Best of PRO This Week: GTECH, New Jersey and the UK

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Exclusive News Articles

GTECH Expected to Close Dot-Com Online Poker Network

Network owner plans to stick to nationally regulated markets, pokerfuse understands. GTECH’s SPIELO G2, formerly Boss Media, is planning to close its dot-com “International Poker Network” (IPN) and concentrate on regulated markets, according to a source close to the matter.

iGaming Geolocation Services Improving in New Jersey

Ten percent false negatives in New Jersey seen as an improvement since Nevada debut. A common issue reported by customers trying to gamble online in the newly regulated markets across the US is their inability to have their location accurately verified by the technology providers servicing the industry.

UK Tax Bill: Written Evidence Highlights Industry Concerns

Lots of looking after commercial turf, but little evidence that the industry is looking after poker. The Public Bill Committee of the UK Parliament has published a summary of evidence submitted to the Parliamentary Committee scrutinizing proposed new gambling laws. Industry concerns are evident; what is absent is any pleading on behalf of poker.

New Hampshire Tries Another Casino Bill

After failing to pass in May, a revised bill is due to be resubmitted on December 15. The New Hampshire Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority (GROA) should finalize its draft of a bill Friday to regulate casinos, in order to file recommendations by December 15.

Betfair Announces 56% Rise in Profits as New Strategy Proves Sustainable

A period of retrenchment and cost cutting is coming to an end as Betfair’s underlying business gains strength. Betfair’s half year results show underlying profits at £32.5m, a full 56% higher than the same period last year. Total revenues are down from £200m to £188m after a strategy that saw the company exit some of its markets—Germany, Greece and Cyprus.

Hungary Expands Land Based Gaming Before A Planned Issue of Online Licenses

Legal amendments have led to a rush of applications for casino licenses; similar legal changes will be needed to inspire online operators to follow suit. Eleven Hungarian cities have applied for newly permitted casino licenses following amendments to the country’s gaming laws. The laws will also permit up to 10 online gaming licenses to be issued.

Bulgaria Votes to Reduce Gambling Taxes

A 15% turnover tax becomes a 20% tax on profits after Bulgarian MPs accept amendments to the Gambling Act. After last week’s postponement, Bulgarian politicians have voted to accept amendments to the Gaming Act that will change the way gaming taxes are calculated.

Operators File Legal Action Against Greek Gambling Monopoly

Two members of the Remote Gambling Association are challenging the Greek failure to examine their license applications. The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has published information that two of its members have filed lawsuits to the Greek Administrative Court of Appeals over the failure of the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) and the Ministry of Finance to examine its license applications.

Australia Dumps Harm Minimization Measures

Measures introduced by the previous government are to be repealed by a bill which will be presented in the federal parliament today. Wednesday will see Australian Social Services Minister, Kevin Andrews, present a bill to repeal almost all of the harm-minimization measures relating to “pokie” games machines which were enacted last November.

JDigital Establishes First National Online Gambling Awards in Spain

Awards will be issued in eleven categories and announced at a gala event in February next year. The Spanish Association of Online Gaming (JDigital) has organized the first national online gaming awards—the “eGaming.es Awards”—for participants in Spain’s regulated gambling market.

Amaya CEO: New Jersey a “Once in a Lifetime Opportunity”

Acquisitions took Amaya revenues up 120% compared to Q3 of 2012. Amaya Gaming has seen revenues rise 120% after an acquisitive year that saw it buy online poker network Ongame. The new revenues have not turned into profits as the group showed a loss of $3.47m—which was blamed on provisions for income taxes.

Players Flock to New Jersey Online Gaming

In the first few days open to the general public, more than 32,000 accounts have been created to gamble online in New Jersey.

Singapore to Introduce New Laws to Combat Internet Gambling

Blocking of financial transactions, ISP blocking and advertising bans will all be introduced in a complete rejection of internet gambling. The Minister in charge of gaming regulation in Singapore, Mr S Iswaran, Minister In Prime Minister’s Office And Second Minister For Home Affairs And Trade And Industry, has announced that the government plans to introduce new laws to counter internet gambling.

Winamax Poker App for Microsoft Windows Phone Completes the Set

Cash games and tournaments are available on first-ever Windows Phone app. Winamax.fr has launched a poker app for the Windows Phone operating system, joining its existing Apple iOS and Android apps. Winamax is the first online poker site to make native clients for all three major mobile operating systems.

MyPok.FR Awaits ARJEL Approval to Relaunch on iPoker France

Players can still cashout, but MyPok remains offline in the troubled French regulated market. MyPok.fr, a French online poker room which went offline over two weeks ago, awaits regulatory approval to relaunch on the iPoker France network on January 1, 2014.

YouTube Agrees to Block Gambling Advertising Aimed at Norway

Norwegian language advertising videos from unlicensed operators prompted complaints from Norway’s regulator. YouTube has agreed to block Norwegian language gambling advertising following complaints by the Norwegian regulator, the Gaming and Foundation Authority. The regulator complained about 122 videos which breached national anti-gambling laws.