Bulgaria missed its chance to reduce its much-loathed gambling tax rate on Thursday, as parliamentarians narrowly decided to postpone a vote on the relevant legislation. Earlier this month, a group of 11 Bulgarian MPs proposed a bill that would eliminate the punitive 15% tax on betting turnover in favour of a more reasonable 20% tax on gross profits. The existing tax scheme has not surprisingly failed to convince international operators to form a queue at the Bulgarian gambling regulator’s license-issuing window, with Malta’s efbet.com the only Bulgarian-authorized online gambling site to date.
The Bulgarian authorities have responded to this snub by instituting a blacklist of Bulgarian-facing websites that currently contains over 150 domains. Yordan Tsonev, member of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) party and one of the 11 MPs who proposed the tax relief, claims that over 40 operators have declared their willingness to come in from the cold if the proposed tax changes are implemented.
Opponents of the new tax plan say the legislation is flawed, in that it would have operators declare their revenue to the State Commission on Gambling (SCG), rather than the National Revenue Agency. The critics say this will allow operators to fudge their data and thereby deprive the state of tax revenue, as the SCG lacks the authority to verify the data it receives. Members of the Bulgarian Socialist Party – the DPS’ partners in the ruling coalition – also complained that the legislation hadn’t been discussed by the party’s parliamentary group prior to Thursday’s debate. The verbal sparring is scheduled to resume next week.
Meanwhile, the Bulgarian blacklist has shrunk by three names, all of which are operated by UK betting outfit William Hill. The SCG expunged the sites – williamhill.com, 21nova.com and joylandcasino.com – after determining that they weren’t doing business with Bulgarian punters.
November 28, 2013
Football match-fixing: referees embroiled in scandal
The alleged match fixer at the centre of the football betting scandal exposed by The Telegraph has also claimed that he can pay referees to manipulate the results of games.
The Singaporean, who was arrested on Tuesday night, was secretly recorded saying that he would pay referees across Europe a fee of £20,000.
It is understood that the claim is also being examined by the National Crime Agency which has launched a major investigation into match fixing.
The man was one of six arrested by the National Crime Agency earlier this week. Three footballers and Delroy Facey, a player-turned-agent who has played in the Premier League, were also arrested.
It can now be disclosed that, as well as claiming he could pay players to fix matches, the Singaporean man also alleged that referees were involved.
“The price for one game is £20,000”, said the fixer. “So I know some referees … You want Europe, anywhere, £20,000”.
It was not clear from the conversation whether any British referees were involved.
The fixer arrived in this country last week and was arrested on Tuesday evening.
In a series of covertly recorded conversations over the past fortnight, he claimed that lower league matches could be fixed for as little as £50,000 and correctly forecast the outcome of three games played by the same team.
It is the first time police have amassed sufficient evidence to hold those suspected of attempting to fix a match in Britain, following a series of similar scandals abroad.
In a statement, the NCA said: "Six men have been arrested across the country as part of an NCA investigation into alleged football match fixing.
"The focus of the operation is a suspected international illegal betting syndicate. The NCA is working closely with the Gambling Commission and the Football Association."
The operation is one of the first by the agency, dubbed Britain's FBI, which was launched this year to fight suspected organised and serious crime.
The identities of the teams involved cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, as the police operation is understood to remain active. However, they are not Premiership sides. "This operation remains very live with new developments on an almost daily basis," said one well – placed source.
Nick Clegg has said that the allegations about football match-rigging are “very worrying” and warned that it must be investigated by the authorities.
Mr Clegg told LBC Radio: “It needs to be looked at. Like any person who follows football I’ve read accounts of football match fixing in other countries and thought there by the grace of god go we.
“To hear that it’s now being investigated here, there have been arrests in the Midlands, is very worrying.
“I hope that’s the sum total of it. It would be terrible if we look back in months and years to come and discover this is the tip of [theice-berg].”
The disclosure of the match fixing arrests has led to claims that the problem has now become “endemic” in the global game.
Match-fixing is “endemic” in football, the former head of security for Fifa claimed today after members of an alleged betting syndicate were arrested on suspicion of fixing English games.
Chris Eaton, now director of sport integrity at the International Centre for Sport Security, said it had been “only a matter of time” before the English game was caught up in what he called the “global wave of match-fixing in football.”
He said: "International sport, especially football, is in serious trouble with corruption of its competitions.”
David Davies, the former Football Association, said that English football is not immune to the “disease” of match fixing.
"We are not immune to a disease that has already struck in 60 countries, at least, around the world where match-fixing has been alleged and in some cases been proved", he said.
Mr Davies, who has spent time in the Far East seeing how betting works over there, added: "People are fanatical about betting even in areas where it's illegal.
"The truth is there is all of this unofficial betting, quite a lot of it on the Internet, and they bet on everything and anything."
The suspected match fixers are being held under the bribery and fraud Acts at a police station in the Midlands. It is understood that the Crown Prosecution Service has been liaising with police officers in recent days.
The suggestion that English football games are susceptible to match – fixing will cause serious concern for the Football Association.
In recent years concern has been growing that gangs were targeting matches in the UK. This newspaper was approached by an undercover investigator with links to Fifa, who had been gathering evidence against suspected Asian match fixers offering to operate in Britain.
During a series of undercover meetings in Manchester this month, which were covertly recorded, one of the fixers claimed he could rig games and that potential gamblers would make hundreds of thousands of pounds by using the inside information on Asian – based betting websites.
The fixer, from Singapore, also alleged that he controlled teams in other European countries and could buy foreign referees to secure results.
"In England the cost is very high … usually for the players it is £70,000," he explained in imperfect English.
He offered to target two football matches in Britain this month. He said he planned to tell players how many goals he needed to be scored in total. "I commit myself and they commit. So you tell me how many goals … Give me at least five … either 3–2, 4–0 or zero, … for me four is enough."
He also claimed that he would pay one player an extra £5,000 to take a yellow card at the beginning of the game as a signal that the match's result was likely to be manipulated. During one meeting this month, the fixer correctly predicted how many goals would be scored during a match the following day.
"This is my team", he began, pointing to the club listed on a gambling website. "I know what they're going to do."
He added: "I know because they all tell me every time. Because sometimes I have extra money, I just send them some money … because sometimes they need money or they call me so I just leave them some pocket money."
The fixer asked us for €60,000 [£50,000], which he said was to cover the cost of paying the players.
He claimed to be connected to Wilson Raj Perumal, who has been convicted of rigging football matches abroad. "Wilson Raj Perumal … he's the king … he's my boss. Everybody in the world know him," the fixer said.
Raj Perumal, is also originally from Singapore, but has lived in London. He is understood to be responsible for fixing numerous football matches over the last 30 years, and is helping the Hungarian police to investigate corruption.
Match fixers target players and officials to rig the result of games so that they can earn hundreds of thousands of pounds by betting or allowing others to bet on the predetermined outcome.
The gambling takes place in the Asian market and British betting markets are not believed to have been implicated.
International betting monitors have warned that millions of pounds are being wagered on Conference games and some UK bookmakers stopped taking bets on some teams early this year. It is understood that there are active police investigations into football fixing in more than 60 countries.
An FA spokesman said: "The FA has been made aware of a number of arrests in relation to an NCA investigation. We have worked closely with the authorities in relation to these allegations. The FA will make no further comment at this time due to ongoing investigations."
The Singaporean, who was arrested on Tuesday night, was secretly recorded saying that he would pay referees across Europe a fee of £20,000.
It is understood that the claim is also being examined by the National Crime Agency which has launched a major investigation into match fixing.
The man was one of six arrested by the National Crime Agency earlier this week. Three footballers and Delroy Facey, a player-turned-agent who has played in the Premier League, were also arrested.
It can now be disclosed that, as well as claiming he could pay players to fix matches, the Singaporean man also alleged that referees were involved.
“The price for one game is £20,000”, said the fixer. “So I know some referees … You want Europe, anywhere, £20,000”.
It was not clear from the conversation whether any British referees were involved.
The fixer arrived in this country last week and was arrested on Tuesday evening.
In a series of covertly recorded conversations over the past fortnight, he claimed that lower league matches could be fixed for as little as £50,000 and correctly forecast the outcome of three games played by the same team.
It is the first time police have amassed sufficient evidence to hold those suspected of attempting to fix a match in Britain, following a series of similar scandals abroad.
In a statement, the NCA said: "Six men have been arrested across the country as part of an NCA investigation into alleged football match fixing.
"The focus of the operation is a suspected international illegal betting syndicate. The NCA is working closely with the Gambling Commission and the Football Association."
The operation is one of the first by the agency, dubbed Britain's FBI, which was launched this year to fight suspected organised and serious crime.
The identities of the teams involved cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, as the police operation is understood to remain active. However, they are not Premiership sides. "This operation remains very live with new developments on an almost daily basis," said one well – placed source.
Nick Clegg has said that the allegations about football match-rigging are “very worrying” and warned that it must be investigated by the authorities.
Mr Clegg told LBC Radio: “It needs to be looked at. Like any person who follows football I’ve read accounts of football match fixing in other countries and thought there by the grace of god go we.
“To hear that it’s now being investigated here, there have been arrests in the Midlands, is very worrying.
“I hope that’s the sum total of it. It would be terrible if we look back in months and years to come and discover this is the tip of [theice-berg].”
The disclosure of the match fixing arrests has led to claims that the problem has now become “endemic” in the global game.
Match-fixing is “endemic” in football, the former head of security for Fifa claimed today after members of an alleged betting syndicate were arrested on suspicion of fixing English games.
Chris Eaton, now director of sport integrity at the International Centre for Sport Security, said it had been “only a matter of time” before the English game was caught up in what he called the “global wave of match-fixing in football.”
He said: "International sport, especially football, is in serious trouble with corruption of its competitions.”
David Davies, the former Football Association, said that English football is not immune to the “disease” of match fixing.
"We are not immune to a disease that has already struck in 60 countries, at least, around the world where match-fixing has been alleged and in some cases been proved", he said.
Mr Davies, who has spent time in the Far East seeing how betting works over there, added: "People are fanatical about betting even in areas where it's illegal.
"The truth is there is all of this unofficial betting, quite a lot of it on the Internet, and they bet on everything and anything."
The suspected match fixers are being held under the bribery and fraud Acts at a police station in the Midlands. It is understood that the Crown Prosecution Service has been liaising with police officers in recent days.
The suggestion that English football games are susceptible to match – fixing will cause serious concern for the Football Association.
In recent years concern has been growing that gangs were targeting matches in the UK. This newspaper was approached by an undercover investigator with links to Fifa, who had been gathering evidence against suspected Asian match fixers offering to operate in Britain.
During a series of undercover meetings in Manchester this month, which were covertly recorded, one of the fixers claimed he could rig games and that potential gamblers would make hundreds of thousands of pounds by using the inside information on Asian – based betting websites.
The fixer, from Singapore, also alleged that he controlled teams in other European countries and could buy foreign referees to secure results.
"In England the cost is very high … usually for the players it is £70,000," he explained in imperfect English.
He offered to target two football matches in Britain this month. He said he planned to tell players how many goals he needed to be scored in total. "I commit myself and they commit. So you tell me how many goals … Give me at least five … either 3–2, 4–0 or zero, … for me four is enough."
He also claimed that he would pay one player an extra £5,000 to take a yellow card at the beginning of the game as a signal that the match's result was likely to be manipulated. During one meeting this month, the fixer correctly predicted how many goals would be scored during a match the following day.
"This is my team", he began, pointing to the club listed on a gambling website. "I know what they're going to do."
He added: "I know because they all tell me every time. Because sometimes I have extra money, I just send them some money … because sometimes they need money or they call me so I just leave them some pocket money."
The fixer asked us for €60,000 [£50,000], which he said was to cover the cost of paying the players.
He claimed to be connected to Wilson Raj Perumal, who has been convicted of rigging football matches abroad. "Wilson Raj Perumal … he's the king … he's my boss. Everybody in the world know him," the fixer said.
Raj Perumal, is also originally from Singapore, but has lived in London. He is understood to be responsible for fixing numerous football matches over the last 30 years, and is helping the Hungarian police to investigate corruption.
Match fixers target players and officials to rig the result of games so that they can earn hundreds of thousands of pounds by betting or allowing others to bet on the predetermined outcome.
The gambling takes place in the Asian market and British betting markets are not believed to have been implicated.
International betting monitors have warned that millions of pounds are being wagered on Conference games and some UK bookmakers stopped taking bets on some teams early this year. It is understood that there are active police investigations into football fixing in more than 60 countries.
An FA spokesman said: "The FA has been made aware of a number of arrests in relation to an NCA investigation. We have worked closely with the authorities in relation to these allegations. The FA will make no further comment at this time due to ongoing investigations."
Football match-fixing: six arrested by police investigating betting syndicate as rigging hits British game
Members of an alleged betting syndicate have been arrested on suspicion of fixing English football games in the biggest match-rigging scandal for decades, The Telegraph can disclose.
Officers from the National Crime Agency held six men in the past two days, including at least three footballers and Delroy Facey, a player-turned-agent who has played in the Premier League.
One internationally known fixer arrived in this country last week and was arrested on Tuesday evening.
In a series of covertly recorded conversations over the past fortnight, he claimed that lower league matches could be fixed for as little as £50,000 and correctly forecast the outcome of three games played by the same team.
It is the first time in decades that police have amassed sufficient evidence to hold those suspected of trying to fix a match in Britain, following a succession of similar scandals abroad.
On Wednesday evening the agency said: “Six men have been arrested across the country as part of an NCA investigation into alleged football match fixing. The focus of the operation is a suspected international illegal betting syndicate. The NCA is working closely with the Gambling Commission and the Football Association.”
The operation is one of the first by the agency, dubbed Britain’s FBI, which was launched this year to fight suspected organised and serious crime.
The identities of the teams involved cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, as the police operation is understood to remain active. However, they are not Premier League sides. “This operation remains very live with new developments on an almost daily basis,” said one well-placed source.
The suspected match fixers are being held under the bribery and fraud Acts at a police station in the Midlands. It is understood that the Crown Prosecution Service has been liaising with police officers in recent days.
The suggestion that English football games are susceptible to match-fixing will cause serious concern for the Football Association, which fiercely defends the integrity of the game.
In recent years fears have been growing that gangs were targeting matches in the UK. This newspaper was approached by an undercover investigator with links to Fifa, who had been gathering evidence against suspected Asian match fixers offering to operate in Britain.
During a series of undercover meetings in Manchester this month, which were covertly recorded, one of the fixers claimed he could rig games and that potential gamblers would make hundreds of thousands of pounds by using the inside information on Asian-based betting websites.
The fixer, from Singapore, also alleged that he controlled teams in other European countries and could buy foreign referees to secure results.
“In England the cost is very high … usually for the players it is £70,000,” he explained in imperfect English.
He offered to target two football matches in Britain this month. He said he planned to tell players how many goals he needed to be scored in total. “So I talk to them. Double confirm. I also tell them, I tell … this [is] what I want … Because simple, I commit myself and they commit. So you tell me how many goals … Give me at least five … either 3-2, 4-0 or zero, … for me four is enough.”
The fixer told the undercover investigator how he typically instructed players. “So, so, the first, first 45 minutes, the result must be two-zero or 1-1. That’s two goal. More than enough for me,” he explained.
“In the second 45 minutes, so two-zero. Total, the whole game must be have four-zero or 3-1 or 2-2. As long as the total.”
He also claimed that he would pay one player an extra £5,000 to take a yellow card at the beginning of the game as a signal that the match’s result was likely to be manipulated. During one meeting this month, the fixer correctly predicted how many goals would be scored during a match the following day.
“This is my team”, he began, pointing to the club listed on a gambling website on his mobile phone. “I know what they’re going to do.”
He added: “I know because they all tell me every time. Because sometimes I have extra money, I just send them some money … because sometimes they need money or they call me so I just leave them some pocket money.”
The fixer asked us for €60,000 [£50,000], which he said was to cover the cost of paying the players.
He claimed to be connected to Wilson Raj Perumal, who has been convicted of rigging football matches abroad. “Wilson Raj Perumal … he’s the king … he’s my boss. Everybody in the world know him,” the fixer said.
Raj Perumal, is also originally from Singapore, but has lived in London. He is understood to be responsible for fixing numerous football matches over the past 30 years, and is helping the Hungarian police to investigate corruption.
Match fixers target players and officials to rig the result of games so that they can earn hundreds of thousands of pounds by betting or allowing others to bet on the predetermined outcome.
The bet will usually be for a minimum number of goals and the fixer will often try to incentivise players to concede goals deliberately and lose a match.
The gambling takes place in Asian markets and British betting markets are not believed to have been implicated.
Concern was already mounting that Asian match fixers were targeting lower league British games. In a recent interview, Chris Eaton, Fifa’s former head of security, said that match fixing had become “endemic” internationally.
Earlier this month, Nick Garlic, a senior official at Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, criticised the Football Association’s commitment to tackling corruption and said he believed match fixers had worked in Britain.
International betting monitors have warned that millions of pounds are being wagered on Conference games and some UK bookmakers stopped taking bets on some teams early this year. Following those warnings, the FA contacted clubs to “remind players and officials of their responsibilities under the rules”.
It is understood that there are active police investigations into football fixing in more than 60 countries.
In September, four Australian players, who used to play for AFC Hornchurch, were arrested after allegedly conceding goals as part of a match-fixing ring.
On Wednesday night, an FA spokesman said: “The FA has been made aware of a number of arrests in relation to an NCA investigation. We have worked closely with the authorities in relation to these allegations. The FA will make no further comment at this time due to ongoing investigations.”
A Gambling Commission spokesman said that the body had “provided advice, intelligence and expertise in supporting this ongoing NCA investigation and continues to liaise with both the NCA and the Football Association”.
Officers from the National Crime Agency held six men in the past two days, including at least three footballers and Delroy Facey, a player-turned-agent who has played in the Premier League.
One internationally known fixer arrived in this country last week and was arrested on Tuesday evening.
In a series of covertly recorded conversations over the past fortnight, he claimed that lower league matches could be fixed for as little as £50,000 and correctly forecast the outcome of three games played by the same team.
It is the first time in decades that police have amassed sufficient evidence to hold those suspected of trying to fix a match in Britain, following a succession of similar scandals abroad.
On Wednesday evening the agency said: “Six men have been arrested across the country as part of an NCA investigation into alleged football match fixing. The focus of the operation is a suspected international illegal betting syndicate. The NCA is working closely with the Gambling Commission and the Football Association.”
The operation is one of the first by the agency, dubbed Britain’s FBI, which was launched this year to fight suspected organised and serious crime.
The identities of the teams involved cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, as the police operation is understood to remain active. However, they are not Premier League sides. “This operation remains very live with new developments on an almost daily basis,” said one well-placed source.
The suspected match fixers are being held under the bribery and fraud Acts at a police station in the Midlands. It is understood that the Crown Prosecution Service has been liaising with police officers in recent days.
The suggestion that English football games are susceptible to match-fixing will cause serious concern for the Football Association, which fiercely defends the integrity of the game.
In recent years fears have been growing that gangs were targeting matches in the UK. This newspaper was approached by an undercover investigator with links to Fifa, who had been gathering evidence against suspected Asian match fixers offering to operate in Britain.
During a series of undercover meetings in Manchester this month, which were covertly recorded, one of the fixers claimed he could rig games and that potential gamblers would make hundreds of thousands of pounds by using the inside information on Asian-based betting websites.
The fixer, from Singapore, also alleged that he controlled teams in other European countries and could buy foreign referees to secure results.
“In England the cost is very high … usually for the players it is £70,000,” he explained in imperfect English.
He offered to target two football matches in Britain this month. He said he planned to tell players how many goals he needed to be scored in total. “So I talk to them. Double confirm. I also tell them, I tell … this [is] what I want … Because simple, I commit myself and they commit. So you tell me how many goals … Give me at least five … either 3-2, 4-0 or zero, … for me four is enough.”
The fixer told the undercover investigator how he typically instructed players. “So, so, the first, first 45 minutes, the result must be two-zero or 1-1. That’s two goal. More than enough for me,” he explained.
“In the second 45 minutes, so two-zero. Total, the whole game must be have four-zero or 3-1 or 2-2. As long as the total.”
He also claimed that he would pay one player an extra £5,000 to take a yellow card at the beginning of the game as a signal that the match’s result was likely to be manipulated. During one meeting this month, the fixer correctly predicted how many goals would be scored during a match the following day.
“This is my team”, he began, pointing to the club listed on a gambling website on his mobile phone. “I know what they’re going to do.”
He added: “I know because they all tell me every time. Because sometimes I have extra money, I just send them some money … because sometimes they need money or they call me so I just leave them some pocket money.”
The fixer asked us for €60,000 [£50,000], which he said was to cover the cost of paying the players.
He claimed to be connected to Wilson Raj Perumal, who has been convicted of rigging football matches abroad. “Wilson Raj Perumal … he’s the king … he’s my boss. Everybody in the world know him,” the fixer said.
Raj Perumal, is also originally from Singapore, but has lived in London. He is understood to be responsible for fixing numerous football matches over the past 30 years, and is helping the Hungarian police to investigate corruption.
Match fixers target players and officials to rig the result of games so that they can earn hundreds of thousands of pounds by betting or allowing others to bet on the predetermined outcome.
The bet will usually be for a minimum number of goals and the fixer will often try to incentivise players to concede goals deliberately and lose a match.
The gambling takes place in Asian markets and British betting markets are not believed to have been implicated.
Concern was already mounting that Asian match fixers were targeting lower league British games. In a recent interview, Chris Eaton, Fifa’s former head of security, said that match fixing had become “endemic” internationally.
Earlier this month, Nick Garlic, a senior official at Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, criticised the Football Association’s commitment to tackling corruption and said he believed match fixers had worked in Britain.
International betting monitors have warned that millions of pounds are being wagered on Conference games and some UK bookmakers stopped taking bets on some teams early this year. Following those warnings, the FA contacted clubs to “remind players and officials of their responsibilities under the rules”.
It is understood that there are active police investigations into football fixing in more than 60 countries.
In September, four Australian players, who used to play for AFC Hornchurch, were arrested after allegedly conceding goals as part of a match-fixing ring.
On Wednesday night, an FA spokesman said: “The FA has been made aware of a number of arrests in relation to an NCA investigation. We have worked closely with the authorities in relation to these allegations. The FA will make no further comment at this time due to ongoing investigations.”
A Gambling Commission spokesman said that the body had “provided advice, intelligence and expertise in supporting this ongoing NCA investigation and continues to liaise with both the NCA and the Football Association”.
November 26, 2013
NJ gives green light to online gambling
New Jersey regulators have given the green light to six of the online gambling operators that took part in the five day trial period and can now go live with real cash games immediately, except for the Golden Nugget that State Gaming Enforcement director David Rebuck says needs to do some more work on the software before they can enter.
All seven of the online operators granted a license took part in the trial period that New began a five-day trial period of online gambling last Thursday. The reason was to test the complex technology involved in the games and determine whether the systems are ready for the entire state to play for real money.
The biggest problem recorded in the trial period was the geolocation software which was registering players outside the state borders when they were actually inside. However regulators believe this to be a minor issue and can be worked out as live gambling takes place.
No timeline for the Golden Nugget has been given and the operator will have to wait until it proves itself before it can enter the online gambling business in the state.
All seven of the online operators granted a license took part in the trial period that New began a five-day trial period of online gambling last Thursday. The reason was to test the complex technology involved in the games and determine whether the systems are ready for the entire state to play for real money.
The biggest problem recorded in the trial period was the geolocation software which was registering players outside the state borders when they were actually inside. However regulators believe this to be a minor issue and can be worked out as live gambling takes place.
No timeline for the Golden Nugget has been given and the operator will have to wait until it proves itself before it can enter the online gambling business in the state.
November 22, 2013
Beckham signs up in Macau
David Beckham has been signed up by Las Vegas Sands in Macau to represent and promote the Casino operators business in Asia focussing on its dining and retail business within their resorts.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and England football star attended a press conference in Macau to announce the deal, with it being David Beckham’s first ever visit to Asia’s largest gambling hub. Details of the deal are not really clear following the press conference as Mr Beckham was unable to answer reporter’s questions, but Sands China Chief Executive Officer Edward Tracy wants to use the appeal of the Beckham brand to increase sales in their non-gambling business which currently represents 40% of their total income and believes the impact of the former football star will help the company achieve that.
Earlier this year, the former England captain said he would act as a global ambassador for soccer in the world’s most populous nation, and the China Football Association invited him to promote the game among the youth. With such a well-recognised celebrity as David Beckham with Sands the impact in China would help promote the operator without breaking any laws which restrict direct advertising of gambling in China.
“I miss football but I’m happy that I have something set up and I can just jump into another career as long as I get off the field,” Beckham told reporters in Macau, referring to his company Beckham Ventures as well as work on various brand tie-ups and charities. “I’m glad that there are so many business opportunities presenting in front of me and I can become a businessman now.”
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and England football star attended a press conference in Macau to announce the deal, with it being David Beckham’s first ever visit to Asia’s largest gambling hub. Details of the deal are not really clear following the press conference as Mr Beckham was unable to answer reporter’s questions, but Sands China Chief Executive Officer Edward Tracy wants to use the appeal of the Beckham brand to increase sales in their non-gambling business which currently represents 40% of their total income and believes the impact of the former football star will help the company achieve that.
Earlier this year, the former England captain said he would act as a global ambassador for soccer in the world’s most populous nation, and the China Football Association invited him to promote the game among the youth. With such a well-recognised celebrity as David Beckham with Sands the impact in China would help promote the operator without breaking any laws which restrict direct advertising of gambling in China.
“I miss football but I’m happy that I have something set up and I can just jump into another career as long as I get off the field,” Beckham told reporters in Macau, referring to his company Beckham Ventures as well as work on various brand tie-ups and charities. “I’m glad that there are so many business opportunities presenting in front of me and I can become a businessman now.”
TV gambling ads have risen 600% since law change
The number of gambling commercials on British TV has rocketed from 234,000 a year to nearly 1.4m annually since the deregulation of the sector six years ago, according to new research.
Media regulator Ofcom on Tuesday published research showing that viewers were bombarded with 1.39m gambling ads ran last year, with under-16s exposed to an average of 211 ads each.
This is an increase of nearly 600% since the Gambling Act 2005 came into force in September 2007, which opened the door to TV advertising for sports betting, online casinos and poker. Prior to that legislation only allowed ads for football pools, the National Lottery and bingo premises.
In 2007, some 234,000 gambling ads were aired – two years before that the figure was just 90,000. This rose to 537,000 in 2008 after the market was liberalised.
Ofcom pointed out that between 2005 and 2012, a period that has seen significant growth in the number of digital TV channels available to viewers, the total amount of TV advertising airtime also doubled from 17.4m to 34.2m spots.
Over this period the proportion of commercials accounted for by gambling ads rose from 0.5% to 4.1% of all TV advertising.
According to Ofcom, in 2012 532,000 bingo TV adverts were aired, 411,000 commercials for online casino and poker services, 355,000 for lotteries and scratch cards, and 91,000 sports betting ads.
The research shows that the 1.39m TV ads produced 30.9bn "impacts" – that is, the number of times a commercial was seen by viewers – across the course of 2012.
A breakdown of the impacts shows that adults saw an average of 630 gambling ads on TV, while children aged four to 15 saw 211.
Media regulator Ofcom on Tuesday published research showing that viewers were bombarded with 1.39m gambling ads ran last year, with under-16s exposed to an average of 211 ads each.
This is an increase of nearly 600% since the Gambling Act 2005 came into force in September 2007, which opened the door to TV advertising for sports betting, online casinos and poker. Prior to that legislation only allowed ads for football pools, the National Lottery and bingo premises.
In 2007, some 234,000 gambling ads were aired – two years before that the figure was just 90,000. This rose to 537,000 in 2008 after the market was liberalised.
Ofcom pointed out that between 2005 and 2012, a period that has seen significant growth in the number of digital TV channels available to viewers, the total amount of TV advertising airtime also doubled from 17.4m to 34.2m spots.
Over this period the proportion of commercials accounted for by gambling ads rose from 0.5% to 4.1% of all TV advertising.
According to Ofcom, in 2012 532,000 bingo TV adverts were aired, 411,000 commercials for online casino and poker services, 355,000 for lotteries and scratch cards, and 91,000 sports betting ads.
The research shows that the 1.39m TV ads produced 30.9bn "impacts" – that is, the number of times a commercial was seen by viewers – across the course of 2012.
A breakdown of the impacts shows that adults saw an average of 630 gambling ads on TV, while children aged four to 15 saw 211.
November 11, 2013
Two online gambling bosses leave
Two major departures have happened recently with Paul Leggett Vice President of online gaming at Amaya leaving after an internal email was leaked to the media.
David Baazov, CEO of Amaya sent an internal email confirming Leggett’s departure by saying. “Paul is a consummate professional and has done an incredible job at Amaya,” he said. “He has led the integration of the online businesses, developed our strategies for technology and product, signed key deals and has put our online business on the path forward to greater things. He will be sorely missed.”
It is understood the departure is voluntary and could be connected to Leggetts previous work within online gambling post the UIGEA, however this is not confirmed, but as this was announced Amaya were granted a license to supply online gambling in New Jersey.
Another departure in the online gambling world is that of Mathias Dahms the CEO of Mybet, Dahms will step down from his role at the end of the year. He has been with the company for 15 years and was a co-founder of Mybet and has held the role of CEO since 2010. No reason for the departure has been made except that Mr Dahms will be seeking new challenges.
David Baazov, CEO of Amaya sent an internal email confirming Leggett’s departure by saying. “Paul is a consummate professional and has done an incredible job at Amaya,” he said. “He has led the integration of the online businesses, developed our strategies for technology and product, signed key deals and has put our online business on the path forward to greater things. He will be sorely missed.”
It is understood the departure is voluntary and could be connected to Leggetts previous work within online gambling post the UIGEA, however this is not confirmed, but as this was announced Amaya were granted a license to supply online gambling in New Jersey.
Another departure in the online gambling world is that of Mathias Dahms the CEO of Mybet, Dahms will step down from his role at the end of the year. He has been with the company for 15 years and was a co-founder of Mybet and has held the role of CEO since 2010. No reason for the departure has been made except that Mr Dahms will be seeking new challenges.
Ladbrokes Letter Reignites Fixed-Odds Betting Terminal Debate
A letter from UK planning minister Nick Boles to bookmakers Ladbrokes says the planning change legislation passed this summer will help beat back efforts by local councils to stop the spread of betting shops on the UK’s high streets. The letter, obtained under freedom of information laws by shadow local government minister Hilary Benn, was a response to a query by Ladbrokes regarding the “alarming actions by unelected officials” toward the opening of new betting shops.
Earlier this year, London’s Newham Council voted to block the opening of a new Paddy Power shop in its jurisdiction, but the Irish betting company challenged the decision and eventually won a victory in Thames Magistrates Court in June. In Boies’ response to Ladbrokes, the minister acknowledged the actions of local councils “can be a significant problem” but Boies said the new powers available to the government under the zoning laws would allow them to “tackle” the problem.
Boies’ response led Benn to claim that the government was “undermining the powers used by councils” while Manchester councilor Kevin Peel said the letter “made a total mockery of the government’s localism agenda.” A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government rejected the allegations, noting that the legislation was introduced to parliament three months before Ladbrokes wrote its letter, thus “to suggest the government was somehow influenced by the betting industry is simply untrue.”
The main objection of local councils like Newham involves the betting shops’ controversial fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs), which are limited by law to four per shop but can account for nearly half of some shop profits. Last month, Prime Minister David Cameron promised to take a “proper look” at the FOBT issue, saying the difficulty lay in finding the sweet spot between “a fair approach and a decent approach that prevents problem gambling” while ensuring that bookmakers “are not over-regulated.” Helen Grant, the new head of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), said there was “certainly no green light” for FOBTs and the government “will be reviewing their existence and function very carefully.”
The government won’t have much time to contemplate its path forward. On Thursday, Liverpool city council unanimously voted to ban FOBTs from betting shops within its jurisdiction. The council will now ask the government to either allow the ban to proceed or to authorize the council to limit the maximum stakes punters are able to wager on the machines and cap the number of betting shops bookmakers can open in certain areas of the city.
The Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) has criticized FOBT opponents for ginning up the debate by citing “misleading and unverified” statistics that paint worst-case scenarios of players being driven into bankruptcy as representative of all FOBT activity. ABB spokesman Peter Craske cited the group’s own stats that showed “most customers bets around £7.55 and play for about 20 minutes” while reminding Liverpool councilors that betting shops employed 700 local residents. As for complaints that bookies are taking over UK high streets, Craske said bookies were “like any other retailer” in that they “open in areas where there are customers and where there is demand.”
Craske’s criticism is echoed by statements issued this summer by the UK Gambling Commission that described the FOBT worst-case scenario as “astronomically improbable and cannot be credibly cited,” yet these stats continue to drive much of the FOBT debate. Fortunately, while the wheels of justice may turn slowly, they do eventually get up to speed, evidenced not only by Paddy Power’s court victory but by bookmaker William Hill’s successful challenge of a decision by a council in Inverness denying Hills a license to open a shop on Pumpgate Street.
Last week, the Highland Licensing Board issued a statement acknowledging that its decision represented a “breach of natural justice” in that it had not allowed Hills the opportunity to challenge claims that the new shop would harm the community. The board also stated that “there was no evidence before the board to suggest that there was a likelihood or probability of the harm from gambling they thought it possible might occur.” The council’s “reason for refusal had therefore been based on speculation, and would be held, therefore to be unreasonable.” A decision made on the basis of evidence… Will wonders never cease?
Earlier this year, London’s Newham Council voted to block the opening of a new Paddy Power shop in its jurisdiction, but the Irish betting company challenged the decision and eventually won a victory in Thames Magistrates Court in June. In Boies’ response to Ladbrokes, the minister acknowledged the actions of local councils “can be a significant problem” but Boies said the new powers available to the government under the zoning laws would allow them to “tackle” the problem.
Boies’ response led Benn to claim that the government was “undermining the powers used by councils” while Manchester councilor Kevin Peel said the letter “made a total mockery of the government’s localism agenda.” A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government rejected the allegations, noting that the legislation was introduced to parliament three months before Ladbrokes wrote its letter, thus “to suggest the government was somehow influenced by the betting industry is simply untrue.”
The main objection of local councils like Newham involves the betting shops’ controversial fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs), which are limited by law to four per shop but can account for nearly half of some shop profits. Last month, Prime Minister David Cameron promised to take a “proper look” at the FOBT issue, saying the difficulty lay in finding the sweet spot between “a fair approach and a decent approach that prevents problem gambling” while ensuring that bookmakers “are not over-regulated.” Helen Grant, the new head of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), said there was “certainly no green light” for FOBTs and the government “will be reviewing their existence and function very carefully.”
The government won’t have much time to contemplate its path forward. On Thursday, Liverpool city council unanimously voted to ban FOBTs from betting shops within its jurisdiction. The council will now ask the government to either allow the ban to proceed or to authorize the council to limit the maximum stakes punters are able to wager on the machines and cap the number of betting shops bookmakers can open in certain areas of the city.
The Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) has criticized FOBT opponents for ginning up the debate by citing “misleading and unverified” statistics that paint worst-case scenarios of players being driven into bankruptcy as representative of all FOBT activity. ABB spokesman Peter Craske cited the group’s own stats that showed “most customers bets around £7.55 and play for about 20 minutes” while reminding Liverpool councilors that betting shops employed 700 local residents. As for complaints that bookies are taking over UK high streets, Craske said bookies were “like any other retailer” in that they “open in areas where there are customers and where there is demand.”
Craske’s criticism is echoed by statements issued this summer by the UK Gambling Commission that described the FOBT worst-case scenario as “astronomically improbable and cannot be credibly cited,” yet these stats continue to drive much of the FOBT debate. Fortunately, while the wheels of justice may turn slowly, they do eventually get up to speed, evidenced not only by Paddy Power’s court victory but by bookmaker William Hill’s successful challenge of a decision by a council in Inverness denying Hills a license to open a shop on Pumpgate Street.
Last week, the Highland Licensing Board issued a statement acknowledging that its decision represented a “breach of natural justice” in that it had not allowed Hills the opportunity to challenge claims that the new shop would harm the community. The board also stated that “there was no evidence before the board to suggest that there was a likelihood or probability of the harm from gambling they thought it possible might occur.” The council’s “reason for refusal had therefore been based on speculation, and would be held, therefore to be unreasonable.” A decision made on the basis of evidence… Will wonders never cease?
November 08, 2013
New Jersey approvals clear six Atlantic City casinos to launch online
The Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) in New Jersey issued Transactional Waivers Friday to online gaming companies partnered with six of the seven Atlantic City casinos that will launch online gaming sites on November 26th.
The waivers enable Borgata, Caesars, Golden Nugget, Tropicana, Trump Plaza and Trump Taj Mahal to go live on that date with their online poker and casino offerings, while Resorts and its online partner PokerStars continue to wait for approval.
A spokesperson for PokerStars said: "Our application remains under review by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and we remain committed to working with the Division to complete the review process."
But the wait is over for the rest. bwin.party received a waiver to begin transacting with Borgata, as did GameAccount (Trump Plaza); Fertitta (Trump Taj Mahal); Amaya (Caesars, Borgata, Golden Nugget and Trump Plaza); Gamesys (Tropicana); 888 (Caesars' and Bally's); and Bally Technologies (Golden Nugget).
The DGE also said Friday that eight other companies were considered eligible to receive a Transaction Waiver, once they enter into an agreement with a casino licensee or platform provider and request the waiver.
The companies that have passed a preliminary investigation are Paddy Power, Scientific Games, Williams Interactive, Genesis Gaming, Betable, Evolution, Pala Interactive, and Rush Street Interactive.
The DGE added that it continues to review other companies who have filed for Casino Service Industry Enterprise (CSIE) licensure, ancillary casino service industry enterprise licensure and vendor registration.
The waivers enable Borgata, Caesars, Golden Nugget, Tropicana, Trump Plaza and Trump Taj Mahal to go live on that date with their online poker and casino offerings, while Resorts and its online partner PokerStars continue to wait for approval.
A spokesperson for PokerStars said: "Our application remains under review by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and we remain committed to working with the Division to complete the review process."
But the wait is over for the rest. bwin.party received a waiver to begin transacting with Borgata, as did GameAccount (Trump Plaza); Fertitta (Trump Taj Mahal); Amaya (Caesars, Borgata, Golden Nugget and Trump Plaza); Gamesys (Tropicana); 888 (Caesars' and Bally's); and Bally Technologies (Golden Nugget).
The DGE also said Friday that eight other companies were considered eligible to receive a Transaction Waiver, once they enter into an agreement with a casino licensee or platform provider and request the waiver.
The companies that have passed a preliminary investigation are Paddy Power, Scientific Games, Williams Interactive, Genesis Gaming, Betable, Evolution, Pala Interactive, and Rush Street Interactive.
The DGE added that it continues to review other companies who have filed for Casino Service Industry Enterprise (CSIE) licensure, ancillary casino service industry enterprise licensure and vendor registration.
Japan’s big developers plan super casino in Tokyo
A proposed new casino development in Tokyo, Japan is being lined up by Japan’s biggest property developer Mitsui Fudosan Co which has joined forces with media firm Fuji Media Holdings and builder Kajima Corp.
It has been over 10 years of lobbying from supporters of casinos in the country but next year it is believed that land based casinos will be allowed by the new government of the business-friendly Liberal Democratic Party.
Following Japan winning the 2020 Olympic Games bid it is strongly believed the government will legalise gambling to help pull in more desperately needed tax from the building of casinos.
The three companies want to build a complex in Odaiba, near Tokyo Bay, that would include a hotel, conference centre and a casino.
“Our role in this project would be to get involved and make a contribution to help Tokyo become a more attractive city,” said Masatoshi Satou, Mitsui Fudosan’s executive managing officer. “But it is totally up to what happens to the bill and the direction of the government.”
Gambling giants MGM Resorts International, Las Vegas Sands Corp, Melco Crown Entertainment and Wynn Resorts Ltd have also shown interest in developing casino resorts in Japan, which is the last untapped country where operators believe huge profits can be made from Japanese gamblers.
More than 100 lawmakers, many from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, will meet on Tuesday next week to discuss and finalize plans for an initial bill which will then be submitted during the current parliament session that ends next month.
If the legislation passes as expected next year, the government will come up with concrete regulations within a year. Which would mean the first casino would open in Japan in time for the 2020 Olympics.
It has been over 10 years of lobbying from supporters of casinos in the country but next year it is believed that land based casinos will be allowed by the new government of the business-friendly Liberal Democratic Party.
Following Japan winning the 2020 Olympic Games bid it is strongly believed the government will legalise gambling to help pull in more desperately needed tax from the building of casinos.
The three companies want to build a complex in Odaiba, near Tokyo Bay, that would include a hotel, conference centre and a casino.
“Our role in this project would be to get involved and make a contribution to help Tokyo become a more attractive city,” said Masatoshi Satou, Mitsui Fudosan’s executive managing officer. “But it is totally up to what happens to the bill and the direction of the government.”
Gambling giants MGM Resorts International, Las Vegas Sands Corp, Melco Crown Entertainment and Wynn Resorts Ltd have also shown interest in developing casino resorts in Japan, which is the last untapped country where operators believe huge profits can be made from Japanese gamblers.
More than 100 lawmakers, many from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, will meet on Tuesday next week to discuss and finalize plans for an initial bill which will then be submitted during the current parliament session that ends next month.
If the legislation passes as expected next year, the government will come up with concrete regulations within a year. Which would mean the first casino would open in Japan in time for the 2020 Olympics.
UK government moves forward with “point of consumption” tax
The point of consumption tax that has caused so much contention amongst online gambling operators working and serving the UK market has taken another step to becoming into effect with a second reading in the house of commons.
The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill was passed unopposed at second reading in the Commons on 5 November, Under the terms of the bill, all overseas operators offering gambling services to customers in the UK will be required to hold a UK Gambling Commission licence. Currently these businesses are governed by the regulatory authorities of countries in which they are based.
Culture minister Helen Grant told MPs that the new licensing requirement will make overseas operators “the subject of robust and consistent regulation, increasing protection for UK consumers, supporting action against illegal activity and establishing fairer competition for British-based operators”.
Labour’s culture spokesman Clive Efford said the bill had been “a long time coming”. But he questioned why it did not include action against match-fixing in sport.
He said the European Parliament had passed a resolution to make match-fixing a criminal offence and sports governing bodies had also strengthened their own laws.
“Why when we are attempting to create the most robust system for regulating the gambling industry here in the UK would we fail to introduce this specific form of sanction?” he asked.
The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill was passed unopposed at second reading in the Commons on 5 November, Under the terms of the bill, all overseas operators offering gambling services to customers in the UK will be required to hold a UK Gambling Commission licence. Currently these businesses are governed by the regulatory authorities of countries in which they are based.
Culture minister Helen Grant told MPs that the new licensing requirement will make overseas operators “the subject of robust and consistent regulation, increasing protection for UK consumers, supporting action against illegal activity and establishing fairer competition for British-based operators”.
Labour’s culture spokesman Clive Efford said the bill had been “a long time coming”. But he questioned why it did not include action against match-fixing in sport.
He said the European Parliament had passed a resolution to make match-fixing a criminal offence and sports governing bodies had also strengthened their own laws.
“Why when we are attempting to create the most robust system for regulating the gambling industry here in the UK would we fail to introduce this specific form of sanction?” he asked.
Amaya signs bwin.party games deal for New Jersey & Europe
Canadian gaming software supplier Amaya Gaming Group has entered into a licensing agreement to supply UK-listed bwin.party digital entertainment with a range of its online casino content for the operator’s online gaming brands in Europe and New Jersey.
bwin.party will be launching three online gaming websites in New Jersey on behalf of its New Jersey gaming partner, the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, including Partypoker.com, Borgatacasino.com and Borgatapoker.com.
The websites will all be integrated with Amaya’s Casino Gaming System, providing customers with access to a selection of the supplier’s proprietary and third-party gaming content.
bwin.party’s director of games Golan Shaked said the deal will give customers access to “an even wider range of market-leading online casino games through the Partypoker.com, Borgatacasino.com and Borgatapoker.com gaming sites in New Jersey.”
“We are delighted to be working with one of the premier providers of online casino content in the market today,” Shaked said.
Amaya’s content will also go live across bwin.party’s existing European-facing websites, including those operating under its PartyPoker, bwin, PartyCasino and Foxy Bingo brands.
Amaya chief executive David Baazov said he was “thrilled” to extend his company’s relationship with the Gibraltar-based operator. bwin.party sold its Ongame poker network to Amaya last year.
“We look forward to leveraging our proven online casino content and bwin.party's strong reputation and partnerships to embrace the emerging but exciting online gaming market in the U.S. and the existing online gaming markets they serve,” Baazov added.
bwin.party will be launching three online gaming websites in New Jersey on behalf of its New Jersey gaming partner, the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, including Partypoker.com, Borgatacasino.com and Borgatapoker.com.
The websites will all be integrated with Amaya’s Casino Gaming System, providing customers with access to a selection of the supplier’s proprietary and third-party gaming content.
bwin.party’s director of games Golan Shaked said the deal will give customers access to “an even wider range of market-leading online casino games through the Partypoker.com, Borgatacasino.com and Borgatapoker.com gaming sites in New Jersey.”
“We are delighted to be working with one of the premier providers of online casino content in the market today,” Shaked said.
Amaya’s content will also go live across bwin.party’s existing European-facing websites, including those operating under its PartyPoker, bwin, PartyCasino and Foxy Bingo brands.
Amaya chief executive David Baazov said he was “thrilled” to extend his company’s relationship with the Gibraltar-based operator. bwin.party sold its Ongame poker network to Amaya last year.
“We look forward to leveraging our proven online casino content and bwin.party's strong reputation and partnerships to embrace the emerging but exciting online gaming market in the U.S. and the existing online gaming markets they serve,” Baazov added.
November 05, 2013
Unibet post impressive results
Unibet the Swedish online gambling operator has announced impressive results for the nine-month period January 1 to September 30, 2013, with net profits almost tripling and mobile revenues soaring. Here are the main points from Unibet:
· Gross winnings revenue amounted to GBP 56.1 (43.8) million for the third quarter of 2013 and GBP 169.5 (140.3) million for the period January to September 2013.
· Profit from operations for the third quarter 2013 amounted to GBP 9.2 (4.5) million and GBP 29.0 (22.6) million for the period January to September 2013.
· Profit before tax for the third quarter of 2013 amounted to GBP 9.2 (4.0) million and GBP 27.9 (22.1) million for the period January to September 2013.
· Profit after tax for the third quarter of 2013 amounted to GBP 8.2 (3.4) million and GBP 25.4 (19.8) million for the period January to September 2013.
· Earnings per share for the third quarter of 2013 were GBP 0.292 (0.120) and GBP 0.908 (0.710) for the period January to September 2013.
· Operating cash flow before movements in working capital amounted to GBP 14.2 (8.7) million for the third quarter 2013 and GBP 43.4 (34.2) million for the period January to September 2013.
· Number of active customers at the end of the quarter was 453,753 (382,378).
“28 per cent organic growth”
“Unibet delivered 28 per cent year on year growth in gross winnings revenue in the third quarter (22 per cent excluding the impact of exchange rate changes). This was achieved despite the excellent summer weather in many of our key markets and high numbers of favourites winning. The growth was wholly organic and demonstrates continued increases in market share.”
“It is also satisfying to report that underlying EBITDA for the third quarter increased in line with the growth in revenues, demonstrating improved scalability despite the significant investments Unibet has made in information mining, local regulation and in Kambi.”
“Unibet’s mobile offering continued to develop and mobile revenues represented 23 per cent of gross winnings revenue for the third quarter 2013 compared to 8 per cent for the same period last year. This proportion is significantly higher in certain key markets.”
“In the period up to 3 November, average daily gross winnings revenue has increased by over 21 per cent compared to the third quarter 2013”, says Henrik Tjärnström, CEO of Unibet.
· Gross winnings revenue amounted to GBP 56.1 (43.8) million for the third quarter of 2013 and GBP 169.5 (140.3) million for the period January to September 2013.
· Profit from operations for the third quarter 2013 amounted to GBP 9.2 (4.5) million and GBP 29.0 (22.6) million for the period January to September 2013.
· Profit before tax for the third quarter of 2013 amounted to GBP 9.2 (4.0) million and GBP 27.9 (22.1) million for the period January to September 2013.
· Profit after tax for the third quarter of 2013 amounted to GBP 8.2 (3.4) million and GBP 25.4 (19.8) million for the period January to September 2013.
· Earnings per share for the third quarter of 2013 were GBP 0.292 (0.120) and GBP 0.908 (0.710) for the period January to September 2013.
· Operating cash flow before movements in working capital amounted to GBP 14.2 (8.7) million for the third quarter 2013 and GBP 43.4 (34.2) million for the period January to September 2013.
· Number of active customers at the end of the quarter was 453,753 (382,378).
“28 per cent organic growth”
“Unibet delivered 28 per cent year on year growth in gross winnings revenue in the third quarter (22 per cent excluding the impact of exchange rate changes). This was achieved despite the excellent summer weather in many of our key markets and high numbers of favourites winning. The growth was wholly organic and demonstrates continued increases in market share.”
“It is also satisfying to report that underlying EBITDA for the third quarter increased in line with the growth in revenues, demonstrating improved scalability despite the significant investments Unibet has made in information mining, local regulation and in Kambi.”
“Unibet’s mobile offering continued to develop and mobile revenues represented 23 per cent of gross winnings revenue for the third quarter 2013 compared to 8 per cent for the same period last year. This proportion is significantly higher in certain key markets.”
“In the period up to 3 November, average daily gross winnings revenue has increased by over 21 per cent compared to the third quarter 2013”, says Henrik Tjärnström, CEO of Unibet.
Are Paddy Power's high-profile stunts going down well with punters on social media?
Paddy Power's heady mix of subversion, mischief and sports chat is proving popular with the social-media crowd.
Recently, the bookmaker's head of brand, Paul Sweeney, said the company was in the "entertainment" business.
A glance at the content pumped out by its Twitter and Facebook presences bears out Sweeney's claim. Sports banter is the order of the day, focused on having a conversation with users.
Stunts have always been a go-to marketing tactic for Paddy Power, but this year they took on a different social dimension. The brand supported Stonewall's "Rainbow Laces" campaign against homophobia, which sent a pair of laces to players at every football league club in England and Scotland. For "basketball diplomacy", an attempt to thaw North Korea-US relations, it backed ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman's quest to organise a game between the two countries.
Sure, the brand gets things wrong on occasion, but for the most part, Paddy Power's social-media content is setting the standard in its sector.
44% of comment on Paddy Power related to the subject of brand preference. The bookmaker's ethical stance helped to drive overall positive perceptions of the brand. Issues discussed included Paddy Power's fair pay-outs and its recent anti-homophobia campaign with Stonewall.
75% of conversations about William Hill benefits were positive. Many believed they would win more with it than other bookmakers, especially for poker and casino games. Factors such as tokens and online support appear to have boosted its appeal.
Recently, the bookmaker's head of brand, Paul Sweeney, said the company was in the "entertainment" business.
A glance at the content pumped out by its Twitter and Facebook presences bears out Sweeney's claim. Sports banter is the order of the day, focused on having a conversation with users.
Stunts have always been a go-to marketing tactic for Paddy Power, but this year they took on a different social dimension. The brand supported Stonewall's "Rainbow Laces" campaign against homophobia, which sent a pair of laces to players at every football league club in England and Scotland. For "basketball diplomacy", an attempt to thaw North Korea-US relations, it backed ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman's quest to organise a game between the two countries.
Sure, the brand gets things wrong on occasion, but for the most part, Paddy Power's social-media content is setting the standard in its sector.
44% of comment on Paddy Power related to the subject of brand preference. The bookmaker's ethical stance helped to drive overall positive perceptions of the brand. Issues discussed included Paddy Power's fair pay-outs and its recent anti-homophobia campaign with Stonewall.
75% of conversations about William Hill benefits were positive. Many believed they would win more with it than other bookmakers, especially for poker and casino games. Factors such as tokens and online support appear to have boosted its appeal.
November 04, 2013
32Red partners ITV for exclusive online slot launch
Gibraltar-licensed online gaming operator 32Red has signed a three-year deal with UK broadcaster ITV to launch an exclusive new online slot game based on popular reality TV show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
32Red signed the agreement with ITV’s Brand Extensions division, which was established to help the broadcaster monetise its most popular programmes.
32Red’s chief executive Ed Ware said his company was “working closely with ITV on a number of initiatives,” adding he was “very excited” about launching the new online slot, which has been developed by Microgaming and is expected to go live on 32Red.com on Thursday, ahead of the show’s return to UK TV screens later this month.
“Obviously the programme is extremely well known and the character of the show converts well into the exclusive slot game we are launching later this week,” Ware explained. “It's another landmark alliance for 32Red and part of our plan to invest in the brand and make positive but relevant associations with highly credible partners.”
I’m a Celebrity … Get me out of here! is a reality TV show in which eight to twelve celebrities live together in a jungle environment for a few weeks without any luxuries, with the winner crowned king or queen of the jungle. The first episode aired in the UK in 2002 with the thirteenth series of the show set to begin later this month.
The new slot game uses iconography from the TV show, as well as the theme tune and other features. Aside from the regular game play, players have the chance to win up to 50 free spins when 3, 4 or 5 scatters appear on screen, triggering a Bushtucker Trial style choice of creepy insects to decide on the free spins multiplier.
32Red’s head of marketing Mark Quayle asaid that the company was “confident that the association with such a strong brand will prove to be a huge success for us.”
“The slot game will be available for casino, poker and bingo players at 32Red to ensure all of our players can sample the thrills of the jungle,” he said.
The partnership marks ITV’s latest online gaming partnership, with the company already working with operator NetPlay TV on the casino site Jackpot247 which features both companies’ branding, and ITV Bingo, managed by Foxy Bingo operator Cashcade and using software provided by 888’s B2B arm Dragonfish.
William van Rest, ITV's director of commerce and ventures, said: “ITV is pleased to be working with 32Red on this fantastic brand extension for I'm a Celebrity.. Get Me Out Of Here! The slot design brings the jungle and its creepy creatures alive with a great new game for 32Red players. We are sure it will be a very popular addition to the 32Red offer.”
It is the first instance of 32Red launching new content with one of its partners, with the majority of its previous deals involving advertising opportunities. The operator sponsors a number of horse racing events, and is an active football sponsor currently working with Italian club Bologna FC. It also sponsors the Late Night Film on UK TV channel Film4.
32Red signed the agreement with ITV’s Brand Extensions division, which was established to help the broadcaster monetise its most popular programmes.
32Red’s chief executive Ed Ware said his company was “working closely with ITV on a number of initiatives,” adding he was “very excited” about launching the new online slot, which has been developed by Microgaming and is expected to go live on 32Red.com on Thursday, ahead of the show’s return to UK TV screens later this month.
“Obviously the programme is extremely well known and the character of the show converts well into the exclusive slot game we are launching later this week,” Ware explained. “It's another landmark alliance for 32Red and part of our plan to invest in the brand and make positive but relevant associations with highly credible partners.”
I’m a Celebrity … Get me out of here! is a reality TV show in which eight to twelve celebrities live together in a jungle environment for a few weeks without any luxuries, with the winner crowned king or queen of the jungle. The first episode aired in the UK in 2002 with the thirteenth series of the show set to begin later this month.
The new slot game uses iconography from the TV show, as well as the theme tune and other features. Aside from the regular game play, players have the chance to win up to 50 free spins when 3, 4 or 5 scatters appear on screen, triggering a Bushtucker Trial style choice of creepy insects to decide on the free spins multiplier.
32Red’s head of marketing Mark Quayle asaid that the company was “confident that the association with such a strong brand will prove to be a huge success for us.”
“The slot game will be available for casino, poker and bingo players at 32Red to ensure all of our players can sample the thrills of the jungle,” he said.
The partnership marks ITV’s latest online gaming partnership, with the company already working with operator NetPlay TV on the casino site Jackpot247 which features both companies’ branding, and ITV Bingo, managed by Foxy Bingo operator Cashcade and using software provided by 888’s B2B arm Dragonfish.
William van Rest, ITV's director of commerce and ventures, said: “ITV is pleased to be working with 32Red on this fantastic brand extension for I'm a Celebrity.. Get Me Out Of Here! The slot design brings the jungle and its creepy creatures alive with a great new game for 32Red players. We are sure it will be a very popular addition to the 32Red offer.”
It is the first instance of 32Red launching new content with one of its partners, with the majority of its previous deals involving advertising opportunities. The operator sponsors a number of horse racing events, and is an active football sponsor currently working with Italian club Bologna FC. It also sponsors the Late Night Film on UK TV channel Film4.
November 02, 2013
US Virgin Islands become 4th state to enter online gambling
The Virgin Islands are looking to renew their interest towards online gambling, indeed the the “Virgin Islands Internet Gaming and Internet Gambling Act” was passed way back in 2001 but never pushed by the government as a serious offering for online operators to take up.
However now that the tiny islands are struggling with an economic downturn they are now announcing they are open for business and welcome all online operators to take a look at the benefits of using the islands as their online gambling base.
“This marks a turning point in the diversification of our gaming industry from land-based casinos and racinos, to Internet gaming and gambling…The implementation of this Act will fulfill our mission of attracting very successful global Internet gaming companies to the Virgin Islands, and encourage new investments to our struggling economy,” the islands governor said.
This makes the Virgin Islands the fourth state in the US to legalise online gambling, however with a total population of some 120,000 citizens online gambling operators will not be knocking down the door to get into that market.
“The Virgin Islands is open for business and the Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission will begin to implement the act immediately,” the governor said.
Who and when the Virgin Islands will be tapped into by online gambling is unclear at this present, a gambling industry insider said that most likely a land based local operator will try and enter the market there, but with such a small population it will not interest any of the major players in the market.
However now that the tiny islands are struggling with an economic downturn they are now announcing they are open for business and welcome all online operators to take a look at the benefits of using the islands as their online gambling base.
“This marks a turning point in the diversification of our gaming industry from land-based casinos and racinos, to Internet gaming and gambling…The implementation of this Act will fulfill our mission of attracting very successful global Internet gaming companies to the Virgin Islands, and encourage new investments to our struggling economy,” the islands governor said.
This makes the Virgin Islands the fourth state in the US to legalise online gambling, however with a total population of some 120,000 citizens online gambling operators will not be knocking down the door to get into that market.
“The Virgin Islands is open for business and the Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission will begin to implement the act immediately,” the governor said.
Who and when the Virgin Islands will be tapped into by online gambling is unclear at this present, a gambling industry insider said that most likely a land based local operator will try and enter the market there, but with such a small population it will not interest any of the major players in the market.
November 01, 2013
Daniel Tzvetkoff seen living the good life again
Daniel Tzvetkoff the man who ran Intabill and was arrested in April 2010 for money laundering and then gave up the entire online poker industry as a super grass to avoid a 75 year jail sentence has been spotted enjoying the good life again under the witness protection program.
The fallen Australian whiz kid who set up Intabill to process money payments with online gambling companies still working in the US market after the 2006 UIGEA was charged with money laundering to the value of over $500 million, but in return from facing jail gave US authorities inside information on his former customers in return for his freedom.
Reports in the Australian Newspaper this week say that Tzvetkoff was seen recently walking along the Gold Coast beach and even posted photos of himself and his wife while hiding out for several months on another beach in southeast Asia.
Tzvetkoff was discharged earlier this year from bankruptcy thou he has never repaid any of the debt he owes including to the Australian tax office totaling $143 million.
Here is a snapshot of David Tzvetkoff’s life:
AUGUST 2001: BT Projects founded
FEBRUARY 2007: Online payment company Intabill registered
MARCH 2008: Tzvetkoff buys Hedges Avenue mansion for $28 million. Has additional property portfolio of more than $21 million
AUGUST 2008: Features on Sunday Mail Rich List worth $82 million
MARCH 2009: Buys V8 supercar team, Inta Racing
APRIL 2009: Sacks 96 staff at his Intabill office
JULY 2009: BT Projects placed in liquidation with debts of $80 million
JULY 2009: Business partner Sam Sciacca sues Tzvetkoff for $100 million
JULY 2009: Online poker house Kolyma sues for $52 million
JULY 2009: Sells partnership in Zuri nightclub
AUGUST 2009: Sells 30m superyacht Maximus
NOVEMBER 2009: Hedges Ave mansion sold for $17 million
JANUARY 2010: Files for bankruptcy
APRIL 2010: Charged by US authorities with money laundering. Faces 75 years in jail
MARCH 2011: Deal with US DOJ to enter witness protection program
OCTOBER 2013: Seen out and about in Australia and posting photos on facebook.
The fallen Australian whiz kid who set up Intabill to process money payments with online gambling companies still working in the US market after the 2006 UIGEA was charged with money laundering to the value of over $500 million, but in return from facing jail gave US authorities inside information on his former customers in return for his freedom.
Reports in the Australian Newspaper this week say that Tzvetkoff was seen recently walking along the Gold Coast beach and even posted photos of himself and his wife while hiding out for several months on another beach in southeast Asia.
Tzvetkoff was discharged earlier this year from bankruptcy thou he has never repaid any of the debt he owes including to the Australian tax office totaling $143 million.
Here is a snapshot of David Tzvetkoff’s life:
AUGUST 2001: BT Projects founded
FEBRUARY 2007: Online payment company Intabill registered
MARCH 2008: Tzvetkoff buys Hedges Avenue mansion for $28 million. Has additional property portfolio of more than $21 million
AUGUST 2008: Features on Sunday Mail Rich List worth $82 million
MARCH 2009: Buys V8 supercar team, Inta Racing
APRIL 2009: Sacks 96 staff at his Intabill office
JULY 2009: BT Projects placed in liquidation with debts of $80 million
JULY 2009: Business partner Sam Sciacca sues Tzvetkoff for $100 million
JULY 2009: Online poker house Kolyma sues for $52 million
JULY 2009: Sells partnership in Zuri nightclub
AUGUST 2009: Sells 30m superyacht Maximus
NOVEMBER 2009: Hedges Ave mansion sold for $17 million
JANUARY 2010: Files for bankruptcy
APRIL 2010: Charged by US authorities with money laundering. Faces 75 years in jail
MARCH 2011: Deal with US DOJ to enter witness protection program
OCTOBER 2013: Seen out and about in Australia and posting photos on facebook.
bwin.party founders to sell shares for New Jersey license
James Russell DeLeon and Ruth Parasol DeLeon whom were two of the original founders of PartyGaming have offered to sell their remaining shares in bwin.party in an attempt to convince New Jersey regulators to issue the European based company its New Jersey online gambling license.
The couple who are going through divorce proceedings after marrying in 2003 had to go through separate licensing applications as major shareholders of an applying licensing company, to which they prefer not to do, so have instead offered to place their shares in trust for a three year period in which time they are to be sold.
In total the pair have just over 14% stake in the merged bwin.party company and there were concerns that because of their background in partygaming and pre-UIGEA activities there could be some danger of the online gambling giant failing to receive a New Jersey online gambling license which they are partnering with the Borgata.
The start of online gambling in the state is slated for the 26th November, at present only 5 of the 12 casino operators in the state have been granted their licenses, however a gaming industry insider working in New Jersey expects a raft of license approvals over the next 5 days.
The couple who are going through divorce proceedings after marrying in 2003 had to go through separate licensing applications as major shareholders of an applying licensing company, to which they prefer not to do, so have instead offered to place their shares in trust for a three year period in which time they are to be sold.
In total the pair have just over 14% stake in the merged bwin.party company and there were concerns that because of their background in partygaming and pre-UIGEA activities there could be some danger of the online gambling giant failing to receive a New Jersey online gambling license which they are partnering with the Borgata.
The start of online gambling in the state is slated for the 26th November, at present only 5 of the 12 casino operators in the state have been granted their licenses, however a gaming industry insider working in New Jersey expects a raft of license approvals over the next 5 days.
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