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MONEY GAMING PLANS MAJOR LAUNCH
GBP 1 million budget for skill games site
Following our earlier InfoPowa report, further detail on the British skill gaming start-up The Money Gaming Corporation is now available, including the revelation that the company is to spend GBP 1 million on advertising its site when it launches in the near future. MoneyGaming.com says it is planning a print media and online campaign for what it claims is the first “high stakes” skill gaming site, with an outdoor campaign due in the autumn. The firm said international campaigns will follow, with specific attention paid to North America, Europe and the Far East. “We plan to invest a significant amount in marketing over the coming years and have already achieved 150,000 pre-launch sign-ups,” Marc Shine, MGC head of marketing, said. The company faces will have to fight off fierce competition in the burgeoning skill gaming sector from companies such as WorldWinner, Midas Player, Gaming Account and FUN Technologies, which all have deals with major online portals and gaming operators. MoneyGaming said it will shortly release details of significant strategic partnerships with a number of household brands.
The firm uses proprietary software, which it said was developed at a cost of over GBP 10 million.
US CUSTOMS DETAIN CASINO PAYMENT
But it appears that these officials are on thin ice
The week saw the intervention of U.S.Customs in an intriguing case that has yet to be fully explained. A well established and reputable online casino group based outside of the USA sent $25 000 worth of legitimate cheques on an American bank to a winning US player. What happened next is not easy to understand, but somehow the Customs confiscated the Fedex letter containing the cheques, apparently opened this private mail and then claimed that the cheques were "counterfeit." Despite vigorous protests from the player, and confident assertions from the casino that the cheques were perfectly valid and legitimate, officialdom refused to release either cheques or correspondence. As we went to press, the player had engaged legal representation to find out why Customs were alleging the cheques were counterfeit, and under what authority her private mail had been opened. The denouement in this incident will be followed with interest.
NEW E-GAMING RULES FOR GIBRALTAR?
Consultative process has already begun
Following a similar revamp of online gambling legislation and regulations in the Isle of Man regulatory jurisdiction last year, it appears that Gibraltar has started an initiative to overhaul its requirements. Reports from the territory indicate that the authorities have started consulting with interested parties over a proposed radical overhaul of its gambling regulations. The new proposals seek to update the existing gambling legislation to better deal with the growing number of online gambling companies that submit to Gibraltar's regulation. The rocky peninsular at the entrance to the Mediterranean is home to some of the largest firms in the e-gaming industry, including PartyGaming and Cassava Enterprises, the parent company of 888.com. Gibraltar is the only non-EU country to date to be told it will be allowed to advertise freely in the UK following the introduction of the new Gambling Act, and sources close to the British government's DCMS have apparently hinted that it would favourably view a move by Gibraltar to bring its regulations more in line with new UK law. One of the key aspects of the proposed law is the requirement for all e-gaming firms in Gibraltar to apply for a remote gaming licence. The conditions of the remote gaming licence will require operators to comply with rules governing age verification, social responsibility and software testing. Other sections of the proposed law are aimed at increasing disclosure requirements for licence holders.
UNSTOPPABLE!
US legislators should regulate rather than try to stop the unstoppable
The international news network CNN carried a substantial article on gambling generally this week, but what caught our eye was some final comments on the online gaming phenomenon. The piece quoted American Gaming Association statistics on Internet gambling as more than 2000 Web sites in an industry that has grown from zero in 1995 to a more than $6 billion industry today, with anticipated further growth to $16 billion by 2009.
"Internet gambling has become a substantial phenomenon in the gaming industry space," said Las Vegas attorney Anthony Cabot, a specialist in gaming law. Online gambling sites, he said, "show the power of the Internet to both create and carry a gaming trend." But, CNN observes, the laws on this form of gambling in the United States are still somewhat murky. "Internet gambling on horse racing is legal; sports wagering on the Internet is probably illegal; and the rest of it: There's no federal law that addresses it," said Cabot. Cabot said even if there is state or federal legislation aimed at restricting or controlling online wagering, it will continue to grow.
"There are always going to be workarounds," he said. "Legislators will have a hard time ever stopping online gaming. In fact, it will probably be impossible to stop online gaming."
ONLINE CASINO ASSISTS AIDS/HIV CHARITY
Unique Versace MINI bought on eBay by Crystal Palace
Counter measures for the AIDS/HIV pandemic will receive a boost to finances of Euros 120 150 soon following a charity auction in which a Versace-inspired MINI Cabriolet was put up for auction on eBay. Crystal Palace Casino.com paid a record 120,150 Euros (US$145,000) this week for the vehicle, breaking all previous bidding records at online auction site Ebay. Fierce bidding for the MINI, which started at 1 Euro, reached the winning bid within 40 hours of Ebay opening the auction. The unique Versace design and the fact that all proceeds are destined HIV/AIDS charities, combined to generate huge worldwide interest in the event. Life Ball, one of Europe’s leading HIV/AIDS fundraisers, organised the online auction in conjunction with MINI, which has been supporting the charity for the past five years. Leading Italian fashion house Versace, under the guidance of its chief-designer Donatella Versace, designed the convertible in its signature black and yellow “baroque” print. Other unique features of the car include a Swarovski crystal Medusa gearshift and leather seats embossed with the Versace logo. Life Ball hosts one of Europe’s largest annual charity events. The venue for this year’s ball, held in May, was Vienna, Austria. All funds raised by Life Ball go to AIDS Life and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. According to the general manager of the online casino, Tony Cruise, Crystal Palace is dedicated to assisting various charitable organisations as part of an ongoing commitment to give something back to the community wherever possible.
“Over the years we have donated substantial amounts to many charities, particularly those demonstrating a commitment to either medical research or those assisting people suffering from serious medical conditions. This year we felt that contributing to the fight against AIDS was especially important given the huge numbers of people across the world who suffer from this debilitating disease” Cruise said.
Cruise revealed that his company is considering making a donation of the unique Versace vehicle to another charitable organisation in order to raise even further funds for much-needed medical research purposes.
TRIDENT GROUP LAUNCHES LATEST GAMES
A unique and generous bonus concept, and great slots now available
Trident group online casinos King Neptunes Casino.com and Trident Lounge Casino.com are among the first to launch the latest game releases from Microgaming. The games include an innovative and original new 4-element bonusing package branded Golden Goose. Trident spokesman Scott Gaines says that players with a penchant for big, new, exciting slots and rewarding bonuses will find both in the unique bonus program on two brand new, 5 reel, 20 payline video slots now available at the casinos under the titles Totem Treasure and Winning Wizards. Golden Goose is unequalled in Internet slot playing and offers a series of amusing and easy-to-use features activated by the player for a small additional wager. In the colourful bonusing screens, a comical animated Golden Goose guides players through the following games-within-games, providing opportunities to substantially increase the entertainment value...and the rewards for players: Random Credits:In this bonus game an hysterical Golden Goose awards random coins up to the value of 200 coins multiplied by the line bet when the bonus game was initiated. Pick X of Y on screen:Here players select a golden egg from each reel on the screen that has been “laid” by the goose to win an accumulated number of coins up to the value of 500 coins multiplied by the line bet when the bonus game was initiated. Money or the Egg:This is a chance to choose between selecting the money and winning up to 1000 coins multiplied by the line bet when the bonus game was initiated or selecting the egg and winning up to a hugely appealing 50 Free Spins with up to 3x free spin multiplier. Pick a Card:Select from a number of face back cards to decide the number of free spins and the multiplier to be awarded. It's possible to win up to 11 Free Spins at up to 6x multiplier. The first video slots to carry this thrilling new option are brand new, typically "big" themed games from the Microgaming studios. On Winning Wizards players can win up $20 000 by hitting the base game jackpot alone, and with free spins and other exciting elements that can soar to $120 000. The game operates on a Viper-based 5 reel, 20 payline platform with Wild and Scatter features. represented by his crystal ball and a hopefully rosy future. Carrying the theme is a vibrant graphic presentation of colourful bejewelled sceptres, magical rings, mysterious gem stealing ravens, and even a Book of Spells. The game continually presents pleasant surprises and a variety of opportunities to improve winnings and have fun doing so. Totem Treasures is another out-of-the-box new 5 reel, 20 payline video slot featuring the Golden Goose Bonus program. The theme here is totally different, although the characteristics of this game closely follow those for Winning Wizards, with richer rewards - a maximum jackpot of $24 000 on the base game, with free spins rising to $144 000. The theme is completely original, and reflects the proud heritage of the North American Indian, depicted through instantly recognisable icons rendered in bright colours and pin-sharp graphics. Dream-catchers, peacepipes and wigwams give a unique feel to this outstanding game, where the tribal drum heralds Scatters, and the beautiful squaw is Wild! The latest games releases are rounded off with a new 50 Play Power Poker video poker variant called Joker Poker, and a 3 reel, 1 payline slot with a jet fighter theme timed to coincide with the release of a major movie on military aviation due out in July and branded Sonic Boom
A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT?
Malaysian judge denies UK gambling order
Grabbing headlines in many publications this week was the story of a court ruling in Malaysia that could set a dangerous precedent in regard to international gambling debt recovery in that country. A Malaysian court in Kuala Lumpur quashed a London land casino’s bid to recover a gambling debt of more than 7 million ringgit (Euro 1.47 million) accrued by a senior politician in the country’s ruling party. Osu Sukam, a former chief minister of Sabah state, chalked up the debt when the Ritz Hotel Casino in London allowed him to gamble on credit. The casino later obtained a judgment from a British court to recover the debt. Subsequently, the casino applied to a Malaysian court to enforce the British court order on Osu.
But Malaysia’s High Court Judge Ian Chin in his judgment said the British court order cannot be enforced in Malaysia, saying, “Malaysians must be protected from being enticed to gamble on credit.” “The only way to discourage this entrapment is to prevent such foreign judgment founded on gambling on credit from being registered and from being enforceable in Malaysia,” Chin said in his judgment published on the court website. “What is offensive and totally unfair is for the casino to allow someone to gamble on credit in order to make him lose not only his pants, but the livelihood of his wife and children as in this case,” Chin said. The recalcitrant gambler did not escape unscathed, however. Chin also had some harsh words for him, saying the former chief minister, who is a Muslim, did not deserve to be awarded costs for the hearing as he had engaged in an activity his religion frowned upon.” As InfoPowa went to press further reports indicated that
Ritz Hotel Casino Ltd and R.H.C Ltd have 30 days to appeal against the decision.
A Kuala Lumpur-based lawyer for the two companies, Rueben Mathiavaranam, said he had informed his clients of the court’s decision. “It is now up to them to decide if they still want to pursue the matter in the Court of Appeal,” he said.
GAMING CLUB POKER LAUNCHES NEW WEBCAST
"On the Felt" broadcasts live from WSOP to members
The Gaming Club Online Poker Room launched a new live online radio show called 'On The Felt' this week, created especially for poker players. 'On the Felt' is the first webcast to broadcast live from the World Series of Poker Lifestyle Show at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino during the 2005 tournament in Las Vegas through to the finals on the 15th July. Reports will be exclusively available on The Gaming Club's poker website. 'On the Felt,' is hosted by Mark Arum, a poker player and radio personality and will keep listeners up to date with fast-paced and lively discussions about everything that is happening at the tournament from the hottest players and biggest hands to the biggest bad beats. Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, players and fans can listen to tournament updates from their computer while improving their poker skills
BRIT TRADE ASSOCIATIONS TEAM UP
Strength in unity of purpose the goal
The Association of Remote Gambling Operators (ARGO) and the interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association (iGGBA) have agreed to merge to create the Remote Gambling Association (RGA). Representing some of the largest and best known remote gambling companies, the RGA will combine the strengths of the two trade associations to provide the industry with a single voice on all issues of importance to regulators, legislators, and other key decision makers. The need to have a clear focus has never been greater as this newer form of gambling establishes itself as a legitimate mainstream leisure activity. Membership will be open to all operators and software suppliers who are licensed and operational in the EC countries, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. “The Remote Gambling Association is a result of the goodwill of two organisations who felt that the industry would be better served with a single voice,” Ian Spearing, Chairman of ARGO and Group Director of William Hill, commented. The RGA will be led by Chief Executive, Clive Hawkswood, who is currently General Secretary of ARGO. The Association is to become operational on the 1st August 2005
BIG MONEY IN PRIMA POKER'S MONTE CARLO MILLIONS
And three new poker rooms join the network
The Prima Poker Network powered by Microgaming guaranteed the largest prize pool in European poker tournament history this week with the announcement that its Monte Carlo Millions tournament will offer a US$3 million prize pool with US$1 million designated for the champion. Poker's best and brightest players will fill the 120 seats available at the luxurious Sporting d'Hiver in Monte Carlo, Monaco from November 20-23 this year. The tournament attracts top professional, celebrity and online players from around the world by bringing together the enchantment of the French Riviera, the extravagance of Monte-Carlo and the excitement of poker. In 2004, the Monte Carlo Millions played host to such poker idols as Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Dave Ulliot, Chris Ferguson, Phil Laak, Tony Bloom, Mel Judah, and The Hendon Mob. Seats at the Monte Carlo Millions are acquired in only one of two ways: by personal invitation from world-renowned Tournament Director, Matt Savage, or by winning a satellite tournament. The online tournaments are available now on Prima's network of card rooms through Monte Carlo Millions.com. Prima also announced the addition of three new card rooms, bringing the number of card rooms on the network to 39: BoylesportsPoker.com, an independent betting and gaming company from Ireland; 24poker.com; and Purple-Lounge.com. These card rooms represent growing interest in poker from the online sports betting, entertainment, and technology sectors, which seek to take part in the $10 billion online poker industry. Prima Network staffers were busy this week showcasing the power of network poker to interested parties at The Wynn in Las Vegas, during the World Series of Poker. In their presentations, Prima explained that many start-up card rooms struggle to obtain a critical mass of players to guarantee 24-hour action. The Prima Network instantly provides new operators with everything required to launch a successful card room including: top online poker software, thousands of online players from day one, superior marketing support, the largest variety of poker games for all levels of play, and some of the largest weekly prize pools on the Net.
PLAYBOY TO MARKET MONEYMAKER POKER-WARE
World champion poker player signs a strong partner
Playboy Enterprises and the company of former world poker champion Chris Moneymaker, Moneymaker Gaming have teamed up to create a co- branded poker product. Moneymaker, who became an overnight sensation after turning $40 into $2.5 million at the World Series of Poker, launched Moneymaker Gaming earlier this year to make and market an upmarket collection of poker tools that includes poker chips, poker chip sets, poker tables, poker collectibles, and accessories. "Poker is a logical brand extension for Playboy, and Moneymaker Gaming is a natural partner," says Sarah Haney, Director of Entertainment Licensing for Playboy. "Poker legend Chris Moneymaker becoming an overnight success reflects the aspirational Playboy lifestyle." Moneymaker Gaming will showcase the products at the WSOP Lifestyle Show this week and MAGIC Las Vegas in August 2005. The initial product line will include a signature poker chip set and high-end poker table, retailing at PlayboyStore.com, MoneymakerGaming.com, and the Playboy Concept Boutique, Las Vegas. Pokerware is apparently the "in" thing at WSOP this year, with all manner of memorabilia available in Vegas.
POKER REPORTERS IN TV TOURNAMENT
Media men slug it out on SkyTV
British based Pokerzone came up with an original way to get widespread mainstream media publicity for televised poker with "Media 25 Hundred" last month (June) The gambling channel put together a tournament for top journalists in the British print media and achieved major coverage- so much so that plans are in train to extend the concept. After a gruelling 4 hours at the table, Ben Beasley-Murray, freelance journalist for The Times, took home GBP 2,500 in prize money and the bragging rights as the best poker player in print, from the Pokerzone ‘Media 25 Hundred’. Lee McCreery, of News of the World, and Simon Young, of The Sun, gave Ben a run for his money but were overcome by Ben’s poker prowess, and ‘cunning strategy,’ and finished in second and third places respectively. ‘Media 25 Hundred’ was filmed at the Pokerzone studios in London and was aired at 7:00pm GMT, July 1 on Sky Channel 226. Other journalists in the media poker tournament were FHM’s Mike Peake, Lads Mag’s Mark Tate, David Flusfeder, a freelance journalist for the Financial Times, Oliver Irish, editor of Stuff, Nils Pratley from The Guardian, and poker veteran and journalist Matt Born. Jim Sibcy, Pokerzone m.d. said, “The journalists all possessed sharp poker skills, and there could be some budding professional poker players amongst here! Their strategic play made for an impressive game and I am sure they will be very interested to watch the end result on Pokerzone.” The media poker tournament was such a hit with the print journalists that plans are in the pipeline for another one for the broadcast media. Pokerzone is now looking for broadcasters with a poker passion. “We are planning a second ‘Media 25 Hundred’ as we would like to give the radio and television media the chance to test their card skills,” said Sibcy. “We might then hold a ‘Best of the Best’ tournament with the top print and broadcast media competing for a bigger cash prize!” Officially launched on May 18, Pokerzone offers a selection of modern and exciting poker and casino lifestyle entertainment to more than 8 million digital TV homes and global broadband subscribers.
COOL CASINOS No-download online casino Mansion.com, based and licensed in Gibraltar and owned by an established sportsbook launched this week.
The casino offers 23 popular casino games including Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Jackpot Stud and Hold’em Poker, Video Poker and Slots, together with what are claimed to be innovative ‘Mansion exclusive’ features such as random jackpots on all slot machines and the only online roulette that allows the player to switch between standard and advanced bet types on one table.
It's farewell to Casino Craze.com and it's stablemate Fast Poker.com (both powered by Boss Media) this week, according to letters sent to players by the management. The letters inform players and affiliates that these operations, which have only been online since October last year will be closing within the next few weeks.
Customer Support will remain open to ensure that all players receive their monies in full, and the management are in discussions with several casinos and poker rooms to offer the players an easy alternative, should they not wish to withdraw their money immediately.
All affiliates will be paid up until the end, when this casino/poker room will be closed.
Casino Craze and Fast Poker are owned by a British Virgin Isles-registered company called Penny Lane Holdings.
GAMING CORPORATION EARNINGS UP ON NEW ACQUISITIONS
GBP 105 000 net income from Gambling.com in first month under new owners
London-based Gaming Corporation is already reaping the rewards of its recent Internet gambling acquisitions (see earlier InfoPowa reports) it appears. CEO Justin Drummond has revealed that in its first month under GC's control Gambling.com produced a pleasing GBP 105 000 in net income. Gaming Corporation bought leading portal Got2Bet and Gambling.com earlier this year and has continued its acquisition strategy with the purchase of its largest affiliate site, Casino.ie, for GBP 60,000 recently. Drummond said it marked the start of the firm’s expansion into the Euro-zone, and that he expected the already strongly performing site to benefit from being brought into the Gaming Corporation group. “We believe Casino.ie can be significantly improved upon when the marketing and promotional expertise we possess is brought to bear,” Drummond said. "We will convert the website, currently transacting in sterling, into a euro denominated site and will use Casino.ie to form the basis for our expansion into Europe and the euro zone." Gaming Corporation has also reported strong growth in its recently launched mobile casino product, which is operated in association with the UK network operator Orange, recording over a thousand registered players in the first few weeks of operation, despite the limited “soft” launching.
Future plans also include adding new proprietary gaming sites in addition to its Boss Media-powered online casino. Drummond says that his company is in negotiations with software suppliers “...with a view to increasing margins and the range of gaming products” it offers.
BRACELETS GALORE
Event 31 gathers a world record number of bracelet winners...and Brunson takes the pot!
Event 31 of the 2005 WSOP - the $5,000 shorthanded No Limit Hold Em was a world record occasion at the finish this week as the 6 seat, star-filled table counted no fewer than 18 previous WSOP bracelets - an average of three to a player. And the spectators were also anticipating that veteran Doyle Brunson might be up for his record tenth WSOP bracelet if he could take this one, matching Johnny Chan's record. Facing off against each other were Doyle Brunson, Layne Flack, Minh Ly, Scotty Nguyen and Jason Lester. In a typically exciting WSOP game, it came down to Brunson and Minh Ly, the former with a significant stack advantage that enabled him to take the game, $367 800 in prizemoney...and that tenth bracelet. Minh Ly put up a good fight and took home second prize of $203 715.
PARTY GAMING TO RELAUNCH ONLINE CASINO OPERATION
Look out for PartyCasino early next year
PartyGaming chief exec Richard Segal has revealed that the giant poker group, which last month entered the London Stock Exchange with a highly successful IPO, is to re-launch its casino operations early in 2006. The new branding will be PartyCasino, and on the financial side it will be using a shared wallet with the massive PartyPoker.com site. Extensive cross-marketing possibilities are seen and will be fully exploited. PartyGaming's current casino brand StarLuckCasino contributed around 8 percent of the group revenues in the year ending December 2004, and Segal admits the casino side of the business had been neglected until now. “The group has had such spectacular growth in its poker room the focus has been on poker so far,” Segal said. “Going forward there are now (Party Gaming) people 100 percent focused on casino with the resources to take the business forward. We will start leveraging the very significant brand values of Party Poker to our casino offering,” he added. Segal said he was not concerned at reports of slowing growth rates in the online casino industry, and opined, “I think there is a lot of growth left in that sector." “Our casino business has grown fairly materially over the past couple of years, despite the fact it has been a neglected part of PartyGaming.”
PARTY GAMING HITS 154.7 PENCE A SHARE
But eased on profit taking to 144 pence as markets closed last week
PartyGaming's market capitalisation rose to US$10.2 billion after a lucrative start to trading in its shares on the London Stock Exchange last week. Institutional investors were keen to buy in a four day lead over the general public, but the firm’s valuation took another leap when trading was opened up on Thursday. Shares opened on 116 pence and climbed as high as 154.7 pence before closing on 144 pence on Friday 1 July, a rise of almost 25 percent. The share has traded at quieter levels this week. Party’s largest shareholder, its operations director Anurag Dikshit, saw his remaining stake rise above US$3 billion. Similarly the combined shareholding of founder Ruth Parasol and her husband Russ DeLeon is now worth US$3.11billion. And Vikrant Bhargava, PartyGaming’s director of marketing widely credited with spearheading the success of the PartyPoker site, saw his stake rise to US$0.92 billion. The successful listing helped to revive Empire Online shares, too. The parent company of the largest skin in the PartyPoker network saw its share price finish the week 5 percent above its listing price. Empire had suffered a dip in share prices last week in the wake of negative media coverage of PartyGaming in the run up to its IPO.
HIDDEN MESSAGE FROM POKER ROOM.COM
New advertising technique is both entertaining and intriguing
One of the largest online poker groups on the Internet, Poker Room, has become the first to use a new, patented advertising technique through the Spotted Dog agency. The objective is to dramatically improve Poker Room's market share, and the company expects their insert in the June issue of Bluff Magazine, the most widely distributed poker publication with over 200,000 in circulation, to deliver as many as 20,000 new registrations. Webdecoder is a patented process that allows an advertiser to encrypt a message into a transparent material, and then use a postcard, or players card...to contain the message for delivery to the target audience using mass media. PokerRoom.com is using the new technique in the June issue of Bluff magazine, the material contained in the cut-out shaped like an "Ace" is the encrypted message. The recipient of the postcard is prompted to go to the advertiser's website and register, before being shown a webpage that has a specific matching .gif. The clever bit is that when the recipient actually places the Webdecoder post or players card over his computer screen, the hidden message is revealed - a novel and attention-grabbing concept. The recipient is then guided through final steps to take action...or receive a generous reward. From an advertising perspective the technique has another advantage, because it is truly trackable online. With over 250 online poker rooms vying for a share of the approximately 3 million new online players expected to join the current 10 million registered people playing poker online in 2005, innovative marketing using new technology could make a big difference.
Industry statistics indicate over 70 percent of all poker players are from the United States. Bluff Magazine’s dominant distribution throughout North America made it a logical choice for PokerRoom.com as the delivery vehicle for the WebDecoder insert.
“As a magazine bound-in insert, it stands out in a sea of ads that blend together in a crowded space. It’s also the only print product we know of that drives the respondents directly to the advertiser's website, providing complete and accurate response data”, says James Matuszewski, Business Development Manager at Spotted Dog Media.
TOURNAMENT ACROSS ONLINE POKER ROOMS STARTS
$100 000 in prize money
The Online Series of Poker (see earlier InfoPowa reports) tournament swung into action this week - the first time in online gaming that a tournament has been held across multiple independent online poker rooms. Poker players worldwide now have the opportunity to win a share of $100,000 in free prize money by qualifying through online tournaments at participating internet poker rooms. To date, Greg Langford of Canada and Todd Ivanhoe of the USA have won their tournaments at Party Poker and William Hill and James Campbell of the USA has won his place through Ultimate Bet. They will soon be joined by six other tournament winners at the final Championship Event in October. Three other poker rooms in the event, Absolute Poker, PokerRoom and Golden Palace Poker, will each host two tournaments in the coming weeks. One will require a $100 buy-in plus a $9 fee, while the other will have a $250 buy-in and $20 fee. Participating poker rooms are running daily satellites offering entry into an OSOP Main Event and players can earn a seat in an OSOP tournament for as little as $10 via these satellites. The winner of each tournament will be awarded, in addition to the prize money from the tournament itself, a seat at the Online Series of Poker $100,000 Championship, to be held on October 8, 2005, at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. The prize package will also include roundtrip airfare from anywhere in the world, airport transfers, accommodations at the Trump Taj Mahal hotel, and meal vouchers. The winner of the Championship will take home $30,000, but even the tenth place winner will receive $5,000. All players who register at the OSOP website will be eligible for the OSOP Leader Board, sponsored by online payment solutions provider Citadel Commerce. The top six money leaders across all ten events will receive cash prizes, ranging from $3,000 to $500.
WPT CHARITY AUCTION
Doing fine things with the final table bling
Kudos to Steve Lipscomb's World Poker Tour for doing something useful and admirable with the souvenirs from the Final Table of their global championship this year. WPT is offering player autographed cards and chips from the season three WPT World Championship on eBay this week. The autographed cards and chips from the Final Table will be offered in an attractive frame, along with photographs of the players, all authenticated and registered by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). All proceeds of the auction will go to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Offered at auction on eBay will be: Framed Set – Season III WPT World Championship Final Hand Cards. A complete set of cards featuring all five community cards and the two sets of hole cards of the top two finishers. Both players from the Final Table have signed the community cards and each of them have individually autographed their specific hole cards. All cards are framed together along with photos of the two top finishing players. More than 452 players turned out for the nearly $11 million WPT World Championship at the Bellagio, which awarded a record WPT first prize of $2.8 million. Framed Set – Season III WPT World Championship Final Table Players Autographed WPT Chips. This features one chip signed by each of the Final Table players along with a photograph of the Final Table competitors. Framed and Autographed 32" by 79" Table Felt from the Season III WPT World Championship. Features signature of the two Final Table heads-up competitors.
Additionally, the WPT will place up for auction a selection of other sought-after collectibles signed by the top personalities connected with the Tour such as the Ace card signed by Daniel Negreanu (four available) and the King and Queen cards signed by Mike Sexton (two available) and other personalities including Shana Hiatt.
A GOOD MISTAKE
One of this year's WSOP contestants got there by happy accident...
The World Series of Poker enters what is probably its most exciting phase this week on the run-up to the really big championship events, and one player on his way to Vegas is thankful that he screwed up on entering what he thought was a $10 satellite tournament. Robert Guinther (65) will compete with some of the top players in the world thanks to his error, because he thought he was entering a $10 online poker tournament when in reality he had mistakenly entered a $100 WSOP satellite event.
He went on to win, earning a spot in a $10,000 buy-in, no-limit tournament at the WSOP later this week, when he will go up against 6,600 other players who qualified or paid the expensive buy-in for the chance to win significant prizes from a prize chest believed to be some $6.5 million this year....and of course one of those famous first place WSOP bracelets.
FOLLOWING WSOP
Will Hill has arranged daily reportage
Poker heads anxious to stay in touch with the exciting developments of the World Series of Poker championships at the Rio in Vegas have a new service from July 4 at their convenience. Poker 425 will provide a daily news summary from poker expert Tony Kendell who will be reporting live from the event. Poker fans will be able to access the daily news bulletin from the Poker425.com website, which will include images and streaming video. Complementing this facility is a live update forum, and video footage of the tournament will also be shown on Poker425 Sky channel from 11pm on July 6th, 13th and 20th. Dan Taylor of UK betting giant William Hill explains: “The World Series of Poker is the biggest event in the poker calendar with players competing for a share of a $6 million prize chest. "We know from the response we have had to Poker425’s coverage of the sport that poker fans wanted to be kept up-to-date with the high pressure action, so Poker425 is offering fans the chance to follow the tournament from start to finish, keeping a close eye on the progress of the top players and the leading British and European contestants”. The World Series of Poker is the premier event in the poker world, with 6,500 of the world’s best players each staking $10,000 for the opportunity to win a chunk of the $6 million prize money.
POKER ROOM CELLPHONE GAMES MAKING NEWS
US media features the new mobile gaming service
Poker Room.com seemed to be picking up a gratifying amount of free news publicity in the USA last week. Typical of the editorial coverage the Swedish company was reaping was a report in Local 6 News which was given a massive added boost by appearing on the Yahoo site. The article reported that Poker Room's Internet capable cell phone technology is putting casino-style gaming in U.S. gamblers' pockets, allowing real money wagering from anywhere they can get a phone signal. While Americans have long been able to download casino-style cell phone games for fun, the Web site Poker Room.com has introduced a service that allows players to wager real money and gamble against live players. "At this point, we only offer Texas Hold 'Em poker and slot machines," Pokerroom.com spokeswoman Ira Gladnikoff is quoted as saying in the piece. "With the new service, players can bet between 50 cents and $300 a hand." Gladnikoff explained that if a player loses a phone connection while betting, the person is allowed 30 seconds to reconnect. "If you don't reconnect during the 30 seconds, your hand will automatically fold," she said. "It's the casino in your pocket," CNET's Brian Cooley said, "Cell phones are personal, gambling is personal. They go together in consumer's minds. It's the next big thing." It is estimated by 2009, Americans will dial up close to $20 billion in gaming business. Not everyone is happy with the concept of cellphone gambling. The federal government wants to stop online gambling, and the National Council on Problem Gambling thinks the sheer convenience of cell phones will make it too easy to bet it all, Local 6 News reported. "There's a whole host of risk factors," National Council on Problem Gambling spokesman Keith Whyte said. "I have no idea how an age limit could be verified now; nor how, even if the age limit was verified, that you could be certain who was using the phone." Pokerrroom.com said it has gone to great lengths to verify age through credit card information and that its services are meant for grownups on the go.
The service is currently available on more than a dozen phone models sold in the United States and the company plans to add more compatible phones and games by the end of the year.
NEW POKER MAGAZINE
Deal Magazine a mixed bag at $9.99
Entering the already highly competitive field of poker publications this week is Deal Magazine from the publishers of Xbox Magazine, the publication dedicated to the Microsoft home video game system. Despite its slick presentation and glossy "quality" appearance the magazine has come in for both brickbats and bouquets. The Poker News reviewer opined that poker players looking for some strategy sessions will be highly disappointed; although there is a primer for newcomers to the game, nothing that would approach a intermediate to advanced player status is apparent. The major criticism seems to be the lack of tournament coverage and this may be an area that the editor of Deal needs to consider. On the positive side, there are several player profiles including Evelyn Ng, Daniel Negreanu, Josh Arieh, Erick Lindgren and last year's WSOP runner up David Williams. There are also articles on poker player/actress Mimi Rogers and "Ultimate Poker Challenge" hostess Brandi Williams Reviewers also seem to like the direct and practical manner in which the magazine covers the different poker video games on the market and in prospect. There's a Top 25 poker websites section, and reviews of the latest DVDs on the game. The debut issue may seem a little pricey at $9.99 but it does carry a freebie of note in the form of a CD with a selection of demos of video games and shareware featuring some of the prime software tools that many poker players use (including PokerTracker). The disc also has an interview with Daniel Negreanu and a preview of his new video game "Stacked".
NEGREANU'S "STACKED" TO FEATURE ON MTV
Poker champion's AI system a big draw
Poker champion Daniel Negreanu and the mass media MTV group will be teaming up shortly to air the former's "Stacked" Texas Hold 'Em video game to an audience of millions come Fall 2005. "Stacked" has been attracting widespread interest as the first video game to present very advanced and constantly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) technology to the public. "Stacked's" Poki artificial intelligence robot is a state-of-the-art system that continually adapts to every opponent's playing style in real-time. The game also features in-game video and voice tutorials, instruction, strategy, and years of poker insight from Negreanu, Card Player's 2004 Player of the Year. It is compatible with the Xbox, PlayStation 2 and PSP systems.
MTV and Negreanu's distributor Myelin Media will work together to deliver the high-paced action and intense experience of poker to the MTV audience through on-air, online, mobile, and other platforms, as well as developing programming based on the "Stacked" brand to air around the time of the game's release. MTV exec Jeff Yapp describes the alliance as a major evolution in poker and says: "Texas Hold'em is the hottest poker game of choice amongst celebrities, atheletes, hardcore and casual players alike, and we are looking forward to bringing this fun, and technically brilliant experience of poker, video games, and some of the world's top professional poker players to our audience via various broadcast platforms across the MTV networks including MTV, MTV2 and mtvU." In addition to Negreanu, "Stacked" features poker pros Evelyn Ng, Erick Lindgren, Jennifer Harmon, David Williams, Josh Arieh, and Carlos Mortenson. Supporting plans for the venture include its own multi-table tournament system called "Stacked Masters" and official "Stacked" sanctioned online tournaments through MTV.com.
IRISH BINGO
Million dollar jackpot...on bingo?
British bingo players - and a third of them are in the sub-35 year old group despite the average player age of 45+, are in for million dollar jackpots every month according to claims made by a new site branded Bingo Boudoir.com. Owned by an Irish based company called AVA Leisure in a joint venture with Paradigm New Media the site offers games commencing every 90 seconds and features monthly GBP 1,000,000 jackpots, with GBP 80,000 being won daily, claims the company. Always a favourite, Bingo is now reportedly the most popular leisure activity in the UK for women between 20 and 25 years old. Sherril McCahon, marketing director for Bingo Boudoir claimed the online venture would get more people going to actual bingo clubs: "Internet Bingo is educating those who wouldn't think about visiting a club, that it is a modern, fun and entertaining game to play online. Players have the opportunity to experience it all and win large jackpots, without leaving home." Players can chat live with each other, facilitating one of the big attractions of Bingo - a strong community experience. The site will be promoted across all the major search engines, through 8 million MSN messenger chat clients and through AVA Leisure's Twilight Zone arcades. Bingo cards cost from 10 pence with the site offering 10 free bingo cards on registration with no purchase necessary as an incentive to join. Cross marketing potential is also being explored through a partnership with Figleaves.com, the online retailer of branded lingerie and swimwear, to provide 100 sets of free underwear to the first 100 players in support of the campaign slogan "Bingo You Can Play in Your Underwear". AVA says that current estimates put wagering on bingo over the Internet last year at over US $700 million.
DOUBLE DUTCH
Holland Casino due to go Internet?
The monopolistic nature of European Community nations trying to bar free trade in the form of gambling services from other EC nations was highlighted this week in a surprising development in the Netherlands. Dutch state-owned Holland Casino is to be given a temporary license to test games of chance via the Internet. The evaluation period will probably last for two years. The Dutch authorities, citing the need to protect their citizens have been among those who have launched legal activities against Internet betting companies from other EC states trying to do business with their gambling population.
CHINA THE NEXT BIG WAVE?
Despite reports of a government crackdown, Internet gambling seems to be thriving
Canada's Globe and Mail carried an interesting report this week on the attractions of the Chinese market, long the "Holy Grail" of online gambling marketers. The article revealed that even in the midst of a reported national anti-gambling crackdown, it only took a few minutes for journalists in the Globe and Mail's Beijing bureau to place an illegal wager. Gambling is part of the national culture, and remains a powerful lure for millions of people in China, where an estimated US$50-billion is spent annually at underground casinos and gambling rings. "The online gambling industry has grown exponentially in recent years but many players in the business still say the sky's the limit," the story reports, adding that because the industry is maturing in Europe and North America, many experts look to China as the next big wave.
Media reports from Beijing estimate that more than 780 foreign gambling websites are providing Chinese-language web pages. And The Globe's journos found it easy to evade the rules and make wagers.
UK SNOOKER STAR JOINS THE WSOP RACE
Stephen Hendry wants the big prize
Another sports star left Britain bound for Vegas this week to join the more than 6 000 players vying for the top prize in the World Series of Poker. The multi-millionaire Scots snooker champion Stephen Hendry (36) is aiming for the top position and a different kind of pot - the lucrative prizes offered by WSOP to the skilled, the daring and the fortunate. Hendry's $10 000 buy-in has been sponsored by betting group BetFred. Hendry, a poker player for the past 18 months said: "You can talk about all the biggest sports events in the world but there is more money in this event than anything else. It's just incredible." "I just enjoy the game so much. The skill factor is what really appeals to me. I'm going there to enjoy myself and I know, win or lose, that it's going to be a fantastic experience." One of Hendry's opponents in Las Vegas will be fellow Scot Stuart Beaton, 36, who has never played a game face to-face with other players. He won his $10,000 buy-in in an online poker tournament after mastering the game in six months. The IT operator, who has won hundreds of pounds playing on the internet, jetted out to America on Saturday. But experts have warned him he will find playing face-to-face much tougher than online gaming. Seasoned card players are notorious for their ability to bluff and play mind games with their opponents The Las Vegas contest involves over 6000 players, who will be whittled down to a final nine after five days of play.
ANOTHER CASINO FORTUNE "TAKEOVER BID"?
Or is it all just for publicity's sake?
Tom Timmerman, a writer for the US publication Post-Despatch is a canny journalist who seems to have seen through Casino Fortune's latest claim to PR fame. Commenting on Casino Fortune blurb claiming an intention to purchase a multi-million dollar US sports team, Timmerman described Casino Fortune as an online casino with a history of making offers but never closing a deal.
He goes on, "But it's hard to consider the proposal for the Blues by Casino Fortune as anything more than a publicity stunt. "The company, which has its headquarters in Trinidad and is licensed in Antigua and Barbuda, has previously made offers to buy the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Phoenix Suns and "The Charging Bull," the statue of a bull that has become emblematic of Wall Street. "The company once offered Donald Trump $400 million for a 31 percent share in his casino company and made an offer to NASA to purchase a seat on the space shuttle. No sale was ever completed. "When the company made a late bid to buy the Cavaliers, NBA Commissioner David Stern dismissed the offer as irrelevant. When the Trump deal didn't happen, a Trump spokesman told the Las Vegas Sun that the offer reporters were told about differed greatly from the bid presented to the company."
Casino Fortune President Dennis Rose seemed unperturbed by the revelations. "Occasionally we've had problems," he told Timmerman regarding his company's apparent inability to close a deal. "We've been outbid, and some years ago people were a little bit cynical about the revenues with online gaming. Now they're convinced how big it has become." The offer was announced in e-mails sent to members of the media, which is not the way transactions of this sort are usually handled. The release said that a "letter of intent" had been sent to Blues owner Bill Laurie and that Blues management and the NHL "have not yet responded to repeated inquiries" from the casino." The company's Web site lists many stories written about the company, even those dismissing their offers as being farfetched, which lends credence to the belief that the bid is an effort to get the company's name in the paper, reports Timmerman. "Hopefully we'll hear from them very soon," Rose said. Told that he probably would be waiting a long time, Rose said, "I'll sit here with some rum and Coke."
BODOG CONFERENCE OPENS
TV networks love poker, says top tournament director
The 2005 Bodog Conference - the betting companys third - opened this week with founder and CEO Calvin Ayre explaining that "This (conference) is our attempt to bring people together who have long been neglected, from the sports and poker side of the industry. "Nearly every major sports betting company has a poker room and there are even rumblings that some of the poker companies are looking to get into the sports betting side of things. There is a huge amount of overlay between poker and sports," he said. Bodog's chief referred to the symbiotic relationship between online poker rooms and land casinos, too. "The progressive casinos ... acknowledge the industry for what it is," said Ayre, a Canadian whose site is based in Costa Rica. "We are a large feeder system for the (land) casinos and Las Vegas is the center of this space."
In 2003, poker witnessed $320 million in revenues. This year the industry is looking at $3 billion - a significant increase. "You can't turn on the television without seeing a poker tournament going on," explained top Poker Tournament Director, Matt Savage. "The networks are so happy." He repeated a story in which the American TV network ABC was at first a reluctant to jump on the bandwagon - an attitude that changed once they noticed the huge ratings the game generated. " ESPN in 2003 decided to go really big with the World Series of Poker. They were happy with the ratings and then the ABC execs decided that the network should not be focusing on poker. 'We are a sports network,' they told everybody. But the ratings kept climbing and the reruns performed better than the original airings." Eventually the network suits caved in and poker has since outperformed the NHL, MLB and NBA in terms of television ratings. Savage also told the audience that an unprecedented 6000 plus players had signed up for this year's World Series of Poker. With a $60 million prize pool, nine new millionaires will walk away from this event. Impressive indeed considering only a few hundred entered just two years ago. And online poker rooms are fueling the craze through important satellite tournaments with prizes of buy-ins to major tournaments. Savage opined that Bodog Poker will become one of the leading poker rooms by this time next year.
2005 CARIBBEAN POKER CLASSIC ANNOUNCED
Another multi-million dollar tournament
The island of St Kitts in the Eastern Caribbean is to be the ultimate venue for the next Caribbean Poker Classic, with satellite events leading up to this major tournament scheduled to begin on July 10 . Players worldwide will compete for seats and ultimately for an estimated championship event prize of more than $2,000,000 at Cryptologic-powered poker rooms. The prize package is set to include a $6,300 entry into the Main No-Limit Event; a $1,300 9-night's stay at the prestigious St. Kitts Marriott Resort; $1,400 cash deposited into the player's poker account and a generous $1000 in cash upon registration at St. Kitts. As an added incentive, prize package winners will receive free entry into seven different tournaments called the Designer Watch Freerolls, giving them the chance to win $3000 plus a designer watch; a warm reception at the airport; free transfers to and from the airport; an Awards Banquet to top off the stylish vacation and a CPC 'bag full of stuff', essentially a bag of mementos from the Caribbean tournament. Poker Plex is offering its players multiple opportunities to vie for a seat at the CPC by running single and multi-table satellite tournaments. Single-Table Tournaments will be available 24 hours a day, seven days per week; Satellites into Super Satellites will run six times daily and the Super Satellite Multi-Table Tournaments will run both weekly and on Sundays at 18:00UK (13:00 ET).
WHY DO BRITS SPEND 19 MILL A DAY ON POKER?
New UK survey just out
74 percent of the UK players recently questioned feel uncomfortable and intimidated by the thought of playing poker in a casino according to research released this week by World Poker Exchange. In contrast 21 percent has no problem playing online and online poker in particular. A quarter of those polled (25 percent) believe that online gaming is '...just a bit of fun' and they '...don't mind losing a bob or two'. The news goes some way to explain why Brits are turning on their computers and betting GBP 19 million a day playing poker online. Londoners beat the regions with their laidback attitude to online gaming with almost a quarter of those surveyed (23 percent) seeing nothing wrong with playing online. The results come as no surprise to Dr Mark Griffiths, Professor of Gambling Studies at Nottingham Trent University.
"Most people view casinos as a somewhat male-dominated environment - unlike the Internet, which is gender neutral. This study supports my own research showing many women find the Internet a safer and less intimidating way to gamble. Although only one in 20 people have played poker online, this is a significant increase on the previous year and it is set to grow."
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