Portugal could be making a u-turn over online gambling, according to various reports. Initially, online gambling was seen as a threat and was ruled out but now looks like they’re opening their eyes to the possibility of regulating to possibly finance imminent pension needs.
At the time it was estimated that such a strategy could raise an extra Euro 250 million for government coffers. The tourism minister, Cecilia Meireles has been saying the government is now rethinking the benefits of revenue derived from the activity.
Earlier this year, the Portugal Daily Review reported that a source in the Ministry of the Economy had confirmed that the concept was being progressed, although little detail was available. The figure of Euro 250 million, collected from “gambling concessions” was still the financial target at that point.
It’s also been reported that the government has decided that it is a “reasonable goal” to start collecting gambling fees. Quoted in a local newspaper Publico, she has said that local legislators have, “unanimously approved” policies to regulate the gambling sector. She had also added that the course of action regarding this latest move requires “some secrecy” which tells those interested in the news that there are some hurdles to overcome yet. Bwin had previously lost its cause to sponsor the Portuguese Football League.
March 12, 2012
Who’s money laundering in Macau?!
There has been speculation and rumours in the Asian press that unnamed suites in top hotels had been allegedly “decked out to look like genuine gambling halls with security staff, dealers and other customers.” The report, in the South China Morning Post alleges that punters drinks were spiked and bogus chips were handed out.
The hotel in question hasn’t been named and is again, only speculated within the report. The Asia Sentinel blogged: “The story, which the paper has not followed up, clearly suggested that the company, despite its legions of security staff and cameras, either had no control over what was going on there, or had knowingly subcontracted rooms to a mainland group which was given carte blanche to make its own arrangements within the hotel as well as freedom to bring in clients from the mainland. Although these side rooms, often operated by triads, have been a fixture of Macau’s gaming scene for decades, they had been thought to have been prohibited by the multinational gaming companies.”
According to the report, the gang that organized the heist had crossed the border at least 19 times in the previous two years before 16 people were arrested in a raid on a luxury hotel and charged with fraud and drug trafficking.
The report goes into speculating which hotel this could be, the Asia Sentinel thinks it could be: “the Venetian Macau, the largest hotel/casino complex in Macau, which is owned by Las Vegas Sands, the US-based empire of gambling magnate Sheldon Adelson.”
The hotel in question hasn’t been named and is again, only speculated within the report. The Asia Sentinel blogged: “The story, which the paper has not followed up, clearly suggested that the company, despite its legions of security staff and cameras, either had no control over what was going on there, or had knowingly subcontracted rooms to a mainland group which was given carte blanche to make its own arrangements within the hotel as well as freedom to bring in clients from the mainland. Although these side rooms, often operated by triads, have been a fixture of Macau’s gaming scene for decades, they had been thought to have been prohibited by the multinational gaming companies.”
According to the report, the gang that organized the heist had crossed the border at least 19 times in the previous two years before 16 people were arrested in a raid on a luxury hotel and charged with fraud and drug trafficking.
The report goes into speculating which hotel this could be, the Asia Sentinel thinks it could be: “the Venetian Macau, the largest hotel/casino complex in Macau, which is owned by Las Vegas Sands, the US-based empire of gambling magnate Sheldon Adelson.”
March 11, 2012
Cricket under siege from corrupt bookmakers and a Bollywood star
The International Cricket Council has begun an inquiry into a network of corrupt bookmakers claiming to be able to fix the results of international fixtures and English county games.
The move follows an investigation into match fixing by The Sunday Times, including allegations that bookmakers on the Indian subcontinent have targeted international players, including several in England, using a Bollywood actress.
Officials were alerted by four players who reported her suspicious approaches to them. The investigation shows the sophistication and scale of the corruption and reveals that, despite the recent jailing of three Pakistan international players and an English county bowler for cheating, that cricketing authorities are under siege.
By infiltrating the network of bookmakers and secretly filming meetings, The Sunday Times established that:
Tens of thousands of pounds are on offer to fix matches, typically pound stg. 44,000 ($65,000) to batsmen for slow scoring; pound stg. 50,000 for bowlers who concede runs; and as much as pound stg. 750,000 to players or officials who can guarantee the outcome of a match.
Match fixers boast of recruiting players who come from England, New Zealand, West Indies, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh to throw part, or all, of international fixtures, including last year's World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan.
The bookies are increasingly turning their attention to English county games because "nobody monitors them".
Corruption has grown to the point where, according to Indian law enforcement officials, it has become endemic.
The revelation that English county cricket is being targeted will add to concerns raised by the recent jailing of the Essex cricketer Mervyn Westfield. The 23-year-old was given a four-month prison term last month after admitting he had received pound stg. 6000 to concede at least 12 runs in his first over in a 2009 game against Durham.
Undercover reporters working for The Sunday Times captured Vicky Seth, an influential Delhi bookmaker, boasting that he could fix big international events such as Test matches, Twenty20s, and games in both the Indian Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League, adding that "English county cricket is a good new market. They are low-profile matches and nobody monitors them. That's why good money can be made without any hassle if we can get players to play for us".
Another bookie, known as Monubhai, claimed he worked with players from most cricketing nations to fix games, and had recently been offered a chance to sign up New Zealanders.
An ICC spokesman said: "We will launch an inquiry into these serious allegations. Betting on cricket in the legal and illegal markets continues to grow rapidly . . . the threat of corrupters seeking to influence the game has not gone away."
The move follows an investigation into match fixing by The Sunday Times, including allegations that bookmakers on the Indian subcontinent have targeted international players, including several in England, using a Bollywood actress.
Officials were alerted by four players who reported her suspicious approaches to them. The investigation shows the sophistication and scale of the corruption and reveals that, despite the recent jailing of three Pakistan international players and an English county bowler for cheating, that cricketing authorities are under siege.
By infiltrating the network of bookmakers and secretly filming meetings, The Sunday Times established that:
Tens of thousands of pounds are on offer to fix matches, typically pound stg. 44,000 ($65,000) to batsmen for slow scoring; pound stg. 50,000 for bowlers who concede runs; and as much as pound stg. 750,000 to players or officials who can guarantee the outcome of a match.
Match fixers boast of recruiting players who come from England, New Zealand, West Indies, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh to throw part, or all, of international fixtures, including last year's World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan.
The bookies are increasingly turning their attention to English county games because "nobody monitors them".
Corruption has grown to the point where, according to Indian law enforcement officials, it has become endemic.
The revelation that English county cricket is being targeted will add to concerns raised by the recent jailing of the Essex cricketer Mervyn Westfield. The 23-year-old was given a four-month prison term last month after admitting he had received pound stg. 6000 to concede at least 12 runs in his first over in a 2009 game against Durham.
Undercover reporters working for The Sunday Times captured Vicky Seth, an influential Delhi bookmaker, boasting that he could fix big international events such as Test matches, Twenty20s, and games in both the Indian Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League, adding that "English county cricket is a good new market. They are low-profile matches and nobody monitors them. That's why good money can be made without any hassle if we can get players to play for us".
Another bookie, known as Monubhai, claimed he worked with players from most cricketing nations to fix games, and had recently been offered a chance to sign up New Zealanders.
An ICC spokesman said: "We will launch an inquiry into these serious allegations. Betting on cricket in the legal and illegal markets continues to grow rapidly . . . the threat of corrupters seeking to influence the game has not gone away."
March 06, 2012
Betfair launches new web tool as price war heats up
Betfair has launched a new web tool which enables customers to view its own prices and place bets on the company’s betting exchange while they are browsing the websites of its competitors.
Betfair Everywhere is a Google Chrome extension which uses keyword technology to overlay Betfair’s odds on the websites of its competition. The add-on will also allow customers to view Betfair odds and place bets while they are browsing other selected sports content websites.
“Betfair Everywhere is a cheeky, innovative, and powerful tool which we can now call upon to further reinforce our value proposition,” said Betfair’s group operations director, Ian Chuter. “We’re constantly looking at ways to make it easier for our customers to recognise the value we offer and then act upon it.
“The Everywhere tool is a simple yet ingenious use of technology that highlights our willingness to think differently when it comes to keeping one step ahead of the competition.”
Betfair Everywhere was conceptualised by a group of Betfair engineers during an internal ‘Fed-Ex Day’ held at the company’s tech centre in Cluj, Romania, in which participants had 24 hours to come up with new, innovative ideas and solutions for Betfair and its customers.
“Price comparison websites are now commonplace, as are “best priced guaranteed” claims made by competitors on their own marketing collateral,” said Chuter. “What we’ve not really seen before is the idea of one competitor using technology to provide customers with the option to view their prices while browsing the site of another. That is, until now.
“What we’re doing with Betfair Everywhere is bringing our unrivalled value message to customers at their alternative point of consumption and at the same time making it easier than ever for them to act on the information we’re giving them.”
The launch of the tool is the latest step in Betfair’s new marketing campaign, Don’t Settle for Less, which is running across the UK and Europe via multiple marketing channels including TV and online.
Betfair Everywhere is a Google Chrome extension which uses keyword technology to overlay Betfair’s odds on the websites of its competition. The add-on will also allow customers to view Betfair odds and place bets while they are browsing other selected sports content websites.
“Betfair Everywhere is a cheeky, innovative, and powerful tool which we can now call upon to further reinforce our value proposition,” said Betfair’s group operations director, Ian Chuter. “We’re constantly looking at ways to make it easier for our customers to recognise the value we offer and then act upon it.
“The Everywhere tool is a simple yet ingenious use of technology that highlights our willingness to think differently when it comes to keeping one step ahead of the competition.”
Betfair Everywhere was conceptualised by a group of Betfair engineers during an internal ‘Fed-Ex Day’ held at the company’s tech centre in Cluj, Romania, in which participants had 24 hours to come up with new, innovative ideas and solutions for Betfair and its customers.
“Price comparison websites are now commonplace, as are “best priced guaranteed” claims made by competitors on their own marketing collateral,” said Chuter. “What we’ve not really seen before is the idea of one competitor using technology to provide customers with the option to view their prices while browsing the site of another. That is, until now.
“What we’re doing with Betfair Everywhere is bringing our unrivalled value message to customers at their alternative point of consumption and at the same time making it easier than ever for them to act on the information we’re giving them.”
The launch of the tool is the latest step in Betfair’s new marketing campaign, Don’t Settle for Less, which is running across the UK and Europe via multiple marketing channels including TV and online.
Vietnam to legalize sports gambling soon
Vietnam is the latest Asian nation to consider loosening its attitude to gambling, with the Finance Ministry saying Monday that it plans to legalize sports betting.
The move, inspired in part by Singapore’s success in reinventing itself as a casino hub in recent years, follows discussions about easing restrictions on gambling in other major markets such as Japan, and underscores the speed with which the gambling world’s center of gravity has shifted toward Asia.
Hanoi’s finance ministry said in a statement that legalizing and regulating betting on soccer matches and sports events would help limit the social damage caused by underground gambling syndicates. While Vietnam has only a handful of casinos—which only foreign passport holders can enter—informal gambling on the results of European soccer matches is widespread. Many Vietnamese also regularly cross the border to Cambodia to gamble at casinos there, a practice that Vietnam’s Communist leaders have long viewed with suspicion.
The recent success of the gambling industry in Singapore, though, appears to be changing perceptions. Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s Marina Bay Sands and Genting Group’s Resorts World Sentosa opened there in 2010 after the government bid out licenses to operate in the wealthy city-state, following years of hesitation about the possible social impact of casinos. Since then, the casinos have been a large financial success, drawing large numbers of tourists, without triggering widespread crime or other problems.
Vietnam’s Finance Minister Vuong Dinh Hue visited the island city-state at the weekend to study how sports betting works there. The finance ministry said Mr. Hue met with executives from the Tote Board and Singapore Pools, government-run operators of sports betting in Singapore, and also visited a horse-racing track. Singapore’s success in creating family-oriented resorts has also piqued the interest of investors and governments hoping to replicate that model in other parts of Southeast Asia.
It is unclear whether this apparently more tolerant approach to sports betting signals a broader shift among the country’s top leadership in Vietnam to open its market to more casinos and other forms of gambling. It is also unclear if private companies, including foreign investors, would be allowed into the sports betting market, or if the business would be dominated by the Vietnamese government. Government officials couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
U.S. casino operators, though, view Asia as an important new growth market at a time when their American operations are still lagging from the effects of the 2008 financial crisis. PricewaterhouseCoopers expects Asian markets to contribute 43% of the global casino market by 2015, up from 29% in 2010.
Vietnam could be one of several new gambling hubs thanks to its large population of around 90 million people and its growing appeal among foreign tourists. Las Vegas Sands Corp. chief executive Sheldon Adelson has said he is trying to encourage Vietnamese authorities to allow the company to build integrated casino and convention resorts in the country.
The move, inspired in part by Singapore’s success in reinventing itself as a casino hub in recent years, follows discussions about easing restrictions on gambling in other major markets such as Japan, and underscores the speed with which the gambling world’s center of gravity has shifted toward Asia.
Hanoi’s finance ministry said in a statement that legalizing and regulating betting on soccer matches and sports events would help limit the social damage caused by underground gambling syndicates. While Vietnam has only a handful of casinos—which only foreign passport holders can enter—informal gambling on the results of European soccer matches is widespread. Many Vietnamese also regularly cross the border to Cambodia to gamble at casinos there, a practice that Vietnam’s Communist leaders have long viewed with suspicion.
The recent success of the gambling industry in Singapore, though, appears to be changing perceptions. Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s Marina Bay Sands and Genting Group’s Resorts World Sentosa opened there in 2010 after the government bid out licenses to operate in the wealthy city-state, following years of hesitation about the possible social impact of casinos. Since then, the casinos have been a large financial success, drawing large numbers of tourists, without triggering widespread crime or other problems.
Vietnam’s Finance Minister Vuong Dinh Hue visited the island city-state at the weekend to study how sports betting works there. The finance ministry said Mr. Hue met with executives from the Tote Board and Singapore Pools, government-run operators of sports betting in Singapore, and also visited a horse-racing track. Singapore’s success in creating family-oriented resorts has also piqued the interest of investors and governments hoping to replicate that model in other parts of Southeast Asia.
It is unclear whether this apparently more tolerant approach to sports betting signals a broader shift among the country’s top leadership in Vietnam to open its market to more casinos and other forms of gambling. It is also unclear if private companies, including foreign investors, would be allowed into the sports betting market, or if the business would be dominated by the Vietnamese government. Government officials couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
U.S. casino operators, though, view Asia as an important new growth market at a time when their American operations are still lagging from the effects of the 2008 financial crisis. PricewaterhouseCoopers expects Asian markets to contribute 43% of the global casino market by 2015, up from 29% in 2010.
Vietnam could be one of several new gambling hubs thanks to its large population of around 90 million people and its growing appeal among foreign tourists. Las Vegas Sands Corp. chief executive Sheldon Adelson has said he is trying to encourage Vietnamese authorities to allow the company to build integrated casino and convention resorts in the country.
Duncan eyeing sportsbooks?
A private members bill seeking to legalize single-game sports betting in Canada passed its third reading in the House of Commons on Friday.
Currently, wagering on a single sports game is prohibited in Canada under the Criminal Code. It is also prohibited across most of North America, only allowed in the state of Nevada.
Bill C-290, introduced by MP Joe Comartin (Windsor-Tecumseh), will now be sent to the Senate for consideration and approval. Upon approval, the legislation must receive Royal Assent before coming into force.
"We are very encouraged by the progress made to date, as well as the strong support that the bill has received from all the major parties," said CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association Bill Rutsey in a news release. "We look forward to working with the Senate as it evaluates the bill, in order to reinforce how important it is to provide Canadians with a legal and regulated product for wagering on individual sporting events."
If the legislation is passed, provinces will then be free to decide whether or not, and in what format, they want to offer single-game sports betting. Currently, in Ontario Pro-Line sports wagering exists where wagers must be made on a minimum of three games at the same time.
Single-game sports betting is expected to benefit casinos -- and possibly racetracks -- that would be allowed to open their own Las Vegas-style sports books, particularly the ones located near the U.S. border attracting American customers.
“I have written to the federal government a number of times to push for changes to single-sport wagering in Ontario. Ontarians who like gaming like single-sport wagering,” Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, the MPP in the same Windsor - Tecumseh riding of Comartin, was quoted as saying in a Toronto Star article. “Today’s vote in Ottawa is a step toward modernizing gaming in Ontario and will help OLG’s casinos remain competitive.”
Currently, wagering on a single sports game is prohibited in Canada under the Criminal Code. It is also prohibited across most of North America, only allowed in the state of Nevada.
Bill C-290, introduced by MP Joe Comartin (Windsor-Tecumseh), will now be sent to the Senate for consideration and approval. Upon approval, the legislation must receive Royal Assent before coming into force.
"We are very encouraged by the progress made to date, as well as the strong support that the bill has received from all the major parties," said CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association Bill Rutsey in a news release. "We look forward to working with the Senate as it evaluates the bill, in order to reinforce how important it is to provide Canadians with a legal and regulated product for wagering on individual sporting events."
If the legislation is passed, provinces will then be free to decide whether or not, and in what format, they want to offer single-game sports betting. Currently, in Ontario Pro-Line sports wagering exists where wagers must be made on a minimum of three games at the same time.
Single-game sports betting is expected to benefit casinos -- and possibly racetracks -- that would be allowed to open their own Las Vegas-style sports books, particularly the ones located near the U.S. border attracting American customers.
“I have written to the federal government a number of times to push for changes to single-sport wagering in Ontario. Ontarians who like gaming like single-sport wagering,” Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, the MPP in the same Windsor - Tecumseh riding of Comartin, was quoted as saying in a Toronto Star article. “Today’s vote in Ottawa is a step toward modernizing gaming in Ontario and will help OLG’s casinos remain competitive.”
March 05, 2012
Playtech expands in Mexico
Playtech plc has signed up Grupo Caliente, Mexico’s largest land-based gaming operator, as an online gambling software client.
Caliente currently operates over 90 land-based venues, including modern casinos & bingo halls, together with VLTs, sports betting, live greyhound racing & simulcast horse racing across Mexico, Central & South America.
The agreement with Playtech marks a significant venture into online gaming for Caliente. It covers Playtech’s online casino product, including table & slot games, as well as Playtech’s range of branded games. The offering will be supported by Playtech’s Information Management Solution (IMS) technology platform, providing Caliente with the means to maximise its player experience & returns.
The online offering will operate under Mexican gaming regulations, making Playtech’s products available to players in Mexico & parts of Latin America. Under the terms of the agreement, Playtech & Caliente plan to extend Caliente’s online offering to additional Latin American countries as opportunities arise.
Mor Weizer, CEO of Playtech, said: “We are delighted to have secured this agreement with one of Latin America’s largest & most respected gaming operators with whom, over time, we expect to develop a valuable relationship.
“Our work with Caliente is in line with Playtech’s strategy of entering new regulated markets & diversifies the company’s geographic footprint beyond its European & Asian marketplaces.”
Eduardo Hernández, chief executive officer of Caliente commented: “Our agreement with Playtech will provide a solid, state of the art casino platform that, combined with our current offering, will deliver the best online gaming experience to our customers. With our combined expertise & commitment to excellence, we will be able to fully expand into Latin American regulated markets.”
Caliente currently operates over 90 land-based venues, including modern casinos & bingo halls, together with VLTs, sports betting, live greyhound racing & simulcast horse racing across Mexico, Central & South America.
The agreement with Playtech marks a significant venture into online gaming for Caliente. It covers Playtech’s online casino product, including table & slot games, as well as Playtech’s range of branded games. The offering will be supported by Playtech’s Information Management Solution (IMS) technology platform, providing Caliente with the means to maximise its player experience & returns.
The online offering will operate under Mexican gaming regulations, making Playtech’s products available to players in Mexico & parts of Latin America. Under the terms of the agreement, Playtech & Caliente plan to extend Caliente’s online offering to additional Latin American countries as opportunities arise.
Mor Weizer, CEO of Playtech, said: “We are delighted to have secured this agreement with one of Latin America’s largest & most respected gaming operators with whom, over time, we expect to develop a valuable relationship.
“Our work with Caliente is in line with Playtech’s strategy of entering new regulated markets & diversifies the company’s geographic footprint beyond its European & Asian marketplaces.”
Eduardo Hernández, chief executive officer of Caliente commented: “Our agreement with Playtech will provide a solid, state of the art casino platform that, combined with our current offering, will deliver the best online gaming experience to our customers. With our combined expertise & commitment to excellence, we will be able to fully expand into Latin American regulated markets.”
Former Interpol director Ralf Mutschke named as FIFA's director of security
FIFA has been quick to fill the gap to be left in May when Chris Eaton, their director of security, leaves after becoming arguably the game's most high-profile figure in the battle against global match fixing.
Eaton is joining the Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and will be replaced at FIFA by highly-qualified German law enforcement official Ralf Mutschke (pictured).
The 52-year-old is currently senior manager at the German Federal Criminal Police Office and a former Interpol director and takes up his new role on June 1.
FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke said the division will be beefed up under Mutschke's supervision.
"We have decided to strengthen the former security department, making it into a full division in order to continue to tackle all issues related to football security and the protection of the integrity of the game," said Valcke.
"This is another major step in our determination to ensure a clean and safe sport and to underline our commitment to the fight against match fixing in football."
Mutschke set out his priority as "the integrity of FIFA competitions...match fixing, betting fraud and corruption".
He has 33 years of experience and used to work under Helmut Spahn – the ICSS's executive director who managed to prize Eaton away.
Mutschke said he took on the position because the integrity of sport was "hugely at risk".
"The values of fair play, respect, discipline and honesty are under threat," he told fifa.com.
"I think I can make a good contribution.
"I spent ten years on the beat fighting drug dealing and organised criminality, and I've now been working in police management for around 20 years, developing crime-fighting strategies and organising day-to-day police work.
"We'll need to cooperate closely with security authorities at a domestic and international level, which is where my experience will help."
Eaton is joining the Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and will be replaced at FIFA by highly-qualified German law enforcement official Ralf Mutschke (pictured).
The 52-year-old is currently senior manager at the German Federal Criminal Police Office and a former Interpol director and takes up his new role on June 1.
FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke said the division will be beefed up under Mutschke's supervision.
"This is another major step in our determination to ensure a clean and safe sport and to underline our commitment to the fight against match fixing in football."
Mutschke set out his priority as "the integrity of FIFA competitions...match fixing, betting fraud and corruption".
He has 33 years of experience and used to work under Helmut Spahn – the ICSS's executive director who managed to prize Eaton away.
Mutschke said he took on the position because the integrity of sport was "hugely at risk".
"The values of fair play, respect, discipline and honesty are under threat," he told fifa.com.
"I think I can make a good contribution.
"I spent ten years on the beat fighting drug dealing and organised criminality, and I've now been working in police management for around 20 years, developing crime-fighting strategies and organising day-to-day police work.
"We'll need to cooperate closely with security authorities at a domestic and international level, which is where my experience will help."
Zynga & Wynn partnership?
The CEO of social games developer Zynga gave online gambling a lift on Wednesday, telling the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom conference that online gambling was a ‘natural fit’ for his company’s products..
“I think it’s a good natural fit. I think, philosophically, the part people haven’t noticed yet, real money gaming is the perfect fit with virtual goods & social games,” Marcus Pincus commented, informing his audience that online gambling could bring in an additional billion dollars for his company, & that recent changes in the federal approach to anti online gambling laws, along with Facebook policy changes, could lay the foundations for golden opportunity.
Pincus boasted that Zynga Poker was the largest online poker game on the planet with more than 30 million players, & reiterated that Zynga will soon release other casino-related games like bingo, strengthening its already impressive positioning.
The innovative chief executive also hinted at more casino-related developments, telling the audience that his developers may not be confined solely to traditional gambling games:
“We’re interested, but you should expect to see us do a lot more than what you’ve seen in offshore casinos,” he said. “The amount of innovation you’re going to see around gambling as an entertainment mechanic is going to be mind blowing.”
Pincus also indicated that he was considering possibly partnering with a traditional casino company before the end of this year.
Pincus said his San Francisco-based company sees a great deal of opportunity “to start to bring this gambling element into more than just casino games.”
The Dow Jones newswire reports that Zynga’s CEO suggested the company may partner with traditional casino firms such as Wynn Resorts Ltd.
“We’re definitely talking to all of the players that you would suspect,” Pincus said, adding, “We have incredible respect & admiration for brands & groups like the Wynn… I would expect that you’ll see a lot of these players kind of figure out their go-to-market partnerships for sure before the end of this year.”
“I think it’s a good natural fit. I think, philosophically, the part people haven’t noticed yet, real money gaming is the perfect fit with virtual goods & social games,” Marcus Pincus commented, informing his audience that online gambling could bring in an additional billion dollars for his company, & that recent changes in the federal approach to anti online gambling laws, along with Facebook policy changes, could lay the foundations for golden opportunity.
Pincus boasted that Zynga Poker was the largest online poker game on the planet with more than 30 million players, & reiterated that Zynga will soon release other casino-related games like bingo, strengthening its already impressive positioning.
The innovative chief executive also hinted at more casino-related developments, telling the audience that his developers may not be confined solely to traditional gambling games:
“We’re interested, but you should expect to see us do a lot more than what you’ve seen in offshore casinos,” he said. “The amount of innovation you’re going to see around gambling as an entertainment mechanic is going to be mind blowing.”
Pincus also indicated that he was considering possibly partnering with a traditional casino company before the end of this year.
Pincus said his San Francisco-based company sees a great deal of opportunity “to start to bring this gambling element into more than just casino games.”
The Dow Jones newswire reports that Zynga’s CEO suggested the company may partner with traditional casino firms such as Wynn Resorts Ltd.
“We’re definitely talking to all of the players that you would suspect,” Pincus said, adding, “We have incredible respect & admiration for brands & groups like the Wynn… I would expect that you’ll see a lot of these players kind of figure out their go-to-market partnerships for sure before the end of this year.”
Online gambling ring busted in Jakarta
The Jakarta Police revealed over the weekend that they had arrested six suspects on Wednesday last week for managing an online gambling website kakakdewa.net with a daily turnover of between Rp 300 million (US$33,000) and Rp 400 million.
“All six were arrested during a raid at a house in Pasar Minggu’s Jati Padang subdistrict in South Jakarta on Feb. 29,” police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto told reporters on Saturday.
Police confiscated seven PCs, nine modems, four online-banking PIN tokens, three calculators, and a cell phone during the raid. They also withdrew Rp 300 million from two bank accounts belonging to the website’s owner.
The six suspects were identified as LAS, 24; RC, 23; OPP, 21; EK, 21; ST, 22; and NN, 18. “Each of the six has his or her distinct jobs in managing the website. They earn between Rp 1 million and Rp 2.5 million every month,” Rikwanto said.
Police questioning has revealed that LAS was the one who checked the money deposited by members and transferred money prizes to winning members. RC and OPP managed the user IDs and passwords; EK updated data on deposited money; ST managed customer services through Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk, and NN erased data of members who lost their bets.
Even though gambling is officially illegal in Indonesia, underground gambling practices both online and offline are rampant in many cities in the country.
Rikwanto said the six suspects had been running the illegal business for around two years and the website currently had some 22,000 members.
The head of the general crimes detective unit, chief Sr. Comr. Toni Harmanto, said the membership was widespread, across Indonesia and abroad.
The website — which has now been deactivated — was advertised on the Google website via Google Ads as well as on the advertising website i-comers.com, police said. The online betting service was also advertised on Facebook and on kaskus.us, a hugely popular internet forum in Indonesia.
Visitors were encouraged by the ads to register and deposit at least Rp 200,000 at kakakdewa.net. Members would then receive a user ID, a password and a personal stash of Rp 1,000 coins with which to gamble at international online betting sites.
Website owner and ringleader RH, 51, is still at large.
“Our officers are trying to hunt him down as we speak,” Rikwanto said, adding that the police believe that kakakdewa.net might be connected to other similar sites.
“All six were arrested during a raid at a house in Pasar Minggu’s Jati Padang subdistrict in South Jakarta on Feb. 29,” police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto told reporters on Saturday.
Police confiscated seven PCs, nine modems, four online-banking PIN tokens, three calculators, and a cell phone during the raid. They also withdrew Rp 300 million from two bank accounts belonging to the website’s owner.
The six suspects were identified as LAS, 24; RC, 23; OPP, 21; EK, 21; ST, 22; and NN, 18. “Each of the six has his or her distinct jobs in managing the website. They earn between Rp 1 million and Rp 2.5 million every month,” Rikwanto said.
Police questioning has revealed that LAS was the one who checked the money deposited by members and transferred money prizes to winning members. RC and OPP managed the user IDs and passwords; EK updated data on deposited money; ST managed customer services through Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk, and NN erased data of members who lost their bets.
Even though gambling is officially illegal in Indonesia, underground gambling practices both online and offline are rampant in many cities in the country.
Rikwanto said the six suspects had been running the illegal business for around two years and the website currently had some 22,000 members.
The head of the general crimes detective unit, chief Sr. Comr. Toni Harmanto, said the membership was widespread, across Indonesia and abroad.
The website — which has now been deactivated — was advertised on the Google website via Google Ads as well as on the advertising website i-comers.com, police said. The online betting service was also advertised on Facebook and on kaskus.us, a hugely popular internet forum in Indonesia.
Visitors were encouraged by the ads to register and deposit at least Rp 200,000 at kakakdewa.net. Members would then receive a user ID, a password and a personal stash of Rp 1,000 coins with which to gamble at international online betting sites.
Website owner and ringleader RH, 51, is still at large.
“Our officers are trying to hunt him down as we speak,” Rikwanto said, adding that the police believe that kakakdewa.net might be connected to other similar sites.
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