News from my desk Monday February 11, 2013 @ 2PM AEST

National Lottery Operator Appoints Head of Insight
LONDON, UK (February 10, 2013) -- The mobile industry is losing another executive to Camelot with the departure of EE's market and customer insight director Nick Bonney, who will join the National Lottery operator as head of insight

LGA hosts 100 Meetings At Three-Day ICE
MALTA (February 11, 2013) - Around 100 meetings were hosted over three days at the Lotteries and Gaming Authority's stand at a major igaming trade event in London last week. For the 10th year, Malta's regulator was present at ICE at London's Excel Conference Centre between Tuesday and Thursday, and proved yet again to be among the major attractions. ICE hosted a total of more than 40,000 visitors.

Bill to Propose Slots at Airport
LINTHICUM, Maryland (February 9, 2013) -- A new proposal in Annapolis would bring slot machines to the airport. Some say a special slots section inside the airport is a perfect opportunity for a state that is desperate for more transportation dollars.

Online Gaming Firms show Strong Results in light of Lucrative Market Changes
LONDON, UK (February 9, 2013) -- Britain's online gambling firms have been seen to have hit the jackpot after a landmark US ruling paved the way for a lucrative market to be reopened. Almost half a billion pounds was added to the stock market value of firms that could benefit from the changes in the law, which would see online poker and casino games legalised in the state of New Jersey as early as next month.

Montana Gaming Industry sees Seventh Consecutive Quarter of Growth
MISSOULA, Montana (February 10, 2013) -- Montana's gaming industry continues to climb out of the doldrums, with its seventh consecutive quarter of growth, and Missoula County is leading the way

Nevada Casinos Finish Month with Double Digit Increase
CARSON CITY, Nevada (February 10, 2013) - Nevada casinos finished 2012 with a double-digit increase in win, pushing the calendar year's total win to $10.86 billion.

Poker Players Compete for $130,000 in Prizes in Titan Poker's Grand Battle
Parallel races pit players in weekly, monthly, and quarterly competitions; players win prizes as they play poker at Titan Poker's tables and tournaments.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (February 10, 2013) - Poker players are now competing for a share of $130,000 in prizes at Titanpoker.com, the leading online poker room in Europe

Premier Calls for Halt on Betting In Sports
PERTH, Western Australia (February 10, 2013) -- Premier Colin Barnett says there is too much betting in sport and wants tougher controls on gambling, saying he has had enough of betting agencies and bookmakers "bombarding" fans and children.

Claims Facebook Gambling Advertisements are Targeting Minors
LONDON, UK (February 10, 2013) -- Children as young as 13 are being bombarded by gambling firms on Facebook.

Crowns Media Campaign an Outstanding Success
SYDNEY, Australia (February 10, 2013) - The media is today claiming that Team Packer has blitzed all possible entries in any Public Relations Award, with the latest media campaign launched this week.

Arcade Games that Resemble Poker Machines to be Banned
ADELAIDE, South Australia (February 10, 2013) -- Arcade games that resemble poker machines will be banned under proposed laws announced by the State Government today. Print news publication 'The Advertiser' reports that the laws are designed to protect children from "soft gambling" and forming habits that could lead to a gambling addiction, Attorney-General John Rau said.

Calls for Mid-Week Lotto Numbers to be changed to avoid Superstitious Players Feeling Trapped by Ticket Price Rise
GLASGOW, Scotland (February 11, 2013) -- An angered Scots MP has urged grasping lottery executives to re-number the midweek draw's balls from 50-99 - so cash-strapped players won't feel locked in when ticket prices double.

Singapore Pools Conducts Special draws to usher in Chinese New Year
SINGAPORE CITY, Singapore (February 7, 2013) - The Singapore Pools is conducting two draws to usher in Chinese New Year. The Reunion Draw on Friday, comes with a cash prize of $5 million. A $10 million Hong Bao Draw will be held on Feb 22.