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COMMISSION REJECTS GREEK GAMING LAW

On 22 July, the European Commission announced legal steps against the government of Greece for it's unjust anti-gaming law. The Commission questions the compatibility of the law in question (of 29 July 2002) with the provisions of the EC Treaty on the free movement of goods and services and the freedom of establishment.

The Greek law puts a general ban on computer games, without any distinction between slot machines and computer-games, thus making it totally impossible to provide and supply electronic games equipment and programs or to perform related activities (for example, the installation, repair and maintenance of such equipment and programs).

According to the Commission, the law "could be disproportionate, insofar as it tends to encompass, on the one hand, equipment (slot machines) and games of chance which might give rise to social concerns and, on the other, games of an entirely different nature which are not, in themselves, a source of particular disquiet with regard to public order or consumer protection."

Earlier, this same law was declared unconstitutional by a judge, and charges against three people were dismissed. All three of them were operating or working for internetcafe's.

Announcement European Commission (22.07.2003)

Greek gaming law defeated in court (11.09.2002)

Anthony Cabot’s Internet Gambling Report VI Just Released

25 July 2003
NEWTON, Massachusetts – (Press Release) – The latest edition of the Internet Gambling Report is now available for immediate shipment by Casino City Press!
The Internet Gambling Report has been the definitive resource on Internet gambling since its first printing in 1997. With more than 500 pages of insight from the industry's top legal experts, the Internet Gambling Report provides thorough and up-to-date coverage of the online gaming industry with an introduction to online gambling and the challenges facing the industry along with operators, regulators, Internet payment solutions, business perspectives, legal, regulatory and policy issues, a directory of I-gaming jurisdictions, and the future of online gambling.
“The Internet Gambling Report is one of the top reference publications covering the complex and controversial Internet gaming arena. We are pleased to add the latest edition of the report to our new line of online gaming publications”, says Michael Corfman, president and founder of Casino City Press.
The sixth edition features new coverage of advertising issues in the United States and chapters on over 20 I-gaming jurisdictions including new coverage of the US Virgin Islands, Malta, Alderney, South America, and Germany.
The report is authored by 30 top industry experts and edited by Anthony Cabot and Mark Balestra. Anthony N. Cabot is a well-known international gaming attorney who has often served as a conference chair on Internet gambling issues and has, by invitation, testified before the United States Senate and the National Gambling Impact Study Commission on Internet gaming issues. Mark Balestra is the editor of the Interactive Gaming News and has authored many articles and print publications about the online gaming industry including “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Online Gambling.”
To order your copy of the sixth edition of the Internet Gambling Report, visit Casino City Press, or call 1-800-490-1715 ext. 610.
Casino City Press is a leading publisher and distributor of reference books and directories for the gaming industry. Other titles available from Casino City Press include the Online Gaming Business Directory, the Online Gambling Market Research Handbook, and E-Gambling: Wagering on the Internet.

Online Gambling Revenues To Double

July 28,2003
“With the click of a mouse, you can bet on a sports game, spin virtual slot machine reels or take a hit in blackjack. It's easier than driving to the nearest casino.

“In their report `Wagering on the Internet, project that e-gambling revenues could more than double to $12.6 billion in three years.

“Much of that money flows out of the United States, the world's biggest source of e-gamblers, according to the report, but where Internet gambling is illegal. Funds flow to offshore Web site operators in countries around the globe that have legalized Internet gambling, some in obscure island countries with weak regulation, others in the United Kingdom and Australia with strong e-gambling rules.

“Internet gambling proponents want to legalize, regulate and tax the industry in the United States, as states do with land-based casinos from coast to coast.

“Proposed federal legislation would ban U.S. financial institutions from processing Internet gambling transactions, but industry proponents balk.

“Anthony Cabot, a Las Vegas lawyer specializing in Internet gambling law, said if U.S. financial transactions were to be blocked, people would find a way to fill the void.”
(Poker Mag)

$1,683,526.64 won by Jim L. on Major Millions

By staff
Jackpot Madness has again beaten its own record of awarding the World’s Largest Ever Online Jackpot. For the third time in a little over a year, Jackpot Madness, the largest progressive jackpot portal on the Internet, has awarded a jackpot of over $1,500,000. Jim L., the latest Major Millions winner, won a record-breaking sum of $1,683,526.64 at Lucky Nugget Casino (www.luckynugget.com). Lucky Nugget Casino is a member of the Jackpot Madness network (www.jackpotmadness.com) of Microgaming powered casinos. Jim will receive his winnings in one single CASH payment. In addition to the $1,683,526.64 in cash, Jackpot Madness will treat Jim and his spouse to an all- expense paid luxury holiday to the exotic Caribbean island of Barbados.

This is the largest win in online history, and the third win of over $1,500,000 since the launch of Major Millions in April 2002. The popular slot game is a progressive 1-dollar, 3 reel, 3 pay line slot that begins with a $250,000 jackpot. Major Millions is the only game on the web that truly creates instant millionaires – offering payment in one lump, cash sum.

Tony P. was the first Major Millions winner winning an enormous $1,594,694.21 on May 30, 2002. Nine months later, on February 20, 2003, Ronald H. beat Tony’s record when he won a whopping $1,626,184.56 and became the winner of the world’s largest ever-online jackpot at that time.

We caught up recently with Tony P, the first Major Millionaire, on the anniversary of his win. Given that there had been another Major Millions winner since Tony’s win, and the jackpot was once again over a million dollars, we asked Tony if he had any advice for his fellow players: “Always play within your means and look for the Microgaming symbol at any casino you play. Then you can have fun, have a chance to win BIG money and when and if you do, you can be sure you will get paid.”

Jennifer Nemirovsky, Press Agent for Jackpot Madness, commented, 'We love making millionaires! We promised our players millions and we are keeping our promise. What’s even more exciting is that we are setting and breaking our own records. We pay out the world’s largest online jackpots. Major Millions is delighted to welcome Jim to our family of millionaires and we look forward to creating more. Major Millions is available at dozens of casinos powered by Microgaming, and has become the only progressive to pay out such enormous sums in one cash payment. “
(Online Casino News)

Novamedia European Gaming & Lottery Files: "Romania", by Rob van der Gaast
Internet Casino operator - Danube Casino (www.danubecasino.com)

Nicolae Sfetcu started some years ago with its own business on Internet, first as a freelancer specialized in web design, translation and Internet marketing and, beginning with last year, he set up his own company, Multimedia SRL. The internet maverick and this year’s award winner of the prestigious ‘Business Initiative Directions, WQC International Star Award, Gold Category Paris 2003’ tells his story in how he started his internet imperium and his internet casino www.danubecasino.com: “The beginning of the history of the Danube Casino can be located long time ago, and it is quite interesting, I think. When I was a student, about twenty years ago, I started to like two games: poker, and bridge. They were very pleasant days those days. During those years I became one of the best specialists in poker and bridge; I have never considered that poker, as well as bridge, are games, because in games you need luck, but for bridge or poker the luck plays a secondary role. I can write many books about the rituals of the nights spent playing these games, with many spectators behind us and that ended every time with a party organized by the winner. It was then when I started not to sleep the nights, and I kept this habit till our days, even if, for different reasons.”

“In those years I became one of the first presidents of a bridge club in Romania, but after I graduated from college I finished playing games, too.”

“I specialized in Internet business services. So, helped by my previous experience in Internet marketing, and being advantaged by the fact that I know very well the psychology of the gamblers, I had some successful marketing campaign for online casinos and affiliates that want to promote their own sponsored links through their websites or advertisements in my own network. I have to tell you that I developed, in time, one of the most complex Romanian integrated network of Internet resources for advertising and dissemination of information, named Teleactivities Network, that includes thousands of websites, web forums, directories and links, mailing lists and newsletters, e-zines, webrings, a.s.o. After such a marketing campaign, it was one of my customer that gave me the idea to imply more directly in the online gambling worlds. I already had my own gambling portal, www.online-casinos.ro. So I thought of starting my own online casino Danube Casino. Why this name? Because all my life I enjoyed the neighborhood of Danube and its beautiful landscapes. You can consider this name as an act of fealty for this river (I dedicated it a whole section in my website for the county where I live, Mehedinti”.

The first Romanian online casino was launched on June 25th, 2003. Danube Casino has as partner Windows Casino, one of the top 10 online casinos in the world, legally licensed and fully insured, certified by Safe Bet and approved by Electronic Gaming Commission. Windows Casino is the winner of numerous international prizes, including Online Gaming Awards 2002, for: Best Video Poker, Best Blackjack, Fairest Casino, Best Promotions, Best Online Casino.

Danube Casino offers over 125 different games (roulette, blackjack, poker, slots, video poker, baccarat, craps, etc.), according to the European and American standards. The gamblers have the possibility, besides the regular prizes, to obtain extra prizes, too, consisting in a trip to Monte Carlo, a brand new Ferrari, or other promotional materials.

In order to be able to play online, first, a deposit in the casino count has to be made. All transactions are in USD. Payments can be made either by credit cards, or through specialized services for the online processing of the money (NETeller, Firepay, Stormpay, Western Union, etc.).

The gamblers that reach the Danube Casino site have the possibility to be informed on the best game ways and strategies, but also learn the rules of the games by appealing to the casino games guides. Multimedia SRL and Windows Casino assure the technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are specific Romanian laws for gambling, however none makes special references to online gambling.

Online Sites Hope To Cash In With Poker Win
July 8,2003
It was a crowning moment for an online world of poker players when an accountant named Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker after qualifying in a $40 Internet tournament.
Supporters hoped the much publicized win and $2.5 million prize would inspire a new generation of Internet poker players, but the future of online gambling is far less certain than Chris Moneymaker's winning hand.
A push in Congress to restrict Internet gambling is gathering momentum and Nevada regulators are eyeing Moneymaker's win to see if online players should be prevented from competing next year.
With an estimated $4 billion in revenues and more than 4.9 million Americans playing on the Internet, the online industry is growing. But experts have said the pace has been slowed by legal uncertainties and credit-card companies that have blocked online gambling transactions.
The Justice Department considers Internet gambling illegal under the 1961 Wire Act, which was enacted to curb sports betting by telephone. But a federal appeals court ruling has said the law does not prohibit non-sports Internet gambling.
Trying to resolve the ambiguity, the House voted earlier this month 319-104 in favor of prohibiting the use of credit cards, checks and electronic fund transfers to pay for online wagers.
Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., who has proposed similar legislation in the Senate, has said Internet gambling should be banned because it is unregulated, accessible to minors, addictive and subject to abuses such as money laundering.
The uncertain legal and political climate was behind a decision by the world's second-largest casino operator to discontinue its Internet gambling site based off the coast of Great Britain.
"Internet gambling affects a number of different groups," said Tony Cabot, lawyer and Internet gambling expert. "They need a resolution. They need to know what the rules are, so they can either take it off the agenda and or move it forward."
Previous congressional efforts have been derailed by disputes over enforcement and proposed exemptions for state lotteries and horse racing.
Still, if Congress enacts a ban this year, it would have little effect since most major credit-card companies already have placed restrictions on gambling sites, said Sebastian Sinclair, gambling industry analyst and president of Christiansen Capital Advisors.
The proposed law would force credit-card companies not already blocking charges to Internet gambling sites to follow suit, but enforcement will be difficult since most sites operate outside the United States, experts said.
"Despite what they want to do, their ability to reach their goal ... is simply not going to be feasible because the Internet does not recognize international boundaries," Cabot said. "In order to effectively police the Internet, you have to do it on a multinational basis with multilateral treaties, which no other country outside the United States seems to be interested in."
Experts said gamblers already are bypassing the use of credit cards, and the bill would force more people to use offshore banking sites.
"It's very possible we'll revisit this in the next five or 10 years and say, ?That was really stupid.' Not for the moral or ethical reasons, but for the technical and political realities," said William Eadington, director of the University of Nevada, Reno's Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming.
In Tennessee, where gambling is illegal, state law enforcement authorities referred calls to Maury County District Attorney General Mike Bottoms, who would not comment.
Shortly after Moneymaker's full house of fives and fours made him a millionaire, the accountant declined to answer questions about the legalities of gambling online in Tennessee, saying his attorney wasn't present.
World Series of Poker organizers said they will work with Nevada gambling officials to make sure the cards are dealt next year in the 34-year-old tournament. For Internet poker sites, Moneymaker's win was huge. He said he hopes lawmakers differentiate between online poker and games of chance like slot machines in which skill is less a factor.
Full article

July 11, 2003
Game show gambling going online
LAS VEGAS SUN
WagerWorks, a company that markets Internet gambling software, has introduced an online version of the "Price Is Right" game show.
The company this week said it acquired exclusive online rights to the show format through a partnership with the format's owner, FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide.
The Price Is Right brand already has been translated into other mediums, including a slot machine by International Game Technology and a skill-based prize award game by Internet company Lycos, the company said.
The game will be available exclusively on sites powered by WagerWare, the company's proprietary gambling software, including skybetvegas.com and hardrockcasino.com.
SkyBetVegas.com is owned by British Sky Broadcasting, a digital television provider in Britain and Ireland.
The Hard Rock site is owned by Rank Group Plc., a U.K. casino and bingo operator and owner of the Hard Rock Cafe restaurant chain. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is owned by hotelier Peter Morton, who sold off his interest in the restaurants.
WagerWorks develops sites based in regions where online gambling is legal. These sites, including SkyBetVegas and HardRockCasino, don't accept bets from gamblers in the United States, where online betting is illegal, the company said.
"We are committed to setting the standard for online gaming in terms of quality and brand recognition, so we will continue to introduce properties that have an established audience," said Andrew Pascal, president and chief executive of WagerWorks.
The San Francisco-based company helped craft software used to power MGM MIRAGE's now-defunct Internet gambling site, which was based in the Isle of Man. The casino giant shut down the site last month over moves by U.S. lawmakers to outlaw Internet gambling and dimming profit potential.

Romania's First Online Casino

by Rob van der Gaast

Romania, one of the poorest countries in Europe, entered the Internet gambling space June 25 with the launch of Danube Casino, the nation's first online casino.

The site is the creation of Nicolae Sfetcu, the maverick owner of Multimedia SRL and this year's winner of the prestigious Business Initiative Directions, WQC International Star Award (Gold Category Paris 2003), who was predestined to become the owner of an Internet casino.

Sfetcu developed an affinity for poker and bridge around 20 years ago as a student and became a master at both games. I have never considered that poker, as well as bridge, are games, because in games you need luck," he explained. "For bridge or poker, the luck plays a secondary role."

He became one of the first presidents of a bridge club in Romania. After graduating from college, he specialized in Internet business services.

"Helped by my previous experience in Internet marketing, and being advantaged by the fact that I know very well the psychology of the gamblers, I had some successful marketing campaign for online casinos and affiliates which wanted to promote their own sponsored links through their Web sites or advertisements in my own network," Sfetu said.

That network is the Teleactivities Network, which Sfetu says is one of the most complex Romanian integrated network of Internet resources for advertising and dissemination of information. It includes thousands of Web sites, forums, directories, mailing lists, newsletters, e-zines, Web rings and so on.

Within that network was the gambling portal Online-casino.ro, Sfetu's first venture in the gambling space. A customer suggested that he try operating an online casino, and he went on from there to launch Danube Casino.

Sfetu says he's operating legally in Romania because, as he puts it, "There are specific Romanian laws for gambling, however, none makes special references to online gambling. So, I could start without any problem."

Danube Casino is operated through a partnership with Windows Casino, a licensed, insured site that's certified by Safe Bet and approved by the Electronic Gaming Commission.

The new Romanian site offers over 125 different games based on European and American standards. Gamblers can win money as well as special prizes, such as a trip to Monte Carlo or a brand new Ferrari.

The site also features guides explaining game rules and offering strategy tips as well as 24/7 tech support through Multimedia SRL and Windows Casino

All transactions are in U.S. dollar. Payments can be made either by credit cards or through specialized services for the online processing of the money (NETeller, Firepay, Stormpay, Western Union, etc.).

About the Author
Rob van der Gaast has a background in sports journalism, sports marketing, the buying and selling of TV sports rights, and developing creative TV program ideas. After contriving a complete new sports betting concept that is, according him, "an absolute 'Topscorer' in the sports betting look-a-like industry, which is at the end of its life cycle," he went back to his journalistic roots. Now he is a well known gambling research analyst, who contributes to LotteryInsider, Interactive Gaming News, Internet Gambling Report and the (European) Lottery Files.

Full article

Tribal Gambling Increases
May 29, 2003
INDIANA – The national market for tribal gambling increased last year, according to a new study, but it may not necessarily help communities searching for new money.
As sovereign nations, tribes do not pay taxes on anything based on tribal land, including casinos. State and local governments instead negotiate some form of replacement revenue in a compact submitted to the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.
This year’s study found that people nationwide spent $14.1 billion in 2002 at Indian casinos, up 11 percent from the previous year, according to Meister, who is a research analyst for Analysis Group, based in Los Angeles.
Nationwide, 348 tribal casinos paid a total of $563 million to state and local governments under their compact agreements, according to Meister’s research. Numbers can be deceiving, he said.
His study also tries to calculate the economic benefit from the tribes buying goods and services in the community, as well as providing jobs. Nationwide, tribal casinos spent $63 million on local charities, he said.
Of the 30 states with some form of tribal gambling, many have turned to the Indians for help and have met mixed success.
Arizona is looking at allowing Indians to increase the number of slot machines allowed. Colorado was able to increase its payments under the compact in return for allowing the Indians to have blackjack. The California legislature is considering cutting its request in half, which still would be a significant increase in the amount the state receives from Indian gambling, Meister said.
All of the states look to Connecticut, which receives more than half of the nationwide total of payments from its compact with the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos — two of the largest casinos in the country.
(Gambling Magazine)

$7m for gambling services
May 28, 2003
THE NSW Government today revealed a $7 million grant to help problem gamblers kick the habit.
Racing and Gaming Minister Grant McBride today said the grant would be distributed to more than 50 gambling support services across the state.
But it will be gamblers themselves who finance much of the support services, with funds coming from a two per cent levy on Sydney casino gaming revenue.
The paradox was not lost on Wesley Mission (WM), which will receive more than $1 million to provide counselling and legal advice for problem gamblers.
"(It) has been raised with us several times but we don't feel it is inappropriate because we use it to assist people who have developed problems," Bernard McNair, WM manager of counselling services, said
"We don't use it to propagate or support gambling in any way and if we didn't do what we do the problems would be much worse."
Wesley Mission general manager Elizabeth Orr said research showed less than two per cent of the population suffered gambling addiction but the problem was growing.
There were now dozens of services to assist problem gamblers, compared to only one counsellor five years ago, she said.
The casino levy was imposed in 1995, creating the Casino Community Benefit Fund (CCBF), and had so far contributed about $64 million to community projects.
"About four or five years ago about $200,000 was allocated by the state government to gambling rehabilitation services in this state," he said.
"So in less than five years we have gone to $7 million, that is (35) times more money being spent now than five years ago because it is being recognised as a major problem in our community."
Lifeline, Mission Australia, Sydney University's Gambling Treatment Clinic and St Vincent de Paul are among the groups to receive funding this year.
AAP