits tax on betting would stifle competitiveness, particularly for their online businesses, and force them to consider relocating staff, according to the Financial Times of London.
Last week, Darling increased the GPT on bingo from 15 per cent to 22 per cent.
Ralph Topping, the William Hill chief executive who was part of a bookmakers' delegation to the Treasury last month, has said that "relocation" is a "live issue".
"Do we look at that situation constantly? Yes," Mr Topping told the Financial Times. "Considering how difficult it is to compete against offshore operators, you're never going to rule it out entirely."
William Hill, operator of 2,300 betting shops, employs 15,000 in the UK and other countries.
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Bookmakers warned the chancellor, Alistair Darling, before the Budget that increases in gross profits tax on betting would stifle competitiveness, particularly for their online businesses, and force them to consider relocating staff, according to the Financial Times of London.
Last week, Darling increased the GPT on bingo from 15 per cent to 22 per cent.
Ralph Topping, the William Hill chief executive who was part of a bookmakers' delegation to the Treasury last month, has said that "relocation" is a "live issue".
"Do we look at that situation constantly? Yes," Mr Topping told the Financial Times. "Considering how difficult it is to compete against offshore operators, you're never going to rule it out entirely."
William Hill, operator of 2,300 betting shops, employs 15,000 in the UK and other countries.
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Friday, April 24, 2009
Freeroll For Two Grand Prix De Paris Packages For Just 200 PartyPoints!
Win Two Grand Prix De Paris Packages At PartyPoker.com
200 PartyPoints Equals Entry Into Online Freeroll For Aviation Club Spectacular
22nd April 2009 – http://www.partypoker.com is offering the chance to win two packages for the prestigious Grand Prix de Paris at the Aviation Club through a special online satellite freeroll.
The Grand Prix de Paris takes place at Paris’ legendary home of poker between the 14th – 17th May 2009 and PartyPoker.com is hosting a special online satellite for two packages on Thursday 30th April at 20.00 CEST (19.00 BST, 14.00 EST). All you have to do to qualify is collect 200 PartyPoints between the 22nd – 28th April to take your seat.
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “The Aviation Club is bang in the heart of Paris and has a rich history as one of Europe’s most famous poker venues. The Grand Prix de Paris has historically attracted a world class line-up and provides a unique poker experience. It is easy to have a shot at winning one of the two packages, all you have to do is earn 200 PartyPoints between 22nd – 28th April to earn entry into the online freeroll.”
Each of the two packages is worth $15,500 and covers the Main Event buy-in of €10,000, five nights’ accommodation at a luxury Paris hotel and $800 spending money. For more information see: http://www.partypoker.com/news/items/apc2009.html
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200 PartyPoints Equals Entry Into Online Freeroll For Aviation Club Spectacular
22nd April 2009 – http://www.partypoker.com is offering the chance to win two packages for the prestigious Grand Prix de Paris at the Aviation Club through a special online satellite freeroll.
The Grand Prix de Paris takes place at Paris’ legendary home of poker between the 14th – 17th May 2009 and PartyPoker.com is hosting a special online satellite for two packages on Thursday 30th April at 20.00 CEST (19.00 BST, 14.00 EST). All you have to do to qualify is collect 200 PartyPoints between the 22nd – 28th April to take your seat.
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “The Aviation Club is bang in the heart of Paris and has a rich history as one of Europe’s most famous poker venues. The Grand Prix de Paris has historically attracted a world class line-up and provides a unique poker experience. It is easy to have a shot at winning one of the two packages, all you have to do is earn 200 PartyPoints between 22nd – 28th April to earn entry into the online freeroll.”
Each of the two packages is worth $15,500 and covers the Main Event buy-in of €10,000, five nights’ accommodation at a luxury Paris hotel and $800 spending money. For more information see: http://www.partypoker.com/news/items/apc2009.html
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Thursday, April 09, 2009
London Lad Strikes It Lucky!
London, 6th April, 2009 – Following the success of last year’s poker festival in the city, Virgin Poker held its second Newcastle poker event at Aspers Casino over the weekend. Over 200 poker enthusiasts took part in the exciting two-day live tournament setting sights on the impressive prize pot of over £30,000.
Having won a place at the tournament via a €150 buy-in at Virgin Poker, players at the main event took part in a Texas Hold’em No Limit Freezeout extravaganza to compete for their share of the prize pot. Ross Javis, London based journalist who writes for Poker Player magazine was the chip leader as he entered the final table and maintained his lead throughout the final leg securing him the Virgin Poker festival title and the impressive top prize of £7,000. Kris McLackland from Newcastle put up a good fight and walked away with second place prize money of £5,500.
To add a Virgin twist to the tournament, players in the main event were given the chance to knock-out professional poker opponents whose heads carried bounties of fantastic Virgin giveaways. Prizes included Virgin Rally Driving Days & Virgin Hot Air Ballooning.
For those not lucky enough to win a seat in the main tournament, there were a variety of side events on offer to give everyone the opportunity to get involved - regardless of their poker playing abilities. Practice tables offered ‘live play classes’ for less experienced players, whilst a Wii bowling battle for those who still wanted to prove their competitive streak.
Joe Legge, Poker Manager for Virgin Games Poker, said: “It was great to return to Aspers Casino for a second time and bring the fun of the Virgin Games experience to the people of Newcastle. Local residents, poker professionals and the Virgin Games staff entered into the spirit of the weekend and dressed to impress – outfits included, Newcastle football strip, a Las Vegas show girl and another wore a horse’s head to celebrate the Grand National. It’s all slightly crazy but all part of the fun and what makes the festivals such a great experience!’
For further images and information on the Virgin Poker Festivals visit http://www.virgingames.com/poker/festival.aspx
- Ends -
Main Event – Winners
Place Prize Winner
1st £7,000 Ross Jarvis
2nd £5,500 Kris McLackland
3rd £4,000 Andy Edgington
4th £3,000 Brian Clarke
5th £2,500 Richard Potts
6th £2,000 John Crawford
7th £1,500 Krzysztof Zawierucha
8th £1,000 Dave O’Connor
9th £750 Glenn Hopley
10th £400 Simon Kinnaird
Player Bounties - Winners
Player Bounty Winner
Maria Demetriou Guaranteed Entry to a £100K Tourney on Kris MaLackland
Virgingames.com/poker
Shelley Rubenstein Guaranteed Entry to a £100K Tourney on Anthony Cross
Virgingames.com/poker
Kara Scott £150 Virgin Voucher The Mole Nick Kris MaLackland
Wealthall £150 Virgin Voucher
About Virgin Games
Virgin Games, a subsidiary of Virgin.com Ltd, launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct entertainment offerings, giving consumers the chance to play their favourite online games the Virgin way:
• Virgin Casino, part of the Wagerworks network, provides a taste of Vegas online, with classic casino offerings like blackjack and roulette, as well as popular feature slots like Elvis, Cleopatra and Vegas, Baby!
• Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros – as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry. The successful Virgin Poker Festivals, which take place in casinos around the UK throughout the year, now allow gamers to experience the fun of Virgin Poker offline too
• Virgin Bingo, part of the St Minver network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as regular promotions and an unrivalled loyalty scheme
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Having won a place at the tournament via a €150 buy-in at Virgin Poker, players at the main event took part in a Texas Hold’em No Limit Freezeout extravaganza to compete for their share of the prize pot. Ross Javis, London based journalist who writes for Poker Player magazine was the chip leader as he entered the final table and maintained his lead throughout the final leg securing him the Virgin Poker festival title and the impressive top prize of £7,000. Kris McLackland from Newcastle put up a good fight and walked away with second place prize money of £5,500.
To add a Virgin twist to the tournament, players in the main event were given the chance to knock-out professional poker opponents whose heads carried bounties of fantastic Virgin giveaways. Prizes included Virgin Rally Driving Days & Virgin Hot Air Ballooning.
For those not lucky enough to win a seat in the main tournament, there were a variety of side events on offer to give everyone the opportunity to get involved - regardless of their poker playing abilities. Practice tables offered ‘live play classes’ for less experienced players, whilst a Wii bowling battle for those who still wanted to prove their competitive streak.
Joe Legge, Poker Manager for Virgin Games Poker, said: “It was great to return to Aspers Casino for a second time and bring the fun of the Virgin Games experience to the people of Newcastle. Local residents, poker professionals and the Virgin Games staff entered into the spirit of the weekend and dressed to impress – outfits included, Newcastle football strip, a Las Vegas show girl and another wore a horse’s head to celebrate the Grand National. It’s all slightly crazy but all part of the fun and what makes the festivals such a great experience!’
For further images and information on the Virgin Poker Festivals visit http://www.virgingames.com/poker/festival.aspx
- Ends -
Main Event – Winners
Place Prize Winner
1st £7,000 Ross Jarvis
2nd £5,500 Kris McLackland
3rd £4,000 Andy Edgington
4th £3,000 Brian Clarke
5th £2,500 Richard Potts
6th £2,000 John Crawford
7th £1,500 Krzysztof Zawierucha
8th £1,000 Dave O’Connor
9th £750 Glenn Hopley
10th £400 Simon Kinnaird
Player Bounties - Winners
Player Bounty Winner
Maria Demetriou Guaranteed Entry to a £100K Tourney on Kris MaLackland
Virgingames.com/poker
Shelley Rubenstein Guaranteed Entry to a £100K Tourney on Anthony Cross
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About Virgin Games
Virgin Games, a subsidiary of Virgin.com Ltd, launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct entertainment offerings, giving consumers the chance to play their favourite online games the Virgin way:
• Virgin Casino, part of the Wagerworks network, provides a taste of Vegas online, with classic casino offerings like blackjack and roulette, as well as popular feature slots like Elvis, Cleopatra and Vegas, Baby!
• Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros – as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry. The successful Virgin Poker Festivals, which take place in casinos around the UK throughout the year, now allow gamers to experience the fun of Virgin Poker offline too
• Virgin Bingo, part of the St Minver network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as regular promotions and an unrivalled loyalty scheme
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Wednesday, April 08, 2009
PartyGaming pays $105m to avoid US prosecution, by James Thompson - The Independent - 8th April 2009
Online poker firm PartyGaming yesterday vowed to go on the acquisition trail after it finally settled a legal dispute with US authorities that could eventually pave the way for it to return to the world's most lucrative market.
The settlement, which follows a two-year legal battle, means PartyGaming will not be prosecuted for providing "real money" internet gambling services for nine years prior to US legislation banning the activity in October 2006. However, PartyGaming has agreed to pay a penalty of $105m (£72m) in instalments over three and a half years. The verdict sent shares in PartyGaming soaring by 31p, or 14.16 per cent, to 250p yesterday. It also lifted rival online gaming companies, with 888 Holdings up by 7.8 per cent and Sportingbet higher by 13.25 per cent.
Jim Ryan, the chief executive of PartyGaming, said the settlement removed the uncertainty over its strategy and will help it secure financing to fund acquisitions. "We can now look at merger and acquisition opportunities and have access to capital markets," he said, though he declined to name takeover targets.
Mr Ryan believes PartyGaming will be well placed if, and when, the US authorities overturn legislation that prohibits online gambling.
PartyGaming will pay the first instalment of the $105m forfeiture on 10 April and the final payment is due on 30 September 2012. The company exited the US market after the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act came into force on 13 October 2006, effectively banning its business.
Nick Batram, the analyst at KBC Peel Hunt, said the size and payment structure of the settlement was "better than we expected". He added: "The settlement with the DoJ [Department of Justice] should mark a point of inflection for the group which can now look forward without being anchored by the past."
The settlement overshadowed PartyGaming's subdued first-quarter trading update. For the three months to 31 March 2009, group revenue fell by 22 per cent to $100.1m. Its poker revenues tumbled to $53.6m from $80.7m, as it faced new US entrants in Europe and foreign currency movements. (Credit: The Independent)
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The settlement, which follows a two-year legal battle, means PartyGaming will not be prosecuted for providing "real money" internet gambling services for nine years prior to US legislation banning the activity in October 2006. However, PartyGaming has agreed to pay a penalty of $105m (£72m) in instalments over three and a half years. The verdict sent shares in PartyGaming soaring by 31p, or 14.16 per cent, to 250p yesterday. It also lifted rival online gaming companies, with 888 Holdings up by 7.8 per cent and Sportingbet higher by 13.25 per cent.
Jim Ryan, the chief executive of PartyGaming, said the settlement removed the uncertainty over its strategy and will help it secure financing to fund acquisitions. "We can now look at merger and acquisition opportunities and have access to capital markets," he said, though he declined to name takeover targets.
Mr Ryan believes PartyGaming will be well placed if, and when, the US authorities overturn legislation that prohibits online gambling.
PartyGaming will pay the first instalment of the $105m forfeiture on 10 April and the final payment is due on 30 September 2012. The company exited the US market after the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act came into force on 13 October 2006, effectively banning its business.
Nick Batram, the analyst at KBC Peel Hunt, said the size and payment structure of the settlement was "better than we expected". He added: "The settlement with the DoJ [Department of Justice] should mark a point of inflection for the group which can now look forward without being anchored by the past."
The settlement overshadowed PartyGaming's subdued first-quarter trading update. For the three months to 31 March 2009, group revenue fell by 22 per cent to $100.1m. Its poker revenues tumbled to $53.6m from $80.7m, as it faced new US entrants in Europe and foreign currency movements. (Credit: The Independent)
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PartyGaming goes straight, by Jeremy Warne - The Independent - 8th April 2009
Outlook
PartyGaming was the biggest of a slew of online betting sites that floated on the London stock market four or five years back. What made these IPOs odd, to put it mildly, was that they were based on a largely illegal activity – namely that online betting was against the law in its biggest market, the United States.
I exaggerate only a little, but it would scarcely have been more ridiculous had the Medellin drugs cartel tried to float on the LSE. Ridiculous maybe, but that didn't stop investors lapping them up. Predictably, the vendors and sponsors cleaned up, and once the US authorities decided to enforce the law, the investors lost their shirts.
Yesterday, PartyGaming settled all outstanding claims with the US Department of Justice by agreeing to pay a $105m fine. Unfortunately for the company, this doesn't allow it to resume taking bets in the United States, where online gaming remains illegal. But it does remove a big uncertainty, which ought in time to allow renewed access to equity and debt markets so the company can begin the process of consolidating this still-fragmented industry.
PartyGaming hopes it should also stand the company in good stead should the US decide to change the law and allow regulated online gaming.
This is not altogether impossible at some stage in the next few years. In the search for new sources of income, some of the big physical gaming groups in the US are dropping their objections to the genre. Some privately owned poker sites, such as Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars, still operate illegally in the US, and as a result have cleaned up in the online poker market.
But they take massive risks by doing so. Is a bright new future dawning for PartyGaming? Well, some sort of a future anyway. But it seems deeply unlikely this one-time FTSE 100 stock will ever again achieve the heroic valuation it was floated at when it still had the vast US market largely to itself. (Credit: The Independent)
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PartyGaming was the biggest of a slew of online betting sites that floated on the London stock market four or five years back. What made these IPOs odd, to put it mildly, was that they were based on a largely illegal activity – namely that online betting was against the law in its biggest market, the United States.
I exaggerate only a little, but it would scarcely have been more ridiculous had the Medellin drugs cartel tried to float on the LSE. Ridiculous maybe, but that didn't stop investors lapping them up. Predictably, the vendors and sponsors cleaned up, and once the US authorities decided to enforce the law, the investors lost their shirts.
Yesterday, PartyGaming settled all outstanding claims with the US Department of Justice by agreeing to pay a $105m fine. Unfortunately for the company, this doesn't allow it to resume taking bets in the United States, where online gaming remains illegal. But it does remove a big uncertainty, which ought in time to allow renewed access to equity and debt markets so the company can begin the process of consolidating this still-fragmented industry.
PartyGaming hopes it should also stand the company in good stead should the US decide to change the law and allow regulated online gaming.
This is not altogether impossible at some stage in the next few years. In the search for new sources of income, some of the big physical gaming groups in the US are dropping their objections to the genre. Some privately owned poker sites, such as Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars, still operate illegally in the US, and as a result have cleaned up in the online poker market.
But they take massive risks by doing so. Is a bright new future dawning for PartyGaming? Well, some sort of a future anyway. But it seems deeply unlikely this one-time FTSE 100 stock will ever again achieve the heroic valuation it was floated at when it still had the vast US market largely to itself. (Credit: The Independent)
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Tuesday, April 07, 2009
NetPlay Acquire Virgin Gaming product - 7th April 2009
Net Play TV are one of the largest television gaming brands in the world offering interactive and live games to thousands. Thy also own and operate internet casino and bingo sites including, supercasino.com and bingos.com.
The company have recently brought the Challenge Jackpot brand from Virgin Games for the price of £2 million. Net play will operate and manage the new TV channel which is aired 24/7 on Sky, Virgin Media and also on other channels such as Bravo.
Challenge Jackpot took a total of £14.5m bets in March and made a gross profit margin of around £500,000.
Martin Higginson NetPlay's chief executive, said: “The combination of the established Challenge Jackpot brand with our vision for converged gaming solutions will be a powerful force. From our perspective, it allows us to offer gaming services to a new set of customers, thus broadening our demographic reach considerably.”
Managing director of Virgin Media Television, Jonathan Webb, said in a statement, “I'm delighted that NetPlay TV will be building on the work of Two Way Gaming in establishing Challenge Jackpot in the market. NetPlay TV's expertise in convergent gaming fits with our ambition to totally integrate the gaming experience between internet, TV and mobile.”
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The company have recently brought the Challenge Jackpot brand from Virgin Games for the price of £2 million. Net play will operate and manage the new TV channel which is aired 24/7 on Sky, Virgin Media and also on other channels such as Bravo.
Challenge Jackpot took a total of £14.5m bets in March and made a gross profit margin of around £500,000.
Martin Higginson NetPlay's chief executive, said: “The combination of the established Challenge Jackpot brand with our vision for converged gaming solutions will be a powerful force. From our perspective, it allows us to offer gaming services to a new set of customers, thus broadening our demographic reach considerably.”
Managing director of Virgin Media Television, Jonathan Webb, said in a statement, “I'm delighted that NetPlay TV will be building on the work of Two Way Gaming in establishing Challenge Jackpot in the market. NetPlay TV's expertise in convergent gaming fits with our ambition to totally integrate the gaming experience between internet, TV and mobile.”
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PartyGaming agrees deal with US - 7th April 2009
PartyGaming has entered into a Non-Prosecution Agreement with the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
Under the terms of the Non-Prosecution Agreement, the USAO will not prosecute PartyGaming or any of its subsidiaries for providing internet gambling services to customers in the US prior to the enactment of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006.
As part of the agreement, the company has accepted a Statement of Facts regarding its business activities prior to the enactment of the UIGEA and has agreed to pay $105m, in semi-annual instalments over a period ending on September 30, 2012. Such payments will be made from the group’s existing financial resources.
“The agreement with the US authorities will be welcomed by the majority of those in the online industry as a break from the past with the opportunity now to move forward," said Warwick Bartlett, chief executive of Global Betting and Gaming Consultants.
“Some operators, however, will have misgivings. The admission of guilt is unlikely to rest easy with the 'Brit' companies who have traded from a country where gambling is entirely legal. As far as they are concerned, they have never done anything wrong.
“There is also a measure of hypocrisy at play - on the one hand the US has heaped a heavy fine on PartyGaming and yet sometime this year Congressman Frank will lay a Bill down that could lead to legalisation of online poker. So the sinners have been found guilty and redeemed, all in one year.
“The moot question is that after all of this will the UK-listed companies be granted US licences in the future? The US the land of the free? It is if you are American."
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Under the terms of the Non-Prosecution Agreement, the USAO will not prosecute PartyGaming or any of its subsidiaries for providing internet gambling services to customers in the US prior to the enactment of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006.
As part of the agreement, the company has accepted a Statement of Facts regarding its business activities prior to the enactment of the UIGEA and has agreed to pay $105m, in semi-annual instalments over a period ending on September 30, 2012. Such payments will be made from the group’s existing financial resources.
“The agreement with the US authorities will be welcomed by the majority of those in the online industry as a break from the past with the opportunity now to move forward," said Warwick Bartlett, chief executive of Global Betting and Gaming Consultants.
“Some operators, however, will have misgivings. The admission of guilt is unlikely to rest easy with the 'Brit' companies who have traded from a country where gambling is entirely legal. As far as they are concerned, they have never done anything wrong.
“There is also a measure of hypocrisy at play - on the one hand the US has heaped a heavy fine on PartyGaming and yet sometime this year Congressman Frank will lay a Bill down that could lead to legalisation of online poker. So the sinners have been found guilty and redeemed, all in one year.
“The moot question is that after all of this will the UK-listed companies be granted US licences in the future? The US the land of the free? It is if you are American."
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Saturday, April 04, 2009
Packer wins Cardiff casino bid, by Colin Kruger - The Sydney Morning Herald - 13th July 2005
Kerry Packer's foray into the British gambling market appears to be back on track with the announcement that his consortium has been chosen to operate a casino proposed as part of a £700 million ($1.64 billion) sports village project in Wales.
Cardiff Council in South Wales said that Aspers - a subsidiary of Mr Packer's joint venture with British casino operator Damian Aspinall - had been chosen to operate the proposed casino after a year-long tender process for which there were 11 applicants.
"This is an important step. The appointment of a casino operator will trigger a huge investment in the city," Cardiff Council leader Rodney Berman said.
The announcement is the first major development by Aspers since the watering-down earlier this year of proposed changes to UK gambling laws that were expected to liberalise the market.
British reports have estimated that the Cardiff casino will cost between £150 million and £200 million to develop.
The overall Cardiff project is expected to include two luxury hotels, a 4000-seat indoor arena, and bars and restaurants as well as a health and fitness centre.
"This will enable us to provide the most exciting sporting facilities in Europe right here in Cardiff Bay. The casino will be part of an entertainment complex with something for everyone," Mr Berman said.
The proposal is one of a number of developments on the cards for Mr Packer's private family vehicle, Consolidated Press Holdings, and the Aspinall family. These include a £50 million casino development in the British Midlands.
The partners expect to open their Newcastle complex, The Gate, this year, and Salubrious Place in Swansea as early as 2006.
"We'd just like to be a player in this market, and if it so happens that we end up being one of the biggest and the best, then all the better," CPH's Andrew MacDonald said last September.
All of the projects are being handled through the Aspinall Packer Group, which owns Aspers. It is understood that CPH has a 35 per cent stake in APG.
But the council has admitted there is no certainty that the Cardiff casino will go ahead.
The Packer/Aspinall consortium will join the council in lobbying the Welsh Government for the green light to build the casino.
The Packer family already has considerable gambling interests through its publicly listed Publishing & Broadcasting, which owns Crown Casino in Melbourne and Perth casino operator Burswood.
PBL has also announced investments in Macau as part of its joint venture with Stanley Ho's Melco International and it is pursuing other opportunities in Asia, including casinos in Singapore.
The UK venture has been in play for several years and stems back to Mr Packer's relationship with the late John Aspinall, who was credited with founding Britain's gambling industry in the 1960s with his Mayfair gaming club. His son Damian now runs the business that includes the Mayfair club and Aspinall's online casino. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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Cardiff Council in South Wales said that Aspers - a subsidiary of Mr Packer's joint venture with British casino operator Damian Aspinall - had been chosen to operate the proposed casino after a year-long tender process for which there were 11 applicants.
"This is an important step. The appointment of a casino operator will trigger a huge investment in the city," Cardiff Council leader Rodney Berman said.
The announcement is the first major development by Aspers since the watering-down earlier this year of proposed changes to UK gambling laws that were expected to liberalise the market.
British reports have estimated that the Cardiff casino will cost between £150 million and £200 million to develop.
The overall Cardiff project is expected to include two luxury hotels, a 4000-seat indoor arena, and bars and restaurants as well as a health and fitness centre.
"This will enable us to provide the most exciting sporting facilities in Europe right here in Cardiff Bay. The casino will be part of an entertainment complex with something for everyone," Mr Berman said.
The proposal is one of a number of developments on the cards for Mr Packer's private family vehicle, Consolidated Press Holdings, and the Aspinall family. These include a £50 million casino development in the British Midlands.
The partners expect to open their Newcastle complex, The Gate, this year, and Salubrious Place in Swansea as early as 2006.
"We'd just like to be a player in this market, and if it so happens that we end up being one of the biggest and the best, then all the better," CPH's Andrew MacDonald said last September.
All of the projects are being handled through the Aspinall Packer Group, which owns Aspers. It is understood that CPH has a 35 per cent stake in APG.
But the council has admitted there is no certainty that the Cardiff casino will go ahead.
The Packer/Aspinall consortium will join the council in lobbying the Welsh Government for the green light to build the casino.
The Packer family already has considerable gambling interests through its publicly listed Publishing & Broadcasting, which owns Crown Casino in Melbourne and Perth casino operator Burswood.
PBL has also announced investments in Macau as part of its joint venture with Stanley Ho's Melco International and it is pursuing other opportunities in Asia, including casinos in Singapore.
The UK venture has been in play for several years and stems back to Mr Packer's relationship with the late John Aspinall, who was credited with founding Britain's gambling industry in the 1960s with his Mayfair gaming club. His son Damian now runs the business that includes the Mayfair club and Aspinall's online casino. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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Friday, April 03, 2009
William Hill launches experiential campaign ahead of Grand National - Marketing Magazine - 3rd April 2009
LONDON - William Hill, the UK's largest high street bookmaker, is running an in-shop and experiential drive ahead of the 2009 Grand National which takes place on 4 April.
William Hill's retail agency, Billington Cartmell, has devised ‘hit squad' activity for key areas of London, with promotional staff targeting tube and train stations, offices and local businesses, encouraging them to run office sweepstakes and bet with William Hill.
The will also be Grand National posters the bookmaker's 2300 outlets throughout the UK and Ireland.
The agency has also created an advertorial in Sport magazine, raising awareness of running office sweepstake with William Hill. (Credit: Marketing Magazine)
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William Hill's retail agency, Billington Cartmell, has devised ‘hit squad' activity for key areas of London, with promotional staff targeting tube and train stations, offices and local businesses, encouraging them to run office sweepstakes and bet with William Hill.
The will also be Grand National posters the bookmaker's 2300 outlets throughout the UK and Ireland.
The agency has also created an advertorial in Sport magazine, raising awareness of running office sweepstake with William Hill. (Credit: Marketing Magazine)
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William Hill in deal with Playtech to expand online gaming operation, by James Thompson - The Independent - 21st October 2008
The bookmaker William Hill is acquiring parts of Playtech, the software maker, to create Europe's biggest online gaming and sports betting company.
The revelation came as William Hill said the deteriorating consumer downturn had not yet hit its recent growth, which has been boosted by Hull City's surprisingly strong start to the Premier League football season.
William Hill is acquiring an affiliate marketing business, customer services operation, gaming brands and websites from Playtech, the online gaming software provider listed on the Alternative Investment market. The bookmaker has also signed a five-year software licence agreement with Playtech for poker and casino, with the option to move into other product areas.
Ralph Topping, William Hill's chief executive, described the "deferred acquisition" as a "transformational step". He added: "It makes us Europe's number one [online] sports and gaming provider measured by profitability."
The combination of its current operations with Playtech's assets will create a new entity, William Hill Online, which William Hill will control and operate as a subsidiary.
For the year to 31 December 2008, on a pro forma basis, William Hill Online is expected to deliver net revenues of £190m and earnings before interest, tax and amortisation of £75m. William Hill is giving Playtech a 29 per cent stake in William Hill Online, but the bookmaker has an option to acquire its shareholding in four to six years' time.
For the 15 weeks ending 14 October, William Hill posted a 9 per cent uplift in total gross wins, the difference between the amount it has won and punters have lost. The overall performance was boosted by an over-the-counter 7 per cent increase in gross wins, largely driven by favourable sporting results.
Mr Topping said that it had made a killing on recent wins by Hull City, who are third in the Premier League, over Arsenal, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur. He added: "We will perhaps be hit [by the consumer downturn] at some time, but I don't think it will be in 2008."
As of September 2008, William Hill's net debt was £1,031.5m, a reduction of £27.4m from the position on 1 July 2008. Shares in William Hill rose by 14 per cent, or 23p, to 189.5p, one of its steepest gains in six years.
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The revelation came as William Hill said the deteriorating consumer downturn had not yet hit its recent growth, which has been boosted by Hull City's surprisingly strong start to the Premier League football season.
William Hill is acquiring an affiliate marketing business, customer services operation, gaming brands and websites from Playtech, the online gaming software provider listed on the Alternative Investment market. The bookmaker has also signed a five-year software licence agreement with Playtech for poker and casino, with the option to move into other product areas.
Ralph Topping, William Hill's chief executive, described the "deferred acquisition" as a "transformational step". He added: "It makes us Europe's number one [online] sports and gaming provider measured by profitability."
The combination of its current operations with Playtech's assets will create a new entity, William Hill Online, which William Hill will control and operate as a subsidiary.
For the year to 31 December 2008, on a pro forma basis, William Hill Online is expected to deliver net revenues of £190m and earnings before interest, tax and amortisation of £75m. William Hill is giving Playtech a 29 per cent stake in William Hill Online, but the bookmaker has an option to acquire its shareholding in four to six years' time.
For the 15 weeks ending 14 October, William Hill posted a 9 per cent uplift in total gross wins, the difference between the amount it has won and punters have lost. The overall performance was boosted by an over-the-counter 7 per cent increase in gross wins, largely driven by favourable sporting results.
Mr Topping said that it had made a killing on recent wins by Hull City, who are third in the Premier League, over Arsenal, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur. He added: "We will perhaps be hit [by the consumer downturn] at some time, but I don't think it will be in 2008."
As of September 2008, William Hill's net debt was £1,031.5m, a reduction of £27.4m from the position on 1 July 2008. Shares in William Hill rose by 14 per cent, or 23p, to 189.5p, one of its steepest gains in six years.
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Wednesday, April 01, 2009
More iGaming Ads Banned in U.K.
Online bingo advertisements allegedly "appeal to children", per Advertising Standards Authority
April 1, 2009 (CAP Newswire) -- Continuing to dictate the supposed moral authority of the United Kingdom at the expense of Internet business, the U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ordered Tombola Bingo to remove two of its advertisements from circulation, a number of media sources have reported this week.
According to Bingo.org, the popular bingo site is under orders to remove its ads because of complaints issued by just one citizen -- a situation that, while seemingly unfair, is sadly not unique regarding the ASA.
“ASA maintained that the Tombola Bingo ads, which featured a funfair scene and roller coaster ride, as well as a hot air balloon and a battleship, appealed to children and youngsters and therefore went against the regulations set in place by the UK Gambling Commission,” states the article.
Tombola Bingo is arguing that the ads simply reflect its new bingo game offerings, with a fun attitude that “acted as a metaphor for the online bingo experience and which would attract new bingo players but not attract a younger audience”.
Unfortunately, that argument is not likely to sway the staunchly authoritarian ASA.
Read the original report at Bingo.org here
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April 1, 2009 (CAP Newswire) -- Continuing to dictate the supposed moral authority of the United Kingdom at the expense of Internet business, the U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ordered Tombola Bingo to remove two of its advertisements from circulation, a number of media sources have reported this week.
According to Bingo.org, the popular bingo site is under orders to remove its ads because of complaints issued by just one citizen -- a situation that, while seemingly unfair, is sadly not unique regarding the ASA.
“ASA maintained that the Tombola Bingo ads, which featured a funfair scene and roller coaster ride, as well as a hot air balloon and a battleship, appealed to children and youngsters and therefore went against the regulations set in place by the UK Gambling Commission,” states the article.
Tombola Bingo is arguing that the ads simply reflect its new bingo game offerings, with a fun attitude that “acted as a metaphor for the online bingo experience and which would attract new bingo players but not attract a younger audience”.
Unfortunately, that argument is not likely to sway the staunchly authoritarian ASA.
Read the original report at Bingo.org here
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