Online gaming firm Betclic Everest Group is to close one of its French poker sites Everest Poker by the end of May this year.
The French based operator has struggled to increase Everest Poker share of the market ever since Betclic bought the site for $100 million from Giga Media back in 2009. Although well known internationally Everest Poker has not found the success it had hoped for in the ever contracting French online market place.
Although Everest Poker will remain operational to players outside France all French players on the site will be able to withdraw their funds or transfer over to Betclic Everest Group’s other poker site in France BetClic Poker.
Showing posts with label Betclic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Betclic. Show all posts
April 21, 2016
September 17, 2014
Betclic signs sponsorship deal with Fiorentina
Italian Serie A outfit ACF Fiorentina has come to an agreement with sports betting and gaming company Betclic to become one of the team’s main sponsors. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed but the partnership does give Betclic its own space in Fiorentina’s kits on top of stadium branding at the team’s home, Stadio Artemio Franchi. The deal also includes joint social and digital media initiatives between the two sides.
“We are proud to be a partner of a team rich in history and success like Fiorentina”, Betclic Director General Francesco Postiglione said in a statement. “We are equally certain that, thanks to the support of all the team and its fans, we will be able to establish a new model of sponsorship, which insists on the involvement of more and more fan interaction.”
Betclic is the latest company to hit up a sponsorship deal with Fiorentina, joining kit supplier Joma, Sky Italia and its main partner Save the Children.
“We are proud to be a partner of a team rich in history and success like Fiorentina”, Betclic Director General Francesco Postiglione said in a statement. “We are equally certain that, thanks to the support of all the team and its fans, we will be able to establish a new model of sponsorship, which insists on the involvement of more and more fan interaction.”
Betclic is the latest company to hit up a sponsorship deal with Fiorentina, joining kit supplier Joma, Sky Italia and its main partner Save the Children.
April 14, 2014
Betclic Everest withdraw operations from Russia
Senior management at igaming operator Betclic Everest have announced that the operator will withdraw all of its igaming operations from targeting the Russian igaming market.
The decision by the operator, comes days after Betclic announced that it would no longer allow wagering and accept customer subscriptions from Belgium.
Betclic Everest announced its decision following the Russian gaming authorities’ decision to extend its internet ISP blacklist. It is thought that the Russian Government will look to toughen its stance on unlicensed igaming operators, as Russia looks to set a future igaming policy.
Russian ISP blocks have affected a number of igaming operators including Unibet, Pokerstars and Bwin. The blocks have been undertaken by Russian internet watchdog – Roskomnadzor.
Betclic Everest, actions to withdraw from the region have been followed by sports betting exchange Betfair that they would no longer accept customers from the Russian Federation.
Betclic Everest are set to make more statements regarding their decision to withdraw operations from the region.
The decision by the operator, comes days after Betclic announced that it would no longer allow wagering and accept customer subscriptions from Belgium.
Betclic Everest announced its decision following the Russian gaming authorities’ decision to extend its internet ISP blacklist. It is thought that the Russian Government will look to toughen its stance on unlicensed igaming operators, as Russia looks to set a future igaming policy.
Russian ISP blocks have affected a number of igaming operators including Unibet, Pokerstars and Bwin. The blocks have been undertaken by Russian internet watchdog – Roskomnadzor.
Betclic Everest, actions to withdraw from the region have been followed by sports betting exchange Betfair that they would no longer accept customers from the Russian Federation.
Betclic Everest are set to make more statements regarding their decision to withdraw operations from the region.
April 07, 2014
Betclic withdraw from Belgium, amid PPO investigation
Betclic senior management have chosen to withdraw the company’s operations from the Belgian igaming market as the Public Prosecution Office (PPO) charged the operator with alleged unlicensed igaming operations targeting Belgian igaming players.
Prior to the decision taken by senior management, the operator had suffered a confiscation of €60,000 by the Belgian Gaming Authorities, for servicing unlicensed igaming services to Belgium customers. Betclic were placed under the black list of igaming operators, who had been warned by regional authorities and restricted Belgian IP access to their igaming portals.
The PPO are set to investigate the operator, for illegal igaming operations, BetClic deny any knowledge of wrongdoing on their part. A company statement read “Betclic Everest Group expresses its total surprise concerning the information referring to criminal sanctions and fund blocking that the Group is said to face in Belgium,”
The PPO claim that the operator had been warned of servicing Belgian customers with unlicensed igaming services, furthermore they claim that the operator breached regional igaming laws by allowing payment process on Belgian credit cards. The PPO have further stated that it has proof from Belgian based financial institutions that the operator had processed these online payments.
If prosecuted members of the Betclic board could be held responsible by Belgian igaming authorities and could face prison sentences of six months to five years.
Prior to the decision taken by senior management, the operator had suffered a confiscation of €60,000 by the Belgian Gaming Authorities, for servicing unlicensed igaming services to Belgium customers. Betclic were placed under the black list of igaming operators, who had been warned by regional authorities and restricted Belgian IP access to their igaming portals.
The PPO are set to investigate the operator, for illegal igaming operations, BetClic deny any knowledge of wrongdoing on their part. A company statement read “Betclic Everest Group expresses its total surprise concerning the information referring to criminal sanctions and fund blocking that the Group is said to face in Belgium,”
The PPO claim that the operator had been warned of servicing Belgian customers with unlicensed igaming services, furthermore they claim that the operator breached regional igaming laws by allowing payment process on Belgian credit cards. The PPO have further stated that it has proof from Belgian based financial institutions that the operator had processed these online payments.
If prosecuted members of the Betclic board could be held responsible by Belgian igaming authorities and could face prison sentences of six months to five years.
May 11, 2012
Belgium Adds To Online Poker Blacklist
The Belgium Gaming Commission has expanded its blacklist of companies which internet service providers in the country must block.
New additions to the list include bwin.com, betsson.com, bet-at-home.com, betclic.com, williamhill.com, stanjames.com, and betfair.com, all of which offer online poker.
These companies join the likes of 888.com, titanpoker.be, winamax.fr and everestpoker.be.
Belgian authorities claim the blacklist offer opportunities to legitimate operators who apply for licences while protecting players from ‘illegal’ sites which operate without a licence in the country.
New additions to the list include bwin.com, betsson.com, bet-at-home.com, betclic.com, williamhill.com, stanjames.com, and betfair.com, all of which offer online poker.
These companies join the likes of 888.com, titanpoker.be, winamax.fr and everestpoker.be.
Belgian authorities claim the blacklist offer opportunities to legitimate operators who apply for licences while protecting players from ‘illegal’ sites which operate without a licence in the country.
April 05, 2012
Betclic exits Portuguese market
Court proceedings could have a devastating impact on football sponsorships provided by online gambling companies. In the latest news within the Portuguese market, Betclic has confirmed to the newspaper Publico that it is about to exit the Portuguese market. If this proceeds, it will end its sponsorship program and impact some 28 regional soccer clubs, sports observers have noted.
It’s also been reported that the litigious actions of Portuguese gambling monopoly Santa Casa de Misericordia de Lisboa, which has launched successful civil actions against Betclic, Bwin & other European internet gambling groups, may have a possible negative impact on football in that country. Various online companies have strongly supported them through sponsorships.
It’s also been reported that the litigious actions of Portuguese gambling monopoly Santa Casa de Misericordia de Lisboa, which has launched successful civil actions against Betclic, Bwin & other European internet gambling groups, may have a possible negative impact on football in that country. Various online companies have strongly supported them through sponsorships.
September 27, 2011
Betclic launches iPhone app, joins Everest Poker network
Having launched a number of applications for Android and Blackberry devices, Betclic Everest Group subsidiary Betclic has introduced a new sports betting app for the Apple iPhone, while the company’s Betclic Poker offering has switched to the Everest Poker network from Boss Media's International Poker Network.
Betclic’s iPhone app allows customers to place bets across the company’s entire sports betting portfolio, including bets on more than fifteen different sports, eighty competitions, as well as up to seventy live betting events.
The app also features updated news and information, allowing customers to bet on live events while on the move.
Meanwhile, Betclic Poker confirmed yesterday that it has joined the Everest Poker network, as it looks to ensure continued growth and improve players’ experience. The poker site has moved from Boss Media's International Poker Network (IPN).
“We are thrilled that BetClic Poker joins the Everest Poker network,” said Tarquin Henderson, head of poker and casino at BetClic Everest. “The growing Everest Poker Network is a popular and trusted place to learn and experience the fun of playing poker online. BetClic Poker will bring poker knowledge, passion and liquidity to our network and this will ensure the best experience for all players involved.”
As part of the Everest Poker network, Betclic Poker players will be able to enjoy overall guaranteed prize pools of more than $1.25m every month, as well as access to the $75,000 Big Prime tournament on October 2nd, $25,000 more than the regular Sunday guarantee.
According to the poker tracking site PokerScout, the Everest Poker network currently ranks sixteenth in the worldwide ranking, below the likes of Bodog, Boss Media’s IPN and Microgaming.
Betclic’s iPhone app allows customers to place bets across the company’s entire sports betting portfolio, including bets on more than fifteen different sports, eighty competitions, as well as up to seventy live betting events.
The app also features updated news and information, allowing customers to bet on live events while on the move.
Meanwhile, Betclic Poker confirmed yesterday that it has joined the Everest Poker network, as it looks to ensure continued growth and improve players’ experience. The poker site has moved from Boss Media's International Poker Network (IPN).
“We are thrilled that BetClic Poker joins the Everest Poker network,” said Tarquin Henderson, head of poker and casino at BetClic Everest. “The growing Everest Poker Network is a popular and trusted place to learn and experience the fun of playing poker online. BetClic Poker will bring poker knowledge, passion and liquidity to our network and this will ensure the best experience for all players involved.”
As part of the Everest Poker network, Betclic Poker players will be able to enjoy overall guaranteed prize pools of more than $1.25m every month, as well as access to the $75,000 Big Prime tournament on October 2nd, $25,000 more than the regular Sunday guarantee.
According to the poker tracking site PokerScout, the Everest Poker network currently ranks sixteenth in the worldwide ranking, below the likes of Bodog, Boss Media’s IPN and Microgaming.
September 20, 2011
Nicolas Beraud leaves Betclic Everest
One of the most high profile CEOs in the Online Gambling Industry has stepped down from his role at Betclic Everest.
Nicolas Beraud who founded Betclic in 2005 and then become CEO of the combined group following his company’s 2008 acquisition by Betclic Everest when it was known as Mangas Gaming.
Mr Ignacio Martos, CEO of travel comparison website Opodo has been named as his immediate replacement. Mr Martos resigned from Opodo in July of 2011 after five years with Opodo.
The merger of Opodo, eDreams and Go Voyages was completed this year, Martos said at the time he is handing over power of the now merged group to eDreams CEO Javier Perez-Tenessa. It seems Mr Martos was already lined-up for Betclic Everest after his departure from Opodo.
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Martos said: “I chose to join the Betclic Everest Group because I am convinced that in a context of markets opening in Europe, this sector has strong potential for growth. Internet has already revolutionised our lifestyles and our patterns of consumption and there is a real place to be taken to further enrich the range of leisure and feed the passion of users, in sport as in poker.”
Nicolas Beraud who founded Betclic in 2005 and then become CEO of the combined group following his company’s 2008 acquisition by Betclic Everest when it was known as Mangas Gaming.
Mr Ignacio Martos, CEO of travel comparison website Opodo has been named as his immediate replacement. Mr Martos resigned from Opodo in July of 2011 after five years with Opodo.
The merger of Opodo, eDreams and Go Voyages was completed this year, Martos said at the time he is handing over power of the now merged group to eDreams CEO Javier Perez-Tenessa. It seems Mr Martos was already lined-up for Betclic Everest after his departure from Opodo.
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Martos said: “I chose to join the Betclic Everest Group because I am convinced that in a context of markets opening in Europe, this sector has strong potential for growth. Internet has already revolutionised our lifestyles and our patterns of consumption and there is a real place to be taken to further enrich the range of leisure and feed the passion of users, in sport as in poker.”
September 02, 2011
Betclic receives eCOGRA accreditation
Independent player protection organisation eCOGRA has announced that Betclic Everest Group subsidiary Betclic has successfully achieved the required standards for eCOGRA’s software certification, with 146 online gaming sites now accredited by the organisation.
eCOGRA chief executive Andrew Beveridge said that Betclic had demonstrated a practical commitment to higher standards of operational conduct, fair gaming, integrity and player service through the organisation's Safe and Fair seal, which Betclic is now entitled to display on its websites.
“The Betclic management is highly experienced and well established in the industry,” said Beveridge. “Betclic was the founding company when the Mangas Gaming Group, which subsequently became the Betclic Everest Group, was formed. It has also achieved compliance with the European Gaming and Betting Association’s (EGBA) standards, and it is therefore not surprising that the management met all of our requirements despite a rigorous on-site inspection and review process.”
The audit and inspection leading to accreditation was carried out by Bradley Khoury, a Chartered Accountant and Information Systems Auditor, who reported to the eCOGRA Seals Compliance Committee.
“The cooperation and dedication of the Betclic compliance personnel accompanied by unrestricted access to knowledgeable staff and transparent information facilitated a highly comprehensive review,” said Khoury. “The organisation demonstrated strong resilience and noteworthy commitment to compliance.”
Lisa Lombardi, Betclic’s licensing and compliance director, said that the accreditation initiative had been both informative and challenging.
“We consider the investment in time and resources to have been very well spent, giving us the opportunity to review all of our procedures and gain the benefit of a totally independent, practical and expert view of the manner in which we conduct every aspect of our business," she said.
Betclic has become the 146th online gambling site to receive the Safe and Fair seal from eCOGRA.
Last week eCOGRA said that it had successfully qualified as a testing agency with the Italian regulator AAMS, and also had its systems approved by ISO (International Organisation of Standards), the Geneva-based international standards authority after meeting stringent systems-oriented requirements and standards.
The accreditation by AAMS empowers eCOGRA to act as a testing and monitoring agency for remote gambling platforms, random number generators and gaming operator applications for compliance with the technical standards issued by AAMS.
“Promoting the values of commitment and self-regulation, and preparing remote gambling companies for the national regulatory systems now evolving, remains a critical part of our business, and eCOGRA will continue to pursue testing agency approval in other emerging jurisdictions to ensure that we can provide a full-service offering which meets all of our client’s regulatory compliance needs,” said Beveridge.
Beveridge added that eCOGRA expected to announce further jurisdictional approvals soon.
eCOGRA chief executive Andrew Beveridge said that Betclic had demonstrated a practical commitment to higher standards of operational conduct, fair gaming, integrity and player service through the organisation's Safe and Fair seal, which Betclic is now entitled to display on its websites.
“The Betclic management is highly experienced and well established in the industry,” said Beveridge. “Betclic was the founding company when the Mangas Gaming Group, which subsequently became the Betclic Everest Group, was formed. It has also achieved compliance with the European Gaming and Betting Association’s (EGBA) standards, and it is therefore not surprising that the management met all of our requirements despite a rigorous on-site inspection and review process.”
The audit and inspection leading to accreditation was carried out by Bradley Khoury, a Chartered Accountant and Information Systems Auditor, who reported to the eCOGRA Seals Compliance Committee.
“The cooperation and dedication of the Betclic compliance personnel accompanied by unrestricted access to knowledgeable staff and transparent information facilitated a highly comprehensive review,” said Khoury. “The organisation demonstrated strong resilience and noteworthy commitment to compliance.”
Lisa Lombardi, Betclic’s licensing and compliance director, said that the accreditation initiative had been both informative and challenging.
“We consider the investment in time and resources to have been very well spent, giving us the opportunity to review all of our procedures and gain the benefit of a totally independent, practical and expert view of the manner in which we conduct every aspect of our business," she said.
Betclic has become the 146th online gambling site to receive the Safe and Fair seal from eCOGRA.
Last week eCOGRA said that it had successfully qualified as a testing agency with the Italian regulator AAMS, and also had its systems approved by ISO (International Organisation of Standards), the Geneva-based international standards authority after meeting stringent systems-oriented requirements and standards.
The accreditation by AAMS empowers eCOGRA to act as a testing and monitoring agency for remote gambling platforms, random number generators and gaming operator applications for compliance with the technical standards issued by AAMS.
“Promoting the values of commitment and self-regulation, and preparing remote gambling companies for the national regulatory systems now evolving, remains a critical part of our business, and eCOGRA will continue to pursue testing agency approval in other emerging jurisdictions to ensure that we can provide a full-service offering which meets all of our client’s regulatory compliance needs,” said Beveridge.
Beveridge added that eCOGRA expected to announce further jurisdictional approvals soon.
January 11, 2011
Béraud appointed president of BetClic Everest
Nicolas Béraud, the founder of BetClic, has been named the new president of the BetClic Everest Group.
He replaces Stéphane Courbit, founder and former chairman of the group which changed its name from Mangas Gaming in November. Courbit has stepped down after more than two years in the role.
Béraud set up BetClic in 2005, selling the bookmaker to Courbit’s Mangas group in 2008, and had been CEO of the group since March last year. In his new role, he will be tasked with overseeing the management of the four companies under BetClic Everest’s control: Everest Gaming, BetClic, Bet-at-Home and Expekt.
In addition to serving as CEO of the BetClic Everest Group, Béraud was interim CEO of Expekt following the departure of Per Widerström in December 2009.
He is not the only member of the group to move into a new role. Former vice-chairwoman Isabelle Parize is now the new chief of the group’s skill games site SkillStar.com, while Jean-Laurent Nabet has been named as the new chairman of the group’s holding company, which is split evenly between Stéphane Courbit’s Lov Group and high-end hotel owners Societe des Bains de Mer.
Courbit’s influence within BetClic Everest will not be entirely eliminated. Lov Group still controls 50% of the group’s holding company, whose new chairman Nabet has worked alongside the 45-year-old entrepreneur since joining Lov Group in 2008.
BetClic Everest rose three places to fourth in eGR’s 2010 Power 50, but moves to regulate European markets – and the French market in particular – have grated with the group’s management.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro last November, former Endemol France chairman Courbit claimed French authorities were responsible for imposing the “worst online gambling laws in Europe.”
At the time he complained that “we are overtaxed, the scope of authorised gambling is too limited and the rate of return to players is too low.”
He replaces Stéphane Courbit, founder and former chairman of the group which changed its name from Mangas Gaming in November. Courbit has stepped down after more than two years in the role.
Béraud set up BetClic in 2005, selling the bookmaker to Courbit’s Mangas group in 2008, and had been CEO of the group since March last year. In his new role, he will be tasked with overseeing the management of the four companies under BetClic Everest’s control: Everest Gaming, BetClic, Bet-at-Home and Expekt.
In addition to serving as CEO of the BetClic Everest Group, Béraud was interim CEO of Expekt following the departure of Per Widerström in December 2009.
He is not the only member of the group to move into a new role. Former vice-chairwoman Isabelle Parize is now the new chief of the group’s skill games site SkillStar.com, while Jean-Laurent Nabet has been named as the new chairman of the group’s holding company, which is split evenly between Stéphane Courbit’s Lov Group and high-end hotel owners Societe des Bains de Mer.
Courbit’s influence within BetClic Everest will not be entirely eliminated. Lov Group still controls 50% of the group’s holding company, whose new chairman Nabet has worked alongside the 45-year-old entrepreneur since joining Lov Group in 2008.
BetClic Everest rose three places to fourth in eGR’s 2010 Power 50, but moves to regulate European markets – and the French market in particular – have grated with the group’s management.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro last November, former Endemol France chairman Courbit claimed French authorities were responsible for imposing the “worst online gambling laws in Europe.”
At the time he complained that “we are overtaxed, the scope of authorised gambling is too limited and the rate of return to players is too low.”
November 25, 2010
Mangas rebrands as BetClic Everest Group
Mangas Gaming has renamed itself the BetClic Everest Group.
Nicolas Beraud said the new identity of the group reflected the strength of Mangas’ two flagship brands, sports betting operator BetClic and top three French poker room Everest Poker.
“At a time when markets are regulating in Europe we wanted to, alongside our shareholders, move to the next chapter [of development]. The two brands [BetClic and Everest] are the two most referenced by our customers and will form the new identity of the group, a sign that the customer is at the heart of our future strategy development,” said Beraud.
BetClic, Everest, BetAtHome and Expekt owner Mangas, now BetClic Everest, is a 50/50 joint venture between Monaco casino and luxury hotel owner Societe des Bains de Mer and former Endemol France chief executive Stephane Courbit’s Lov Group.
Nicolas Beraud said the new identity of the group reflected the strength of Mangas’ two flagship brands, sports betting operator BetClic and top three French poker room Everest Poker.
“At a time when markets are regulating in Europe we wanted to, alongside our shareholders, move to the next chapter [of development]. The two brands [BetClic and Everest] are the two most referenced by our customers and will form the new identity of the group, a sign that the customer is at the heart of our future strategy development,” said Beraud.
BetClic, Everest, BetAtHome and Expekt owner Mangas, now BetClic Everest, is a 50/50 joint venture between Monaco casino and luxury hotel owner Societe des Bains de Mer and former Endemol France chief executive Stephane Courbit’s Lov Group.
November 13, 2010
Mangas receives Gibraltar licence
BetClic, Everest Gaming, Bet-at-home and Expekt owner Mangas Gaming has obtained a Gibraltar egaming licence and will be moving around 50 staff to the jurisdiction.
Mangas Gaming chief executive Nicolas Beraud (pictured) said the addition of a Gibraltar licence to its existing licences in Malta, France and Italy would support the operator’s continued expansion across Europe.
”We believe Gibraltar is the premium gaming jurisdiction in Europe and with our continued European expansion, we believe that Mangas Gaming will be perfectly placed moving forwards.” said Beraud.
The operator, which recently rose to fourth position in eGR’s 2010 Power 50 ranking of the most influential operators in egaming, from seventh last year, will employ approximately 50 staff in the British overseas territory.
Mangas Gaming chief executive Nicolas Beraud (pictured) said the addition of a Gibraltar licence to its existing licences in Malta, France and Italy would support the operator’s continued expansion across Europe.
”We believe Gibraltar is the premium gaming jurisdiction in Europe and with our continued European expansion, we believe that Mangas Gaming will be perfectly placed moving forwards.” said Beraud.
The operator, which recently rose to fourth position in eGR’s 2010 Power 50 ranking of the most influential operators in egaming, from seventh last year, will employ approximately 50 staff in the British overseas territory.
July 22, 2010
Everest joins BetClic as Lyon sponsor
Everest Poker has joined BetClic as shirt sponsor of top-tier French football team Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon).
The Everest Poker logo will appear on the away kit of the French Ligue 1 team, while that of Mangas Gaming-owned BetClic will continue to appear on the strip at home games.
Sandrine Mangia-Park, director of Everest Poker France, said: “By becoming a sponsor of Olympique Lyonnais, we want to associate the sport values of the poker community with those of Lyon's football team: playing the game responsibly and respecting their partners”
The sponsorship represents Everest’s first move into football sponsorship since it was bought by Mangas Gaming last December, as the brand looks to take advantage of the relaxation of advertising restrictions on egaming operators following the re-regulation of the French poker market last month.
Other Mangas Gaming owned operators BetClic, BetAtHome and Expekt have pursued a slew of football sponsorships across Europe in recent years. BetClic also sponsors French champions Marseille, Juventus and no less than 13 Portuguese teams
The Everest Poker logo will appear on the away kit of the French Ligue 1 team, while that of Mangas Gaming-owned BetClic will continue to appear on the strip at home games.
Sandrine Mangia-Park, director of Everest Poker France, said: “By becoming a sponsor of Olympique Lyonnais, we want to associate the sport values of the poker community with those of Lyon's football team: playing the game responsibly and respecting their partners”
The sponsorship represents Everest’s first move into football sponsorship since it was bought by Mangas Gaming last December, as the brand looks to take advantage of the relaxation of advertising restrictions on egaming operators following the re-regulation of the French poker market last month.
Other Mangas Gaming owned operators BetClic, BetAtHome and Expekt have pursued a slew of football sponsorships across Europe in recent years. BetClic also sponsors French champions Marseille, Juventus and no less than 13 Portuguese teams
June 18, 2010
BetClic CEO: French authorities to toughen up on gambling law
With new French gambling laws now firmly in place and punters presumably enjoying the freedom of betting on World Cup games and poker legally, all that remains to be seen is how France’s authorities might react to now-illegal operators within the country. At least one CEO guesses that crackdowns will be coming soon.
Speaking yesterday on a panel at an online gaming industry conference known as EGR Live, BetClic CEO Nicolas Beraud stated emphatically that he is “waiting for the first actions today” from French law enforcement – though no such action was reported as happening. Beraud went on to state that French authorities had been telling “us for two years that they will be very aggressive with illegal operators and they will pursue and block them very quickly.”
Beraud and other experts have said that the expected punishment would involve advertising bans on unlicensed sportsbooks, poker rooms and online casinos in France.
Beraud went on to cite Italy as an example of an attempted failure to simply firewall off the offending websites.
Echoing an industry view, Beraud said that the main reason online casino operators might try to do business in France despite the new regulations was because of exorbitant tax rates. British bookmakers William Hill and Betfair announced their departure from the French market, citing unfair taxation practices.
The sweeping changes to gambling laws in France were put into effect on June 11, opening the French market to government-licensed foreign-based online gambling sites.
Speaking yesterday on a panel at an online gaming industry conference known as EGR Live, BetClic CEO Nicolas Beraud stated emphatically that he is “waiting for the first actions today” from French law enforcement – though no such action was reported as happening. Beraud went on to state that French authorities had been telling “us for two years that they will be very aggressive with illegal operators and they will pursue and block them very quickly.”
Beraud and other experts have said that the expected punishment would involve advertising bans on unlicensed sportsbooks, poker rooms and online casinos in France.
Beraud went on to cite Italy as an example of an attempted failure to simply firewall off the offending websites.
Echoing an industry view, Beraud said that the main reason online casino operators might try to do business in France despite the new regulations was because of exorbitant tax rates. British bookmakers William Hill and Betfair announced their departure from the French market, citing unfair taxation practices.
The sweeping changes to gambling laws in France were put into effect on June 11, opening the French market to government-licensed foreign-based online gambling sites.
June 08, 2010
Bwin, BetClic, Everest among first French licensees
Bwin has achieved the distinction of being the only non-French operator among the first wave of online gaming licences handed out by French regulator ARJEL this morning.
The Austrian operator received licences to offer poker and sports betting into the French market both directly via its BES SAS French subsidary and in partnership with media conglomerate Amaury Group. Mangas Gaming-owned Everest Poker was the only other operator with significant business outside of France among the 11 operators directly licensed by the French regulatory authority this morning.
Other major egaming operators now in the French market on a B2B basis via partnerships with licensed operators include PartyGaming, via its poker JV with PMU, Paddy Power through providing fixed odds pricing and risk management to PMU, and Unibet, providing pools-based sports betting via France Pari, announced this morning. Software provider Orbis is also providing PMU with its sports betting platforms.
Alex Dreyfus, chief executive of ChiliGaming, awarded a sports betting licence for its joint venture with French telecoms and internet service provider group Iliad, told EGRMagazine.com that the pair had worked “18 months on this project to be one of the first to have a licence.”
Dreyfus however added that the “very tough” technology and compliance requirements of the ARJEL meant they would not be ready to go live ahead of the football World Cup, which starts this Friday.
The ChiliGaming chief executive also remarked on the fact that only one non-French operator, Bwin, was in the first round of approvals. “I think it was a first filter. But they are going to issue more licences at the end of the month,” he added.
The full list of licence approvals this morning was as follows:
BetClic (BetClic.fr): pari-mutuel horse race betting, poker, sports– fixed odds and pool betting.
Beturf (Groupe Paris Turf): pari-mutuel horse race betting.
BES SAS (Bwin’s French subsidiary: Bwin.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Bwin/Amaury Groupe (Sajoo.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
EverestPoker (EverestPoker.fr): poker.
France Pari (France-Pari.fr): sports – pool betting.
La Française des Jeux (ParionsWeb.fr): sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Iliad Gaming/ChiliGaming (Chilipari.fr): sports – fixed odds and pool betting
Pari Mutuel Urbain (Pmu.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
SPS Betting (Eurosportbet.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Table 14 (Winamax.fr) : poker.
The Austrian operator received licences to offer poker and sports betting into the French market both directly via its BES SAS French subsidary and in partnership with media conglomerate Amaury Group. Mangas Gaming-owned Everest Poker was the only other operator with significant business outside of France among the 11 operators directly licensed by the French regulatory authority this morning.
Other major egaming operators now in the French market on a B2B basis via partnerships with licensed operators include PartyGaming, via its poker JV with PMU, Paddy Power through providing fixed odds pricing and risk management to PMU, and Unibet, providing pools-based sports betting via France Pari, announced this morning. Software provider Orbis is also providing PMU with its sports betting platforms.
Alex Dreyfus, chief executive of ChiliGaming, awarded a sports betting licence for its joint venture with French telecoms and internet service provider group Iliad, told EGRMagazine.com that the pair had worked “18 months on this project to be one of the first to have a licence.”
Dreyfus however added that the “very tough” technology and compliance requirements of the ARJEL meant they would not be ready to go live ahead of the football World Cup, which starts this Friday.
The ChiliGaming chief executive also remarked on the fact that only one non-French operator, Bwin, was in the first round of approvals. “I think it was a first filter. But they are going to issue more licences at the end of the month,” he added.
The full list of licence approvals this morning was as follows:
BetClic (BetClic.fr): pari-mutuel horse race betting, poker, sports– fixed odds and pool betting.
Beturf (Groupe Paris Turf): pari-mutuel horse race betting.
BES SAS (Bwin’s French subsidiary: Bwin.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Bwin/Amaury Groupe (Sajoo.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
EverestPoker (EverestPoker.fr): poker.
France Pari (France-Pari.fr): sports – pool betting.
La Française des Jeux (ParionsWeb.fr): sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Iliad Gaming/ChiliGaming (Chilipari.fr): sports – fixed odds and pool betting
Pari Mutuel Urbain (Pmu.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
SPS Betting (Eurosportbet.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Table 14 (Winamax.fr) : poker.
May 10, 2010
Betclic to confirm Olympique Marseille tie for next season
BetClic is to confirm its sponsorship for next season of French football champions Olympique Marseille at a press conference this Wednesday, ahead of the company being legally allowed to display its logo in France next month with the part liberalisation of that country’s egaming market.
The shirt sponsorship of Marseille had been parked for Mangas Gaming-owned BetClic since the Louis Dreyfus group, the holding company for current French champions Marseille, became a major investor in Mangas earlier this year.
The deal complements BetClic’s recent sponsorship of Italian Serie A giants Juventus and no less than 13 Portuguese teams. BetClic and another top-flight French team, Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) in March argued that there was “no legal basis” to UEFA’s decision that month not to allow Lyon to wear BetClic’s logo for its recent Champions League tie with Bwin-sponsored Real Madrid, played in Spain. The pair argued that the French law did not apply to matches held under European competition rules and outside of France.
Other recent significant football sponsorships signed by egaming companies include Tombola with Premier League football team Sunderland, replacing Irish bookmaker BoyleSports, and Sportingbet extending its deal with fellow Premier League team Wolves until 2013.
The press conference will be held by Mangas Gaming chief executive Nicolas Beraud and the chief executive of Olympique Marseille, Jean-Claude Dassier.
The deal complements BetClic’s recent sponsorship of Italian Serie A giants Juventus and no less than 13 Portuguese teams. BetClic and another top-flight French team, Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) in March argued that there was “no legal basis” to UEFA’s decision that month not to allow Lyon to wear BetClic’s logo for its recent Champions League tie with Bwin-sponsored Real Madrid, played in Spain. The pair argued that the French law did not apply to matches held under European competition rules and outside of France.
Other recent significant football sponsorships signed by egaming companies include Tombola with Premier League football team Sunderland, replacing Irish bookmaker BoyleSports, and Sportingbet extending its deal with fellow Premier League team Wolves until 2013.
The press conference will be held by Mangas Gaming chief executive Nicolas Beraud and the chief executive of Olympique Marseille, Jean-Claude Dassier.
May 08, 2010
Numericable partners with BetClic for live bets
French cable operator Numericable has announced a deal with online sport gambling website BetClic to offer subscribers the possibility of betting online and live while watching football and tennis matches or horse races on TV.
“When people are watching such an event, they will be able to make live bets with their remote control,” Numericable’s CEO Pierre Danon said at a press conference in Paris.
Numericable’s TV portal will be enriched with a Betclic space where all possible bets related to a sports event currently broadcast on Numericable will be listed, along with the available odds.
To Pierre Danon, this is “a world premiere” which will become effective before the end of 2010.
“When people are watching such an event, they will be able to make live bets with their remote control,” Numericable’s CEO Pierre Danon said at a press conference in Paris.
Numericable’s TV portal will be enriched with a Betclic space where all possible bets related to a sports event currently broadcast on Numericable will be listed, along with the available odds.
To Pierre Danon, this is “a world premiere” which will become effective before the end of 2010.
April 08, 2010
Mangas Gaming signs M6 French media tie
Mangas Gaming, owner of brands including Everest Poker, Expekt and Betclic, has announced a strategic partnership with French multimedia conglomerate M6 Group.
Metropole 6, known as M6, is the second most-watched private television service in France.
The deal will see Everest and Betclic betting products offered via M6's network of websites, and the Mangas brands will also sponsor poker- and sports-related content across M6's nine digital channels, and collaborate with the group to produce content for broadcast.
The four-year deal will be fully implemented once BetClic and Everest have the required licences in place following the French National Assembly's vote in favour of a bill to legalise online gambling this week, which all but officially opens up the French egaming market to international operators.
New Mangas Gaming chief executive Nicolas Béraud said: "We are delighted about the visibility M6 will provide to our brands and services on both its channels and websites, especially in the poker segment."
M6 Web managing director Valéry Gerfaud said: "We have chosen to actively participate in the growth of the online gaming industry by joining our forces to the leading French sports betting and online gambling group and providing our know-how in contents creation and interactivity."
The deal is the second major egaming-TV deal in France today, and follows Ladbrokes' announcement of a joint venture with French premium TV giant Canal+ today.
Other media companies to enter the French egaming space include TF1, which signed an online gaming and sponsorship deal with France's lottery monopoly, Francaise des Jeux in February, and the Eurosport TV channel, which announced plans to launch betting company SPS Betting with investment fund Serendipity in May 2009.
The deal will see Everest and Betclic betting products offered via M6's network of websites, and the Mangas brands will also sponsor poker- and sports-related content across M6's nine digital channels, and collaborate with the group to produce content for broadcast.
The four-year deal will be fully implemented once BetClic and Everest have the required licences in place following the French National Assembly's vote in favour of a bill to legalise online gambling this week, which all but officially opens up the French egaming market to international operators.
New Mangas Gaming chief executive Nicolas Béraud said: "We are delighted about the visibility M6 will provide to our brands and services on both its channels and websites, especially in the poker segment."
M6 Web managing director Valéry Gerfaud said: "We have chosen to actively participate in the growth of the online gaming industry by joining our forces to the leading French sports betting and online gambling group and providing our know-how in contents creation and interactivity."
The deal is the second major egaming-TV deal in France today, and follows Ladbrokes' announcement of a joint venture with French premium TV giant Canal+ today.
Other media companies to enter the French egaming space include TF1, which signed an online gaming and sponsorship deal with France's lottery monopoly, Francaise des Jeux in February, and the Eurosport TV channel, which announced plans to launch betting company SPS Betting with investment fund Serendipity in May 2009.
April 06, 2010
Juventus sign Betclick shirt sponsor deal
Juventus has signed a shirt sponsorship deal with Betclick UK Ltd.. The company will be the official sponsor from the 1st July 2010 up to 30th June 2012. The brand “Betclick” will appear on the Juventus jerseys during all the competitions in which the team will participate.
The agreement is the result of a new commercial strategy by Juventus, as underlined by president Blanc: «In a very difficult economic context, we have decided by identifying an international partner of primary standing, to put into practice an innovative commercial strategy which shares the rights of the first and the second jersey. The agreement signed today is the first of two agreements of official sponsorship that will characterize the next two sporting seasons».
In lieu of this new commercial strategy, which is intended to increment the profits deriving from the jersey sponsorship, Juventus decided to adopt a new format. There will in fact be two different partners who will have the possibility of affixing their brand name on the outfield jerseys.
The agreement signed today foresees the right of Betclick to affix the brand name “Betclic” on the first outfield jersey – the black and white one – in all the national and international sport competitions of the First Team. The contract foresees complex basis amount of €16 million and a variable amount which shall be determined by the sporting results.
Created in 2005 by French entrepreneurs, Betlclick became in just a few years, one of the operators of reference in the sports betting market and on-line gaming in Europe. Betclick is present in 12 European countries and every one of its websites proposes personalized contents and offers. With the headquarters located in Malta and office in England, Italy and Spain, Betclick is the holder of many gaming licenses in the European Union.
The agreement is the result of a new commercial strategy by Juventus, as underlined by president Blanc: «In a very difficult economic context, we have decided by identifying an international partner of primary standing, to put into practice an innovative commercial strategy which shares the rights of the first and the second jersey. The agreement signed today is the first of two agreements of official sponsorship that will characterize the next two sporting seasons».
In lieu of this new commercial strategy, which is intended to increment the profits deriving from the jersey sponsorship, Juventus decided to adopt a new format. There will in fact be two different partners who will have the possibility of affixing their brand name on the outfield jerseys.
The agreement signed today foresees the right of Betclick to affix the brand name “Betclic” on the first outfield jersey – the black and white one – in all the national and international sport competitions of the First Team. The contract foresees complex basis amount of €16 million and a variable amount which shall be determined by the sporting results.
Created in 2005 by French entrepreneurs, Betlclick became in just a few years, one of the operators of reference in the sports betting market and on-line gaming in Europe. Betclick is present in 12 European countries and every one of its websites proposes personalized contents and offers. With the headquarters located in Malta and office in England, Italy and Spain, Betclick is the holder of many gaming licenses in the European Union.
March 11, 2010
BetClic hits out at UEFA shirt ban: 'no legal basis'
BetClic chief executive Nicolas Béraud has hit out at UEFA’s refusal to let French football team Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) wear his company’s logo for tonight’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid, saying it has “no legal basis”.
Béraud and Olympique Lyonnais president Jean-Michael Aulas released a joint statement that read: “The Champions League is a European competition, so there is no reason to ban any advertising on the shirt of a team that participates in a European competition on the grounds that that the laws of the country where this team plays its national championships does not authorise this.”
Béraud and the Lyon president said it was “imperative we move away quickly from this national logic”, and Lyon be allowed to play with the BetClic logo on their shirt tonight in Madrid. “The French law does not apply in Spain. The UEFA rules on this point have no legal basis,” they said.
The current ban on online gaming in France will remain in place until the country’s egaming law comes into effect. This is expected to be in time for this summer’s football World Cup, after French budget minister Eric Woerth announced late last month ahead of the bill passing the French Senate that the laws will take effect by 1 June,
Aulas and Béraud, who is also chief operating officer of BetClic’s parent company Mangas Gaming and interim chief executive of Mangas-owned Expekt, added that neither Spanish or European law supported tonight’s ban.
“The game is being played in Madrid, where advertising of online gaming is permitted. There is currently no European law that prohibits advertising online gaming. Not to mention that Real Madrid will play with its usual sponsor [Bwin] which is an operator of [French online brand] Paris Sportifs,” the statement continued.
BetClic also sponsors Marseille in France, Juventus in Italy, Lech Poznan in Poland and 13 Portuguese teams.
Béraud and Olympique Lyonnais president Jean-Michael Aulas released a joint statement that read: “The Champions League is a European competition, so there is no reason to ban any advertising on the shirt of a team that participates in a European competition on the grounds that that the laws of the country where this team plays its national championships does not authorise this.”
Béraud and the Lyon president said it was “imperative we move away quickly from this national logic”, and Lyon be allowed to play with the BetClic logo on their shirt tonight in Madrid. “The French law does not apply in Spain. The UEFA rules on this point have no legal basis,” they said.
The current ban on online gaming in France will remain in place until the country’s egaming law comes into effect. This is expected to be in time for this summer’s football World Cup, after French budget minister Eric Woerth announced late last month ahead of the bill passing the French Senate that the laws will take effect by 1 June,
Aulas and Béraud, who is also chief operating officer of BetClic’s parent company Mangas Gaming and interim chief executive of Mangas-owned Expekt, added that neither Spanish or European law supported tonight’s ban.
“The game is being played in Madrid, where advertising of online gaming is permitted. There is currently no European law that prohibits advertising online gaming. Not to mention that Real Madrid will play with its usual sponsor [Bwin] which is an operator of [French online brand] Paris Sportifs,” the statement continued.
BetClic also sponsors Marseille in France, Juventus in Italy, Lech Poznan in Poland and 13 Portuguese teams.
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