In its domain name court dispute in the state of Washington, Bodog is arguing that internet domain names are not property which can be seized by any court.
Lawyers for the company have suggested there is no previously established case law in the state which permits internet domain names to be seized under Washington law.
Bodog lost its domain names following legal action from a company called First technology, which Bodog insists is a “patent troll”.
Defence lawyer James Nguyen, a partner at internet legal specialists Foley & Lardner, has suggested that the court in Washington should look to the law established in Virginia which holds that domain names should not be subject to seizure.
The defence team also argues that Bodog domain names cannot be transferred, because those names could not be used by third parties without infringing on Bodog trademarks. The Bodog motion argues that if the court does not have the power to permit seizure of trademarks, “it likewise should not have the power to seize or transfer domain names which contain those trademarks”.
Bodog insists that the company named in the First Technology action, Bodog Entertainment Group SA, is a “defunct ex-supplier of data entry and domain management services”.
Calvin Ayre, Bodog founder, said: “This is a groundbreaking case in the muddy waters of internet law, and we are confident that we have many aspects in our favour to potentially solidify some clarity on this issue and our domains returned to us.”
November 27, 2007
Unibet to attempt to raise €100m to fund acquisition spree
Unibet is looking to raise up to €100m (£72m) on the bond markets to finance possible acquisitions.
In a statement issued today, the company said it had hired Swedish financial advisors Ohman Fondkommission to advise the board on possible sources of capital of up to €100m.
The statement added that the firm had been in discussions with “a number of parties regarding strategic acquisitions” and that in the opinion of the board “one or more of these acquisitions may be realised”.
In a statement issued today, the company said it had hired Swedish financial advisors Ohman Fondkommission to advise the board on possible sources of capital of up to €100m.
The statement added that the firm had been in discussions with “a number of parties regarding strategic acquisitions” and that in the opinion of the board “one or more of these acquisitions may be realised”.
Party boss cancels planned share sale
Mitch Garber, chief executive at PartyGaming, has cancelled a planned sale of shares and said he will not be off-loading any more shares in the company this year.
Back in March, Party announced that Garber had agreed to a programme of share sales at the end of each calendar quarter. The company gave no further reasons for the decision. However, the news could spark speculation that Party is close to signing off a deal with the US Department of Justice regarding its previous activities in the US.
According to the March plan, in June Garber sold over 4.3 million shares at a price of just over 39p, netting approximately £1.7m US$3.4m), while in September he netted approximately £1.2m from the sale of 5 million shares at 24p.
Under the agreement with the board reached in March, Garber must retain a holding of at least 3.5 million shares. After the announcement yesterday, Garber has a holding in the firm of 8.75 million shares.
Back in March, Party announced that Garber had agreed to a programme of share sales at the end of each calendar quarter. The company gave no further reasons for the decision. However, the news could spark speculation that Party is close to signing off a deal with the US Department of Justice regarding its previous activities in the US.
According to the March plan, in June Garber sold over 4.3 million shares at a price of just over 39p, netting approximately £1.7m US$3.4m), while in September he netted approximately £1.2m from the sale of 5 million shares at 24p.
Under the agreement with the board reached in March, Garber must retain a holding of at least 3.5 million shares. After the announcement yesterday, Garber has a holding in the firm of 8.75 million shares.
November 16, 2007
Duplicate Poker: It’s Online, and It’s Legal
Duplicate Poker is different.
From the moment the download is complete and you find that there is already real money in your account, to playing one of the games for the first time, there is no doubt that it is a new experience. From the ability to play with real money by using your Visa, Mastercard or American Express account to transfer funds, to the fact that winning is based on skill, not luck, Duplicate Poker is a concept that has been a long time coming.
The online poker site launched on September 1, 2006, but only began its expansive marketing blitz this year. Now, its logo can be seen on numerous poker-related websites as the word spreads about this new phenomenon called duplicate poker. The concept and its premise are catching on quickly.
While still in the beginning stages of building a customer base and introducing the idea to card players, the minds behind the concept have already conducted a trial live tournament and are looking to create a tour of live duplicate poker events culminating in a championship event. But it all starts with the success of their already growing website.
More: http://thepokerpromagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=291&Itemid=2
From the moment the download is complete and you find that there is already real money in your account, to playing one of the games for the first time, there is no doubt that it is a new experience. From the ability to play with real money by using your Visa, Mastercard or American Express account to transfer funds, to the fact that winning is based on skill, not luck, Duplicate Poker is a concept that has been a long time coming.
The online poker site launched on September 1, 2006, but only began its expansive marketing blitz this year. Now, its logo can be seen on numerous poker-related websites as the word spreads about this new phenomenon called duplicate poker. The concept and its premise are catching on quickly.
While still in the beginning stages of building a customer base and introducing the idea to card players, the minds behind the concept have already conducted a trial live tournament and are looking to create a tour of live duplicate poker events culminating in a championship event. But it all starts with the success of their already growing website.
More: http://thepokerpromagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=291&Itemid=2
France ready for March 2008 opening?
France and the European Commission hope to reach agreement over the provision of online betting and gaming services top French citizens by March 2008.
The news follows French budget minister Eric Woerth’s visit to Brussels to discuss a controlled opening of his country gambling market with European internal markets commissioner Charlie McCreevy.
One diplomat told French press sources there was still some way to go and the government’s representatives had not been in Brussels “to negotiate (with the Commission) but to discuss” a potential liberalisation of the French market.
France will assume the presidency of the European Commission in July 2008 and will want to have this issue cleared up when it takes up its position.
The news follows French budget minister Eric Woerth’s visit to Brussels to discuss a controlled opening of his country gambling market with European internal markets commissioner Charlie McCreevy.
One diplomat told French press sources there was still some way to go and the government’s representatives had not been in Brussels “to negotiate (with the Commission) but to discuss” a potential liberalisation of the French market.
France will assume the presidency of the European Commission in July 2008 and will want to have this issue cleared up when it takes up its position.
Bwin cuts losses but markets respond negatively
Bwin’s results for the third quarter and nine month periods of 2007 were badly received yesterday by analysts across Europe.
Although the company reduced losses to €5m for the three month period to the end of September, compared with losses of €22.6m over the same period in 2006, according to Bloomberg, analyst Christine Reitsamer from Sal. Oppenheim issued a neutral rating and said: “Bwin doesn't seem to be able to show profitable growth. Investors don't like that.'' Wolfgang Matejka, chief investment officer at Meinl Bank in Vienna, told the news agency: ``Bwin has not made the profit some people were waiting for.''
However, Bwin co-chief executive Norbert Teufelberger remained optimistic about the European market. He said: "Who would have thought six months ago that France would move politically? There is movement now. We hope that we will have more clarity in a few months. There won't be a European Union-wide solution, but in individual countries. The UK already has a solution. Our goal is to find one in one or several major countries. If that's going to happen, there will be a landslide."
The company generated gross gaming revenues of €86.2m for the quarter, up 20% on the €71.8m produced in 2006, sports betting revenues rose 15.3% to €47.3m, compared with €41m in 2006 and sports betting margins were 8.5%. Total group revenues for the quarter were €90m, a 34% rise on €67.3m for the same period in 2006. EBITDA for the quarter was €15.2m, compared with a loss of €5.2m in 2006.
Gross gaming revenues for the nine month period were €248m, a 20% increase compared with €206.7m for the same period in 2006. Total group revenues for the period were €252.7m, a 34.5% on €188m in 2006. EBITDA for the nine month period was €49.7m., compared with a loss of €8m last year.
Quarterly net gaming revenues came in at €75.5m, a 22% increase compared with €62m in 2006 and 13.8% rise compared with the previous quarter. Bwin said this was due mainly to an increase in net gaming revenues from poker to €18.5m, a 51% rise compared with 2006 and for sports betting to €40.5m, up 17.2% compared with the same period for 2006.
Bwin’s poker, casino and games divisions all strong performances during the quarter, rising respectively 46.2% (€20.7m), 4.9% (€14.4m) and 32.5% (€4m), while sports betting margins were up on the second quarter of 2007 (7.5%), but down on last year’s figures (9.2%).
Marketing expenses for the quarter were down 44% to €29m, compared with €52m in 2006, the company said it had concentrated on customer acquisition marketing and account reactivations during the period and bonuses totalling €8.5m, 10% of gross gaming revenues, were issued to customers.
Although the company reduced losses to €5m for the three month period to the end of September, compared with losses of €22.6m over the same period in 2006, according to Bloomberg, analyst Christine Reitsamer from Sal. Oppenheim issued a neutral rating and said: “Bwin doesn't seem to be able to show profitable growth. Investors don't like that.'' Wolfgang Matejka, chief investment officer at Meinl Bank in Vienna, told the news agency: ``Bwin has not made the profit some people were waiting for.''
However, Bwin co-chief executive Norbert Teufelberger remained optimistic about the European market. He said: "Who would have thought six months ago that France would move politically? There is movement now. We hope that we will have more clarity in a few months. There won't be a European Union-wide solution, but in individual countries. The UK already has a solution. Our goal is to find one in one or several major countries. If that's going to happen, there will be a landslide."
The company generated gross gaming revenues of €86.2m for the quarter, up 20% on the €71.8m produced in 2006, sports betting revenues rose 15.3% to €47.3m, compared with €41m in 2006 and sports betting margins were 8.5%. Total group revenues for the quarter were €90m, a 34% rise on €67.3m for the same period in 2006. EBITDA for the quarter was €15.2m, compared with a loss of €5.2m in 2006.
Gross gaming revenues for the nine month period were €248m, a 20% increase compared with €206.7m for the same period in 2006. Total group revenues for the period were €252.7m, a 34.5% on €188m in 2006. EBITDA for the nine month period was €49.7m., compared with a loss of €8m last year.
Quarterly net gaming revenues came in at €75.5m, a 22% increase compared with €62m in 2006 and 13.8% rise compared with the previous quarter. Bwin said this was due mainly to an increase in net gaming revenues from poker to €18.5m, a 51% rise compared with 2006 and for sports betting to €40.5m, up 17.2% compared with the same period for 2006.
Bwin’s poker, casino and games divisions all strong performances during the quarter, rising respectively 46.2% (€20.7m), 4.9% (€14.4m) and 32.5% (€4m), while sports betting margins were up on the second quarter of 2007 (7.5%), but down on last year’s figures (9.2%).
Marketing expenses for the quarter were down 44% to €29m, compared with €52m in 2006, the company said it had concentrated on customer acquisition marketing and account reactivations during the period and bonuses totalling €8.5m, 10% of gross gaming revenues, were issued to customers.
November 15, 2007
A Recipe For Success?
On the back of fans’ community website MyFootballClub agreeing to take control of Conference side Ebbsfleet United, internet based sportsbook PartyBets.com is offering a range of odds on what will be achieved.
With due diligence now set to take place, it is expected that the 20,000 members will take control of a 51% stake in the club in the next few weeks. Edging closer to the January transfer window, the members may decide on bringing a big name to the club to really put them on the map. If they do indeed decide to go down this route, you can get 20/1 on Teddy Sheringham joining the club, whilst Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is 50/1. Anyone fancying an outside bet can take advantage of odds of 500/1 that Jens Lehmann will be an Ebbsfleet player by the beginning of next season.
Instant success will be something that the members will be hoping for to attract more people to invest, as well as raising the profile of the club. Ebbsfleet are 15/1 to win promotion to the Football League this year, while it is a 250/1 shot that they will steam roll their way to the Premiership in the next five years.
A PartyBets.com spokesman said, “This is a really novel concept with such a huge number of members having equal voting rights on everything from formations to which players to sign. It really is all about the small guy taking on the world and for that it would be brilliant if the MyFootballClub story is a success.”
Markets
Ebbing on Success
Can Ebbsfleet achieve their dream?
Ebbsfleet to be a Premiership club in the next 5 years 250/1
Ebbsfleet to be a Premiership club in the next 10 years 50/1
Ebbing closer
Can Ebsfleet gain promotion this season?
Ebbsfleet to be promoted in 2007/2008 season 15/1
Aiming High
Can Ebbsfleet attract the big names?
To Be a Ebbsfleet player by start of 2008 season
Ray Parlour 15/1
Teddy Sheringham 20/1
Robbie Fowler 50/1
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 50/1
Jens Lehmann 500/1
With due diligence now set to take place, it is expected that the 20,000 members will take control of a 51% stake in the club in the next few weeks. Edging closer to the January transfer window, the members may decide on bringing a big name to the club to really put them on the map. If they do indeed decide to go down this route, you can get 20/1 on Teddy Sheringham joining the club, whilst Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is 50/1. Anyone fancying an outside bet can take advantage of odds of 500/1 that Jens Lehmann will be an Ebbsfleet player by the beginning of next season.
Instant success will be something that the members will be hoping for to attract more people to invest, as well as raising the profile of the club. Ebbsfleet are 15/1 to win promotion to the Football League this year, while it is a 250/1 shot that they will steam roll their way to the Premiership in the next five years.
A PartyBets.com spokesman said, “This is a really novel concept with such a huge number of members having equal voting rights on everything from formations to which players to sign. It really is all about the small guy taking on the world and for that it would be brilliant if the MyFootballClub story is a success.”
Markets
Ebbing on Success
Can Ebbsfleet achieve their dream?
Ebbsfleet to be a Premiership club in the next 5 years 250/1
Ebbsfleet to be a Premiership club in the next 10 years 50/1
Ebbing closer
Can Ebsfleet gain promotion this season?
Ebbsfleet to be promoted in 2007/2008 season 15/1
Aiming High
Can Ebbsfleet attract the big names?
To Be a Ebbsfleet player by start of 2008 season
Ray Parlour 15/1
Teddy Sheringham 20/1
Robbie Fowler 50/1
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 50/1
Jens Lehmann 500/1
High roller contribution makes the difference for Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes has reported a rise in gross win of 33% for the four month period to the end of October, with profits increasing 84%, with the company’s telephone betting high rollers contributing most of the growth. Excluding high rollers, total gross win increased by 7%, while profits decreased 12%, factoring in the £3.7m cost of Ladbrokes’ recent TV advertising campaign and the cancellation of many racing meetings due to bad weather this summer.
Telephone betting revenues reached £91.8m, with strong high roller activity continuing into November, the company said. Online gaming net revenue grew 5%, customer sign ups rose 21% and unique active customers grew 11%, despite the impact of the World Cup in 2006. Ladbrokes Bingo benefited from a TV advertising campaign.
Net revenue grew across the sportsbook, casino and games divisions but “was partially offset by slightly weaker margins and lower poker net revenue in a very competitive market”, reflecting the continued competitiveness of the European online poker market.
John O’Reilly, head of Ladbrokes eGaming, said the current business environment was challenging for high street bookmakers but Ladbrokes was looking to invest its profits into developing the business. "That means expanding into Europe, which we are doing in Italy and Spain. We are also focusing efforts on our online poker platform, with the launch of a 3D poker interface available in players on our 2D network in the near future.”
Ladbrokes’ UK retail gross win increased 4%, with average weekly gross win per gaming machine increasing 25% to £586, compared with £467 for the same period in 2006. The company said it was difficult to compare football betting activity in July with 2006 being a World Cup year, but said amounts staked since the start of the 2007-2008 season had been considerably higher than in 2006 but the margins had been poor due to unfavourable results.
Ladbrokes has 17 shops operating in Italy, with more expected soon and an Italian language website due for roll out shortly, while in Spain shop premises are being fitted out in anticipation of an operating licence for the Madrid region in the near future.
The levy was still being discussed with the UK government and the deadlock with Turf TV over UK horse racing pictures was ongoing, the company said.
http://www.egrmagazine.com/item/2271
Telephone betting revenues reached £91.8m, with strong high roller activity continuing into November, the company said. Online gaming net revenue grew 5%, customer sign ups rose 21% and unique active customers grew 11%, despite the impact of the World Cup in 2006. Ladbrokes Bingo benefited from a TV advertising campaign.
Net revenue grew across the sportsbook, casino and games divisions but “was partially offset by slightly weaker margins and lower poker net revenue in a very competitive market”, reflecting the continued competitiveness of the European online poker market.
John O’Reilly, head of Ladbrokes eGaming, said the current business environment was challenging for high street bookmakers but Ladbrokes was looking to invest its profits into developing the business. "That means expanding into Europe, which we are doing in Italy and Spain. We are also focusing efforts on our online poker platform, with the launch of a 3D poker interface available in players on our 2D network in the near future.”
Ladbrokes’ UK retail gross win increased 4%, with average weekly gross win per gaming machine increasing 25% to £586, compared with £467 for the same period in 2006. The company said it was difficult to compare football betting activity in July with 2006 being a World Cup year, but said amounts staked since the start of the 2007-2008 season had been considerably higher than in 2006 but the margins had been poor due to unfavourable results.
Ladbrokes has 17 shops operating in Italy, with more expected soon and an Italian language website due for roll out shortly, while in Spain shop premises are being fitted out in anticipation of an operating licence for the Madrid region in the near future.
The levy was still being discussed with the UK government and the deadlock with Turf TV over UK horse racing pictures was ongoing, the company said.
http://www.egrmagazine.com/item/2271
November 09, 2007
Svenska Spel barred from expanding net poker
Sweden's state-owned gambling monopoly, Svenska Spel, has been forbidden from expanding its net-poker services - for the time being at least.
On Thursday, the Swedish government rejected Svenska Spel's request to expand its existing licence to organize and distribute net-poker services.
Instead, the government asked Svenska Spel to devote more time to an internal, ongoing investigation into the existing licence, which is now due on June 30th 2008. Until the results are in from that investigation, the government will not allow the company to expand its net-poker services.
The government emphasized that Svenska Spel must consider the social effects of gambling, before profits.
Svenska Spel reaped a profit of nearly 1.4 billion kronor ($215 million) in the third quarter, as reported by The Local in October. Svenska Spel controls 35 percent of the Swedish market, as internet gambling including poker is growing rapildy. Overall profits for the first three quarters were more than 4 billion kronor, up 19 percent compared to 2006.
On Thursday, the Swedish government rejected Svenska Spel's request to expand its existing licence to organize and distribute net-poker services.
Instead, the government asked Svenska Spel to devote more time to an internal, ongoing investigation into the existing licence, which is now due on June 30th 2008. Until the results are in from that investigation, the government will not allow the company to expand its net-poker services.
The government emphasized that Svenska Spel must consider the social effects of gambling, before profits.
Svenska Spel reaped a profit of nearly 1.4 billion kronor ($215 million) in the third quarter, as reported by The Local in October. Svenska Spel controls 35 percent of the Swedish market, as internet gambling including poker is growing rapildy. Overall profits for the first three quarters were more than 4 billion kronor, up 19 percent compared to 2006.
Betsson announces record revenues
Sweden-based betting and gaming group Betsson has reported record revenues and profits according to the company’s third-quarter results statement.
Revenue rose to SEK117m (£13m), up 147% over the period. Operating profit rose to SEK54m (£4m).
The company said the revenue increase had been achieved despite difficulties in the Turkish market following the passing of anti-online gaming legislation. “The gaming volume from Turkey declined significantly, which resulted in Turkey’s share of the group’s total revenues during the third quarter only amounting to 10%.” The company attributed the 4% decrease in active customers to just over 90,000 to the problems in Turkey.
The Scandinavian market remains Betsson’s key markets, however, the company said it had launched Italian, Spanish and Greek language websites over the period.
Since period end the company has also launched a financial betting website, Betsson Trader.
Revenue rose to SEK117m (£13m), up 147% over the period. Operating profit rose to SEK54m (£4m).
The company said the revenue increase had been achieved despite difficulties in the Turkish market following the passing of anti-online gaming legislation. “The gaming volume from Turkey declined significantly, which resulted in Turkey’s share of the group’s total revenues during the third quarter only amounting to 10%.” The company attributed the 4% decrease in active customers to just over 90,000 to the problems in Turkey.
The Scandinavian market remains Betsson’s key markets, however, the company said it had launched Italian, Spanish and Greek language websites over the period.
Since period end the company has also launched a financial betting website, Betsson Trader.
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