Online Casino and Gambling News: April 2009

eCOGRA reports players disputes declined in Q1 2009

Tex Rees, the Fair Gaming Advocate at the independent player protection and standards body eCOGRA, has released the organisation's first quarter 2009 player disputes report. Rees also reported that total disputes handled in the full year 2008 period were down on the comparative 2007 number at 743 (2007: 783).

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Ex-Lloyds bank anti-fraud expert snapped up by Moneybookers

The European online e-cash processor Moneybookers has appointed Tero Pollanen as head of anti-fraud activities, one of a series of new hirings that has seen Moneybookers' headcount double since the beginning of 2008.

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Punters prove Rudd wrong as Australia enters recession

Government claims that Australia would not fall into the world recession this year were proved wrong this week - all to the profit of economy-savvy gamblers who were not taken in by political opinions.

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European gambling industry prepares for French liberalisation

Reports in the French daily newspaper Le Monde suggest that several well known industry companies, including Betclick, Unibet, and Bwin are already active with French associates in gearing up for the liberalisation of the French online and land gambling market, expected by most observers to occur in 2010.

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Bookies win, bingo operators lose in British budget tax changes

Increases in the already heavy taxes on drinking, smoking and gambling were included in the British government's latest budget proposals, although these were largely overshadowed by the boost in general tax rates for those earning over £150,000 p.a., who have been hit with a 50% tax rate as the Chanellor continues to attempt to buy the economy out of recession.

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Optus says 'yes' to controversial Australian internet filter trial

Optus, the second largest Internet Service Provider in Australia, has given the federal government's controversial plan to filter Internet content a boost by agreeing to take part in a six week trial of the scheme.

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Swiss Justice Ministry to draft online gambling regulation proposal

The Justice Ministry in Switzerland has been tasked with drafting a proposal with the objective of licensing and regulating a small number of Internet gambling operations, reports Swissinfo this week. The proposal will be eventually be laid before Parliament, and will presumably also form part of a public consultation process.

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Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative revamps website

The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative (SSIGI), has been around long enough to make a sterling contribution to the debate on legalising online gambling in the United States, prompted by its goal of freedom for individuals to safely and legally gamble over the Internet.

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Bwin renews software licence with Chartwell Technology

The Canadian Internet gambling software developer and provider Chartwell Technology Inc., has announced that the major Vienna listed online gambling group Bwin International has renewed its software licence - the fourth time it has done so.

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American Gulf Coast casino revenue down 16% in March

America's Gulf Coast region land casinos continued to battle with the effects of the recession through March 2009, suffering a 16% drop in revenues compared to March 2008, according to local media reports and official statistics.

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