News from my desk Wednesday February 13, 2013 @ 3PM AEST

Our BLOG Breaking News page is a means of keeping our readers informed on the latest news around the clock, the full release is not published below but will appear within an upcoming edition of the Daily News - we hope that our posts are enough to alert you to any breaking news within the Lottery & Gaming Industry

Head to our Breaking News Page for the latest in News Updates
http://www.lotteryinsider.com/news/blog_Headlines/breaking_news.htm

Attorney General Defends Contract Process, Politics and Finance are Not the Focus
HARIISBURG, Pennsylvania (February 12, 2013) -- Attorney General Kathleen Kane is showing no signs of breaking under the pressure being applied by Gove. Tom Corbett's administration to get her to approve the contract he signed with the United Kingdom-based Camelot Global Services PA, LLC to take over management of the Pennsylvania Lottery.

Bill Passed For Tax on Online Bets placed for Horse Racing
ST LOUIS, Kentucky (February 12, 2103) -- The House budget committee unanimously approved a bill Tuesday that would tax bets placed on horse races via telephone or the Internet.

Government Faces Lawsuit Over Casino Smoking Bill
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (February 13, 2013) -- The Government is being sued for allowing gamblers to smoke at SkyCity casino in a landmark case which could see the end of smoker-friendly areas at bars and restaurants

AAMS Meets to Lay Path for Protection of Children And Prevention Of Compulsive Gambling
The High Committee of Vigilance games strengthens controls on game child prevention and combat criminal infiltration
ROME, Italy (February 12, 2013) -- It is announced that at the Customs Agency and Monopoli, it is High Supervisory Committee met on the Suppression of illegal gambling and for the safety of game and children, established by Decree-Law n. 78 of 2009.

The Duma Approves Smoking Bill in Final Reading
MOSCOW, Russia (February 12, 2013) -- Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, on Tuesday approved a bill banning smoking in public places in its third and final reading. The ban, which takes effect on June 1, was passed by a 441 to one vote

Bill on Internet Sweepstakes at Top of House Agenda
TOLEDO, Ohio (February 12, 2013) -- Internet sweepstakes cafés are near the top of the Ohio House's agenda this year.

Bill Pushes for Tax on Internet Poker
CARSON CITY, Nevada (February 12, 2103) -- The Nevada State Gaming Control Board is pushing for legislation in the Nevada Senate to tax the net profits of internet poker tournaments.

Mississippi House Passes Bill to Ban Internet Sweepstake Lounges
JACKSON, Mississippi (February 12, 2013) -- The Mississippi House on Tuesday passed a measure banning Internet cafes where customers gamble for prizes in online games. States across the country have been enforcing legislation on these "Internet sweepstakes parlors," which opponents say exploit legal loopholes to simulate the act of gambling, unregulated.

Conflict of Interest Perceived as Reason for Casino Opening Lawsuit Alleges
SAN JOSE, California (February 12, 2013) -- Casino M8trix has filed a lawsuit against San Jose Police Department, San Jose City and others, claiming that it took too long to open the gambling center near the airport and that one key reason for the delay was because of an alleged conflict of interest.

French Games Supports Safe Internet Day
PARIS, France (February 5, 2013) - Safer Internet Day, is a European event held on February 5, 2013 for the education of the proper use of the Internet and Sustainable Development of this resource.

SKYCITY Positioned For Growth With Exciting Developments in New Zealand and Australia
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (February 13, 2013) - SKYCITY Entertainment Group today announced a normalised Net Profit after Tax (NPAT) of $74.4 million for the six months ended 31 December 2012 - down $2.6m from $77.0m in the same period last year, which was positively impacted by an estimated $4.7m from the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in New Zealand. Normalised revenues increased to $495.7m up from $489.0m last year which included $11.5 from the RWC. Excluding the RWC impact normalised revenues were up from $477.5m - up 3.8%.

Mecca Bingo Announces £324 million Paid in Prize Money To Customers Playing Online
LONDON, UK (February 12, 2013) -- Mecca has announced it paid out almost £324 million in prize money to customers playing online, on mobile and in clubs throughout 2012, which equates to over £27 million of prize money per month.

American Gaming Systems® (AGS) Launches Blackbeard's Treasure™
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (February 7, 2013) - American Gaming Systems (AGS®), a leading designer, manufacturer and operator of gaming machines with more than 7,500 installed units, announced today that it has recently installed Blackbeard's Treasure™ at Pechanga Resort & Casino and Thunder Valley Casino Resort in California

European Casino Association Reviewed the Achievements of 2012
MADRID, Spain (February 9, 2013) -- At the last meeting of the European Association of Casinos (ECA, for its acronym in English), the constituent members were satisfied with the achievements during 2012, especially in the fight against illegality, and analysed for future participation on responsible gaming programs.

Symposium of Gambling
STUTTGART, Germany (February 12, 2013) -- The Forschungssstelle gambling Hohenheim University held on 7 and 8 March, entitles the "Symposium gambling" in Stuttgart. The focus is on addiction, fraud and crime risk potential of gambling.

GEObet Network hosting important iGaming conference for all Native Tribal Nations in the Western Hemisphere
ALBERTA, Canada (February 11, 2013) -- GEObet Network is to host the Oklahoma Tribes & GEObet iGaming Conference on February 18th.

SHFL entertainment to Announce First Quarter 2013 Results
LAS VEGAS, (February 12, 2013) -- SHFL entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select Market: SHFL) ("SHFL" or the "Company") announced today that it will hold a conference call to discuss its operating results for the first quarter ended January 31, 2013, with the details as follows:

SkyCity First Half Profit Falls
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (February 12, 2013) -- New Zealand gaming company SkyCity Entertainment Ltd's first half profits fell nearly 16 percent on flat earnings, but according to Reuters news service it said Wednesday that it was confident of a full year result to match last year.

Fourth Quarter Results Reach DKK 590 Million, Emphasis on Sports Betting
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (February 12, 2013) -- The Danish regulator has issued the results of fourth quarter 2012 online gambling operations in the dedicated market, flagging an improvement over Q3 numbers, led by higher sports betting GGR.

Revenue Drop for Casinos in Missouri
ST LOUIS, Missouri (February 12, 2013) -- The Missouri Gaming Commission reports nearly every casino in the state saw revenue drop in January compared to last year.

Figures Show German Sports Betting far Greater than Previously Assumed by the State
KIEL, Germany (February 11, 2103) -- Until now, only rough estimates of how much the Germans spend each year on sports betting has been available

Video Gambling Figures at $2.5 Million for January
ILLINOIS (February 12, 2013) - Figures are in showing the State of Illinois made about $2.5 million dollars off of Illinois gamblers last month

Two Casinos Licences Granted In Peru to Dreams Corporation
PERU/CHILE (February 12, 2013) -- The Peruvian subsidiary of Dreams Corporation obtained the license of the Ministry of Foreign Commerce and Tourism of Peru to operate the gambling venues New York City and New York Casino, both located in Lima. The venues count together with approximately 500 slots and 20 gambling tables.

Attorney General Under Pressure to Sign Lottery Contract
MECHANICSBURG, Pennsylvania (February 12, 2013) -- Attorney General Kathleen Kane might technically have 30 more days to review the lottery management contract that Gov. Tom Corbett wants her to sign.

Advice - Evidence Session: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Draft Gambling (Licensing & Advertising) Bill

The Line Between Regulator and Competitor is Fine
MANILA, Philippines (February 12, 2013) -- A regulator cannot be a competitor. Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp. (Pagcor) is the licensor of all gaming operations in the Philippines but it is also in the gambling business.

Playtech Goes Live With Mobile Bingo Application for Sky Bingo
LONDON, UK (February 12, 2013) -- Playtech, the international designer, developer and licensor of software for the online, mobile, TV and land-based gaming industry, has recently launched its new Bingo iOS app for one of its major licensees, Sky Bet.

IGT Extends Interactive Foothold in Italy Through Supply Partnership With iSoftBet
LONDON, UK (February 12, 2013) - International Game Technology (NYSE:IGT), the global leader in driving technology innovations in the gaming industry, today announced that it has partnered with iSoftBet to provide content to the Italian iGaming market

New Business Generated At Egaming Exhibition
ISLE of MAN (February 12, 2013) - It's hoped new eGaming business could be on its way to the Island following a successful conference in London last week.

Russian Sports Website Partners with Online Games Group
LONDON, UK (February 12, 2013) -- Online games group Zattikka announced Monday a new partnership with Russian sports website Championat.

Atlantic City Casino's Report Decline in Figures for January
ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (February 12, 2013) - According to data from the Associated Press, revenue from Atlantic City's 12 casinos fell by 13.2 percent in January, compared with a year ago. And Revel, the city's newest casino - which had been viewed as a potential catalyst for an Atlantic City comeback - had its second-worst month ever.

Region Should Have Not One but Two Opportunities to Vote on Casino Plans
HAMILTON, Ontario (February 12, 2013) -- The head of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation says Hamilton will have not one, but two opportunities to say yes or no to a new casino.

Gaming Control Board to Hear Casino Proposals
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (February 12, 2013) -- Members of the Gaming Control Board - and the public - will get their first chance Tuesday to hear sales pitches from the six applicants vying for Philadelphia's second casino license.

Headlines you may of Missed..................

Wednesday February 13, 2013

LOTTERY NEWS

1. Florida Lottery Has Record-Breaking Week with More Than $63 Million in Scratch-Off Sales.
2. Consumers' Foundation Investigation Claims Retailers Continue to Sell Lottery Tickets to Minors.

LEGAL, LEGISLATIVE, POLITICAL & GOVERNMENT

1. Attorney General Under Pressure to Sign Lottery Contract.
2. Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Draft Gambling (Licensing & Advertising) Bill.
3. The Line Between Regulator and Competitor is Fine.
4. Lawmakers Aim to Change Gambling Rules for Social Clubs.
5. Nebraska Lawmakers Consider Horse Racing Bills.
6. Greece Increases the Rate of Tax Applicable to Lottery Prizes.
7. Senate Leaders Say They Would Accept Governor’s Conditional Veto Terms for Online Gambling Bill.
8. Poll Shows Texans Want the Right to Vote on Gambling.
9. Federal Government Approves Californian Tribe’s Gambling Authorization.
10. MGM Grand International Requests Hearing to Reapply for Casino License.
11. Gaming Commission Sets Deadlines for Casino Proposals.

 

MARKETING and SPONSORSHIP

1. Gambling Advertising Comes Under Fire.
2. Oregon Lottery Launches Second Chance Draw and Player Website.

VENDOR NEWS

1. Playtech Goes Live with Mobile Application for Sky Bingo.
2. IGT Extends Interactive Foothold in Italy Through Supply Partnership with iSoftBet.

MARKET WATCH

1. New Business Generated At Egaming Exhibition.
2. Russian Sports Website Partners with Online Games Group.
3. Atlantic City Casino’s Report Decline in Figures for January.
4. UK Gambling Commission Release Prevalence Stats 2013.
5. Z Capital Angles for Control of Casino Operator Affinity.
6. Lottomatica Group Announce 2012 Preliminary Consolidated Results.
7. Pokerstrategy Wins Court Case Against Pocket Kings
8. Simpson Thacher Represents Deutsche Bank in €100 Million Senior Notes Offering and Related Revolving Credit Facility for Cirsa.
9. German Online Gaming Firm Launch Italian Website, Italian Passion, German Reliability.
10. New Jersey Casino Will Let Patrons Bet from Their Hotel Room.

REMOTE GAMING

1. Delaware Leads the Race to Online Gaming.

CASINO NEWS

1. Gaming Control Board to Hear Casino Proposals.
2. Samoa Gambling Authority Positive About Casino Impact.
3. Critics Claim Proposed Casino Smoking Ban is a ‘Business Model That Doesn't Work’.

 

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

1. Senate Votes Edwin Van Petten to Lead the Minnesota State Lottery

1. World-Renowned Expert on the Gaming Industry Sadly Loses Battle with Cancer

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