Curacao updates e-gaming regulations

On the 2nd May, the Curacao Internet Gaming Association issued the following announcement on its website;

The Curacao Internet Gaming Association (CIGA) is pleased to announce that Curacao – the oldest and one of the largest remote gaming jurisdictions – is in the process of updating its e-gaming regulations and legislation, with a view to remaining at the forefront of this burgeoning industry, which today is worth well in excess of US$10bn annually according to independent experts.

Having licensed and regulated this fledgling industry since 1993 when the original enabling legislation was passed (National Ordnance No. 63 1993), the jurisdiction is renewing its pledge to well regulated Internet gambling with the full support of the worldwide industry.

From Curacao’s perspective, this is a significant economic activity for the small territory – with e-commerce, led by e-gaming, being declared an ‘economic spearhead’ in the early 2000s (Source – Department of Economic Affairs, Island Territory of Curacao). 

Employing several hundred permanent workers directly, the industry also has a material positive effect indirectly in terms of e-commerce and Internet infrastructure, indirect employment, and investment in skills and training that is of significant value to the wider economy.

As part of the upgrade to the regulations, the jurisdiction is pleased to have applied to the UK government recently, to be accepted as a recognized e-gaming jurisdiction with reciprocal rights, such that companies licensed within the territory of Curacao are able to market their gaming activities within the UK. 

This not only assures Curacao licensed companies of a significant market opportunity, but also demonstrates the world-class controls and regulations that are in place in the jurisdiction, such that it can be recognized by a leading member of the European Union.

Curacao offers an excellent environment for discerning, world leading Internet gaming companies; many of the world’s largest of these companies are licensed and operate casinos, sportsbooks, bingo and poker rooms, and other forms of gaming, from the jurisdiction. 

They are also actively involved in the industry association CIGA which promotes responsible gaming and acts as a forum for discussion and communication between all the industry’s stakeholders within the territory.

The jurisdiction is committed to maintaining its world-leading position within the industry, and today enjoys a healthy and diverse e-gaming sector which is growing and evolving as global trends dictate. 

E-gaming has proven itself to be one of the more flexible and resilient of the industries to emerge from the e-commerce era, and Curacao is perfectly poised to both capitalize on this trend, and to implement appropriate regulations and controls to ensure that gaming is fair, safe, and enjoyable for all participants, while protecting those who are vulnerable, such as minors and addicts. More information can be found on the CIGA website www.ciga.an

Papua New Guinea legalises Casino and Internet Gambling

PAPUA NEW GUINEA’s parliament recently passed a gaming law allowing the operation of casinos, as well as Internet gambling in the Pacific nation.

‘The Gaming Control Bill 2007’, which was introduced by Prime Minister Michael Somare, was passed by 61-0 in what was the last session of parliament before the general election in June.

The bill could be described as somewhat controversial, as eight MPs, including Treasurer Rabbie Namaliu and Community Development Minister Carol Kidu, walked from the chamber before the vote took place.

Churches and women’s groups in Papua New Guinea are likely to lead opposition to the new law.

Somare told the House the new law contained provisions to keep out criminal exploitation and impose strict entry requirements, including hefty refundable casino entry fees, to discourage Papua New Guinean’s from gambling.
Under the new law, each of Papua New Guinea’s provinces can have one casino license for 10 years.

Casino operators will be required to pay a duty of 20% of gross profit and a community benefit gaming levy of 5% of gross profit.

It will also pave the way for a Korean consortium to build a $US35 million ($AU42.38 million) five-star hotel and casino in Port Moresby, a project that was already approved by Papua New Guinea’s cabinet.

“Somare said Papua New Guinea could earn income from taxing locally based internet gaming for overseas clients, without being affected by the social ills gambling brings to the local population”.
The new law will see the National Gaming Control Board taking control all forms of gaming activities and promote community awareness of problem gambling.

Satisfy your online bingo needs by joining Bingo Gala today.

Frank Barney officially introduces US gambling legislation

Representative Barney Frank, the Democratic chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has come through as he claimed he would, and introduced legislation that would allow online gambling in the U.S., loosening a ban enacted last year.

At a press conference in Washington yesterday, Frank said “The measure would allow Americans to bet online with licensed Internet operators that have safeguards against underage and compulsive gambling and agree to be subject to U.S. jurisdiction and taxes”.

“The issue here is whether adults who work for their money, in the comfort of their homes, should be allowed to engage in a form of recreation which they enjoy and which has no conceivable negative impact on anybody else,” he added.

Some Republicans said they would vigorously oppose Frank’s legislation, and lawmakers predicted a political uproar over it.

“There are high levels of passion by people on both sides,” said Representative Ray LaHood, an Illinois Republican. “The people who are opposed feel very strongly.”

The proposed legislation would let the U.S. Treasury Department set protections against money laundering and fraud. It bars betting on college and professional sports whose governing bodies such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association and National Football League don’t sanction gambling.

The Republican-controlled Congress passed legislation on 30th September, that curbs financial payments from banks to offshore Internet casinos that are illegal under U.S. law. Sponsored by Representative Jim Leach, an Iowa Republican who lost a re- election bid in November, the law is aimed at shutting down the payment system for Internet gambling.

“I don’t see the Congress going in the opposite direction anytime soon.” said Representative Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican and co-sponsor of last year’s ban. “I am very strongly opposed.”

Internet-based casinos such as PartyGaming Plc and 888 Holdings Plc, operating in locations such as Gibraltar and Antigua, took in billions from U.S. gamblers.

U.S. Internet gambling generated $5.9 billion in 2005 while U.S. commercial casinos took in about $32 billion that year, according to the American Gaming Association.

Analysts said the legislation to create exemptions for license holders, may favor U.S. gambling companies. “Wouldn’t you expect licensing in the U.S. to benefit U.S. companies and U.S. shareholders?” said Ivor Jones, an analyst at Panmure Gordon & Co. in London.

Shares of PartyGaming dropped 7.5 pence, or 13 percent, to 51 pence in London, the steepest slide since Oct. 16, which was the first trading day after the company ceased U.S. operations. After slumping 76 percent in 2006, the stock had almost doubled this year before Frank’s remarks today. Whilst shares of London-based Sportingbet Plc and Gibraltar-based 888 Holdings Plc also fell in London trading.

Frank introduced the bill with Representative Peter King, a New York Republican, and 10 other co-sponsors. Frank and King said they expect many other members will come forward to support the legislation. “This is a kind of libertarian, let-people-have-fun kind of thing.” Frank said. “The ban has ‘activated’ online poker players and others who are lobbying now for a reversal.”

The government of Antigua, which is home to 32 registered online gambling operations, praised Frank’s initiative in a written statement.

“While we have not yet seen the legislation,” said Errol Cort, Antigua’s minister of finance and the economy“, we are encouraged that such a prominent legislator in the United States has stepped forward in support of a rational approach to the provision of remote gaming services”.

Poker Players Alliance Chairman Alfonse D’Amato, a former Republican senator from New York, called Frank’s proposal “A common sense approach to Internet gambling”.

“The Internet poker genie is out of the bottle, you cannot put it back. The United Kingdom successfully regulates gambling, and with this bill we can too. ” D’Amato said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Representative Shelley Berkley, a Nevada Democrat, said she plans to introduce a measure next week calling for a one-year federal study of online gambling.

Directors of the American Gaming Association, whose members include Harrah’s and MGM Mirage, are meeting today in Las Vegas to discuss Frank’s proposal, claimed spokeswoman Holly Thomsen from Washington.

Exotic Bingo to join the Bingo Entertainment N.V. Network

Exotic Bingo (www.exoticbingo.com) one of the most popular online bingo sites, will as from today be joining the Bingo Entertainment N.V. Network, probably the biggest online bingo network at present.

Harry Christodoulou, Marketing Manager of Bingo Entertainment N.V. had this to say about it: ‘We are very proud and excited to welcome Exotic Bingo to our family. This will bring the Bingo Entertainment N.V. Network sites to a grand total of 11 and this move will create a powerful new partnership that will give players a wider choice of games to play at.’

In addition to the 75 Ball and 90 Ball Bingo Halls on offer, Exotic Bingo as with all Bingo Entertainment N.V. Network sites will now boast 3,4 & 5 Reel Slots which all share the same JP thus the more players play the more they contribute to the pot. Furthermore, players can play Pull Tabs, Blackjack, Video Poker and KENO. Other great features of the software include the option for players to pre-book bingo cards for their favorite bingo specials as well as access to a daily schedule from the game lobby.

Players also have several options to fully customize the game such as choose sounds both for bingo and the side games, the sex of the caller, dauber shapes and dauber colors.

Players can rest assured that that they are in for a great gaming experience, which combines all the latest technology on offer. Bingo Entertainment N.V. has an unrivalled reputation when it comes to the administration and support of all the sites within its Network. This is teamed with an amazing group of Chat Masters who are on site 24/7 to keep everyone happy. So, all Exotic Bingo players need to do is log in, relax and have a great time!

How to make easy money out of a WSOP winner

EBay has been known to see some rather bizarre items listed for auction, some even gaining international news headline coverage. One such item that has been highlighted on a couple of online gambling websites is an item currently listed for auction with a starting bid of US $5,000.00, and listed by poker-kitty, of Scottsdale, Arizona, US. The item, described as a the ‘Ultimate Poker Collectable’ has been given the following description by the seller;

This is, without question, the ULTIMATE POKER COLLECTIBLE. Up for auction is the actual urinal mint that reigning WSOP champion Jamie Gold “used” just prior to winning the biggest cash prize ($12 million) in all of sports history, the main event at the 2006 World Series of Poker.

The mint in question was acquired (via rubber gloves) from a hotel men’s room attendant (close friend of the family; can’t disclose his name for obvious reasons), immediately bagged and labeled and stored for safe keeping. Sorry we don’t have pics of this unique item, but we do not own a digital camera and polaroids cannot be downloaded.

Memorabilia from star athletes, big name entertainers and other famous personalities appears on eBay all the the time. In fact, just last year, a piece of chewing gum that was owned (and chewed) by a famous baseball player brought quite a bit of $$$ on this very site.

Why should items used by famous poker players be any different? And while this item is DEFINITELY different, that peculiarity and rarity makes it the absolute ultimate piece of poker memorabilia of all time. A must for any collection, large or small. Serious collectors cannot afford to let this item get away. Heck, you could even use it as a dealer button if you really wanted to, although I’d strongly suggest washing it first!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’ll do my best to answer them. But please, only seriously interested parties should make further inquiries. I will include insured, overnight shipping to the winning bidder, regardless of his/her location. Good luck!

There are currently no bids on the item, but with 5 days to go until the auction expires, I’m sure that will change.

You can find the best online bingo games at Bingo Gala.

« Previous Page — Next Page »