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August 2009 eCOGRA NEWS



eCOGRA News Articles Table of Content for August 2009

  1. eCOGRA DISPUTES REPORT SHOWS FEWER BONUS COMPLAINTS: Half yearly report from Fair Gaming Advocate released

  2. eCOGRA MOBILE GAMBLING ACCREDITATION FOR SPIN3: Mobile gambling technology firm powers some of the top mobile casinos around

  3. FAIRNESS THE KEY IN RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATE MARKETERS: Arbitrary and unannounced retroactive changes to affiliate agreements will create confrontational situations.

  4. REGULATORY ROUND-UP: A fast overview of recent developments in online gambling regulation

  5. PERSONAL INFO SAFETY A MAJOR PRIORITY FOR ONLINE GAMBLERS: YouGov and VeriSign studies throw up interesting player views

  6. PAYING THE PIPER: Are offshore Internet gambling companies benefitting from the UK market in for a hard time?

  7. NEW MINTEL REPORT ON BINGO: 3.5 million players noted

  8. EiG

  9. EELEX i-Gaming forum in Kiev

  10. New location for Betting Show

  11. Beacon busy in Asia going into 2010

eCOGRA DISPUTES REPORT SHOWS FEWER BONUS COMPLAINTS

Half yearly report from Fair Gaming Advocate released

Press Release

The half yearly report on player disputes handled by eCOGRA's Fair Gaming Advocate,Tex Rees, shows fewer complaints on bonus issues, but a rise in locked accounts.

"The indications are that the decrease in bonus complaints has been primarily the result of greater care in the construction of promotional offers by eCOGRA accredited operators," said Rees. "This has been an area that eCOGRA review teams have stressed to operators is of significant importance.

"The increase in locked accounts can probably be attributed to the introduction by many eCOGRA operators of more sophisticated anti-fraud and anti-collusion measures," she added.

Rees received a total of 439 complaints in the first half of 2009, rejecting 40 as not applying to eCOGRA operations; the Fair Gaming Advocate's services are only available in respect of accredited operations with which the organisation has influence and contacts. A further 57 were defined as 'invalid' - the term used to classify communications of a pointless and/or abusive nature, or so generally non-specific as to render investigation impractical.

Last (2008) year, valid complaints resolved by the Fair Gaming Advocate totalled 550.

Rees reports that of the 342 valid complaints accepted and investigated by eCOGRA this year, 186 were resolved in favour of the player.

The most common complaint - 46 percent of the valid complaints - related to cash-in issues, which took over from bonus issues as the main cause for dispute between online casino or poker room and player.

Bonus issues were down at 68 complaints - 20 percent of legitimate disputes filed, and locked account queries amounted to 70 cases or 20 percent. There were 46 (14 percent) other complaints, mainly regarding minor issues in the player-operator interface which were quickly resolved.

Rees concluded: "Resolution time per issue averaged 72 hours, and the average number of complaints per month per eCOGRA accredited venue was a creditable 0.41 percent and thus well within the parameters regarded by eCOGRA as acceptable at operations handling tens of thousands of transactions per day."

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eCOGRA MOBILE GAMBLING ACCREDITATION FOR SPIN3

Mobile gambling technology firm powers some of the top mobile casinos around

Press Release

Spin3, a division of Spiral Solutions Limited and a provider of mobile gambling technology, games and services has become the only specialised mobile gambling platform to earn the Safe and Fair accreditation seal from eCOGRA.

The accreditation was achieved following a range of comprehensive software, probity and on-site operating systems inspections by auditors from eCOGRA's compliance division, who certified that the company meets eCOGRA’s best practice business and technology standards applicable to software suppliers.

The audit confirms that the development, implementation and maintenance of the Spin3 mobile software is representative of industry best practice standards.

Since 2003, the seal has become synonymous with tier one levels of fair and responsible gaming, professional conduct and superior operating standards when displayed on an online gambling website.

Seven of the most successful and established mobile casinos on the Internet now bear the eCOGRA operators' Safe and Fair seal:

Andrew Beveridge, CEO of eCOGRA, congratulated the management and staff of Spin3 on the accreditation, commenting that the facilities had been impressive and were presented for a full and practical inspection in a very professional manner by Spin3 staff.

"Spin3's software had already passed with flying colours a thorough review during earlier eCOGRA inspections, when some of its clients applied for our mobile casino operator accreditation," said Beveridge.

"It was pleasing to see that the same level of attention to detail, efficiency and fair gaming was found in the other facets of its business as a provider when our auditors engaged with them on this wider review," he added.

Spin3 Head Matti Zinder said that his company appreciated the value of an eCOGRA certification in a business standards sense but had felt that it should also match the commitment of many of its clients in achieving the full accreditation of its services as a supplier.

"We already knew that the quality games we develop for mobile applications through our association with the Microgaming group would more than pass muster, but it gives us an added level of confidence to know that the many other facets of our business meet best international practice standards and will be monitored to ensure this level of efficiency is maintained," he said.

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FAIRNESS THE KEY IN RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATE MARKETERS

Arbitrary and unannounced retroactive changes to affiliate agreements will create confrontational situations.

Press Release

The affiliate marketing community is becoming increasing militant in regard to unilateral and frequently unannounced changes to terms and conditions by the affiliate programs that administer these important marketing contracts, and it is becoming a sufficiently serious situation for eCOGRA to flag the issue for the attention of sealholders.

Affiliate marketers are with some justification becoming increasingly concerned at the arbitrary behaviour of affiliate programs, particularly where contractual obligations in respect of existing affiliates are unilaterally changed, in many cases resulting in reduced earnings. Dubbed 'retroactive changes', these moves are perceived as even more lacking in integrity and a sense of partnership when the changes are unannounced and carried out without consultation with the affiliates on the payroll.

So worrying have these unilateral changes to affiliate T&Cs become, that specialised websites like Affiliate Guard Dog.com have set up monitoring systems to keep an eye on programs and flag any attempts to sneak in T&C changes that impact affiliate contracts. The consequences for those programs attempting to do this are likely to become increasingly severe as aggrieved affiliates band together to protect themselves.

This deeply divisive industry issue is now being widely debated on leading affiliate and player community and gambling information websites as affiliates exchange views and experiences, naming the programs involved and the online gambling operations which they represent.

The consensus among most players and affiliate marketers appears to be that a program's agreement with an affiliate marketer fundamentally constitutes a contract and should be honoured accordingly by both sides, delivering the same two-way benefits as any other contract....and that unilateral and unannounced changes to obligations previously agreed should not be treated lightly or with contempt by either party.

The general opinion appears to be that affiliate programs wishing to deviate from the original agreement with their affiliate marketers should do so only with their acquiescence, and the unannounced and retroactive imposition of new conditions that are possibly injurious to affiliates who are already contracted should be discouraged.

Program managements need to seriously consider this aspect when dealing with affiliates with whom they already have a contractual agreement.

Generally draconian 'catch-all' clauses in agreements that permit program managements to do more or less as they please are also undesirable and conflict with the partnership ideals on which affiliate agreements should be based.

Companies that intend to introduce new terms and conditions to their contracts with affiliates can of course immediately apply the new requirements to new affiliates signing up, but should not presume to impose same on existing affiliates. The correct course in the case of already contracted affiliates is to negotiate an arrangement acceptable to both program and affiliate, or use the contract's cancellation clauses to end the relationship.

Much can be gained by both affiliates and programs in addressing this contentious issue in a disciplined and collaborative discussion rather than by taking intractable and confrontational positions.

Hopefully professionalism and sound business sense will apply all round as the situation develops, resulting in a fair, collegiate and more transparent system.

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REGULATORY ROUND-UP

A fast overview of recent developments in online gambling regulation

Press Release

Developments in online gambling regulation internationally have been dynamic in recent months, once again highlighting the value of companies having in place recognised and effective operational systems governed by practical standards and requirements designed to meet the demands of most government regulatory regimes.

Denmark

A quick environmental scan shows that the Danish government is moving ahead with the opening up of its Internet gambling market....sort of.

Under pressure from the European Commission to move away from a state monopoly regulatory regime, the Danes have come up with a proposal that will see an expensive licensing system (figures currently speculated are in the region of GBP 340 000 to GBP 455 000 per annum) introduced, along with taxation rates that could match the British rate of 15 percent on profits or go even higher to 20 percent. One Danish proposal that may be challenged is the intention to reserve scratchcard, lottery and online bingo action for the old monopoly Danske Spil. The proposal is now with the European Commission, which has until October 7th to deliver its opinion.

France

The French are still working towards early 2010 as the date for a new-look regulatory regime, again developed under pressure from the European Commission to abandon a traditionally monopolistic system. Final proposals include stringent requirements on operators and some controversial elements which may cause a reaction from the Commission.

The French Budget Minister, Eric Woerth, has presented his draft to the Finance Committee of the French Parliament as planned, but his insistence on ignoring protests and refusing to change the maximum payout percentage ratio provisions will not go down well with operators or the Commission, which found earlier this year that the draft did not comply with EU law.

Media which had sight of the French draft indicate that it maintains the 80 to 85 percent payout band originally included in March as part of the French government's controlled opening of the market originally planned for early 2010. The ratio will make many commercial operators wishing to enter the French market uncompetitive, they claim.

French political representatives will discuss the draft in September. Woerth and his staff were more flexible on the proposed 2 percent tax on player wagers; this has been softened to a 2 percent tax on pots, with a maximum of Euro 1 per pot.

Operators were recently warned by Woerth not to make the mistake of initiating promotional and advertising moves in the region before the French government has launched its new regime. The warning comes after several firms started football and other sponsorships, whipping up a storm among some of the national bodies that have vested interests. Woerth cautioned that the French government will not allow to go unchallenged any attempts to break current laws and policies in anticipation of its liberalisation of gambling.

He also issued a veiled threat, saying: "Obviously, the State, as the regulatory authority for online games, will take into account what is happening at the time of issuing the licenses."

Thailand

After years of bureaucratic and politically inspired delays, it looks as if the Thai government is almost ready to approve online lottery activity. Having passed through various government ministerial debates and filters, the issue is now to be finally determined by a public poll.

United States

In the United States the complex business of introducing regulation and appeasing both federal and individual state sensibilities on autonomy continues. With the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act continuing to create practical enforcement problems, and a Justice Department seemingly still hell-bent on persecuting all forms of online gambling not specifically excluded from federal legislation (state lotteries, horseracing and fantasy sports) it remains a minefield....but still offers the best opportunities for the expansion of the industry.

Land gambling giant Harrah's is already preparing for a more equitable and open market by forming an interactive gaming division under former Party Gaming CEO Mitch Garber, and the mood is currently more upbeat than in previous years as state governments look for new tax revenue streams to close budget deficits.

Barney Frank's HR 2267 the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act has built up an impressive head of steam since its launch in May this year, and is currently on hold pending a gap in the heavy Congressional workload brought about by the international economic crisis. However a September date is being bruited about as a likely time for debate, and the bill has already signed up 54 political co-sponsors.

Independent analyses have predicted that collecting taxes on regulated Internet gambling would allow the U.S. to capture much-needed revenue in an amount ranging from $48.6 billion (excluding online sports gambling) to $62.7 billion (including online sports gambling) over the next decade.

Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey has also launched S 8309, the Internet Poker and Games of Skill Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act which duplicates Frank's efforts to a large extent, but is focused on Internet poker. State initiatives are active, too - especially in cash-strapped California.

The Frank-Menendez online gambling proposals have caused some concern as containing potentially discriminatory clauses, allowing the US Treasury to reject applicants who have failed to file "...a federal or state tax return…owed to a jurisdiction in which the applicant operates or does business.” Pessimists suggest this will be used to make the US market a cosy affair dominated by American operators.

The almost-confrontation at the WTO between the European Union and the US Trade Representative appears to have been avoided for now, with the two sides at the negotiating table. The Remote Gaming Association, who's complaint of US discrimination against European operators launched the EU investigation and a finding in the RGA's favour, has indicated that it will be happy to achieve an immunity from prosecution guarantee for Euro-operators for any pre-UIGEA activities.

Estonia

Technology-rich Estonia will soon be open for business in an online gambling operational sense following final approval of a new regulatory regime due to start licensing suitable operators early in 2010. Unlike some of its neighbouring nations, Estonia has embraced online gambling in a regulatory framework that welcomes rather than excludes foreign operators, but there are strict conditions attached and operators will have to satisfy genuine and enforced requirements.

Operators licensed in other European Union member nations will find ready acceptance, provided that they increase their licensing costs by obtaining an Estonian license, too. Alternatively, foreign operators can form partnerships with Estonian licensed national gambling entities. Servers will have to be located within the country's borders, and strict attention is being paid to underage and problem gambling exclusion, management probity and anti-money laundering financial systems compatible with international standards.

Officials have warned that regulations will be enforced, and that ISP blocking and financial restrictions will be deployed against illegal operators.

Holland

One of the most vehemently anti-online gambling countries has traditionally been The Netherlands, which has also been determined in its protection of the state gambling monopoly through Holland Casino. Recently however, there appeared to be some signs of moderation as Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin reportedly said he wished to increase the number of venues where Dutch residents can legally play poker for money in an effort to meet growing demand and reduce illegal gambling.

Under the new scheme, Holland Casino could, for example, set up a poker table in other existing gambling venues, a report in De Telegraaf confirmed. Prior research of the Dutch market has shown that a total of some 575 000 mainly males aged between 15 and 34 play poker "illegally" either in live games or over the Internet.

The suggestion is that this could be because there are only 14 Holland Casino venues in the country, and players may prefer smaller and more intimate venues. However, the Minister's proposal includes a note that Holland Casino will work with the Justice ministry on setting up local poker facilities on an experimental basis, thus maintaining its monopoly.

The Dutch are also on the European Commission's list for excluding companies from other EU member nations.

Costa Rica

Home to many large online gambling enterprises, Costa Rica is also reportedly upping it's regulatory game. Local media reports are that government plans to introduce legislation which will see all licensees in the country - both land and online - brought under the real authority of a national regulator. The reports cite the worsening economic situation as the spur for the new interest in a proper regulatory regime.

Finance minister, Guillermo Zuniga has proposed hiking the tax on gambling operator gross revenues by 2 percent to help weather the economic storm, and he has apparently confirmed that there will be more meaningful controls on operators flowing from the new legislation. The Finance Ministry expects to realise an additional $85 million a year from the tax hike.

Zuniga told reporters that the new gambling arrangements would see a regulatory body with responsibilities to several ministries issuing licenses and policing the operation of licensees. It would be given authority over both land and online gambling operations, he advised. The minister added that the decision to form a regulatory body brought Costa Rica in line with the international trend to regulate and license gambling.

The media reports to date do not offer clarity on timeframes, or how a new regulator might apply taxation, licensing and compliance procedures.

Poland

Figures released by Poland's Ministry of Finance recently show that Polish citizens spent the equivalent of over $5 billion on gambling in 2008, significantly up on 2007's figure of $3.8 billion, making Poland one of the fastest growing land gambling markets in Europe, with the slot machine population doubling over the past year to 46 000 and more to follow - revenues from slots alone have grown 73.2 percent to $2.7 billion.

Sadly, little progress appears to have been made on the regulation of online gambling, a topic that has been under discussion by Polish legislators since November 2007. In April 2008 comments by Polish Finance Minister Marek Kapica suggested that a regulatory regime for online gambling would be in position by the second part of 2009. Kapica opined publicly that Poland would have to legalise online gambling: "We cannot control this process anyway and it is better that the budget at least derives some revenues from it," he said.

At that time the Finance Ministry was reportedly preparing appropriate legislative changes for approval by the European Commission as part of the procedures required of EU member nations. There have been no reports on the progress of this initiative since.

Russia

The implementation of a draconian government decree making all gambling illegal other than in four remote and undeveloped regions of the country has thrown the country's booming gambling market into reverse with hundreds of thousands thrown out of work and catastrophic financial losses to companies as police enthusiastically apply the new law.

Whilst the situation may appear to present opportunities for audacious online gambling operators, it is a perilous scenario.

At first it was thought that the recognition of poker as a sport by the would provide a workaround to some degree, but these hopes were dashed when soon after an arbitrary decree from the Russian Ministry of Youth, Sport and Tourism overturned the classification. Operators wishing to offer legal poker under the new Russian gambling regime have serious obstacles to overcome, not least of which are the remoteness and undeveloped nature of the areas set aside for gambling, which include Kaliningrad, the Primorsky region, the Altai region in Siberia and the cities of Krasnodar and Rostov.

The Ukraine situation is not much better, with a similar ban imposed by parliamentarians against the wishes of the state president, creating massive problems.

Italy

The Italian market appears to go from strength to strength, according to official numbers from state regulator AAMS, and more good news is that the still restrictive laws on offering online gambling to Italians could be in for a more enlightened remake. And it could happen before the end of this (2009) year.

The reason behind the optimism is a recent slew of Italian "crisis legislation" proposals prompted by tough economic conditions and natural disasters this year, which have increased the need for additional tax revenues. However, anticipation should be moderated by the fact that the national regulator, the AAMS, has yet to make any formal announcements on what is and is not allowed, and when implementation might take place.

The speculation is that the Italians may be about to add cash games to lighten up the "tournaments only" regulations for online poker, and that online casino games will be added to the list of permissible online activities, along with new licences for scratchcard gaming.

The delay is reportedly not with the politicians, but with the regulator.

Ireland

Frequently accused of dilly-dallying on a cogent and practical gambling dispensation, Ireland is widely perceived as a promising online gambling regulatory jurisdiction, but needs to get its antiquated Gambling Act sorted out before it can benefit from the considerable potential that online gambling represents.

A recent study by DKM Consultants reported that if Ireland were to put the right legal regulatory infrastructure in place it could play host to a large number of online casino companies that would generate considerable employment and tax revenue for the Exchequer.

The report suggests that if Ireland were to capture just 5 percent of the global online casino business it would represent a local sector worth Euro 2.2 billion that could generate some 5 000 jobs in online gambling and supporting infrastructural services, at an average salary of Euro 40 000 per annum.

"Ireland has a huge opportunity to establish itself as a major hub of the online gaming sector," David Hickson, a director of Ireland's Gaming and Leisure Association claimed recently. "There is a very tight timeline for Ireland to get this right. The UK has already moved to put a regulatory structure in place to capture this vibrant industry, but it got its taxation structure for the industry wrong. France and Spain are working on the legislation, so Ireland needs to hurry up.

Hickson revealed that the Gaming and Leisure Association has been lobbying for the past three years to see new legislation and a regulatory framework put in place.

Confirming his view to some extent, a report by the casino committee for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform described the current 1956 Gambling Act as a "relic of social history utterly unsuited to effectively regulate gaming in a modern wealthy European state" and has called for a modern and effective system of regulation.

Belgium

The Belgians have also sent a regulatory proposal to the European Commission...reportedly with controversial content.

There have been recent reports that Secretary of State Carl Devlies, the man in charge of introducing gambling reform in the country, has revealed he was considering allowing only existing Belgian casino and betting operators to apply for online licenses.

he less controversial aspects of the proposals include site blocking (similar to that adopted by the Italians), a 21-or-over age-limit restriction and a requirement that servers be located in the country.

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PERSONAL INFO SAFETY A MAJOR PRIORITY FOR ONLINE GAMBLERS

YouGov and VeriSign studies throw up interesting player views

Press Release

The emphasis in eCOGRA's eGAP requirements on the safety and security of personal information has again been underlined by a YouGov study.

Smart online gambling operators will be paying a lot more attention to the security of player information on their websites following the release of the results of the study earlier this year in collaboration with VeriSign.

The research initiative showed once again that trust and the security of personal information are key demands from the online gambling public, and that punters will move to rival sites with safer systems if they feel that their trust at a particular website has been betrayed.

The resulting impact on business and reputation can be considerable.

YouGov's NPS (Net Promoter Score) as given by respondents showed that some Internet gambling operators may have a hill to climb in achieving a better reputation. The NPS is a measurement scale that uses the answers of respondents to classify them as positive about a subject ('promoters'); neutral ('passive') or negative and critical ('detractors').... and the YouGov study showed that the latter group were significantly dominant when it came to online gambling.

Some 45 percent of the online gambling respondents fell into the negative category, resulting in an overall NPS rating of -27 percent - the lowest of any sector surveyed by YouGov. Although there were other contributory factors, such as customer relations weaknesses, the main criticism centred on reservations regarding the safety of personal information given to gambling operators.

The conclusion is obvious - if online players form the perception that their personal information may not be safe, it can be damaging to an online gambling operator.

In June this year YouGov and VeriSign released statistics which showed that 91 percent of Britons are concerned about identity theft in general, and more than two thirds (86 percent) would prefer using sites that actively engage them in protecting their online identity.

In addition, 79 percent of consumers would like better systems in place to protect them against identity theft, and 82 percent agreed they would take on more responsibility to protect their online identities, even if it meant an extra step on their part.

These latest findings suggest that consumers are ready for extra preventative measures that are on the market today, such as two-factor authentication.

Costs and reputation damage associated with identity theft are significant to both consumers and businesses, the survey found.

According to the Identity Fraud Steering Committee (IFSC), the cost of identity fraud to the UK economy is GBP 1.2 billion, or around GBP 25 for every adult in Britain. And credit reference agency Experian estimates that it takes an average of 467 days to discover you’re a victim of ID fraud and another 300 hours to fully reverse the damage done.

Ninety percent of consumers said that ensuring that no one else can gain access to their account to defraud them is a serious concern. In fact, 81 percent of consumers would not make a transaction on a Web site where there are any doubts as to the effectiveness of measures in place to protect their online identity.

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PAYING THE PIPER

Are offshore Internet gambling companies benefitting from the UK market in for a hard time?

Press Release

Industry rumour that the UK government may be considering its tax options on offshore Internet gambling companies which advertise and benefit from betting by UK punters took on more substance recently when an official from HM Revenues and Customs confirmed that research was being done on the subject.

Earlier this year there were complaints that offshore companies were benefitting from the UK market without paying levies or UK taxes, fuelling speculation that British-licensed betting companies may have urged government to level the playing field.

This was linked to fears (later realised by the departure of the Ladbrokes and William Hill online operations to Gibraltar) that major UK groups may be contemplating a move offshore to better compete in a more benevolent tax climate.

Clearly worried by the loss in tax revenues, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced a review to ensure a more level playing field between British betting businesses and their foreign competitors. Gambling companies used comparisons between British taxes (15 percent) and Gibraltar taxes (1.5 percent) to illustrate the competitive disadvantage they faced.

Coincidentally with the DCMS review, it was revealed that until it was completed, the UK government would not accept any further applications for inclusion in its advertising white list, which enables offshore online gambling companies to advertise in the British media.

It is understood that the hold on new applications is a consequence of complaints from UK licensed gambling companies that offshore rivals have tax and other advantages over them, and that the competitive UK gambling field needs to be leveled.

The review will take a comprehensive look at the policies of other EU governments on gambling; UK betting and VAT taxation in relation to the taxes that offshore companies pay; the ability of offshore companies to market for UK players on UK soil and claimed inequities such as the Board Levy in horseracing.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport is spearheading the project, and will seek to complete the study by the close of 2009.

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NEW MINTEL REPORT ON BINGO

3.5 million players noted

Press Release

eCOGRA's relatively new bingo accreditation service is in the right timeframe as online bingo continues to expand at a significant rate.

A new study by research company Mintel shows that the game of bingo is enjoyed on a regular basis internationally by some 3.5 million punters, and the demographic of those playing the game has shifted towards a younger segment, with 20 percent of players now coming from the 18 to 24 age group.

The 18 to 45 age bracket accounts for 62 percent of all bingo players, with the online version of the game growing fast as live bingo revenues have fallen by 26 percent. There has been a 60 percent increase in the number of people playing bingo online, compared to a 10 percent drop in the number of people visiting live bingo clubs from 2006 until the end of 2008.

The study rates the prospects for online bingo as good, and with major companies becoming increasingly competitive in the online space an increase in advertising activity can be expected.

The study found that Cashcade,Gamesys's Sun Bingo website, Gala Bingo and William Hill Online were the leaders in online bingo advertising, spending over GBP 10 million on advertising in 2008, while the nearest competing rival bingo brands combined spent less than GBP 5 million.

SunBingo was assessed as the biggest online bingo advertising spender with budgets of GBP 3.2 million, with Cashcade subsidiary Foxy Bingo treading on its heels at GBP 3 million, Gala Bingo on GBP 2.3 million and William Hill Online (WHO) committing GBP 1.6 million to advertising its bingo products.

Party Gaming's bingo adspend was GBP 994 000, Think Bingo spent GBP 786 000, Mecca GBP 342 000 and Littlewoods, Bingos.net, Bingos.co.uk and Buckingham Bingo Club all in the GBP 100 000 bracket.

The report notes that: "As an indication of how the power in the bingo market is shifting towards the online arena, the main investors in main media advertising in 2007 and 2008 have been the major online players."

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EiG

Press Release

With the European iGaming Congress and Expo now on the immediate horizon - it takes place 15 to 17 September in Copenhagen this year - organisers Clarion Gaming have issued the program.

EiG 2009 will be opened by Denmark’s Minister of Taxation, Kristian Jensen, who is leading the proposed changes to Denmark’s regulation of online gaming…one of many major announcements expected to be made at EiG.

David Yu, CEO of Betfair, will provide his insights on the future of iGaming as part of the strongest ever line-up of online gaming leaders. Sitting with him on the Industry Leaders’ CEO Panel is Norbert Teufelburger, co-CEO of Bwin, voted the most influential igaming company in 2009 in the Power 50. They will be joined by 888 Group’s CEO, Gigi Levi; PartyGaming’s CEO Jim Ryan; Ed Andrewes, MD, Ladbrokes eGaming; and Henry Birch, CEO, William Hill Online.

Other notable news makers speaking at EiG comprise the former CEO of PartyGaming, Mitch Garber, who now heads up Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment; and Elizabeth Parize, the CEO of acquisitive Mangas Gaming group who have made several high-profile purchases lately, will be speaking about her view of the macro environment in online gaming to 2012.

The full speaker line-up for EiG 2009 is comprised of over 90 of the world’s industry experts including top-level decision makers from Betclick, Blue Square, PKR, Intertops, Poker Heaven, eGaming 2.0, Virgin Games, Paf, Barriere Interactive Gaming, Bodog, Sbobet and dozens more.

Key topics to be discussed at EiG include customer retention and acquisition; the ever fragmented and shifting regulatory landscape across Europe and the world; and a focus on product innovation and distribution channels to reach a wider audience.

Keith McDowell, Managing Director, Bodog Europe and a speaker at EiG comments: "I look forward to attending this year's event in Copenhagen and providing some thoughts around how we see gambling and mainstream entertainment converging over the short- to medium-term future."

Another influential EiG speaker, Clive Hawkswood, is Chief Executive of the Remote Gambling Association and comments: "Probably more than ever, the industry is faced with a whole range of opportunities and challenges in the EU, the US and elsewhere. EiG has become established as the international event where every sector of the industry comes together to take stock and consider how best to address those issues."

Looking outside the industry, the organisers have managed to secure a keynote from renowned author of "Billion Dollar Lessons – What you can learn from the most inexcusable business failures of the last 25 years" and business expert, Paul B. Carroll who will offer practical advice on business mistakes to avoid as EiG delegates plan for the future.

Christian Lindholm, the ‘godfather of mobile phone users’ and creator of the Nokia Series 60 user interface, will offer a further keynote on the evolution of mobile gaming; while Google’s James Cashmore, key decision maker behind the reversal of banning online gaming adwords, will be a Keynote for the Online and Affiliate marketing track.

Top executive speakers include:

Don’t miss your opportunity to network with over 1500 industry leaders and decision makers from over 60 countries by registering online at http://www.eigexpo.com/2009/?page=registertoday.

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EELEX i-Gaming forum in Kiev

Press Release

The international two-day specialised forum EELEX i-Gaming will take place in Kiev, Ukraine September 10-11, 2009 in the “Parus” business centre.

The event is intended for owners, managers and specialists of companies in the entertainment industry in Russia, Ukraine and CIS countries, and speakers will address important issues in the gambling and amusement business.

For further information, please visit http://www.eelex.com/en/

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New location for Betting Show

The Betting Show 2010 will relocate from its traditional October slot at Birmingham’s NEC to take residence at London’s Earls Court Exhibition Centre across 26 - 28 January 2010. The show will form part of the 2010 International Gaming Expo, consolidating what will become the most comprehensive b2b betting, gaming and gambling event in the world.

The Betting Show is Europe's definitive exhibition for everyone involved in the betting industry. As the only event of its kind, The Betting Show brings together suppliers, buyers and industry experts over two days of formal and informal networking. See the latest product and service developments, network with industry professionals as well as regulatory bodies and have your say at the free seminar sessions.

For further information, please visit http://www.bettingshow.com

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Beacon busy in Asia going into 2010

Online gambling conference organisers Beacon Events looks set for a busy year in Asia, announcing a line-up of gaming events in the second half of 2009 and first half of 2010 that includes the Asian Gaming Regulation and Investment Summit, iGaming Asia Congress and Asian Sports Betting Summit.

Asian Gaming Regulation and Investment Summit [www.asiangamingregulation.com], is scheduled for 6-8 October 2009 in Taipei, Taiwan and will give an unparalleled insight into this and other up-and-coming markets in Asia, boasts Beacon. Covering the latest regulations for gaming operators and technology suppliers in the key jurisdictions, as well as investment tips and opportunities, the conference is being supported by the Tourism Bureau of Penghu County and incorporates a site visit to Penghu County for an exclusive first look at one of the casino development sites.

iGaming Asia Congress [www.igamingasiacongress.com] takes place 23-25 February 2010 in Asia's gambling mecca, Macau. Next year’s event sees a brand new venue in response to feedback from delegates and exhibitors. The iGaming Asia Congress will be the first gaming event to be held at the sparkling new jewel in Macau’s crown – the Grand Hyatt at City of Dreams. Supported by an Advisory Board of i-gaming big names and with more Asian case studies than ever, better networking and entertainment and new, interactive programme features, this is described as "an unmissable feature in the i-gaming calendar and will continue to grow in stature and importance, year on year."

Asian Sports Betting Summit [www.asiansportsbettingsummit.com] will be held in Macau between 18-20 May 2010. This inaugural Asian Sports Betting Summit will bring the betting community together for more discussions on innovative product offerings, specific operational issues for Asia, marketing and customer retention strategies and the future of in-play betting. It will cover both land-based and online, East and West.

Hong Kong-based Beacon Events says it also has ambitious plans for country specific programmes in Australia, Cambodia, Japan, Korea and Singapore, providing a comprehensive overview of these promising markets with site visits to some of the newest venues.

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