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Trump Plaza in Atlantic City Closing, Future of Betfair Unclear

 According to Fox News and several other sources, Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, New Jersey will close on September 16. The future of the casino's associated online poker site, Betfair, remains up in the air. PocketFives reached out to Betfair officials, but our e-mails were not returned at press time.

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This is the latest in a string of disappointing gaming news for the Atlantic City market. As Fox News pointed out, "If Trump Plaza closes, Atlantic City could lose a third of its casinos and a quarter of its casino workforce in less than nine months. The Atlantic Club closed in January, the Showboat is closing next month, and Revel might do likewise if a buyer can't be found in bankruptcy court."
All of this despite the Garden State having the largest intrastate online poker market in the US. If Trump Plaza and Revel ultimately end up closing, the number of casinos in Atlantic City could drop from 12 to eight.
A buyer could come in and save the day, according to Fox News, although nothing has come to fruition yet. As the site pointed out, "The company has hired a search firm to solicit buyers for Trump Plaza, an effort that remains ongoing. So far, no buyer has emerged. The company did not indicate what might become of the building after it is closed."
The fate of Betfair is unclear. OnlinePokerReport's Chris Grove told PocketFives, "Should Trump Plaza meet its demise, the casino's Internet Gaming Permit would also cease to exist. That would leave Betfair with two options: exit New Jersey or find a new dance partner. Given Betfair's substantial investment to date in New Jersey, a retreat seems the less likely outcome. But the list of casinos that Betfair can hope to court is a short one, and growing shorter seemingly by the day."
According to the Press of Atlantic City, Showboat employs 2,100 people, Trump Plaza employs 1,000 people, and Revel employs 3,100. State Senator Jim Whelan told the Press, "I've been angry and depressed about it all day… This is potentially overwhelming. More than 6,000 people would be out of work. That's a depression." As noted above, the total jobs lost are tantamount to one-quarter of the city's gaming workforce.
Atlantic City has faced growing competition from surrounding states, including Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware, the former of which has become the second largest gaming market in the US, according to one outlet.
Visit PocketFives' New Jersey poker community for the latest news and discussion from New Jersey players.
Author: Ekaterina
11 . 07 . 2014 y.
Divorced Political Couple Continues to Fight on K Street over Gambling Bill

 If there are any soap opera writers out there looking for a new show arc, hop on this story. A little over a year ago Representative Connie Mack and Mary Bono Mack, who now goes by her maiden name announced they were getting divorced, after being only the third married couple to ever serve together in Congress. Now the former pair has found themselves at cross purposes again, with both Mack and Bono working to lobby on opposing sides of a controversial gambling bill.

Two months ago Mary Bono became the head of the Coalition for Consumer and Online Protection, in addition to her role as senior vice president of FaegreBD Consulting here in Washington. The coalition was built to oppose a proposed bill to ban online gambling, which is backed by billionaire Republican donor and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.
Meanwhile, Bono's former husband Connie Mack, who heads his own lobbying firm, Mack Strategies, has just been hired this week by Adelson's Las Vegas Sands Corporation, to push for the passage of the Restoration of America's Wire Act. So far Adelson has spent $200,000 on lobbying in 2014 to see the ban on online gambling pushed through.
While getting these two legislative heavyweights involved has taken the fight over online gambling to a new level, Bono and Mack are hardly the only forces working to push their gambling agenda.
The National Association of Convenience Stores recently launched a new PR campaign asking lawmakers to support online gaming ban. Specifically, corner stores are concerned about people buying lottery tickets online for out of state games, and as a result not buying that impulse candy bar in store when they come in to pick out their weekly numbers.
On the flip side, the American Gaming Association has been a big supporter of the proposed Restoration of America's Wire Act, claiming that online gambling could give casinos a huge revenue boost. A recent national survey conducted by the association has found that most Americans view casinos as any other local business, and 57 percent are okay with gambling in general. The AGA has spent over $365,000 on lobbying this year.
 
Author: Ekaterina
11 . 07 . 2014 y.
Time Expires For Person Who Held $12 Million Lottery Ticket And Never Claimed Prize

 The lottery can be a sad and sadistic game even when you somehow win it.

There’s plenty of stories of lottery winners blowing it all, and then there’s stories of lottery winners who never claimed their prize because they never realized they won. That’s what just happened to a $12 million ticket in Texas.
One horribly unlucky gambler bought the ticket six months ago, but apparently didn’t realize it. After 180 days passed, the ticket was deemed dead and the state pocketed the $12 million prize.
It is possible that the winner realized it but had simply lost the ticket. However, no one has surfaced with such a humiliating story to tell the country.
According to the Houston Chronicle, “More than $837 million in unclaimed lottery prizes have reverted to the state budget since 1995, although much of that has come in much smaller amounts from scratch-off games.” Sometimes there are very close calls. In 2008, someone in Texas waited until day 159 to claim their winning $3.5 million ticket.
The report said that $4.4 billion in the last fiscal year was siphoned off of lottery players in the state of Texas. Those opposed to the lottery point out that the game is predominantly played by the destitute or people who are one or two mishaps away from complete economic immiseration.
In April, it was revealed that a Pennsylvania man mistakenly threw away $1.25 million worth of winning lottery tickets. Despite this, he still keeps playing the lotto.
According to a poll conducted by the American Gaming Association, 53 percent of individuals aged 21 and over played the lottery at least once in 2012.
Author: Ekaterina
11 . 07 . 2014 y.
Gamblit announces three new partnerships

 Gamblit Gaming, a technology provider for real-money gaming in mobile games, has entered into partnerships with online and mobile games publisher Shanda Games International Europe, as well as leading mobile games studios Gamiker and Flexball.

Under the agreements, all three companies will utilise Gamblit’s proprietary platform to allow users to add real-money gaming mechanics to any mobile or desktop game with a single integration.
“With mobile technology available to almost every audience, the opportunities are endless,” Gamblit chief executive officer Eric Meyerhofer said.
“Allowing mobile games to enable gambling delivers an enhanced form of entertainment that will keep players engaged on a whole new level.”
Shanda Games International Europe is a division of Shanda Games, a publisher of popular multiplayer online and mobile games such as ‘Million Arthur’ and ‘Dragon Nest’.
Coco Chen, managing director, Shanda Games International Europe, said: "We were immediately impressed by Gamblit's capabilities and unique position in the games space."
Los Angeles-based Gamiker publishes mobile gambling games that offer engaging alternatives to traditional casino style games, such as ‘Hatching Dragons’, which will be the first title to launch with Gamblit.  
Ray Ting, chief executive officer of Gamiker, said: “We got into this business because we love games and wanted to try something new in a segment of the industry that has been stagnant, in the face of great change in the online and mobile landscape.
“Partnering with Gamblit made perfect sense to us, as our visions are aligned, we share an innovative spirit and no one else comes close to delivering the way they have for us.”
Henry Park, chief executive officer of Flexball, said the company, which focused on developing social gambling games, feels strongly about moving into real-money gambling.
Park added: “We're excited to partner with Gamblit as we know this is a complicated space to walk alone and truly value how they are bridging the gap between gaming and gambling."
 
Author: Ekaterina
10 . 07 . 2014 y.
Atlantic Article Destroys “Online Gambling Is Addictive” Argument

 This week an article in the Atlantic pretty much eviscerated everything online gambling opponents have been proselytizing to the masses in relation to the availability and accessibility of online gambling and problem gambling.

Frequency and stakes
The first part of the article focuses on a recent study of online gambling habits by the Harvard Medical School’s Division on Addiction in conjunction with the online gaming website bwin (bwin offers online sports betting, casino games and poker) which showed that on average online gamblers are betting infrequently and for extremely small amounts of money.
According to the Harvard study’s data on 40,000 sports bettors, the average gambler places less than five wagers per week (2.5 every four days) with an average wager of just $5.50.
The study also examined some two million online poker players and found the average time spent at the online poker tables was less than five hours over a six month period. Furthermore, the average rake paid by these users was less than $1/hour; an indication that they are playing for extremely low stakes.
The study also looked at 4,000 online casino users and found the average player gambled just once every two weeks.
Bottom line: Most players use online gambling to wager small amounts of money and do so quite infrequently.
But there are problem gamblers online
The study did find a small percentage of players (between 1% and 5% of all gamblers) that exhibited “intense gambling behavior” which is in line with the most problem gambling statistics and inferences dating back even before Internet gambling.
Bottom line: Online gambling does not increase the percentage of problem gamblers in society.
Online vs. brick & mortar
The second part of the article focuses on the allure of both online and brick & mortar gambling.
After detailing the findings of a 2006 paper published by the University of Guelph that certain casino layouts and designs led to an increased desire to gamble the author of the Atlantic column, Cameron Tung, offered his own anecdotal experiences which seemingly backed up the University of Guelph findings –a better way to authenticate the findings is the fact that casinos across the globe have adopted the design model laid out in the paper.
Bottom line: Brick & mortar casinos create a far more alluring environment for gamblers.
What it all means
These studies are certainly not the be all end all argument in favor of online gambling, but what they do bring to light is that the current data –as it exists– points to online gambling having very little social impact.
As far as online gambling opponents go, the article and the cited studies make it hard to argue that a state expanding into online poker will suddenly see a huge rise in problem gamblers when the average online poker player (from a sample of two million) plays less than five hours every six months, in games where the buy-in requires only a few bills with George Washington’s picture on them.
 
Author: Ekaterina
10 . 07 . 2014 y.
Casino magnate Adelson adds ex-congressman to his team of lobbyists

 Former Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.) is lobbying for Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson on legislation that would ban online gambling, according to federal records.

The addition of Mack gives a boost to the push to make Internet gambling illegal across the country, a cause of which tycoon and GOP mega-donor Adelson has become the most prominent supporter.
Mack, who lost his 2012 challenge to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), will lobby for Las Vegas Sands Corp. in support of the bill introduced earlier this year as well as broader “federal policy issues related to Internet gaming,” new lobbying disclosure records show. 
The hire comes a few weeks after Adelson’s company hired another K Street firm, The Keelen Group, to focus on the issue.
Adelson says he is morally opposed to online gambling and rejects suggestions that the lobbying effort is aimed at protecting his casino business
In all, seven lobbying firms have worked for the Las Vegas Sands Corp. this year to battle legalized Internet casinos, which some states are using to help fill government coffers.
The bill to ban online gambling from Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) would overturn a 2011 Justice Department decision allowing states to legalize the games within their borders. 
So far, Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey have legalized some form of the games, and other states have considered following suit.
Supporters of a ban say they are merely trying to make sure that every smartphone and laptop in the country doesn’t become a casino where children have easy access, but opponents say that legalized gambling would allow for safe and regulated outlets, instead of the slew of black market sites that currently exist.
Author: Ekaterina
09 . 07 . 2014 y.
Online gambling ban benefits criminals

 The Fraternal Order of the Police is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. No one knows the dangers and the difficulties faced by today's police officers better than another officer, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP.

As an organization, we are always looking for opportunities to make citizens safer, while improving officer safety.
The first question we ask when evaluating any piece of legislation is: will this make our citizens and officers safer? And the answer to this in regards to a nationwide ban on all online gaming is an unequivocal no.
Currently, approximately 1 million Americans spend approximately $3 billion a year on illegal, black market online gaming. And we know, based on demand, this number is going to continue to grow significantly in the future.
Practically, this means millions of Americans are participating in a dangerous arena because:
·     The black market has no age verification to prevent children from playing
·     The black market has no requirement that operators be licensed to screen out criminals
·     The black market has no oversight to requires that games are fair
Not only does the black market for Internet gaming include no consumer protections, it also operates entirely offshore with unlicensed operators, drastically increasing the threat of identity theft, fraud or other criminal acts.  There is also evidence that these gaming sites launder money for organized crime and help to finance terrorist networks. It doesn’t take a law enforcement officer to know that an overseas black market that moves billions of dollars every year is a breeding ground for these transnational criminal organizations.
A national ban on all online gaming would just drive online gaming further and further underground and put more and more people at risk.
Furthermore, not only would a ban push more and more Americans into the black market, it would remove the protections that states like Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada have already put in place. Essentially, you are banning a well regulated system, in favor of an unregulated, unprotected, black market.
The solution is clear: we should maintain states’ rights to regulate online gaming within their borders and reinvest that revenue to make sure the systems are safe for all consumers.  This will also allow law enforcement the tools necessary to monitor and shutdown illegal activity and give consumers who may have been victimize a means of redress.
A national ban would literally take money away from police departments, schools and other critical services. That means less cops on the beat. Congress would force regulated gaming and lotteries to shut down in many states, creating holes in their budgets that they may have no other way to fill.
Finally, by having a well-regulated, well-monitored system for online gaming, people will be less drawn to illegal, black market sites which means a decrease in targets for criminals and less profit for their unlawful enterprises.
We want to keep our citizens and our officers safe. And the best way to do this is to drive black market online gaming into the light and scrutiny of a regulated system that is safe, fun and fair.
Author: Ekaterina
09 . 07 . 2014 y.
Third Times Not a Charm at Carbon Poker

 Carbon Poker has been a popular online poker site for some time, offering quality cash gaming and tournament options. The site has seen a steady stream of player traffic, taking advantage of the promotions and VIP program. However, the site has been making changes with the VIP program that has many players leaving the site.

It all started last January when the Merge Gaming Network decided to end the rakeback program. Players love a good rakeback and after this program was cut, players began to leave the network. Cash game traffic lost 25% due to this change.
Then in the fall, the network decided to change the VIP Tiers of the program. The number of tiers available was cut down, which would mean limited rewards for players who would have normally continued to climb the proverbial ladder. The top tier of the program became invitation only, so players would have to wait for an invite to be able to take advantage of the best rewards.
Now, Pokerfuse is reporting that Carbon Poker will be changing the VIP loyalty structure again, in just a few days. By July 15th, the site will eliminate the option of using VIP points to purchase tournament buy-ins. Players will also have to use the unused points by the 15th, or they are gone forever.
At the site, players will earn 1 VIP Point for every $0.10 that is contributed in a tournament rake or cash game. The site will now be using Player Points which will be part of a new rewards program. This new system will be used for clearing bonuses and tracking promotions, as a promotional tool. Every month, the Player Point balance will reset and will not have any cash value.
So basically, players at Carbon Poker seem to be losing all incentives to stay on the site. It will be interesting to see if this latest change cuts down the amount of traffic at the site once players realize the VIP program changes.
Author: Ekaterina
09 . 07 . 2014 y.
AGCC suspends Betsoft amid suitability concerns

 Andre Wilsenach, the executive director of the AGCC, has issued a hearing notice under regulation 90 of the Alderney e-gambling regulations to the company and has issued the suspension notice under regulation 91, requiring it to suspend operations immediately.

Speaking exclusively to InterGame, Wilsenach (pictured) said: "I have sufficient grounds to believe that Digitus is no longer suitable to hold a certificate and therefore to provide services to our Category 1 licensees under their certificate."
He added: "Hence the reason for my decision to call a regulatory hearing and to suspend their certificate immediately. This is now a matter for the Commission who will conduct a regulatory hearing to decide on the future of Digitus."
Until the suspension notice is cancelled or the Commissioners of the AGCC have reached a determination at the conclusion of the hearing, the company must cease to offer gambling-specific software to category 1 e-gaming licensees, category 2 e-gaming licencees and category 2 associate certificate holders.
InterGame understands that a date for the hearing has been set.
Author: Ekaterina
08 . 07 . 2014 y.
Ladbrokes creates social responsibility committee

 Bookmaker Ladbrokes has moved to establish a new social responsibility committee in order to help the firm’s board oversee the delivery of a socially responsible approach to providing betting and gaming.

Senior independent director John Kelly will chair the new committee while non-executive director Christine Hodgson, chairman Peter Erskine and chief executive Richard Glynn will also be in attendance.
Sitting at least three times a year, the board will monitor and report to the board on the adherence to and development of responsible gambling policy across the business.
The new committee, which Ladbrokes first announced in February of this year, will also assess performance against other key social responsibility targets.
Company experts will regularly attend the committee, which will also work alongside the remuneration committee on developing key performance indicators that will be used to ensure that responsible gambling is reflected in executive remuneration.
“We have always placed responsible gambling and social responsibility at the heart of our business and the establishment of the committee formalises this approach and reinforces its importance to the future of the business,” Erksine said.
“It is clear that trust in bookmakers has been impacted by negative publicity and lobbying in the last year, and while we may believe that much of the concern is ill founded, we accept that it is only by our actions will be able to win it back.
“The social responsibility committee, chaired by John Kelly with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the gambling industry, is a significant step in this process.”
Author: Ekaterina
08 . 07 . 2014 y.
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