The amount of cash wagered on internet sports betting has dropped by more than 26.5% in France quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter of 2011, says Le Figaro a French newspaper.

The reason for this decline is the lack of major sporting events in France. Jean-Francois Vilotte president of ARJEL quickly pointed out the reason for this is that the French market only opened in May and can’t compare its current figures to Q1 2010. “This is a momentous drop, the public should realise this does not necessarily mean that sports betting will remain below the 20% mark this year,” said Vilotte.

This decline is a major setback for internet gambling in France, which started off rather ominously and received a fair amount of criticism from Stéphane Courbit former-BetClic Everest chairman.

Last week Friday, bwin.party co-CEO Norbert Teufelberger expressed his concerns and concurrent problems the French market poses for internet casinos, …

The Channel Islands has its own licensing and regulatory jurisdiction better known as Alderney.

The organization accountable for handling all gambling matters is the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC). Financials for 2010 has been publicised by the AGCC recently and it looks very positive. The island’s internet gambling industry generated a steady profit of £2.26 million and in licensing fees from internet casinos Alderney managed to earn £3.8 million.

John Beaman the chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee, recently wrote in the Billet D’Etat that the Island’s internet gambling industry is on the up. He wrote, “AGCC’s projected capital income looks rosy, however, we try our best to way in potential external factors that might impact negatively on Alderney and implement mitigating factors to handle these. As it is, we have a very competent and efficient management team who stays abreast with the latest technological developments that further enhances …

Saskatchewan minister Ken Cheveldayoff indicated that the Canadian province is seriously contemplating to accept online gambling. The government owned land gambling operator Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation is in favour too. Saskatchewan highlighted in its financial report that it may join British Columbia and Quebec and impose the necessary legislation that will permit and regulate internet casinos.

Poor financial performance is the main reason why the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation wants to allow internet gambling. Even though it reported in 2010 a net income of Cdn$43 million, it is 15% below its projected figures subsequent a slow start in the early part of the year and a fifty three day labour clash. To date its yearly net revenue is also in the doldrums by approximately Cdn$7.8 million in comparison to the same period in 2010.

The report stated that without a much needed boost from the company’s outlook for the future looks gloomy. …

Washington DC could be the very first jurisdiction in the United States of America that will grant an internet poker license to internet casinos. Subsequent its budget measures which will permit lottery provider Intralot to add internet poker to its offering will kick-off on Friday.

The U.S Congress has the final say when it comes to the approval over the District’s laws, to address objections expired on Thursday, moving the federal cooperative ahead of New Jersey, Iowa, California and Nevada in the race to license and regulate internet poker within its jurisdiction. In 2002 Nevada promulgated a law that allowed egaming, although it did not impose regulations after the U.S Department of Justice (DOJ) said that federal law banned the operation of internet casinos.

According to Councilman Michael Brown, Washington DC’s budget provision made allowance for US$13m over a three year period it would US$4.3m in taxes per year. These provisions …

888 Holdings’ chief executive Gigi Levy notified the board that he’ll be resigning soon. This in the middle of the internet gambling group’s protracted takeover by Ladbrokes. Levy said he’d like to “pursue other business ventures” after five years with 888 Holdings. Levy will stay on as member of the board.

888 Holdings said in a recent statement to the stock exchange that Levy will assist in finding a suitable CEO to fill his position. Until the appointment is concluded, the board approached Brian Mattingley senior independent director to “establish a close-knit relationship with management on all fronts.”

In March 888 was compelled to extend its payments for Wink Bingo after the strong performance, since it’s not in a position to repay the full earn-out payment of £48.7m payable in May. On the 18th March the internet casino said 888 will effect a change in control before it has completed …

Any gaming software provider’s jackpot pool comprises the sum total of all casino games’ progressive jackpots offered. If a player plays a progressive jackpot he/she is only playing for the jackpot of that specific game or group of games. Hitherto many operators tend to brag about the value of their jackpot pool. Playtech increased its jackpot pool significantly, some of the games offered will be tipping the $3 million mark.

In this pool no single jackpots are offered. Marvel branded slot games offer the largest jackpots and Ultimate Power is the biggest of its tiered jackpots, its current jackpot value stands at $693,527. Marvel Movies super hero internet slots, such as Blade and Iron Man feature on this progressive jackpot network. It also has four distinct levels. Ultimate Power, the highest jackpot is not won that frequently. Only two players managed to hit Playtech’s Marvel Slots Ultimate Power jackpot since …

Simon Cowell, better known as stern Idols judge has decided to enter the world of internet casinos and he plans to go big.

Based on a news paper column British entertainment entrepreneur Simon Cowell has decided to start his own UK roulette game show. A live audience consisting of 17000 would compete for a grand jackpot prize of one million GBP by just spinning a roulette wheel.

Former Idols hosting duo Ant and Dec would be the presenters of the game show. Cowell said that the game show would be televised on ITV1 in the first week of September 2011.

An unknown celebrity recently stated that this would arguably be one of the biggest game shows ever to be hosted on British television.

“Cowell has been mulling around with this idea for some time now and only recently his project came to fruition, all is set now and the show …

The press recently reported that casinos in Atlantic City revised their rule concerning progressive jackpots. It permits casinos to terminate it and to keep all cash accrued. Before this change, players who wagered at land-based casinos thought a portion of a progressive jackpots belonged to them. A proportion of their wagering counted toward building the jackpot.

The new rules state’s that casinos will from henceforth give the public 30 days’ notice and should there be no winner of the progressive jackpots, it’s within the casino’s right to cancel the jackpot. Previous rules compelled casinos to transfer the jackpots to other progressives. Because of this new rule, casinos will from now on be allowed to rid themselves of underperforming slot brands and also increase the odds of winning progressive jackpots from 50 million to 100 million to 1. In addition to this, a casino is not required to pay for a …

The producers of Realtime Gaming just released a new video slots machines titled Coat of Arms. It sports a medieval theme and can now be played at all Realtime Gaming internet casinos.

The central theme of Coat of Arms, it brings to life knights in shining armour, damsels in distress and the epic story of King Arthur and his knights of valour. It also depicts the exploits of Sir Galahad and the majestic stronghold of Camelot. Players can now travel back in time when they play Coat of Arms, where men’s courage and honour were forged in fire and stone.

Players will be cheering on both the black and white knight. This slot game is simple to understand and would be enjoyed by many players who have a penchant for anything medieval. Appearing on the reels are splendid knights in armour with their Destrier horses, castles (strongholds), crowns and …

The District of Columbia (DC) could become the very first jurisdiction in the United States to regulate and legalise online poker. Subsequent proposals to permit Intralot (lottery provider) to increase its offering has been included in the state’s budget.

On the 27th of January the full budget was signed by Vince Gray DC’s mayor, unfortunately there’s a twist in the tale and it needs to be approved by Congress first before it could be passed into law. The Lower House will decide tomorrow whether or not the proposal is accepted, if approved DC might win the race and out do Nevada, Iowa, California, Florida and New Jersey to regulate internet casinos which has the ability to generate in excess of US$13m in revenues by 2014, says Councilman Michael A Brown.

However, all is not moonshine and roses, Republican representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah stated last year that he would fight …