A federal appeals court dealt another blow to New Jersey's efforts to legalize sports gambling Tuesday, upholding a ruling that the state's betting law conflicts with federal law and shouldn't be implemented.
The case was heard by a three-judge panel at the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, and the state could seek to have the case re-heard by the full appeals court. But Tuesday's ruling more likely means New Jersey's last chance to legalize sports gambling is to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.
In March, U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp ruled that some of the questions raised in the case were novel, but he suggested the best way to change the U.S. law was to get Congress to repeal or amend the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.
Tuesday's appellate ruling, by a 2-1 majority, reinforced Shipp's view.
"We are cognizant that certain questions related to this case -- whether gambling on sporting events is harmful to the games' integrity and whether states should be permitted to license and profit from the activity -- engender strong views," judges wrote. "But we are not asked to judge the wisdom of PASPA or of New Jersey's law, or of the desirability of the activities they seek to regulate. We speak only to the legality of these measures as a matter of constitutional law ... New Jersey's sports wagering law conflicts with PASPA and, under our Constitution, must yield."
In a dissenting opinion, Judge Thomas Vanaskie agreed substantially with his two colleagues but differed in his interpretation of PASPA, a law that allowed state-sanctioned sports gambling only in Nevada and three other states.
"PASPA attempts to implement federal policy by telling the states that they may not regulate an otherwise unregulated activity," Vanaskie wrote. "The Constitution affords Congress no such power."
Gov. Chris Christie's spokesman on Tuesday reiterated that the administration would take the case to the Supreme Court if necessary.
"In the dissent, the judge agrees with New Jersey's central argument -- that the law is unconstitutional since it prevents sports betting in New Jersey against the wishes of its own elected officials and citizens," spokesman Colin Reed said in an email. "This makes the issue all the more appropriate to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
"Two years ago, the people of New Jersey voted overwhelmingly to bring sports betting to New Jersey, and the governor agrees with his constituents. There's no reason it should be limited to only a handful of states. It's a fundamental issue of fairness."
Voters passed a sports betting referendum in 2011, and last year New Jersey enacted a law that limited bets to the Atlantic City casinos and the state's horse racing tracks. Bets wouldn't be taken on games involving New Jersey colleges or college games played in the state. Christie said at the time that he hoped to grant sports betting licenses by early this year, but those plans were put on hold.
The NFL, NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and the NCAA sued the state last year and claimed the betting law would harm the integrity of their games. The NCAA moved several of its championship events out of New Jersey, though it later relented.
Attorneys for the state had attacked PASPA on several constitutional levels. They argued the law unfairly "grandfathered" Nevada, Oregon, Montana and Delaware, which each had some form of sports gambling at the time, and said the law violated state sovereignty and equal protection provisions and trampled the authority of state legislatures under the 10th Amendment.
September 19, 2013
PMU takes a tasteless bet with ad mocking Kennedy assassination
French betting firm PMU has come under fire for poking fun at the assassination of former US President John F. Kennedy in a recent advertisement.
The ad in question features a 30-second clip of a cheering crowd awaiting the President’s motorcade.
Shots ring out and a female passenger dressed like then First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy is seen attempting to flee the vehicle.
Then there is a hapless cop who bets another that he can spin his gun around his finger three times “like a cowboy”, accidentally firing off his weapon in the process. The bullet ricochets off a staircase, hits a mailbox and knocks a woman’s ice cream scoop off her cone towards the limousine. The Jackie look-alike is able to flee.
"It wasn't down here," the officers say, pointing upward to suggest another shooter
The ad closes with "You like to bet?" written across the screen, as sirens are heard blazing in the background.
Publicis USA created the ad and has come under fire from the public who overwhelmingly suggest it was made in “poor taste”.
You can watch the video below.
The ad in question features a 30-second clip of a cheering crowd awaiting the President’s motorcade.
Shots ring out and a female passenger dressed like then First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy is seen attempting to flee the vehicle.
Then there is a hapless cop who bets another that he can spin his gun around his finger three times “like a cowboy”, accidentally firing off his weapon in the process. The bullet ricochets off a staircase, hits a mailbox and knocks a woman’s ice cream scoop off her cone towards the limousine. The Jackie look-alike is able to flee.
"It wasn't down here," the officers say, pointing upward to suggest another shooter
The ad closes with "You like to bet?" written across the screen, as sirens are heard blazing in the background.
Publicis USA created the ad and has come under fire from the public who overwhelmingly suggest it was made in “poor taste”.
You can watch the video below.
European Lotteries President welcomes adoption of unfair operator principle
On Tuesday September 10 in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted with an overwhelming majority the online gambling report prepared by the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee.
While the report does not call for harmonization of the online gambling sector at EU level, it highlights the need for co-operation amongst member states and urges a high level of protection for consumers.
European Lotteries, the umbrella organization of national lottery operators, welcomed the European Parliament resolution that confirms the European Commission’s approach to not propose a sectoral harmonization directive for online gambling.
Friedrich Stickler, President of European Lotteries, commented: "The European Parliament has spoken out very clearly that a sectoral online gambling Directive is not desirable: gambling is not an ordinary economic activity. We are pleased that the threat for consumers from illegal gambling offerings is taken seriously. This Resolution takes a clear stance on the need for law enforcement at the national level and cooperation between the Member States: we welcome in particular the adoption of the ‘unfair operator principle’: online gambling companies that violate the laws of one Member State should lose their license in other Member States."
The texts adopted by the the European Parliament elaborated on 5 different topics: specific nature of the online gambling sector and consumer protection, compliance with EU law, administrative cooperation, money laundering and integrity of sports, but Bookmakers Review could not find any specific mention of the adoption of the so-called ‘unfair operator principle’.
If anything the European Parliament noted the need for more coherent EU policies in order to address the cross-border nature of online gambling.
European Lotteries also welcomed the European Parliament strong stance on the need for a broad set of measures to fight illegal operators, although we hope and believe MEPs do not consider illegal bookmakers licensed in the Isle of Man, a British Crown Dependency.
Earlier this year, while speaking during the CEO panel at the World Gaming Executive Summit, the President of European Lotteries labeled as 'illegal operator' SBOBET, an online bookmaker present in Asia and Europe with licenses in First Cagayan (Philippines) and the Isle of Man.
The sensation that day of July was that Mr Stickler considers illegal all online bookmakers based in offshore jurisdictions and that he would have probably bashed Gibraltar-licensed BWIN had the company's Co-CEO not been present in the same panel.
While the report does not call for harmonization of the online gambling sector at EU level, it highlights the need for co-operation amongst member states and urges a high level of protection for consumers.
European Lotteries, the umbrella organization of national lottery operators, welcomed the European Parliament resolution that confirms the European Commission’s approach to not propose a sectoral harmonization directive for online gambling.
Friedrich Stickler, President of European Lotteries, commented: "The European Parliament has spoken out very clearly that a sectoral online gambling Directive is not desirable: gambling is not an ordinary economic activity. We are pleased that the threat for consumers from illegal gambling offerings is taken seriously. This Resolution takes a clear stance on the need for law enforcement at the national level and cooperation between the Member States: we welcome in particular the adoption of the ‘unfair operator principle’: online gambling companies that violate the laws of one Member State should lose their license in other Member States."
The texts adopted by the the European Parliament elaborated on 5 different topics: specific nature of the online gambling sector and consumer protection, compliance with EU law, administrative cooperation, money laundering and integrity of sports, but Bookmakers Review could not find any specific mention of the adoption of the so-called ‘unfair operator principle’.
If anything the European Parliament noted the need for more coherent EU policies in order to address the cross-border nature of online gambling.
European Lotteries also welcomed the European Parliament strong stance on the need for a broad set of measures to fight illegal operators, although we hope and believe MEPs do not consider illegal bookmakers licensed in the Isle of Man, a British Crown Dependency.
Earlier this year, while speaking during the CEO panel at the World Gaming Executive Summit, the President of European Lotteries labeled as 'illegal operator' SBOBET, an online bookmaker present in Asia and Europe with licenses in First Cagayan (Philippines) and the Isle of Man.
The sensation that day of July was that Mr Stickler considers illegal all online bookmakers based in offshore jurisdictions and that he would have probably bashed Gibraltar-licensed BWIN had the company's Co-CEO not been present in the same panel.
September 18, 2013
‘Tele-Casinos’ Fill The Gap As Japan Awaits Casino Legislation
The awarding of the 2020 Olympic Games to Tokyo may have boosted expectations that Japan is now a virtual lock to be the next Asian casino hotspot, but Credit Suisse gaming analyst Joel Simkins says hold the phone. In a recent note to investors, Simkins noted that similar talk had suggested Brazil would open up its casino market after Rio de Janeiro was awarded both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, yet that casino chicken has yet to hatch. As for Japan, Simkins cautioned that “managing developments for the games, as well as rolling out integrated resorts, would make for a very full plate, particularly for the various political parties.”
While waiting on Japan’s politicians to make up their minds, Japanese gamblers have few domestic options beyond pachinko. They have one less option following the recent bust of an illegal ‘tele-casino’ in Aichi Prefecture. The illegal gambling joint was located in an entertainment district in Nagoya and advertised as an internet café, but entry required membership and members had to pass through a maze of steel doors and security cameras to gain admittance. The owners required gamblers to register for membership using a mobile phone, and only a call placed from this phone would guarantee entry.
Once inside, gamblers sat themselves down at one of a dozen computers on which live-dealer casino feeds were beamed in from jurisdictions such as the Philippines and Costa Rica. According to a report in the Asahi Shinbun, the tele-casino operators purchased ‘points’ from these live-dealer operations for ¥50 (US 50¢) apiece, which they would then sell to gamblers for ¥100 a point.
Like pachinko, in which the players can usually find ways to redeem their little silver balls for cold hard cash instead of the prizes on display at the front counter, tele-casino gamblers could convert their points back into cash once they were finished gambling (assuming they had any points left). Regardless of an individual gambler’s fortune, the drinks and cigarettes are on the house, so banzai!
The Nagoya tele-casino manager said about 80% of his customers played baccarat due to its brisk pace. Most gamblers wagered only ‘several tens of thousands’ of yen a night, although a few high-rollers could burn through ¥1m ($10k) in a single sitting. The tele-casino reportedly netted a monthly profit of ¥5m until it was shut down. There are believed to be at least 60 such establishments in Aichi Prefecture.
While waiting on Japan’s politicians to make up their minds, Japanese gamblers have few domestic options beyond pachinko. They have one less option following the recent bust of an illegal ‘tele-casino’ in Aichi Prefecture. The illegal gambling joint was located in an entertainment district in Nagoya and advertised as an internet café, but entry required membership and members had to pass through a maze of steel doors and security cameras to gain admittance. The owners required gamblers to register for membership using a mobile phone, and only a call placed from this phone would guarantee entry.
Once inside, gamblers sat themselves down at one of a dozen computers on which live-dealer casino feeds were beamed in from jurisdictions such as the Philippines and Costa Rica. According to a report in the Asahi Shinbun, the tele-casino operators purchased ‘points’ from these live-dealer operations for ¥50 (US 50¢) apiece, which they would then sell to gamblers for ¥100 a point.
Like pachinko, in which the players can usually find ways to redeem their little silver balls for cold hard cash instead of the prizes on display at the front counter, tele-casino gamblers could convert their points back into cash once they were finished gambling (assuming they had any points left). Regardless of an individual gambler’s fortune, the drinks and cigarettes are on the house, so banzai!
The Nagoya tele-casino manager said about 80% of his customers played baccarat due to its brisk pace. Most gamblers wagered only ‘several tens of thousands’ of yen a night, although a few high-rollers could burn through ¥1m ($10k) in a single sitting. The tele-casino reportedly netted a monthly profit of ¥5m until it was shut down. There are believed to be at least 60 such establishments in Aichi Prefecture.
September 17, 2013
Women overtake men in causal game usage
Women are now playing more casual online games than men according to a new survey by Mintel, figures show that 27% of women play games such as Candy Crush and other Facebook game apps than 24% of men.
Although the new figures show an increase in women playing online games, the number of people admitting to being “hardcore gamers” are still men with 13% of men compared to 6% of women saying they think they are heavily involved in the gaming culture.
Even when the survey asked if you consider yourself a moderate user of online games the figures still showed men believe they are a moderate user with 24% saying they were compared to 15% of women.
The casual gaming industry in Britain is worth £1.7bn currently and with the increase of women now using their smartphones to play, the gaming industry is looking at more games to attract the growing number of female gamers.
Indeed of many women surveyed the indication was that they are not into “shoot’em up” games like the fella’s they want more tactical, puzzle-based games which are more common on smartphones, hence the increase in usage.
In a recent survey among the sexes when it came to gaming consoles where “shoot’em up” games are dominant the figures showed that women playing those games had dropped. It is clear from the numbers that if gaming developers want to tap into the growing number of women playing gaming apps, they have to adapt their games to suit.
Although the new figures show an increase in women playing online games, the number of people admitting to being “hardcore gamers” are still men with 13% of men compared to 6% of women saying they think they are heavily involved in the gaming culture.
Even when the survey asked if you consider yourself a moderate user of online games the figures still showed men believe they are a moderate user with 24% saying they were compared to 15% of women.
The casual gaming industry in Britain is worth £1.7bn currently and with the increase of women now using their smartphones to play, the gaming industry is looking at more games to attract the growing number of female gamers.
Indeed of many women surveyed the indication was that they are not into “shoot’em up” games like the fella’s they want more tactical, puzzle-based games which are more common on smartphones, hence the increase in usage.
In a recent survey among the sexes when it came to gaming consoles where “shoot’em up” games are dominant the figures showed that women playing those games had dropped. It is clear from the numbers that if gaming developers want to tap into the growing number of women playing gaming apps, they have to adapt their games to suit.
September 15, 2013
Bidder to crash online gaming giant Bwin's Party?
Broker Peel Hunt’s veteran leisure analyst Nick Batram hit the nail on the head in a recent note on Gibraltar-based online gaming giant Bwin Party Digital Entertainment, 0.3p easier at 109.9p.
Coming after a shock profits warning last month, he said its management is running out of chances to put things right. It has yet to provide the market with any confidence that it can deliver a sustainable improvement from here. There is value in the business, and if this management team doesn’t unlock it, then someone else will.
Analysts slashed earnings forecasts after it warned that revenues would fall by up to 17 per cent this year as it shrinks the business to focus on fewer markets where it can make higher returns.
Rumours of a 200p a share cash offer from Google has been doing the rounds of late with dealers hearing that the US giant could pounce before Bwin’s online poker and casino games are up and running in the state of New Jersey before the end of the year.
New Jersey governor Chris Christie signed an amended bill into law in February this year. The online gaming market in New Jersey is believed to be worth £630million.
Rival broker Numis says there are reasons to be optimistic about 2013. Operations may start in New Jersey, a new poker product will launch, as will a new mobile interface for sports. Its target price is 200p.
William Hill, which has also been mentioned in the same breath as Bwin Party, closed 5.1p better at 424.1p.
Gaming software developer Playtech advanced 17.5p to 720p after Panmure Gordon upgraded earnings forecasts. The company will have cash (no debt) of €532million on the balance sheet at the year-end. Irish bookie Paddy Power, which has already teamed up Facebook in a live cash betting joint venture, closed down €0.80 at €60.20.
Confirmation of the Government’s largest privatisation in decades with the £3bn flotation of the Royal Mail postal service provided an early talking point but markets generally lacked inspiration.
Revived fears that the US Federal Reserve will taper stimulus measures next week inhibited investment enterprise but the Footsie stayed in the black with a modest gain of 0.55 points to 6588.98. The FTSE 250 fell 53.71 points to 15,192.07. Wall Street fell 26 points after a jobless claims report failed to give any clues about the Fed’s next move.
Reflecting relief it had dropped its proposed £700million bid for oil services engineer Kentz (50.5p down at 499p), shares of Amec rose 20p to 1078p. Amec now says it is considering paying out cash (£500million?) to shareholders in the fourth quarter.
Broker Oriel Securities is a buyer of Kentz and says it remains an attractive target and the bid simply flagged the value that has been overlooked by the market.
Sellers dimmed the lights at temporary power group Aggreko after Deutsche Bank slashed its target price to 1870p from 2100p. The close was 41p lower at 1610p.
Industrial lighting group Dialight was also left in the dark at 1150p, down 225p, after warning that delays in the signing of large contracts means profits will be flat for the full year. Profits will now come in at around the previous year’s £25million, which is around £6million below shop broker Canaccord Genuity’s latest forecasts.
Charles Skinner’s thriving UK office services provider Restore rose 9p to 137p in response to excellent interim results. Pre-tax profits soared 95pc to £4.1million on revenues 35 per cent higher at £24.6million. The dividend is hiked 50 per cent to 0.6p.
House broker Cenkos forecasts full-year profits of £6.2million, rising to £10million next year. It expects Restore to remain a stand-out performer within the small-cap universe.
Luxury car dealer HR Owen accelerated 21p to 162.5p after Philippine investment group Berjaya Philippines increased its offer to 170p cash a share from its rejected 130p a share bid after buying a further 2.4million shares, taking its holding and that of people acting in concert with it to almost 41 per cent.
An upbeat note from Daniel Stewart helped Plethora Solutions firm 0.88p to 6.32p. The broker says that now the group has regained global control of PSD502, a treatment for premature ejaculation, it intends to commence regulatory filings with the US Food & Drug Administration. It sees it being launched in the US in the second-half of 2015. It is in discussions with multiple partners to roll-out the drug once PSD502 is approved.
AfriAg put on 0.22p to 2.1p after completing a £600,000 financing at 2.06p a share with YA Global Master SPV. Patagonia Gold dipped 1.25p to 12.5p following interim results.
Coming after a shock profits warning last month, he said its management is running out of chances to put things right. It has yet to provide the market with any confidence that it can deliver a sustainable improvement from here. There is value in the business, and if this management team doesn’t unlock it, then someone else will.
Analysts slashed earnings forecasts after it warned that revenues would fall by up to 17 per cent this year as it shrinks the business to focus on fewer markets where it can make higher returns.
Rumours of a 200p a share cash offer from Google has been doing the rounds of late with dealers hearing that the US giant could pounce before Bwin’s online poker and casino games are up and running in the state of New Jersey before the end of the year.
New Jersey governor Chris Christie signed an amended bill into law in February this year. The online gaming market in New Jersey is believed to be worth £630million.
Rival broker Numis says there are reasons to be optimistic about 2013. Operations may start in New Jersey, a new poker product will launch, as will a new mobile interface for sports. Its target price is 200p.
William Hill, which has also been mentioned in the same breath as Bwin Party, closed 5.1p better at 424.1p.
Gaming software developer Playtech advanced 17.5p to 720p after Panmure Gordon upgraded earnings forecasts. The company will have cash (no debt) of €532million on the balance sheet at the year-end. Irish bookie Paddy Power, which has already teamed up Facebook in a live cash betting joint venture, closed down €0.80 at €60.20.
Confirmation of the Government’s largest privatisation in decades with the £3bn flotation of the Royal Mail postal service provided an early talking point but markets generally lacked inspiration.
Revived fears that the US Federal Reserve will taper stimulus measures next week inhibited investment enterprise but the Footsie stayed in the black with a modest gain of 0.55 points to 6588.98. The FTSE 250 fell 53.71 points to 15,192.07. Wall Street fell 26 points after a jobless claims report failed to give any clues about the Fed’s next move.
Reflecting relief it had dropped its proposed £700million bid for oil services engineer Kentz (50.5p down at 499p), shares of Amec rose 20p to 1078p. Amec now says it is considering paying out cash (£500million?) to shareholders in the fourth quarter.
Broker Oriel Securities is a buyer of Kentz and says it remains an attractive target and the bid simply flagged the value that has been overlooked by the market.
Sellers dimmed the lights at temporary power group Aggreko after Deutsche Bank slashed its target price to 1870p from 2100p. The close was 41p lower at 1610p.
Industrial lighting group Dialight was also left in the dark at 1150p, down 225p, after warning that delays in the signing of large contracts means profits will be flat for the full year. Profits will now come in at around the previous year’s £25million, which is around £6million below shop broker Canaccord Genuity’s latest forecasts.
Charles Skinner’s thriving UK office services provider Restore rose 9p to 137p in response to excellent interim results. Pre-tax profits soared 95pc to £4.1million on revenues 35 per cent higher at £24.6million. The dividend is hiked 50 per cent to 0.6p.
House broker Cenkos forecasts full-year profits of £6.2million, rising to £10million next year. It expects Restore to remain a stand-out performer within the small-cap universe.
Luxury car dealer HR Owen accelerated 21p to 162.5p after Philippine investment group Berjaya Philippines increased its offer to 170p cash a share from its rejected 130p a share bid after buying a further 2.4million shares, taking its holding and that of people acting in concert with it to almost 41 per cent.
An upbeat note from Daniel Stewart helped Plethora Solutions firm 0.88p to 6.32p. The broker says that now the group has regained global control of PSD502, a treatment for premature ejaculation, it intends to commence regulatory filings with the US Food & Drug Administration. It sees it being launched in the US in the second-half of 2015. It is in discussions with multiple partners to roll-out the drug once PSD502 is approved.
AfriAg put on 0.22p to 2.1p after completing a £600,000 financing at 2.06p a share with YA Global Master SPV. Patagonia Gold dipped 1.25p to 12.5p following interim results.
September 13, 2013
Slovaks are behind Czech football match-fixing scandal, police says
A group of Slovaks played a key role in a football corruption scandal in the Czech Republic and it manipulated the Slovak league matches' results as well, according to Slovak police, Police President Tibor Gaspar told reporters yesterday.
Seven people have been accused in the case, he added.
The gang was allegedly bribing footballers and then it gained money by betting on the manipulated matches, mainly via foreign online betting operators.
The Slovak group rigged at least 19 soccer matches in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia in the past year, Gaspar said.
The gang gave bribes of some 210,000 euros in total to football players, allegedly some 2000 to 60,000 euros per match.
The Slovak police estimated that the gang had gained 50,000 euros per fixed match.
"According to available information, the main organisers of this match-fixing and corruption were Slovaks. They masterminded the whole process of illegal betting," Gaspar said.
However, the gang's boss was a foreigner, probably from an Asian country, from whom the gang members received money to bribe players.
The group first chose a match from which it wanted to profit, then it addressed some footballers and offered them a bribe for match-fixing, Gaspar said.
He also described the communication between the gang and players during the match.
"If the mediator kept sitting at the stadium, he thereby sent a signal to the footballers saying the offer held and they should try to reach the agreed result. If he left the stadium, it was a signal that their match was not in the offer of the online (betting) operator," Gaspar added.
Three former football players were offering the bribes, Gaspar noted.
Four Slovak first league DAC 1904 Dunajska Streda players are accused of bribe taking. They are suspected of having manipulated results of four out of eight league matches this season.
Detectives traced the gang thanks to a Czech football club's player whom the gang had allegedly offered a bribe but he turned to the police.
The Czech anti-corruption police have so far accused 12 present and former football players of bribery within the match-fixing case.
The police made 15 searches of homes and other premises in a raid on Wednesday morning. Several players have been reportedly arrested within the raid.
Czechs investigate the case in cooperation with the Slovak police.
During the police raid in Slovakia on Monday, policemen searched homes of the suspects finding 49,000 euros in cash and communication devices which the fraudsters used for their criminal activities.
This was the biggest bribery scandal in Slovak football in the past years.
The Slovak Football Association, which helps detectives in the investigation, has appreciated the police work.
"It is in the interest of the football movement to clean it up of any corruption symptoms," the association said in reaction to the affair.
Slovak footballers face up to two-year ban from playing for match-fixing and their clubs would be expelled from the league.
Seven people have been accused in the case, he added.
The gang was allegedly bribing footballers and then it gained money by betting on the manipulated matches, mainly via foreign online betting operators.
The Slovak group rigged at least 19 soccer matches in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia in the past year, Gaspar said.
The gang gave bribes of some 210,000 euros in total to football players, allegedly some 2000 to 60,000 euros per match.
The Slovak police estimated that the gang had gained 50,000 euros per fixed match.
"According to available information, the main organisers of this match-fixing and corruption were Slovaks. They masterminded the whole process of illegal betting," Gaspar said.
However, the gang's boss was a foreigner, probably from an Asian country, from whom the gang members received money to bribe players.
The group first chose a match from which it wanted to profit, then it addressed some footballers and offered them a bribe for match-fixing, Gaspar said.
He also described the communication between the gang and players during the match.
"If the mediator kept sitting at the stadium, he thereby sent a signal to the footballers saying the offer held and they should try to reach the agreed result. If he left the stadium, it was a signal that their match was not in the offer of the online (betting) operator," Gaspar added.
Three former football players were offering the bribes, Gaspar noted.
Four Slovak first league DAC 1904 Dunajska Streda players are accused of bribe taking. They are suspected of having manipulated results of four out of eight league matches this season.
Detectives traced the gang thanks to a Czech football club's player whom the gang had allegedly offered a bribe but he turned to the police.
The Czech anti-corruption police have so far accused 12 present and former football players of bribery within the match-fixing case.
The police made 15 searches of homes and other premises in a raid on Wednesday morning. Several players have been reportedly arrested within the raid.
Czechs investigate the case in cooperation with the Slovak police.
During the police raid in Slovakia on Monday, policemen searched homes of the suspects finding 49,000 euros in cash and communication devices which the fraudsters used for their criminal activities.
This was the biggest bribery scandal in Slovak football in the past years.
The Slovak Football Association, which helps detectives in the investigation, has appreciated the police work.
"It is in the interest of the football movement to clean it up of any corruption symptoms," the association said in reaction to the affair.
Slovak footballers face up to two-year ban from playing for match-fixing and their clubs would be expelled from the league.
September 12, 2013
Czech police arrest many footballers suspected of corruption
The Czech anti-corruption police today arrested tens of football players, mainly of lower competitions, but also from the first league, over betting and influencing matches, server isport.cz wrote and the police´s spokesman Jaroslav Ibehej confirmed this in a press release for CTK.
The Czech Football Association (FACR) does not yet have any information about which players, or clubs and matches the case concerns.
"We have no detailed information on the matter, but what the police said in their press release. Until our security manager (Martin Synecky), currently attending a meeting of UEFA security managers in Warsaw, receives more detailed information, we will not comment on the matter," FACR spokesman Jaroslav Kolar told CTK.
Detectives from the Squad for Uncovering Corruption and Financial Crime have been securing pieces of evidence in connection with a suspicion of corrupt behaviour in the football environment since 4:00 today, Ibehej said in the press release.
The Czech Football Association (FACR) does not yet have any information about which players, or clubs and matches the case concerns.
"We have no detailed information on the matter, but what the police said in their press release. Until our security manager (Martin Synecky), currently attending a meeting of UEFA security managers in Warsaw, receives more detailed information, we will not comment on the matter," FACR spokesman Jaroslav Kolar told CTK.
Detectives from the Squad for Uncovering Corruption and Financial Crime have been securing pieces of evidence in connection with a suspicion of corrupt behaviour in the football environment since 4:00 today, Ibehej said in the press release.
September 11, 2013
Sheriff Gaming B2B license suspended till hearing
Sheriff Gaming has had its B2B license suspended by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) until a hearing on the 29th October in London and has told the company it must cease trading and offering their online gaming services until that time.
The suspension follows raids by Dutch police into Sheriffs parent company the Bubble Group and its owners for suspected drug dealing, illegal gambling operations and money laundering. The iGaming Post reported exclusively at the time (see report) the raids taking place and confiscating properties, vehicles and bank accounts.
The Dutch firm supplies services to operators such as Betsson, Bet 365, Gala Coral, Unibet, Microgaming BetClic and many other, but will now have to suspend these services until the hearing takes place and a final decision on the B2B license is made.
It is a major blow to Sheriff Gaming and observers question if the company can return after such serious allegations even if they have their license restored, also will so many high profile customers as the company has want to be associated with them after such an investigation? It is very bad times at present for a company that was doing so well.
The suspension follows raids by Dutch police into Sheriffs parent company the Bubble Group and its owners for suspected drug dealing, illegal gambling operations and money laundering. The iGaming Post reported exclusively at the time (see report) the raids taking place and confiscating properties, vehicles and bank accounts.
The Dutch firm supplies services to operators such as Betsson, Bet 365, Gala Coral, Unibet, Microgaming BetClic and many other, but will now have to suspend these services until the hearing takes place and a final decision on the B2B license is made.
It is a major blow to Sheriff Gaming and observers question if the company can return after such serious allegations even if they have their license restored, also will so many high profile customers as the company has want to be associated with them after such an investigation? It is very bad times at present for a company that was doing so well.
September 09, 2013
New PartyPoker.com Software Goes Live
PartyPoker.com launched its new software client on Thursday, marking a "significant first step" in the integration of social features. The site overhaul has been specifically designed as part of a new strategy to revitalize PartyPoker as a brand centered around the recreational player.
The new PartyPoker.com has fresh new look, logo and interface, and offers a variety of features including a 1-Click Lobby and social features such as Missions and Achievements, Friends and much more. Players will also find a re-branded racetrack-shaped poker table, a cleaner table menu and a new theme.
The first phase release of the all new PartyPoker.com is now available on Mac and PC in download and no-download versions. The mobile product is available on Android and on iOS applications for the first time, and the company said it will be implementing more of the all new desktop features in a later phase.
Here are some of the highlights of the brand new PartyPoker.com software release:
1-Click Lobby
The new 1-Click lobby, found only at PartyPoker, allows players to organize their favorite games — tournament and ring games — all into the same view. With Filters and Favorites, players can highlight their preferred games and use the Favorites tab and lobby filters to narrow their search for the perfect table. Bankroll management concepts will also be figured into each player's 1-Click experience.
Missions
Missions give players targets to aim for, challenging them to try new things and improve their game. Missions help players improve poker skills but there are also great extra rewards for completing them, such as cash, tournament tickets, bonuses, and more.
Achievements
Personal milestones will become a focus at the new PartyPoker. Every time a player collects an Achievement, it will boost their score which they can show off to their friends via their profile page and activity feeds.
Friends and Profile Page
Feeding into the new social aspects of the software, players can easily search and add friends via screen name, email address or by looking up contacts from their email address book.
Account/Rewards/Cashier
The account page now offers players a one-stop location to provide a list of:
The new PartyPoker.com has fresh new look, logo and interface, and offers a variety of features including a 1-Click Lobby and social features such as Missions and Achievements, Friends and much more. Players will also find a re-branded racetrack-shaped poker table, a cleaner table menu and a new theme.
The first phase release of the all new PartyPoker.com is now available on Mac and PC in download and no-download versions. The mobile product is available on Android and on iOS applications for the first time, and the company said it will be implementing more of the all new desktop features in a later phase.
Here are some of the highlights of the brand new PartyPoker.com software release:
1-Click Lobby
The new 1-Click lobby, found only at PartyPoker, allows players to organize their favorite games — tournament and ring games — all into the same view. With Filters and Favorites, players can highlight their preferred games and use the Favorites tab and lobby filters to narrow their search for the perfect table. Bankroll management concepts will also be figured into each player's 1-Click experience.
Missions
Missions give players targets to aim for, challenging them to try new things and improve their game. Missions help players improve poker skills but there are also great extra rewards for completing them, such as cash, tournament tickets, bonuses, and more.
Achievements
Personal milestones will become a focus at the new PartyPoker. Every time a player collects an Achievement, it will boost their score which they can show off to their friends via their profile page and activity feeds.
Friends and Profile Page
Feeding into the new social aspects of the software, players can easily search and add friends via screen name, email address or by looking up contacts from their email address book.
Account/Rewards/Cashier
The account page now offers players a one-stop location to provide a list of:
- Real Balance
- Bonuses
- Loyalty Points
- New or active promotions
- Tournament dollars
- Messages in account inbox
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