News from my desk Tuesday March 12, 2013 @ 9.30AM

Labor Union Launch Campaign Against Lottery Privatization

TRENTON, New Jersey (March 11, 2013) – The Communications Workers of America (CWA) have launched a television ad campaign to oppose Governor Chris Christie’s plan to privatize the state lottery. The commercial will run as a state-wide cable buy for the next few weeks.

Legislature Demand Say into Plans to Privatize New Jersey's Lottery

TRENTON, New Jersey (March 11, 2013) – A state Senate panel is set to consider a bill giving the Legislature a say in plans to privatize New Jersey's Lottery. The bill requires legislative approval of any private vendor

National Lottery Offers Special Jackpot as part of National Day Celebrations

RUE LA POUDRIÈRE, Port-Louis, Mauritius (March 11, 2013) -- The National lottery is partaking in the National Day celebration by offering a special jackpot of Rs 20 million to players for the 176th draw next Saturday

An Online Gambling Monopoly Would Breach EU Law

BRUSSELS, Belgium (March 11, 2013) – The RGA has complained to the European Commission about the Greek Government’s plans to extend OPAP’s land based monopoly to online gambling products.

Hong Kong Businessman Initiates Breach of Contract Claim Against Las Vegas Sands

MACAU (March 11, 2013) -- Hong Kong businessman Richard Suen is taking Las Vegas Sands C

 

 

Pending Governor Approval, the State’s Lottery Bill Will Become Law on July 1, But it will Be a While Before the Citizens of Wyoming Can Purchase a Lottery Ticket

CHEYENNE, Wyoming (March 10, 2013) -- Governor Matt Mead will decide this week whether to let a bill become law that could set up a lottery in Wyoming.
orp. to court again claiming the operator failed to pay him his share for helping it get its Macau gaming licence

Parliament Approves Law on Lotteries

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (March 11, 2013) -- The profile committee of the parliament approved a law on lotteries

Government to Release Final Report of a Review of Interactive Gaming Laws, Online Poker Trial to be Scrapped

Gambling Expansion in Australia Not Possible Until Uniform Harm Minimisation and Consumer Protection Guidelines are Established
A public register, to be run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, of illegal sites is recommended
SYDNEY, Australia (March 12, 2013) -- Opening up the Australian online gambling market to more legal betting avenues will not occur until Australia has uniform harm minimisation and consumer protection guidelines, the federal government says according to a report today

Governor, Veterans Groups Seek Compromise on Video Lottery Machines

DOVER, Delaware (March 10, 2013) – Craig Anderson, writing for the ‘Delaware State News’ reports Governor Jack A. Markell’s office hopes to introduce a bill to the General Assembly floor legalizing video lottery machines that have operated since at least 1974 (according to veterans) at various non-profit locations

Jamaica and US Authorities Work Towards Ending Lottery Scam

KINGSTON, Jamaica (March 10, 2013) -- With reports of an increase in the number of United States (U.S.) seniors, particularly in the state of Florida, falling victim to the Jamaica-based lottery scam

Premier addresses Media Reports and Advises No Change to Governments Position on Gaming Licence

SYDNEY, Australia (March 10, 2013) -- A number of statements in your article on the proposed Crown hotel resort (“Packer won’t need casino licence for Barangaroo”, Australian Financial Review, March 8) are inaccurate. There has been no change to the government’s position.

Lawmakers Set to Resume Debate on Instant Racing Terminal Issue

LINCOLN, Nebraska (March 10, 2013) -- Nebraska lawmakers are set to resume debate this week on a measure that would ask voters to approve wagering on pre-recorded horse races that are replayed on video terminals.

Minister Pushes for Changes to 'Spot Prize' Regulation

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (March 10, 2013) -- The Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain is calling for changes to regulations around spot prize draws held at community and recreational events


Prosecutor Indicted on Corruption Charges in Relation to Dealings with Gambling Company
TAIPEI, Taiwan (March 8, 2013) -- A Taiwanese prosecutor was indicted on Friday on corruption charges for allegedly taking bribes to cover up gambling businesses, in the latest scandal to hit the island’s judiciary

Antigua and the US Try Once Again to Bring Their Long-Running Internet Gambling Dispute to an End

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (March 10, 2013) -- Antigua’s Minister of Finance Harold Lovell has revealed that Ambassador Collin Murdoch is engaging officials and technicians at the office of the United States Trade Representative in Washington, DC, to try to once again to bring their long-running Internet gambling dispute to an end.


INTRALOT Presents Innovative VLT & AWP Solutions in ENADA SPRING
ATHENS, Greece (March 11, 2013) -- INTRALOT Gaming Machines SpA (IGM), member of INTRALOT Group in Italy, will participate in the 25th ENADA Spring, Southern Europe's most important gaming exhibition, to be held in Rimini from March 12th to 15th


MDI to Provide Properties Plus® Program for Maryland Lottery

ALPHARETTA, Georgia (March 11, 2013) - MDI Entertainment, LLC, a subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation (Nasdaq: SGMS), today announced that it will be providing its Properties Plus Loyalty Rewards Program to the Maryland Lottery. The program was included as an option in the Online Gaming Systems agreement between the Maryland Lottery and Scientific Games, and the Lottery has decided to exercise that option.

Pollard Banknote Adds Upscale Las Vegas Hotels, The Venetian® and The Palazzo®, to its License Portfolio

WINNIPEG, Canada (March 11, 2013) -- Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (Pollard Banknote), a global leader in the production and merchandising of instant lottery games, is pleased to announce the addition of The Venetian® Las Vegas and The Palazzo® Las Vegas to its licensed products portfolio in the United States.

adesso Confirmed By Key Customer BITMARCK as Leading Contract Partner for the Years to Come
 DORTMUND, Germany (March 11, 2013) -- adesso AG has emerged victorious in a Europe-wide tender by its largest customer, the BITMARCK group of companies, and will remain the group’s key contract partner for up to four more years. The Dortmund-based IT service provider was able to position itself on 32 of 39 tendered lots as one of five contract partners to take on potential consultancy and software development orders. This was a further step in adesso’s efforts to expand its commitment to the customer.

GameAccount Network Delivers First Online Casino Slot Title

Incredible Technologies 'Crazy Money' is Delivered Onto Mecca Bingo!

LONDON, U.K. (March 11, 2013) -- March 8, 2013 Mecca becomes the first online operator to offer Incredible Technology’s successful land-based casino slot content.

Go Plc and Maltco Lotteries Ltd Sign Cooperation Agreement

MALTA (March 10, 2013) -- Go plc and Maltco Lotteries Ltd recently signed a cooperation agreement which places the Maltco online platform at the forefront of today’s online technology powered by Go.

Scientific Games And WMS Announce Early Termination of Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Waiting Period
NEW YORK and WAUKEGAN, Illinois (March 11, 2013) -- Scientific Games Corporation (Nasdaq: SGMS) and WMS Industries Inc. (NYSE: WMS) today announced that the companies received notice from the Federal Trade Commission of early termination of the waiting

Scientific Games Announce Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012 Results

Revenue Growth of 4% in the Fourth Quarter and 7% in 2012
Attributable EBITDA Increase of 13% in the Fourth Quarter and 5% in 2012

The Health Lottery Picks Two Datacentres for Data Security and Resilience
LONDON, U.K. (March 8, 2013) -- The Health Lottery, the UK lottery game which donates 20% to health-related good causes, wanted an infrastructural solution that would secure its increasing volumes of data, help it remain compliant and increase its IT resilience.

 

Online Betting Firm 888 Poised to Launch in U.S

LONDON, U.K. (March 11, 2013) -- Online gaming firm 888 Holdings PLC has created a joint venture with a U.S. investment partner, setting it up for a launch as soon as U.S. online gambling is legalized

 

UK Bookmaker Opens e-Commerce and Digital Marketing Center in Israel

Ladbrokes' Israel e-commerce and digital marketing services operation is part of its expanded collaboration with Playtech

TEL AVIV, Israel (March 11, 2013) -- Ladbrokes plc (LSE: LAD) today announced that is creating a new, wholly owned, e-commerce and digital marketing services operation in Israel, as part of its new agreement with Playtech Cyprus Ltd. (LSE:PTEC).


Ladbrokes Poised to Strike Deal with Playtech
LONDON, U.K. (March 11, 2013) -- Ladbrokes, Britain's second-largest bookmaker, is poised to strike a deal with gaming software supplier Playtech, to boost its online operations

 

Betfair Linked with Blue Square Purchase

LONDON, U.K. (March 11, 2013) -- Betfair's transformation under new chief executive Breon Corcoran is set to continue if talk about the exchange buying internet gambling firm Blue Square is correct.

Paddy Power Executives Rewarded with Long Term Incentive Plan

DUBLIN, Ireland (March 10, 2013) -- Paddy Power boss Patrick Kennedy has been aptly rewarded as his company released details of soaring profits in full year results.

Great Canadian Gaming Reaches Agreements in Principle for OLG Slot Facility Leases at Georgian Downs and Flamboro Downs

RICHMOND, British Columbia (March 9, 2013) -- Great Canadian Gaming Corporation [TSX:GC] ("Great Canadian" or "the Company") today announced that it has entered into letters of intent with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation ("OLG") for the continuation of slot operations at each of the Company's Georgian Downs and Flamboro Downs racetrack facilities.

Casinos Support the “Buy Iowa” Program Aiding Local Business

DES MOINES, Iowa (March 10, 2013) -- State gambling regulators say a program requiring the state’s casinos to seek out Iowa-based businesses when buying supplies showed an increase in its numbers in the last fiscal year

Analysts Downgrade Online Gaming Firm 888 Holdings to 'Hold'

LONDON, U.K. (March 10, 2013) -- City firm Panmure has downgraded global online gaming group 888 (LON:888) to 'hold' from 'buy' though it has upped the target price slightly

Lotto24 Launches Mobile Lotto Kiosk

From now on the way participation in the online offering of possible Lotto24
HAMBURG, Germany (March 8, 2013) -- Lotto24.de, the lottery kiosk on the Internet, offers its state lottery products from now on also on a design optimized for mobile web portal. This allows smartphone users to easily move Lotto 6 from 49 participating Glücksspirale or the new Euro lottery jackpot.