News from my desk January 15th @ 9PM

Lawmakers, Midstaters React To Lottery Privatization

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (January 14, 2013) -- The Pennsylvania Lottery is going private. Governor Corbett awarded a contract to a British company, Camelot, a deal potentially worth $34 billion.

Lottery Announces Extra NT$100 Million Chinese New Year Red Envelope

TAIPEI, Taiwan (January 13, 2013) -- To celebrate the arrival of 2013, the Year of the Snake, the Taiwan Lottery Company announced the Chinese New Year Big Red Envelope event that will take place over the upcoming holidays.


Lifting Lotto's Online Odds
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (January 13, 2013) – Lotteries are getting personal.
Digital technologies and online and mobile business isn't just disrupting retailers and the media industry, New Zealand Lotteries is also positioning itself for an unpredictable future.
With NZ Lotteries now threatening to break through $1 billion in turnover.

Bet Tax To Generate New Set Of Challenges

John Greene writing for the Irish Independent
DUBLIN, Ireland (January 13, 2013) – The new betting tax legislation is finally expected to be brought forward in the first quarter of this year.
There has been some criticism of the hold-up, given that the government published the Bill to amend Ireland's current betting tax regime last July.

Senator in Bid to Close Gambling App Loophole

A Game Will Be Defined As A “Gambling Service” If Monies Can Be Lost
CANBERRA, ACT, Australia (January 13, 2013) -- Independent senator Nick Xenophon will introduce legislation to close an online gambling loophole that makes it legal for children to lose money on a poker machine game.

Lotto Not Yours to Sell, Minister Told

DUBLIN, Ireland (January 11, 2013) – Selling the National Lottery to "cash-rich offshore pension funds, parallel Lottery organisations or wealthy billionaires" could damage the brand beyond repair, Public Sector Reform Minister Brendan Howlin has been warned.

Bwin Party in German Dispute

LONDON, UK (January 11, 2013) -- Online gaming company Bwin party hit out at German gambling proposals last week, claiming that there is not a level-playing field for domestic and foreign companies.

Will The Movie Awards Be Entertaining? You Can BET On It!

Atlantic Lottery First To Offer Award Show Bets
MONCTON, New Brunswick, Canada (January 11, 2013) -- Some folks call this winter; for movie lovers it’s awards season. This year with PRO∙LINE FUTURES from Atlantic Lottery, Atlantic Canadians can bet on who will be taking home the hardware at the biggest movie awards show of the year.

Eurojackpot Launched In Norway

HAMAR, Norway (January 8, 2013) -- The first Norwegian Eurojackpot-draw will take place on Friday 1 February presented by TV2. The Program Managers for the show, which will be marked by glitz, glamor and are Aylar Lie and Geir Håkonsund.

Microgaming Announces New Games for January 2013

ISLE OF MAN (January 11, 2013) -- Microgaming (www.microgaming.co.uk), the world’s largest provider of online gaming software, is celebrating the New Year by announcing two breath-taking new games for January 2013.

Welsh Gamblers Spend £1.5 Billion A Year On High-Stakes Betting Machines

(January 13, 2013) -- Welsh gamblers are spending more than £1.5 billion every year on high-stakes betting machines that take bets of up to £100, a campaign group has claimed.

London Capital Group COO to step down

LONDON, UK (January 11, 2013) -- London Capital Group Holdings chief operating officer Rachel Woodford is stepping down to pursue other interests.
Woodford's six month notice period expires in July and in the meantime she will continue to carry out her executive duties in order to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. The board thanked her for all her hard work over the last nine years in building and developing the business.