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It's Time to Find the Best Poker Player on the Prima Network

Wednesday October 19, 12:49 pm ET
'Tournament of Champions' Freeroll Will Send Winner from SKY TV to Monte Carlo Millions

ISLE OF MAN, U.K., Oct. 19, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Prima Network, the world's largest online poker network, unveiled plans today to send its best poker player to Monte Carlo Millions, the world's most exclusive poker tournament. Every player who has won a seat to a land-based tournament from Prima in 2004 or 2005 is eligible to play in the Tournament of Champions, a freeroll event whose final table will be televised on Poker Zone's ``Poker Night Live,'' channel 226 on SKY TV in the United Kingdom.

On Saturday, November 5th at 21:00 GMT, the strongest players on the network will compete for a chance to win a $30,000 prize package to represent their card room in Monte-Carlo with the pros.

The Champion of Champions will join 120 of the world's best poker players in Monte-Carlo, where he or she will be treated to luxurious five-star accommodations at one of the world's top hotels, $500 spending money (or equivalent in Euros), the $25,000 buy-in to the Monte Carlo Millions and a shot at the largest prize pool in European history: $3 million. Once there, if the Network Champion plays the cards right, a seat at the world-famous Monte-Carlo Casino's final table and a chance to win the $1 million first prize awaits.

``Our players come from around the world to play at the World Series of Poker, the Bellagio, Borgata, WPT and EPT events. They are the best the Web has to offer,'' said Prima Network CEO Roger Raatgever. ``We want to reward our top players and to see who is truly the Champion of Champions. Never before has online poker strategy and sheer determination been so great, for such a coveted prize. I wish all the network players the best of luck.''

BETONSPORTS GOES WITH REALTIME GAMING

 Revamped major betting site changes software for both casino and poker operations 

Turnkey provider RealTime Gaming was celebrating the news this week that it had been chosen to power the revamped BetonSports online casino operations.

 Costa Rica-based BoS has signed a deal with the Atlanta-based software company, which also powers Bodog’s casino, to relaunch its casino in October 2005.

 The US-facing sportsbook operator has also migrated its poker site to software from Tribeca Tables, and reported an immediate 60 percent rise in revenues.

 BetonSports, which nets 13 percent of its gross win from casino and poker gaming, has been criticised by some industry commentators for depending too heavily on sports-betting revenue. In comparison, Curaçao-based VIP Sports boasts 34 percent of its gross win from its casino revenues.

 David Carruthers, chief executive of BetonSports, said the firm was increasingly focused on boosting revenues from its gaming division.

“We are a multi-channel, multi-location global gaming business, and we are going to do whatever it takes to harness the synergies of cross-selling,” he added.

 Half-yearly operating profit for BoS was up 21 percent on the corresponding period in 2004 to US$ 5.1 million. The firm reported a healthy rise in gross win of 23 percent, but growth in active players was less impressive at just 5 percent for the period.

Carruthers said he was pleased with the progress the firm was making, saying every key performance indicator was “pointing in the right direction.”

He added that his company would be looking to make acquisitions to boost growth, saying he reviewed opportunities on a weekly basis. “We have US$ 44 million on the balance sheet and I would be wholly surprised if we didn’t make an acquisition at some time in the future,” Carruthers said.

ONLINE FRAUD STUDY BY UK UNIVERSITY

ai shows the way

The specialist payment fraud detection and prevention specialist software company, ai Corporation, has partnered with the University of Exeter as part of a ‘Knowledge Transfer Partnership’ project.

The project hopes to design and develop the next generation of fraud detection tools with the university, which is already working with other multi–national companies such as HP, Compaq and Motorola in the arena of computer science.


Dr Richard Everson, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Exeter University, said: “This project, which will bring together the next generation of self learning and optimising fraud detection products, provides the University and the ai Corporation with a real challenge.”


Mark Carter, CEO of the ai Corporation said: “This combined project will give us the opportunity to take our software to the next level by working with some of the World’s leading computer research scientists."

WHERETOBET RESURGENT

Pioneering online gaming portal reborn

Readers who were involved in the industry in earlier times like the mid nineties will remember the portal WhereToBet, and this week there were reports that this familiar brand is to rise again.

Gambling affiliate Phoenix Media Group announced the re-launch of the once popular site.

Wheretobet.com was one of the internet's original gambling portals, first registered in September, 1997. In its long and successful history, the site connected hundreds of people looking for online betting services with reputable online betting establishments eager to take their betting action.

Recently, however, wheretobet.com was put on the shelf by its owners due to an inability to integrate use of the site into current marketing efforts.

In September of 2005, a full eight years after the domain was originally registered, Phoenix Media Group successfully negotiated an agreement to resurrect wheretobet.com and thus put its solid reputation in the online gambling community back to good use doing what the site was first designed for -- connecting online bettors with reputable online sportsbooks, online casinos, and now online poker rooms.

CITY BANKERS IN POKER TOURNEY

Sportingbet schmoozes the bankers

Sportingbet's online poker celebrity "face", model Caprice hosted over a hundred hard-headed members of London's financial community including top fund managers, bankers and brokers this week in a Paradise Poker tourney played at London's trendy Gutshot Poker Club.

The top four finishers from the event now go forward to a Paradise Grand Final where they could win at seat at next year's World Series of Poker in Las Vegas worth $10,000.

The event was arranged by Paradise Poker parent company Sportingbet plc, one of the UK's leading online betting and gaming groups, and city investment and banking firm Investec. Sportingbet acquired Paradise Poker for GBP 190 million in November 2004.

GOOD CONTACT FOR LVFH

Free to play poker for U.S. land casino


Poker software provider Las Vegas From Home made a valuable future business contact this week when it was selected to provide fun-play only poker software to a major U.S. land casino.

The Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles signed a licensing agreement with Las Vegas From Home.Com (LVFHC) to use its software.

The license with the casino more commonly known as the Bike is currently for ‘Play for Fun’ only. The Bike’s website already has a link to download the software and play and a player has to either be a member of the Bike’s Classic Card program or sign up for it to begin playing.


The servers that run LVFHC’s poker software are located in Antigua, where several online poker and gambling sites make their headquarters.


Jake Kalpakian, President and CEO of LVHPC, said: "We are thrilled to license our Software to the Bike. While initially the Software is only for 'Play for Fun', it's a terrific vote of confidence to have one of the world's largest and respected Cardrooms select our Software.”

SHOCK DEATH OF ONLINE GAMBLING EXEC

Adam Anhang murdered in Puerto Rico

InfoPowa reports with deep regret the death of one of the most respected and professional online gambling executives, Adam Anhang of Casino Web Cam.

The former CFO of Dr. Ho and CEO of CWC Gaming was brutally stabbed to death in San Juan, Puerto Rico.   The murder occurred at a street intersection of Calle de la Luna in Historic Old San Juan, which is typically bustling with tourists and locals. 

Anhang was also a part-owner in the Martineau Bay Resort & Spa (a former Wyndham property soon to become the Caribbean's first W Hotel) in Vieques, eight miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico.

The victim of the murder was still in possession of his personal articles, money and documents, which could discount robbery as a motive.  Anhang's wife was accompanying him at the time. 

Adam Joel Anhang, 32, was a Canadian resident identified by police as "an investor".  Anhang had previously resided in Manhattan for a number of years and was CFO for Antigua-based Dr. Ho Casino, the online arm of Asian multi-billionaire Stanley Ho's casino empire.  Áurea Vázquez Rijos, Anhang's 25 year old wife, provided an eye witness account of the incident to police.

Anhang was accompanying his wife to her car when they were intercepted by the assailant, dressed in workout apparel who then inflicted several stab wounds on Anhang using a kitchen knife.  

Rijos was also hurt in the attack and suffered a headwound.  She was transported to Hoare Clinic, revealed Lieutenant Eddie Hernández, Director of the Division of Homicides in San Juan.

Neighbours heard the ruckus and  indicated that Anhang shouted that he was being assaulted.  They observed Anhang being struck by the suspect as he begged for him to stop.  The murder occurred just two blocks from the San Juan mayor's home. 

The victim, whose office is located in the Regency Hotel, had his wallet with identifications, four credit cards, passport, cash, a cellular telephone, cigarettes and a bottle of tablets still on his person.

Investigators removed a bloodstained kitchen knife with 6 inch blade from the scene.  The knife and other evidence is currently being analysed. 

The Anhangs married in March this year after a two year relationship, but this month Anhang reportedly filed for divorce.  The two were already separated.

Anhang was founder and CEO of CWC Gaming, a live-over-the-internet online casino service which currently powers over 16 licensees, including MVPSportsbook.com and European-operated BetInternet.  The company is currently rumoured to be set to bring on powerhouses Sportingbet and Ladbrokes. 

CWC Gaming has released the following statement:

QUOTE:

CWC is deeply saddened to announce the passing of it's CEO Mr. Adam Anhang early Friday morning September 23rd 2005.

Adam was first and foremost a dear friend as well as a colleague.

Adam was well known not only within the i-Gaming Industry but in specialized Real Estate developments around the Globe

Adam will be greatly missed by Family, Friends and Business Associates.

CWC has announced that Mr. Steve Reddy moves to CEO from Director as we transition from this tragic loss and build upon CWC's leadership position in the Live Gaming space as established by Mr. Adam Anhang.

Steve has been working closely with Adam, he understands both the Operations and Licensee base.

CWC Thanks you for your many messages of support from across the Gaming Industry including it's Clients, Licensees, the Press and Friends.

CWC will continue to expand and grow as a tribute to Adam's memory as we uphold the responsibility we have to ALL our Customers, Licensees and Employees.


Sincerely,
The CWC Family.

Anhang's wife  was discharged from the hospital over the weekend and has not been heard from since. 

BETFAIR IN TOP TECHIE LIST

UK's Sunday Times names betting exchange firm


The British newspaper The Sunday Times has positioned Betfair, the global betting exchange, as the UK’s seventh fastest-growing technology company in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100.

The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 ranks Britain’s fastest-growing private technology companies by sales over a two-year period between 2002 and 2004.

“Technology is the basis of Betfair’s success and its application in the betting exchange format has, in a relatively short period of time, revolutionised the way many people bet,” said Stephen Hill, Betfair’s chief executive.

A betting exchange, a concept pioneered by the company in June 2000, is a bookmaker that offsets all its risk through sophisticated technology. Betfair has already invested GBP 30 million to ensure that its betting platform is the fastest and most resilient in the industry, a claim substantiated by external monitoring companies. The company is planning a further GBP 20 million investment this year.

Betfair punters place more than 5 million bets a day, of which more than 99.9 percent are transacted in less than one second. Betfair’s use of technology enables customers to bet “in-play”, which means they can continue to bet once an event has started.

Betfair offers in excess of 24,000 betting markets a month from over 35 different countries and covers 60 football (soccer) leagues and divisions from 28 countries.

The company has the widest range of sports of any online sports betting operator in the world with more than 51 different sports covered.

The full Sunday Times Tech Track 100 is on the internet at www.fasttrack.co.uk

BETONSPORTS JOINS TRIBECA TABLES NETWORK

Major software move for sportsbook group


Internet poker software provider Tribeca Tables Europe, Ltd, has announced that U.S. facing BETonSPORTS with 9 sportsbook brands has joined the Tribeca Tables Poker Network.

Steve Cook from Tribeca Tables said, “Everyone at Tribeca is extremely pleased to be working with BETonSPORTS which is the first significant sports brand to join the network and bring a new dimension of players to the poker world. There is a very close synergy between sport bettors and poker players that will truly add value to our aggregator.”

BoSPoker.com and Millpoker.com are the first of BETonSPORTS brands to launch this month with a new poker solution which will give their customers constant access to thousands of online poker players through the Tribeca Tables poker network.

The team at BoSPoker.com and Millpoker.com are aggressively cross marketing this new poker solution to a considerable customer base. BoSPoker.com recently signed Tom Arnold as national endorser who will appear in adverts on TV and radio, and feature in all off and online advertising.

Millions of dollars are already committed to proactively acquire new customers.

Tribeca is the poker technology provider behind over 100 poker rooms including Paddy Power, Blue Square, Victor Chandler, Golden Palace and Doyles Room.

Poker and Casino operations at BetOnSport are now established as standalone profit centres with greatly strengthened management teams and the BoSPoker Tribeca deal parallels the BoSCasino implementation on the RealTime Gaming platform.

BINGO PALACE - A NEW VENUE FOR UK PLAYERS

 
Collaborate rather than compete, say major groups
 
The well established Winward gambling group has teamed with Next Generation Entertainment to launch a new British-facing online bingo site this week, branded Bingopalace.co.uk.
 
The partnership claims it will be the largest online bingo venue in the UK.
 
Since 1999 Winward Gaming Group and Next Generation Entertainment have been collaborating within the online bingo arena, leading to the current expansion into the booming European bingo sector. 
 
"This is a big step for both of our groups," commented Jon Daley, President of Winward Gaming Group.  "Entering the UK market on one brand will give us a strategic advantage over our competitors.  We believe there will be consolidation in the online bingo market place and it is our plan to first partner up in order to take full advantage of these emerging markets."
 
Daley also said this new collaboration includes the acquisition of smaller web sites.
 
Winward is the owner of such online gambling venues as Bingohall.com, Vicsbingo.com, Internetbingo.com and bingoformoney.com.  Next Generation operates sites such as Bingopalace.com, Bigtimebingo.com, Onlinebingo.com and a network of affiliated sites. 
 
 
Revenues between the two companies exceed U.S.$3,000,000 a month for bingo gaming. 
 
 
"We decided to enter this market in a partnership rather than compete with one another," said Andrew Truman, CEO of Next Generation Entertainment.  "Winward Gaming is one of the oldest online gaming groups around.  Their marketing experience is strong enough to capture most of the UK online bingo market.  This is the next logical step for both of our companies as we look towards the future and having the two brands complement one another will only secure our position as the largest bingo network on the internet.”
 
 
BingoPalace.co.uk will have several funding options available for UK clients, all in pounds sterling .  The site will offer standard 90 ball full house games as well as over 250 patterns in the 75 ball version of bingo.  Other games available to  bingo players  will include Slots, Video Poker and Caribbean Stud.
 
 
TOP U.S. BROKER OFFERS ONLINE CASINO
 
Large listed companies with a yen to get into online gaming the target

Respected U.S. broker firm Cantor Fitzgerald launched an online casino this week for consumer companies to use as an engine for their own branded gambling sites.
 
 
The casino is aimed at large listed companies that would like to offer branded gambling to their customers to take advantage of the popular service but are nervous of entering a sector fraught with legal and regulatory conflict.
 
 
"The type of brands we'd look to partner with, be they global drinks companies or other consumer products companies which are typically listed, can't afford to take risks with the legal or regulatory side of things," said Tom Kenny, chief operating officer of Cantor Gaming.
 
 
For that reason, Cantor Casino will not accept customers from the United States, where online gaming is discouraged by authorities.
 
 
"We take immense care to comply with relevant rules and regulations... in particular from the U.S. where we understand the Department of Justice has a negative stance on remote gaming," Kenny told Reuters.
 
 
Cantor Casino will offer a range of games including roulette, blackjack, video poker, video slots, mini baccarat as well as two Asian games, Pai Gow and Sic Bo.
 
As at press time InfoPowa had not yet ascertained which gambling software the new casino is using.
 
 
EXEC MOVES AT CYOPS
 
Smyth, MacKinnon out and new director Carley appointed

CYOP Systems International Inc. has announced the resignation of Patrick Smyth as president and director and Norman MacKinnon as an independent director.
 
 
The same annoiuncement advises that Scott Carley is joining the company as president.

Smyth will be stepping down and MacKinnon will be resigning from the Board of Directors. The changes are immediate and reflect a growing need by both individuals to focus all of their time and energy to their growing commitments at Gaming Transactions Inc.

Mitch White, CEO of CYOP said, “Messer’s Smyth and MacKinnon have served the company with exemplary loyalty. While we are disappointed to see them move on, it is in the best interests of the company as CYOP holds 25 million shares of Gaming Transactions Inc. With their full-time attention, I am confident in their abilities to build a strong revenue base at Gaming Transactions Inc.”

With more than 10 years of Internet technology and software experience, Carley has held executive positions in the online media and gaming industries, including president of SportsBookVIP.com and GamblingVIP.com.

“Scott Carley provides us with a wealth of knowledge in the online gaming industry and in forming strategic partnerships,” commented White.
 
 
IT'S GOOD MONEY, BUT WE DON'T WANT IT
 
 
Quebec Lotto chief says Canadians don't want online gambling

According to the Montreal Gazette this week the provincial Lotto chief has done some research that shows positive possibilities for online gambling...but he doesn't think Quebecers want it.
 
 
Internet gambling could generate between Cdn $300 million and Cdn $700 million this year for government coffers in Canada, but lottery authorities have yet to tackle the thorny issues surrounding e-gaming, the president of Loto-Quebec, Alain Cousineau said this week.
 
 
Canadian lottery corporations are preparing to assess those points at an upcoming meeting, Cousineau said. The debate will include problems like gaming revenue lost from casinos they now operate, jobs lost to offshore operators and the extent of government control in this area.
 
 
Should Canadian lottery corporations decide to wade into the profitable realm of online gambling, Loto-Quebec won't be leading the charge, Cousineau said.
 
 
Studies done for Loto-Quebec indicate that Quebecers do not want a government agency hosting online gambling, he said.
 
 
However, in his speech, Cousineau reviewed plans for a Cdn $1.175-billion casino and entertainment complex at the Peel Basin to be undertaken with the Cirque du Soleil.
 
 
The newspaper commented that while land casino operators are pouring energy and resources into a crowded casino marketplace, Internet gambling is growing at a clip calibrated in the billions.

CROSS MALTESE

A sequel to the French action against a Maltese licensee

Maltese Internet betting company Zeturf Ltd has responded to a French tribunal's recent injunction that it stop offering wagers on French horse racing by launching an appeal against the ruling and filing a formal complaint with the European Commission.

The Maltese government has also responded strongly against the French ruling, according to diplomatic reports.

 

A measure of the seriousness with which Malta regards the incident can be gained from Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's initiative in appointing a task force of four senior members of the Cabinet to monitor the situation

 

The Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority has promised full support to Zeturf.

NASTY NEWS FOR G2E DELEGATES

Hepatitis-A scare widely publicised
 
Along with several other Nevada media, the Reno Gazette-Journal this week carried a warning for attendees at the recent G2E conference in Las Vegas that there was a small risk that they could have exposed to hepatitis-A.
 
Health officials offered preventative shots to the estimated 650 people who attended the conference, where they might have been exposed to hepatitis-A.
 
A worker at the Schwan's Food Co. booth who served free ice cream to attendees of the Global Gaming Expo the week of September 12 learned he had hepatitis-A after the event, officials said.
 
Although there is no treatment for hepatitis A, symptoms can be prevented if a person
exposed to the virus receives gamma globulin within 14 days.
 
The antidote shot is not regularly stocked by physicians, and is being offered by the Washoe County District Health Department at 1001 E. Ninth St., building B, Reno. Only people who ate Schwan's ice cream samples are being offered the shot, which costs $28.
 
 
MORE POKER STARS JOIN BLUFF
 
Mad Genius and the Unabomber team with poker magazine
 
Bluff Magazine has announced the addition of two exciting new figures to its team of elite poker experts: Mike Caro, “The Mad Genius of Poker,” and Phil “Unabomber” Laak.
 
A prolific poker writer, Caro authored Mike Caro’s Book of Tells, and remains one of the world's foremost authorities on poker strategy, psychology, and statistics. The founder of the Mike Caro University of Poker, Gaming, and Life Strategy, he is also one of the highest profile tutors of the world’s fastest-growing game. He is also a world-class player and claims that, should aliens come to earth and challenge one human representative to a poker match for control of the planet, he should be that man.

Phil “Unabomber” Laak has become famed for his high spirited pker table behaviour and is one of the most exciting players in poker today, and the second expert that Bluff welcomes to the fold this month. In each issue, readers will get a privileged glimpse into the weird and wonderful world of “The Unabomber”.
 
Bluff’s family of super-star contributors also includes famous poker aces Annie Duke, Antonio Esfandiari, Josh Arieh, Clonie Gowen, Kenna James, Marcel Luske and Mike “the Grinder” Mizrachi.
 
 
FEIST PARTNERSHIP FOR BLUFF, TOO
 
Sports information firm join in content teamwork

Bluff Magazine and Jim Feist Sports, a respected U.S. sports information company, have teamed up in a content partnership for this sports season.
 
In terms of the agreement, every Saturday morning one of Bluff’s professional poker players and columnists will be featured on Proline, America’s longest running sports handicapping show on North American TV.
 
Bluff Magazine’s “The Poker Corner” will start by featuring one of the hottest young players, Antonio Esfandiari, whose column “Poker Like a Rock Star” is featured every month in Bluff Magazine. Other pros likely to appear include Phil Unabomber Laak, Kenna James and Clonie Gowan.
 
Jim Feist has recently made a successful entrée into the world of poker by finishing in the money in his first ever World Series of Poker appearance in 2005.
 
He believes that with the success of poker and the cross over between sports bettors and poker players the poker media feature is a natural fit.
 
“Bluff Magazine has access to some of America’s most well known and successful pros and I know that our viewers of Proline will enjoy these up and close interviews. It’s another way we maintain Proline on USA Network as the most successful sports analyst show on television.”
 
 
CASSAVA IPO LOWER THAN EXPECTED
 
Analysts blame Party Gaming pessimism
 
London analysts were this week blaming the lower than expected debut on the London stock exchange of Cassava Enterprises on market sentiment affected by pessimistic comments from the CEO of Party Gaming.
 
The BBC reported that PG's comments that online poker may be running out of steam could be the cause for the fall in share price experienced this week.
 
Online gaming firm Cassava saw its shares fall by 12.3p in London trading, after launching at 175 pence, a price valuing it at around GBP 590 million ($1bn). Initially, the shares jumped 5 percent, before falling 12 percent to 162 pence. But by the close of trading they had recovered slightly to 170 pence.

Institutional dealers started trade on Thursday, with full trading on Monday.

The firm is the latest to come to market, although confidence in the sector was recently hit when rival Partygaming warned growth may slow.

Cassava /  888 is 90 percent controlled by two Israeli families and run by Gibraltar-based Cassava, which runs two other sites - online casinos Pacific Poker and Reef Club.

Shares in 888 were down to 162.7 pence in mid-afternoon London trading. CEO  John Anderson said there had been plenty of appetite among institutions for the shares.

He added: “We are delighted that 888’s IPO has attracted such strong support among leading UK and European institutional investors.”

More than 20 million people are registered to use its portfolio of websites.

John Anderson said: "We have a clear strategy for creating sustainable shareholder value by becoming the market leader in the online gaming industry and continuing to provide our members with a comprehensive range of gaming activities in a secure and trusted environment."

In early September the market cooled towards the sector after Partygaming warned of slow growth, and its shares fell by 30 percent.  "We don't know the track record on a historical basis of these online gambling companies, " David Buik, of Cantor Index, told the BBC on Thursday.  "We know what we will make this year and next year, but we don't know what they will be doing in five years' time."

He said it was "too early" to say if the online gambling bubble had burst, but remarked that 888 was a "well-run company".  "They haven't been too ambitious on the [flotation] price, which is a good sign."

In early September, 888 said that net gaming revenue from its casino business was up 14.2 percent in the first half of 2005 compared with a year ago.  Net gaming revenue from its poker interests jumped by 226 percent, although the firm said it did not expect growth to continue at this rate.

Investors said 888's IPO pricing was sensible, and that compared with PartyGaming it was less exposed to poker and the risky United States.

"Overall there's a better spread of business and the management team comes across well, so within this marketplace 888 seems like a reasonable proposition," said John Wilson, investment director of UK equities at 888 shareholder Standard Life Investments

 
BRIT CHEF BECOMES MILLIONAIRE POKER CHAMP
 
Paradise Poker's first Million Dollar online poker tourney
 
Blackpool, UK chef Lee Biddulph had good reason to feel pleased with himself this week. After battling 3,900 opponents online, the 28 year old walked away with $1 million dollars, the winner of ParadisePoker.com’s first Million Dollar Free online poker tournament.
 
Paradise claims this is the world’s largest online poker tournament prize ever, and it was absolutely free to participate.
 
The final table, which was played out in a mystery tropical location, was made up of nine amateurs, eight from the U.S. who beat out almost four thousand players at ParadisePoker.com.
 
In the end, it came down to a showdown between Biddulph and Mike Darweesh, a software engineer who processes images from Mars, and lives in Tempe, Arizona.

After seven hours of play at the final table, Biddulph revealed the tension. “Even my teeth are shaking,” he said as he played the final hand.

On the second to last hand minutes before, both players checked right through to the river, facing a board with four diamonds. Darweesh led with a bet of $200,000. Biddulph thought for a moment before reraising it up to $600,000. Darweesh called, and flipped over a 9 of diamonds. Biddulph turned over the 10 of diamonds and took the pot with a higher flush.

Darweesh rose to his feet as the final hand caused an eruption from the previously silent crowd. Both players were all in before the flop, and as they revealed their hole cards the crowd saw that Darweesh had queen/nine and Biddulph had the dominant ace/ten. The first card from the deck was an ace, which sent the crowd into a further frenzy. The remaining cards on the flop were a 6 and 3. The turn card produced an 8 – sending Biddulph into shock and sending tears streaming down his girlfriend Debbie’s face. The river showed another 6, and it was over.

“ParadisePoker.com is a great experience at the best of times, but throw $1 million in to the pot and make it a freeroll for amateurs and you discover a whole new crowd able to challenge the best of the pros”, said Bruce Stubbs, marketing director, ParadisePoker.com. “Lee played brilliantly, he started the final table with less chips -- $1.58 million to Mike’s $2.72 million and came out a winner.

“In the end – the $1 Million Freeroll Tournament has been a historic event, lots of fun and ample opportunity for online poker players who want to try out their skills with the best of amateurs. Our second $1 Million Freeroll Tournament is already in progress,” Stubbs added.

The finalists received an all expenses paid weekend to a five star resort in Costa Rica for themselves and a guest, as well as receiving $10,000 just for making it to the final table.
 
 
2.7 POTENTIAL USERS FOR MONEY GAMING
 
Skill gaming company teams with major UK publishing house
 
UK skill gaming company The Money Gaming Corporation Limited (TGMC) has accessed a potential 2.7 million new unique users in a partnership deal with leading newspaper publishing house Trinity Mirror plc.
 
The deal will enable TGMC to access Trinity subsidiary MGN Digital's 2.7 million readers.
 
The co-branded, fully cash-enabled games arena offers a host of 'classic' skill-based games including Backgammon, Chess, Solitaire and Mahjong, as well as retro favourites Pool, Quadrow and Subhunt, for players at every level.
 
MoneyGaming will be available to readers across the group's leading online titles including Mirror.co.uk, Sundaymirror.co.uk, Sundaymail.co.uk, Dailyrecord.co.uk and People.co.uk.

Unlike existing casino sites, where players compete against the 'house' with the odds stacked against them, at MoneyGaming players choose the game, their opponent and the stake - which means the better they play, the more they win.

Jonathan Caplan, TMGC President and COO comments: "We are delighted to partner with MGN Digital to offer users the very best in skill gaming. MoneyGaming went live on the Mirror.co.uk earlier this week and we have already received a substantial number of new registrations."

Caplan continues "With a worldwide roll-out planned in the coming months, and with the support of MGN Digital, we are set to revolutionise online gaming in the UK and beyond."

Games on MoneyGaming can be played in a variety of ways including Single Player, Multiplayer and Progressive Jackpots, where small stakes can result in big prizes. Visitors to MoneyGaming can choose to play opponents from around the globe or challenge family and friends in private rooms, track their own performance in detail and put their skills to the ultimate test by taking part in one of the many high stake tournaments.
 
 
TWO MILLION MILESTONE
 
Neteller signs up a significant customer
 
Neteller announced with justifiable pride this week that it had signed up its 2,000,000th customer on 22 September 2005.
 
Gord Herman, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We have achieved this significant milestone within approximately a year of signing our millionth customer. With over 1,700 online merchants serving our two million customers in over 150 countries, Neteller is making steady progress towards its goal of becoming the dominant global online money transfer service."

The company also announced that Dale Johnson, Director and Executive Vice President, will assume the role of President - Asia Region on an interim basis to support and expand the work which Benjamin Lee, Vice President & General Manager, has commenced in Asia.

While progress is being made with the company’s pan-Asian strategy, Neteller is seeking to accelerate the pace of its Asian programme in order to meet its key strategic objectives for this region.

Historically, Johnson has been the primary contact for many investors when they seek direct discussion with the executive team and this investor relations role will now be assumed by Andrew Gilchrist, Vice President - Communications.
 
 
NINE.COM WANTS KATE
 
Online gambling group wants top model as its public face
 
Online gambling group Nine.com has approached top international model Kate Moss to act as its public spokesperson.
 
The model has been offered $5 million (GBP 2.8 million)for the work.
 
Moss (31) has recently lost lucrative contracts with H+M, Burberry, H Stern and Chanel after photographs of her allegedly snorting cocaine were published in a British newspaper earlier this month.
 
Nine.com spokesman, Jack Abrams, says "Our demographic clientele is males, ages 21 to 45. We did a real quick focus group with some of our customers to see if they'd be offended in any way, and the response was an overwhelming, 'Yes, please, get Kate Moss as your spokesperson,'" Abrams revealed.
 
As we went to press the news was just out that Moss has rejected the Nine.com offer.
 
 
NEW HALLOWEEN GAMES AT JACKPOT FACTORY GROUP
 
Something for the season....
 
The Jackpot Factory online casino group offered unique bonus award incentives to players this week who try out any of the four new Halloween-themed games just released by Microgaming.
 
The new games have been added to the Jackpot Factory collection of over 200 different online casino games. There are three new Halloween-themed games and a new power poker.
 
Just released are: Witches Wealth, a five-reel nine payline video slot machine; Spellbound, a three-reel three payline and three coin slot game; and Halloweenies, a five-reel twenty payline multi-coin video slot machine. The final game is Double Joker, a fresh 50 play power poker game with two jokers in each deck.
 
"Committed to providing unparalleled service and promotions, the Jackpot Factory is thrilled to release these games that are sure to jumpstart the Halloween spirit," said David Brickman, spokesman for the group.
 
The casino group includes All Slots Casino, All Jackpots Casino, First Web Casino, and Wild Jack Casino, all of which will carry the new games.

Brickman commented, "Our casinos are offering double loyalty points and weekly bonus prizes on these great new games. We firmly believe that by coupling new games with exciting promotions, we continue to provide the ultimate online gaming experience."
 
 
TOP UK SOCCER CLUB LAUNCHES ONLINE CASINO
 
Hammers Casino goes live
 
West Ham United Football Club fans waiting patiently for the launch of their club's new online casino site (see previous InfoPowa reports) were rewardeed this week with the start of operations at Hammers Casino.
 
West Ham is a professional English football club based in East London which plays home matches at Upton Park. The club is also nick-named "The Hammers" and "The Academy of Football" by the media, but is better known as "The Irons" by fans (due to the club's origins at the Thames Ironworks).
 
West Ham United is believed to be the first football team to own an online casino, the "Hammers Casino". The casino offers traditional games like poker, roulette, blackjack, slots, video poker and craps in a gambling suite which has 70 great games and is powered by Playtech.
 
 
Early sign-ups are being offered generous matching bonuses of up to GBP 200.
The casino boasts full 24/7 Support and a good range of financial instruments.

 

CONFERENCE CORNER

Paris Law

Attend the year's most exclusive conference focusing on issues pertinent to gaming law....and it's in one of the world's most spectacular cities.

Learn about fundamental transformations of gaming law in conjunction with changes in economic and governmental attitudes around the world.

 

Hear about different perspectives on governmental developments impacting the
gaming industry

 

Discuss specific developments in the European Union, South Africa and the United States.

For detailed information, visit the event website at www.rivercitygroup.com/imgl.