Online Casino and Gambling News: April 2010

The European Gambling and Betting Association (EGBA), home to many of Europe's largest online gambling groups, reported this week on recent research into payback percentage, carrying an interview with Dr Jonathan Parke (JP), senior lecturer from the University of Salford.

Online sports betting is once again under the spotlight in New York following police raids that have culminated a prolonged investigation by Queens District Attorney Richard Brown and his now experienced enforcement team. Two online sports gambling rings, one believed to be centred on the Jazz Sports website, are alleged to have taken in nearly $178 million in bets around the country in less than three years, prosecutors charged Wednesday after arresting 38 persons on enterprise corruption charges.

At least two legal experts have expressed doubts about the prospects for success of Kentucky's latest legal wheeze trying to wring money from Full Tilt Poker and other online poker operators. Civil action 10-CI-505 claims that Full Tilt Poker owner Poker Kings and the other unknown defendants knowingly conducted commercial transactions, solicited money transfers, maintained customer accounts, collected rake, and installed software on machines within the borders of Kentucky.

Online gambling company Betclic, a subsidiary of the French Mangas Gaming group, has signed a two season shirt sponsorship deal with the top Italian football team Juventus. The deal increases Betclic's footprint in international football, something it is denied in its home country due to current French gambling laws. These restrictions are expected to be lightened with the implementation of the new French gambling laws, which permit restricted online gambling.

The two-year attempt by the state of Kentucky to seize 141 international online gambling domains appeared to enter a new phase last week as news broke of a fresh angle being taken by the state's hired lawyers.

Despite determined left wing political resistance, the French National Assembly has passed a bill to legalise online gambling and open up the French market to international operators. Virtual poker machines and games of chance are not included in the law because they are considered too addictive to be legalised.

The Goa Herald reports that nine companies have so far responded to the Goa government's tender process aimed at introducing an online lottery to the former Portuguese enclave on the west coast of India. Officials of the Department of Lotteries declined to furnish to the media any details on the tender papers submitted, however, sources confirmed that nine companies have sent in their bids, and the tender process is now closed.

Widespread holiday weekend reports that New Hampshire governor John Lynch may be considering online gambling licensing to close state budgetary gaps appear to have alarmed the incumbent, who seemed to be backing away from the possibility on Monday, according to reports in The Union Leader publication.

With the June 1st implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act regulations looming on the horizon, the Poker Players Alliance is reportedly looking for some unusual allies in its bid to exempt online poker from the law, which prohibits financial transactions with 'illegal' online gambling operators and processors.

The chairman of the feisty Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association, Jo Brennan Jnr., has encouraged New Jersey politicians to legalise online sportsbetting in the state as the legislature conducts hearings in order to hear opinions on the issue. Writing under the banner "Public Hearing on Sports Wagering, Atlantic City", Brennan remarks that there is no need to conduct a treasure hunt in order to find substantial funds in sportsbetting, which he notes is "everywhere, in full view, for all to see."