Online Gambling Press

While the company itself has not made a public statement yet, several sources in the online gaming world have reported that ePassporte, a major e-wallet for online poker players, has stopped allowing poker transactions for U.S. customers.  After the Neteller debacle that spanned the first half of 2007, ePassporte became the most popular method for U.S. players to get money to and from online poker sites.  The news spread quickly Friday night, as internet forums were bustling with questions as to whether the rumors were true.  Soon, people began seeing ePassporte either disappearing as a deposit option from several poker  [ Read More ]

Ending a battle that lasted more than a year, the AC City Council voted 9-0 Wednesday to end the last major loophole to a tough statewide ban in New Jersey on smoking in public buildings that had conspicuously exempted gambling halls. Patrons, however, will still be able to light up in unstaffed smoking lounges away from the table games and slot machines if the 11 individual casinos choose to build them. The ban takes effect Oct. 15, 2008.

Washington, D.C. (April 22, 2008) – Over one million poker enthusiasts are members of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group.  The organization, which is committed to protecting the rights of individuals to play poker, announced this significant milestone today as it also launched a voter registration program and its political action committee (PAC). “Reaching one million members puts the PPA on par with such political powerhouses as AARP and the National Association of Realtors, and will allow us to advocate even more effectively on behalf of our members,” said PPA Chairman Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato.  [ Read More ]

A gambling advertisement that claimed online betting would improve sexual prowess and self esteem has become one of the first campaigns to be banned under tough new laws, following criticism from the advertising watchdog. The national press campaign for online casino Paddy Power was irresponsible in linking gambling to “seduction, sexual success and enhanced attractiveness,” the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled. The advert, published in the Times, featured a dwarf in a limousine flanked by two beautiful women, smoking a cigar and holding up a champagne glass.

The French government said Thursday it is considering legalizing online gambling. Prime Minister Francois Fillon's office said it is studying a report it commissioned last November into how the online gambling market might be opened up in France. Currently, all internet-based games involving money are outlawed in France, except for the French lottery monopoly Francaise des Jeux and pari-mutuel (or pool betting) horse betting monopoly PMU, which offer online betting and scratchcards. Within the last year, some heads of foreign online gambling operators have been arrested in France for breach of French gambling laws.

Tonight, Jennifer Harman will serve as host of her second live charity poker tournament for the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).  Dozens of Harman’s friends from around the poker world are slated to attend the tournament at the Venetian.  One does not need to be a famous poker pro to play, though.  The buy-in (donation) is $300 + $30, with optional $200 re-buys and one optional $200 add-on.  The winner will receive

Titan Poker, the largest poker room on the iPoker Network, sent a delegation of seven players to compete in the European Poker Tour (EPT) in San Remo, Italy, this month. The internationally renowned online poker site was represented by players from a range of countries, including Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. All players were awarded a prize package worth $10,000, which included $2,500 for flights, accommodations, and spending along with free entry to the 4,700+ 300 Euro Main Event. Daniel Walker, winner from the U.K, said that “the player that busted my pocket Jacks with  [ Read More ]

Spain's first sports betting shop opened for business on Wednesday, one of thousands that foreign bookmakers hope to launch in the football-crazy nation which already bets more than any other European country. British bookie William Hill and Spanish gambling firm Codere plan to set up 70 sports betting shops across the Madrid area — the first of Spain's 17 regions to grant licenses — under the joint venture's Victoria brand. The Spanish betting market is expected to grow to 39 billion euros ($57.8 billion) by 2010, with the sports betting market set to hit 4.5 billion euros, according to MECN  [ Read More ]

The gambling drama “21″ narrowly ended the three-week reign of “Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!” at the non-US box office last weekend, according to final data issued Monday. “21,” a surprise hit in North America, earned $9.8 million, thanks to a second weekend at No. 1 in Britain with $2 million, and a No. 1 opening in Russia with $1.7 million. “Horton” followed with $9.5 million, and has now tallied $117.5 million internationally.

An Italian draft decree on the regulation of remote gaming which lays down requirements for remote (online) gambling operators seeking to do business in Italy has raised concerns from Malta, in the form of a Detailed Opinion. The European Commission has also expressed reservations on a number of aspects of the decree particularly on games, IT and consumer protection. According to a report in Online-casinos.com, these decisions prevent Italy from adopting the decree in its current format before 29 April 2008 and should result in amendments.