Best of PRO This Week: NJ Funds, UK Satellites and Online Poker in India

Key Takeaways

New Jersey Player Fund Protection Stops Short of International Best Practices.
New UKGC Advice Could Impact Online Satellites to the WSOP.
As Pressure to Legalize Gambling Grows, Cubeia Plans New Poker Network in India.

Lead Features

New Jersey Player Fund Protection Stops Short of International Best Practices

The UK, France and Nevada have all identified player fund protection as a significant issue. New Jersey is behind the curve. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has taken a minimalist approach to protecting player funds with its decision to forgo trust accounts and rely on simple account segregation. The decision was published in the recent summary of comments and responses to the regulatory consultation.

New UKGC Advice Could Impact Online Satellites to the WSOP

Satellites to events outside Europe may constitute illegal advertising of foreign gambling, according to advice published this week by UK Gambling Commission. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) published this week “Advice on Poker Played in non-Remote Casinos,” which touches on live and online tournaments and satellites into large events.

As Pressure to Legalize Gambling Grows, Cubeia Plans New Poker Network in India

New Delhi-based Mirch Entertainment partners with Swedish Cubeia to launch an online poker network in India. The day after a conference on reforming gambling laws organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Swedish company Cubeia announced a new real money poker network in India.

Exclusive News Articles

Lithuania Plans Online Gaming Regulation for 2014

In advance of regulation, the EU member state may introduce ISP blocking. Lithuania’s Deputy Finance Minister Vytautas Galvonas has confirmed government plans to actively supervise online gaming.

Pala Interactive Progresses Towards Regulated US Markets with Selection of GeoComply USA

Jim Ryan and the Pala Band of Mission Indians develop their plans to create California igaming company. The joint venture between former bwin.party CEO Jim Ryan and the Californian Pala Band of Mission Indians has selected GeoComply USA to provide their geolocation needs. Pala Interactive intends to offer online poker and casino games in regulated US markets.

Study Estimates New Jersey Online Poker Revenues as Low as $39m

Data from previous online poker activity in the state yields modest predictions. German research consultancy Academicon has produced forecasts of New Jersey online poker revenues in cooperation with PokerScout. The forecasts are based on an analysis of 4.6 million real money online poker players in 2009 and 2010.

Golden Nugget Receives The Second iGaming Permit Issued in New Jersey

The Borgata got the first, now the Golden Nugget has one too. After last week’s issue of the first online gambling permit to the Borgata, the Golden Nugget has become the second casino to be issued a permit to offer online gaming by New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).

bwin.party Board Down to Nine as Lord Moodie Departs

66 year old Lord Moonie had been with bwin.party for six years. Former Labour MP and junior minister Lord Lewis Moodie has stepped down as a main board director of bwin.party. He had been a director for six years.

UKGC Clarifies Position on Legality of Satellites to Foreign Live Tournaments

A new advertising law will remove the restriction on satellites to live events like the WSOP. A response to pokerfuse from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has clarified the intentions of its guidance note “Advice on poker played in non remote casinos.”

Modest Growth Reported for 888 in Q3

Poker revenue up just 0.4% but active player numbers climb. 888’s third quarter financial results report modest increases in its primary verticals, with significant gains in casino partially offset by a drop in bingo and flat poker revenues.

State Senator Ray Lesniak Likes PokerStars’ Chances in New Jersey

Long time online gaming advocate Ray Lesniak says a PokerStars presence in AC would be in the best interests of the state. In an interview with PokerNews, New Jersey State Senator Ray Lesniak has expressed his optimism that PokerStars will be approved by the Division of Gaming Enforcement for a gambling license.

Australian Study Shows Online Gamblers at Greater Risk

A survey by Southern Cross University suggests that online gambling poses double the risk of traditional forms of gambling. A survey by Southern Cross University in Australia suggests that online gambling poses double the risk of traditional offline gambling. 30% of online gamblers fell into the low to moderate risk category compared with 15% for non-internet gamblers.

Dutch Gambling Bill Impact to be Considered by Council of Ministers

Recent problems at Holland Casino and concerns about foreign competition arising from the recent consultation have politically elevated the issue of gambling liberalization. The Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice has said that the Council of Ministers will discuss the impact of the proposed changes to the Betting and Gaming Act, 1964. The bill proposing the amendments is expected to become law in January, 2015.

Isle Of Man Government Welcomes Poker Tourism

The BBC has carried reports of the PokerStars UKIPT as the Isle of Man welcomes the event. The PokerStars UK & Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT) got a mainstream mention last week as the BBC reported the Isle Of Man (IoM) Government statement welcoming the forthcoming event.

Greek Monopoly OPAP Gets New Board of Directors

Ten of eleven directors are replaced as buyer Emma Delta puts its own people into place. Hedge Fund Emma Delta has fully taken over the management of Greek gaming monopoly OPAP, with the replacement of ten out of eleven main board directors.