Playtech’s Vision for the Future is 3D

Playtech, a provider of software platforms for the online gambling industry, has announced that it has signed a deal with 3D poker operator PKR.com.

The partnership will see Playtech creating a bespoke online casino for the poker firm that will feature an extensive variety of popular casino games.

Mor Weizer, Chief Executive Officer of Playtech, said: “PKR.com is a highly respected operator in the online poker market with a unique offering to both the 3D and gaming console markets.

As such this opens up a whole new demographic for Playtech which will now be able to enjoy our market leading casino gaming platform married seamlessly with the high quality 3D poker experience that PKR.com's customers have come to expect.'

Since its launch less than a year ago, under a license from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC), PKR’s poker business has grown steadily to reach 7,000 concurrent players at peak times.

BetOnSports Pleads Guilty to Racketeering

Online gaming operator BetOnSports has submitted a guilty plea to a federal court in Missouri (where Gary Kaplan had denied the same charges), to charges of money laundering and racketeering.

The London-based company will now faces fines of up to $500,000 (£251,880), plus billions of pounds in forfeitures and the return of money held on behalf of US account holders.

BetOnSports will also supply witnesses and evidence in the continuing case against its founder Mr Kaplan and former CEO David Carruthers as part of the agreement to avoid further criminal prosecution.

Both men remain under arrest pending trial.

US attorney Catherine Hanaway stated that the plea “should put an end to the BetOnSports illegal gambling empire.”

According to the lawyer representing BetOnSports, Jeffrey Demerath, the firm will now cease operating and be wound up.

BCA Criticizes Tessa Jowell

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has been hit with claims of 'blatant unfairness' in her treatment of existing gambling businesses as she forges ahead with plans to introduce a number of new casinos to the UK market.

Jowell was challenged in the High Court by the British Casino Association (BCA), who queried the legitimacy of the Government's new gaming policy, which includes the controversial opening of one 'super-casino'.

The BCA, which guards the interests of more than 90% of current British casinos, argued the new casino firms will be given a biased and illegitimate competitive advantage.

The Association informed the judge existing casino businesses could lose out on as much as £120 million a year in profits while old operators may be forced to fold.

Michael Beloff QC, appearing for BCA and four of its member companies said: ‘Whether she deliberately abandoned that policy or not, she has created a situation in which existing casinos are condemned to second-class status.’

If the BCA's application for judicial review at the three-day hearing is a success, it may change the shape of the UK gaming industry as a whole.

PartyGaming Beefs Up Security

Leading online gambling firm PartyGaming, which operates a host of sites including PartyPoker.com, PartyCasino.com and PartyBingo.com, has subscribed to a large affiliate fraud monitoring contract with Envisional.

The company will utilise its A31 intelligent search technology to identify, analyse and verify all suspected cases of affiliation to PartyGaming’s six main websites and detect any abuse of PartyGaming’s name and brands.

Martin Weigold, Group Finance Director with executive responsibility for corporate social responsibility at PartyGaming, said: ‘We take our legal obligations and ethical responsibilities very seriously.

Envisional’s advanced artificial intelligence capabilities will help us ensure continued compliance with strict marketing regulations, as well as protect the party brands in which we have invested so heavily over the years.’

Envisional’s A3I – Advanced Automated Artificial Intelligence – technology scans the world wide web for text, logos or images including those used on blogs, auction sites, trade boards, Internet Relay Chat channels and peer-to-peer networks, listing results in order of urgency and importance.

Barney Frank Unveils Bill to Challenge UIGEA

After weeks of speculation, Democratic Congressman Barney Frank has today introduced the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007 that could create an exemption to the UIGEA for properly licensed operators.

According to an official press release, “The Act establishes a federal regulatory and enforcement framework to license companies to accept bets and wagers online from individuals in the US, to the extent permitted by individual states, Indian tribes and sport leagues.

All such licenses would include protections against underage gambling, compulsive gambling, money laundering and fraud.”

Following the introduction of the bill, Mr Frank explained, “The existing legislation is an inappropriate interference on the personal freedom of Americans and this interference should be undone.”

A full and exclusive interview with Barney Frank will be featured in the forthcoming iGaming Business magazine.

Casino Affiliate Convention in Amsterdam Breaks Records

The 5th Annual Casino Affiliate Convention and Gaming Marketing Conference is bigger than ever before. Located at the NH Grand Krasnapolsky Hotel, the convention is expected to host at least 350 affiliates, many of whom will be so-called ‘super affiliates.’

Nearly one thousand are expected to flock to Amsterdam, due to the industry’s massive European expansion.

The exhibit hall for the CAC 2007 has been completely sold out for several months, though a few additional sponsorships remain. Online registration ends this Friday, April 27.

Organisers are recommending that delegates use the official message boards to announce what they offer and what they are looking for, as well as for keeping in touch with friends and colleagues.

One major attraction is the exclusive domain name auction, where affiliate sites from the US that have closed since the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, will go to the highest bidder.

There will also be a number of social events and parties, including the exclusive sponsored party at the Odeon Club in Amsterdam.

The CAC 2007, hosted by Ticonderodga Ventures has been such a success that a similar conference catering for the Asian market, and based in Macau, is already being planned.

William Hill Bids to Break up Greece’s Gambling Monopoly

Bookmaker and online casino giant William Hill announced that it has requested a license to open betting shops in Greece, challenging the stronghold over the market established by the country’s official betting organisation, OPAP.

If the license is not granted by the Greek government, as some expect will happen, the firm is prepared to fight it out in the in European courts in an attempt to put a dent in OPAP's monopoly.

William Hill chief executive David Harding said, ‘We believe the recent European cases mean that what is happening is in breach of EU law. If it is rejected we will go to the courts to argue our case and that could involve going to the European Court of Justice.’

The company may receive the EU’s support to enter the market after March’s European Court of Justice (EJC) ruling barring Italy from using criminal law to shut out foreign bookmakers in a case presented by Stanley Leisure.

However, OPAP has already informed Greek newspapers that it expects William Hill's application to be rejected due to its monopoly agreement.