Online Gambling News all over the world 11.09.2009

11.09.2009, Danish Online Poker Player Forfeits Funds / Microgaming Online Gambling Source of Innovation / New Rules for European Online Gambling / Bodog Launches into Canadian Online Gambling / ian Online Poker Market Set to Change

Danish Online Poker Player Forfeits Funds
Online poker from anywhere in the world is considered a valuable asset to those who work the circuit of tournaments and make some cash doing it. According to the Copenhagen Post online news one such individual has tested the old law in Denmark that one can not make a living from gambling.

A 35-year-old man has been ordered by the Supreme Court to forfeit approximately 194,000 kroner he won playing online poker. It was so ruled that this process was an illegal act because the gentleman had taken an entire year to make this money and that it was his only source of funds. In it's wisdom and clemency the court decided not to proceed with the collecting of the 5000 kroner fine that was given to the "pro" online poker player previously by the Eastern High Court arising from his original conviction back in November of last year. The case went before the Supreme Court because there was uncertainty about whether online poker was covered by the law, thus waiving the fine.

This case is not the first in Denmark to challenge the law. The Eastern High Court found a seasoned organiser of poker tournaments guilty of making a living from gambling. The Supreme court did overturn that one, yet the Court upheld the ban on poker tournaments. Online poker was not dealt with during that trial.

The Supreme Court in it's decision has defined the law clearly in the statement, that even though computer servers used to run the poker games are placed outside of Denmark, the individual computer used to play is located in the country and subject to Danish law.

This was commented on by lawyers for the state who pointed out this does not make online gambling illegal. It is estimated that as many as 50,000 Danish citizens play online poker. Crown Prosecutor Svend Larsen summed things up, ‘We will decide on a case by case basis whether someone is playing professionally.’

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Microgaming Online Gambling Source of Innovation
How much trouble is Microgaming in? That seems to be a bit of a mystery and maybe there is little to worry about in the executive branches of the company. Well known through out the world of online gaming as the leader in software development for the online casino and poker industry and a long stable member with reliable standards. Business in the software world is fairly lucrative until your means of getting your product to the customer is seized by some regulatory body and your company goes into survival mode. Some analysts are thinking that Microgaming might have to undergo a certain amount of restructuring and cost cutting with the primary goal to become more profitable in the tough economy. Microgaming is in a financial and business situation that seems positive for the most part, the Microgaming Network still runs a healthy amount of traffic. The seizure of the 141 domain names in Kentucky a while ago did affect the 2 licensees carrying the Microgaming products, Eurolinx and BetonBet Poker. When these were dissolved, a further 30 Microgaming online poker skins were also released.

This is the software company that has the only software to play online casino games on the iPhone as long as you live somewhere other than the USA. Anyone with a U.S. phone number on their iPhone are at the moment out of luck and are unable to download the casino software to play the casino games. None of the casino software providers that continue to accept U.S. players offer mobile gambling to players. This mobile market, should it open up, and Microgaming decides it wants to risk the perils of doing business in the US again could be a very lucrative one for this software developer.

The Isle Of Man-based developer has just launched eight new bingo side games recently covering a range of video slots, scratchcard, casual and UK pub-style slot titles. The innovative company stated that bingo side games are beginning to play an ever-increasing role in the gaming industry after being undervalued for a long time. Side games offer a great form of entertainment within bingo rooms while players wait for balls to be drawn. All and all it looks like Microgaming will find ways of moving forward in financially and legally challenging times in the online wagering world.

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New Rules for European Online Gambling
The Remote Gambling Association, said in a press release, they were disappointed at the European Court of Justice's refusal to see that Portugal had broken the rules of the internal E.U. market by creating an exclusive web based gambling monopoly.

The Luxembourg headquartered European Court of Justice said in a statement, "The prohibition imposed on operators ... of offering games of chance via the Internet may be regarded as justified by the objective of combating fraud and crime,"

The lawyers are busy now looking at possible implications for other international online gambling companies based in the Maltese jurisdiction. Online gambling firm Bwin and the Portuguese football federation were in breach of national laws after a sponsorship deal between them was put to the courts and they were fined a relatively small sum.

Portuguese laws are running counter to the European principle of freedom of services in the single EU market, judges said, that, "may be justified by over-riding reasons relating to the public interest." In a statement from the CO-CEO of Bwin, Norbert Teuflberger,'The rapid pace of technological development has created a “legal vacuum” for Internet gaming,' Analysts are pointing out that after this ruling offshore internet business will look to put their business interests towards more relaxed areas of the world and will seek more low tax advantages. Ladbrokes for example is fighting the concept of this ruling being universally acceptable. The CEO Christopher Bell stated, Ladbrokes will “challenge disproportionate, discriminatory and unjustified laws,”

The court ruled that the lack of harmonized European Union rules on games of chance means that the member countries “are free to set the objectives of their policy in that area,” as long as they meet certain conditions. What all those conditions are has led to dispute and confusion.

Bwin lawyer Thomas Talos said judgement is a “clear message to politicians to finally provide a regulatory framework for online gaming,” adding, “Market reality shows that an Internet monopoly in the 21st century does not work.”

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Bodog Launches into Canadian Online Gambling
The Canadian market for online gambling has finally opened it's doors. The fifteen year anniversary of one of the original online gambling web sites Bodog marks the beginning of the Canadian version of the trusted brand. Bodog Europe will provide the offering to Canadian players.

Bodog Europe is led by Managing Director Keith McDonnell, and is regulated and licensed by the Antigua & Barbuda Financial Services Regulatory Commission, Directorate of Offshore Gaming. McDonnell said, "We're extremely excited to be able to bring the unique Bodog experience to Canadian players. Canadians are passionate sports fans and are extremely savvy consumers. The Bodog brand is known world-over for its unmatched customer service and here at Bodog Europe we put the player's experience and entertainment ahead of all else, I'm confident that we're going to quickly earn the Canadian's loyalty and trust." Bodog.ca offers Canadian players sports betting, a dynamic poker community, and an online casino with more than 80 downloadable games. The Bodog.ca site also has a particular focus on Canada's most popular sports, NHL Hockey and CFL Football. Bodog is already well known for their large and stable online casinos already operating for fifteen years in the Asian, American and United Kingdom sectors. The Canadian site will appear the same as other Bodog web sites, although the market is open to Canadian residents only. When Bodog Europe's Managing Director Keith McDonnell learned of BodogBrand.com's willingness to entertain proposals to license the brand for use within Canada, he was quick to act, and secured the exclusive Canadian license. McDonnell concluded, "The Bodog brand is celebrating its fifteenth year anniversary this year – an absolutely remarkable pedigree and testament to its enduring values in an industry that quickly kills off mediocrity. The brand has gone through quite an evolution during that long history, and Bodog Europe is looking forward to carrying the torch forward for at least another fifteen years of world-class customer service, unbeatable promotions, and, above all – fun."

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Italian Online Poker Market Set to Change
Deregulation of online gambling in Italy seems to be coming close to a reality and those who make deals for the Italian market now are sure to be winners. When it comes to those companies moving forward in constant expansion mode Bwin is out in front. It is in the rumour mill that the Austrian based Bwin firm is close to completing a deal in principal to acquire the Italian online poker company, Gioco Digitale. This agreement if it is confirmed will allow it to expand its offerings into Europe. It has assumed that Bwin will completely take over Gioco Digitale, purchasing all of the company from it's current shareholders. Bwin confirmed that discussions are taking place in a press release, with the following statement, “The Board of bwin Interactive Entertainment AG "bwin" and Gioco Digitale S.p.A. "Gioco Digitale" and its shareholders have agreed on principle terms for the acquisition of 100% of Gioco Digitale. The parties are in the final stages of working on a sales and purchase agreement, however, there can be no certainty that a final binding agreement on the transaction will be reached.”

Gioco Digitale is the first Italian independent operator of online gaming, with offerings focused on poker, skill games, Bingo and raffles. The company is active in product development and technology and is the concessionaire of the Italian State for games from a distance.

Bwin did not disclose terms of the deal. Italian newspaper Finanza & Mercati said last week an investor had bought 10 percent of Gioco Digitale for more than 2 million euros. Bwin said last month that due to a recently passed law to be enacted this autumn, poker cash games and other games of chance will be permitted in Italy in addition to sports betting and online poker tournaments, raising the profile of the market. Market analysts believe the fragmented European Internet gambling market is ready for consolidation. U.K. firms as well as other betting operations are stepping up efforts to get further involved in the European online gambling industry. Bwin stock value reflected to proactive move by the firm.

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