Online Casino and Gambling News: March 2010

McDermott launches tax bill that could reap up to $42 billion over 10 years

Washington Democrat Representative Jim McDermott has introduced an updated version of the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2010, a bill that would ensure that applicable taxes and fees are collected from a regulated Internet gambling industry in order to raise much-needed revenue for federal and state budgets.

0Comments Read more

Independent study shows North Americans positive on well regulated internet gambling

A new independent survey on Internet gambling in Canada and the United States, conducted by Ipsos Reid, shows that respondents were less clear on the legality issue than before. In 2007, 41% of Americans and 28% of Canadians said they knew online gambling was illegal. In 2010, that dropped to 37% of Americans and 23% of Canadians.

0Comments Read more

Online casino, bingo and poker division under performs at Sportech

The predominantly football pools betting group Sportech plc has unveiled a disappointing set of numbers that show the group's nine casino poker and bingo operations have been under performing, affecting overall operating profit, which fell by 14% to £19.5 million over the year 2009. EBITDA dropped by 12% to £14.7 million.

0Comments Read more

Flirtation with online gambling in South Africa continues

The South African government's long-running flirtation with online gambling legalisation was once again front and centre in the country this week as yet another round of public hearings took place, this time before the government's Gambling Review Commission in the coastal city of Durban.

0Comments Read more

Sportsbet.com.au under fire for instant credit promotion

Online gambling has attracted more unwelcome Australian media attention in a week that has already seen 888.com come under investigation for its promotional activities. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Sportsbet is targeting gamblers low on funds by offering them instant credit of A$200 to induce them to spend more, amid renewed pressure to nationalise gambling laws.

0Comments Read more

Is the American Gaming Association now open to internet gambling?

The respected online publication Card Player published an interesting interview exchange between writer Stephen Murphy and the chief executive of the American Gaming Association, Frank Fahrenkopf, this week, and the tone suggests a slight positive shift in the land casino trade body’s traditionally neutral approach to online poker.

0Comments Read more

Malaysia may allow betting on the World Cup football

Malaysia is a country well known for the strict enforcement of anti-gambling laws, but there may be a change to allow for World Cup football betting this year, reports the Bangkok Post. The newspaper reports that Prime Minister Najib Razak told the New Straits Times that Malaysia plans to review proposals to legalise sports betting ahead of the World Cup finals in South Africa mid-year.

0Comments Read more

No more Cake for Lock Poker

Lock Poker has announced it is in the process of moving from the Cake Poker network to the Merge Gaming network. The launch of the new Lock Poker site is set to happen during the month of April, manager Jennifer Larson revealed, adding: "Merge is a natural fit for us. They are aggressive, innovative and very progressive in design and development."

0Comments Read more

Major Millions progressive win of $310,000 reported

Full details are not yet available but there has been a report of a major hit on the Microgaming Major Millions progressive slot this week. Apparently one lucky player at an as yet unidentified online casino hit a $310,054 jackpot, which will be paid by Microgaming in a single cash tranche.

0Comments Read more

Online gambling domain owner steps up, iMEGA can now claim legal standing

The legal tussle between the state of Kentucky and trade associations iMEGA and IGC has taken a new and positive turn as an online gambling domain owner has stepped up to the plate in order to give the plaintiffs legal standing. The case involves the attempted seizure of 141 international online gambling domains by state officials in an attempt to wipe out online gambling in the state.

0Comments Read more