News from my desk Thursday January 31, @ 8PM

Pennsylvania Senate Leader Joe Scarnati Threatens Legislative Move to Stop Internet-Based PA Lottery Games
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (January 30, 2013) - Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati said the state Legislature may act to put its own limits on the private manager hired by Gov. Tom Corbett to run the Pennsylvania Lottery.

Gambling Act Becomes Obsolete
WINDHOEK, Namibia (January 30, 2013) --The Deputy Director in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism's Division of Gaming Control, Servasius Dinyando Kapinga, says regulating gambling is not effectively catered for in the Casinos and Gambling Act of 1994.

Legislators File Bill Allowing Online Lottery in Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Florida (January 30, 2013) -- A Florida senator has introduced a bill that would allow lottery tickets to be sold online. The legislation, Senate Bill 266, was filed by Fla. Senator Gwen Margolis (D-Miami) on January 17. The measure is co-sponsored by Fla. Representative Joe Gibbons (D-Hallandale Beach) through House Bill 275.

Evidence Session: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Draft Gambling (Licensing & Advertising) Bill
LONDON, UK (January 29, 2013) -- Report.

Lottery Investigative Unit Works Diligently to Ensure Integrity of the Game
DAYTON, Ohio (January 29, 2013) - The Ohio Lottery's investigation unit works hard to educate retailers and discourage retailer employees from tampering with scratch tickets or participating in any fraudulent activity.

Judge Rules Web Shops can Remain Open Pending Legal Process
NASSAU, Bahamas (January 31, 2013) -- A judge in the Bahamas says that underground gambling businesses on the islands can remain open pending the outcome of a legal battle. Wednesday's injunction comes two days after voters rejected a referendum to legalize underground gambling operations known as "web shops," where Bahamians bet on numbers in televised U.S. lotteries.

State Leaders Hold First Meeting on Expanding Casino Gambling
ALBANY, New York (January 30, 2013) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and legislative leaders met for the first time Wednesday to discuss plans to dramatically expand casino gambling in New York, but came away in agreement that there is still much work ahead

Announcement On Full Tilt Remission Still Pending
NEW YORK< NY (January 30, 2013) -- After the Department of Justice announced in November that a third-party "claims administrator" would be chosen in January to "begin work" on the remission process for American victims of Full Tilt Poker, the month of January has nearly come and gone without any announcement.

Betfair Recommits To Rugby Union Side New South Wales Waratahs
SYDNEY, Australia (January 31, 2013) -- Betfair is continuing its support of Australian rugby union side New South Wales Waratahs. The betting firm will continue as an official partner of the club for the 2013 Super 15 season

Connecticut Lottery: Pink, Pearls, and Platinum Image tickets 12013 connecticut pink
HARTFORD, Connecticut (January 29, 2013) -- Anne Noble, President and CEO of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation ( www.ctlottery.org ), was in the Connecticut studio of a local broadcast station to share their passion for game-play with their newest scratch games entitled: Pink, Pearls, and Platinum .

Senator Calls for Ban on Election Betting
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia (January 31, 2013) -- Betting on elections should be banned, anti-gambling crusader Nick Xenophon has publicly stated today. The independent senator is teaming up with fellow anti-gambling MP Andrew Wilkie to lobby for an end to election punts.

Gaming firm PhilWeb Notches 20% Net Income Growth in 2012
MANILA, Philippines (January 31, 2013) -- Asian gaming firm PhilWeb Corp. has reported a 20-percent year-on-year rise in its net income in 2012 to P1.1 billion.

William Hill Embraces Online Betting, Strong Figures Show
LONDON, UK (January 29, 2013) -- William Hill has posted another set of strong figures from its online business, boosting operating profits for the full year up to £330m - up from £276m the previous year.

Gaming Firm Raises Capital to P50B
MANILA, Philippines (January 31, 2013) - Gaming company IP E-Game Ventures Inc. is raising its capital to P50 billion to raise equity for its venture into the gaming tourism business.

Border Towns in Race for Casino Gambling
BOSTON, Massachusetts (January 30, 2013) -- The race between Massachusetts and New Hampshire to establish casino gambling seems to be going the Bay State's way at the moment, but there are indications a neighbour to the north is poised to make a move.

Charitable Gaming Changes Coming To Saskatchewan
REGINA, Saskatoon (January 30, 2013) -- Technology may soon be a part of charitable gaming in Saskatchewan. Local news reports that the government is looking to make changes to allow electronic technology to be used for bingos and raffles which could come as soon as this summer.

Betclic CEO departs
PARIS, France (January 30, 2013) -- Betclic Everest announced the departure of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ignacio Martos and at the same time naming Isabelle Andres, formerly the group's chief financial officer, as his replacement.

Zynga's Chief Games Designer Brian Reynolds Resigns
SAN FRANCISCO (January 30, 2013) - Another report of a high-profile loss for Zynga: This time it is confirming that chief game designer Brian Reynolds has resigned.

Rob Williams named Head of Newly Formed Gaming Commission
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (January 30, 2013) -- A Saratoga County man will lead the newly-formed state Gaming Commission charged with regulating all New York racing and gaming activities.