iGaming News all over the world 28.06.2010

28.06.2010, Online Poker as Sport Hotly Debated Globally / Warning Issued About Crown Europe Online Casino / Japan: Casino eyed for Narita Airport / French online poker and sports betting licences awarded

Online Poker as Sport Hotly Debated Globally
Poker keeps getting the headlines in news stories all over the world. The constant debate over the status of online poker and whether it is a game requiring skill, some what like a sport, or whether it's just luck and mostly a game of chance. Professional poker players would definitely argue the skill factor but support the idea that luck does have something to do with winning. Joe Hachem, Australia's top-ranked poker player, is regarded as one of Australia's highest-paid sportsmen, with career earnings of more than $10 million. This sort of star status is usually reserved for football players or cricket pros but now includes poker professionals. Hachem looks at poker just like an athlete would some other real sport. He has a detailed training regime and spends hours in the gym, building the mental and physical strength required for the marathon 14-hour stints at the table.

Hachem said. ''I succeed because I practise hard and train hard and prepare for events,'' adding, ''People tell me it's a game of chance and not a sport, but you start a football or cricket match by tossing a coin, and that can make all the difference.'' With publicity campaigns highlighting the efforts required to be a professional poker player the game has gained enormous growth in the mainstream popularity of the game from people who have never played before.

The will of the public in Australia and other parts of the world is not being listened too by governments who fear the power of the internet. Interest by sports clubs to advertise online gambling services at their venues and on uniforms has been expanding steadily. This fact is much to the dismay of legislators who know the clubs need the revenue to maintain the games but are also aware that this is illegal in some jurisdictions. Economic conditions in rural areas need the interest and revenues generated by the gambling firms to keep the clubs alive and functioning, but politicians don't want to appear to be supportive of gambling, online or otherwise. The skill versus luck debate about poker is not about to disappear soon. Governments everywhere need to get the facts, make positive changes, and give the people what they want.

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Warning Issued About Crown Europe Online Casino
The Curacao-registered Sea Gate N.V. company which owns the Playtech powered Crown Europe online casino operation registered in the Netherlands Antilles has been issued a warning because of a player dispute where the casino had arbitrarily disallowed a 800 Euro win, merely refunding the original deposit of 25 Euro and claiming that “ineligible” games had been played. The player disagreed with the decision but could not get a satisfactory answer as to why the win was rejected. The player used the Casinomeister online gambling watchdog service to lodge the complaint. Standing together on issues of integrity, casinos everywhere know the need for solidarity, realising that if a casino does not perform to standards set out by a licensing authority it looks bad for all licensed and registered online gambling operations.

The mediator from Casinomeister reported that on many occasions he tried to open a dialogue with the Crown Europe casino management, he was stalled by standard response communications that merely said the issue had been referred to management, who would give the mediator a call back. No such call was returned and the mediator repeatedly called for a plain explanation for the actions. The Crown Europe casino eventually sent a message stating, "We cannot provide you with any specific information regarding player's case and we are now dealing with the customer to settle the matter."

This was another misleading stall tactic it seems because the customer still has not received any contact from the Crown Europe operation. Without a timely and satisfactory answer from the casino management, a warning has been issued to customers on the web. "Crown Europe is confiscating winnings and ignoring player complaints. Customer Service generates endless generic responses but never follows through. They claim to be dealing with the players offline when in fact no such contact is ever made. Players are advised to exercise caution until this situation improves."

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Japan: Casino eyed for Narita Airport
Discussions are heating up over the idea of building casinos next to Japan’s Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture, even though legal revisions and other measures are still needed. Many local businesses believe the time is ripe and are quite keen on the plan.

Many local businesses believe the time is ripe and are quite keen on the plan, which was initiated by Chiba Governor Kensaku Morita to boost the appeal of Narita Airport over Haneda Airport, which is expanding its international services. Morita presented the idea in March, proposing that the casino be open only to foreign tourists. "It's about time we put this issue on the table for discussion," he said.

A project team comprising local governments around the airport and business organizations will present different draft plans for establishing casinos. Headed by Morita, the team is tasked with devising strategies to invigorate Narita Airport.

Morita's suggestion was prompted by a survey of the panel's member organizations. Of the 15 that responded, 11 organizations said the time was right to consider building casinos around the airport. "I think the timing is good, because of the need to compete with Haneda Airport," said Narita Mayor Kazunari Koizumi. "But to tell you the truth, I have no idea what the economic impact would be."

Kosaburo Morinaka, president of the airport's operator, Narita International Airport, was more cautious. "I think [casinos] aren't suited to airports," Morinaka said. However, Chiba Mayor Toshihito Kuma-gai was positive about the idea, saying, "Certain economic benefits can be expected, including employment."

The Chiba Municipal Assembly also received a proposal from the Junior Chamber International Chiba to invite casinos to the city, and the assembly established a federation of its members to examine the economic impact of such a project.

Osaka Governor Toru Hashimoto has visited casinos in South Korea and Singapore with an eye to inviting casinos to his prefecture. Hashimoto plans to build casinos as the main attraction of a comprehensive resort facility and use tax revenues from the business to fund welfare and health care services.

Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara attempted to open a casino in the capital in 2002, but he ultimately scrapped the scheme due to problems concerning the Penal Code.

Currently, a group of Diet members is considering submitting a legislator-sponsored bill to an extraordinary Diet session, expected to be convened in autumn, to legalize casinos in this country.

However, Professor Hiroyuki Yasujima of Rikkyo University, an expert on tourism, warned against rushing to conclusions. "Casinos have ended up failing in many cases, so it's a happy-go-lucky way of thinking to simply believe casinos will help invigorate local economies," Yasu-jima said.

"For instance, Japan has no know-how [regarding casinos], and it's necessary to revise the law to [open them]. Local governments will have to work with [the central government and others concerned]," he said.

Yogonet.com / Daily Yomiuri Online

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French online poker and sports betting licences awarded
Online gaming company PartyGaming announces that it has been awarded licences by ARJEL, the French Gaming regulator, to operate online poker and sports betting websites for residents in France.

The group can offer sports betting immediately and will offer poker on www.partypoker.fr when the market is opened, which is expected to be later this month.

As previously announced, the Group has signed three exclusive B2B deals this year to form a significant French poker network with PMU, the country’s largest pari-mutuel horse racing company, AB Groupe, a leading TV broadcaster, and Aviation Club de France, one of France’s most prestigious card rooms and private members clubs.

This network will now benefit from pooled poker player liquidity that will be provided by www.partypoker.fr

Yogonet.com

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GTI Asia China Expo 2010 sees record-breaking exhibitor registration
Organized by Game Time International (GTI) along with its successful debut in 2009, the second edition of GTI Asia China Expo will be taking place from August 26 to 28 at Hall 1&2, First Floor, Poly World Trade Expo Center in Pazhou of Guangzhou City, China.

The tradeshow has become the most representative of its kind for the Chinese electronic game industry with the largest exhibit space and the best sales performance right after the very first representation in 2009.

Therefore, the show organizer has been receiving frequent inquiries in exhibiting and visiting from many interested companies inside and outside of China since the exhibitor registration kicked off in early June.

To better communicate with registrants, provide them with more details and have and offer an open and fair process, the 2010 Exhibitor Booth Allocation Meeting was held at 14:00 pm on June 7 at Meeting Room number 101, Grand Hall of the Guangzhou Panyu Donghuan Sub-District Office. Within three hours after the meeting took place, 95 % of the total exhibit space of 16,000 square meters has been booked by nearly 100 exhibitors from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand.

Guangzhou Sealy Electronic Science & Technology Ltd. has booked 812 sqm (90 booths) for well-prepared presentation this year and the company was the so far the exhibitor with the largest exhibit space.

Other big names based in China included Wahlap Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. (504sqm/56booths), Zhongshan UNIS Technology Co., Ltd. (420sqm/47 booths), Super Wing (Xiongye) Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. (406sqm/45 booths), Baohui Electronic Science & Technology Co., Ltd. together with 3D Gaming (Shanghai) Ltd. (360sqm/40 booths), Mecpower Electronics Co., Ltd. (308sqm/34 booths) together with Belrare, Guangzhou Sun- Wing Electronics Ltd. (200sqm/23 booths), and Dragon World (168sqm/19 booths). Almost every well-known company, especially those located in Panyu and Zhongshan, from the industry in China has been present to register and secure their most wanted booth locations

In addition to local Chinese companies, quite a few overseas exhibitors have also registered for their presentation at GTI Asia China Expo 2010, including Mega, Huai I, Gamtec Co., Ltd., Taiwan Yuanmei, Power Creation (Shain Yu), Pan Asia, YES, Global Star, Jyuee Ang, AGT and Hotai Development Technology Co., Ltd from Taiwan, Bandai-Namco (126sqm/14 booths) and KNT (27sqm/3 booths) from Japan, Cosmic (54sqm/6 booths) from Malays, and Family Amusement Co., Ltd. (18sqm/2 booths) from Thailand. Interested visitors and buyers should never miss the great chance to know more about the status quo of the Chinese market and meet professional China-based companies face to face.

For more updated news about exhibitors and free entry tickets to the show, write to gametime@taiwanslot.co.tw, or simply visit the websites at www.gtiexpo.com.tw and www.gtiexpo.com.tw.

Yogonet.com

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