A surge in growth from internet casinos and meccabingo.com is the reason for Rank Interactive’s record 25% increase in proceeds for eight weeks running ended February the 20th. The news follows the publication that the internet arm of Rank Group experienced an increase in revenue by £6.9m for the year ended 31 December 2010.

This is prior to adjustments for free bets, promotions and player bonuses. On the whole group revenue for Rank, including bingo halls, internet casinos as well as its interactive arm, increased by £27.8m for the year ended 31 December, during this period 2.9% of players both wagered online and offline.

Danske Spil experienced a profit surge by DKK52m (£5.97m) for two years straight after a profitable World Cup boosted its figures for the year ending 31st December. Revenue for the Danish monopoly increased by DKK68m to DKK10, 203m, DKK8, 489m came from Danske Spil and the balance …

Its inability to properly manage its joint venture partner Playtech has been earmarked as William Hill’s biggest blunder for the year so far, Britain’s largest bookmaker revealed today.

This news just comes off the back after William Hill took out a court injunction against its partner to protect itself against Playtech forging a comparable deal with its main competitor Ladbrokes. William Hill in a recent interview said it will stay the course and remained “dedicated” to its present joint venture with the software provider. No further details have been provided with regard to the injunction and a future court date.

In October 2008 the joint venture agreement between the two parties was concluded. Playtech retained a 29% stake in the newly created William Hill Online; Ralph Topping William Hill Online’s CEO described this deal as “transformational” at the time. Since then William Hill’s internet player base increased considerably and it reaped massive …

It is official. Sportingbet applied for licences in Greece and Spain aiming to hang on to its position within these respective markets. Many see it as a smart move towards a dot.country business model.

Following the operator’s first half and Q2 results for the three months to 31 January publication earlier today, Andy McIver told said that Sportingbet aims to maintain its position as market leader in those markets the moment regulatory processes are concluded later this year. In spite of the two European countries struggling economically they are among the listed company’s core markets in tandem with Australia. Greece is responsible for 15% of Sportingbet’s net gaming revenue.

“We have not exited the Australian market since it regulation in 2008. We have always been the market leader and we will certainly still be in future,” he said. “Regulation in Greece and Spain is on the cards within a very short …

The latest 888.com television advertisement and a Betfair internet e-mail promotion campaign were investigated by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) and both were found to ambiguous. Both these internet casinos were informed not to show these offending adverts again since it left their players confused and disgruntled.

888. com’s advert guaranteed players the following; “£8,888,888 could be yours, only at 888.com. Receive eight spins completely free. No deposit. No charge,” save for 888.com never informed players that they had to wager a fixed amount of cash before they could withdraw their winnings, the ASA found. Since then it has received one complaint.

In total Betfair has received ten complaints subsequent an e-mail outlining its ‘Happy Hour’ promotion as well as a 50% reload bonus advertised on its website. Two players complained the moment their happy hour bonuses were taken away. Seven more players complained pertaining to the reload bonus- one …

William Hill Online just received a court sanction against Playtech its joint venture partner. The company aims to safeguard its rights subsequent rumours that the software supplier had possible amalgamation talks with competitor Ladbrokes. In a statement released earlier today Britain’s principal bookmaker said it “had to secure a temporary ban against Playtech to ensure that its legal rights under the William Hill Online joint venture agreements were honoured”.

“Playtech just initiated talks with William Hill looking for possible amendments to its current William Hill Online joint venture agreements. The press speculated that there were discussions going on between Playtech and Ladbrokes plc,” the statement further pointed out.

According to the source the injunction effectively prohibits Playtech from selling any of its casino software to Ladbrokes and prevents it from streamlining its original joint venture agreement that could facilitate them to work with its main UK competitor (Ladbrokes). The source said that …

Only on the 3 March will Governor Chris Christie reveal his assessment on intrastate online gambling in New Jersey. On this day the legislature reconvenes culminating seven days of passionate lobbying on both sides of the debate.

Christie, one of the favourites to run as the presidential candidate for the Republican Party in 2012 will make his decision on internet casino gambling on Thursday the 3. Since January the 10 is 45 days after Senator Raymond Lesniak’s egaming bill passed. Christie will wait after the legislative recess that will begin following his budget address to local politicians. On March the 3 we’ll know whether or not online gambling gambling will be regulated in the state of New Jersey.

Joe Brennan, of the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA) president said he’s positive the bill would be signed by Christie into law. But “no one is going to dispute the …

Scandinavian countries that manage and operate their own monopolized operators are Norway and Sweden. According to latest press releases both these countries are experiencing problems in this field.

Norsk Tipping, conducted a survey of the state gambling monopoly of Norway, it found that 4% of Norwegians over 18 wager at foreign online casinos. As of July 2010 new legislation imposed stopped all financial transactions with offshore internet casinos.

The survey report has been forwarded to Culture Minister Anniken Huitfeldt. She said that tougher methods must be imposed to prohibit unregulated internet gambling. As reported by the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet stricter measures include ISP filtering to stop foreign internet casinos and poker rooms. The Minister said, “Measures like these have been successful in Italy, Estonia and France and this concept is now popular in Denmark.”

However, this proposal does not have the support of the liberal section of the polity and …

Political strategist for the Poker Voters of America (PVA) lobby group, Jim Tabilio recently passed away at the age of 59.

On Wednesday afternoon Tabilio died of a heart attack just after departing from a California Senate Governmental Organization Committee hearing for Senator Rod Wright’s SB 45 bill. He accompanied various tribal leaders to discuss certain issues pertaining to legalised internet poker in California.

Melanie Brenner, PVA president whose Tabilio’s successor said: “Jim Tabilio’s strived to legalise and regulate intrastate internet poker, hopefully his efforts will not have been in vain and it would lead to an opening up of the US market for internet gambling.

“To say the least I won’t be celebrating with him, however I’m grateful for the opportunities he created for so many of us.” For 25 years Tabilio was an independent political consultant before teaming up with Winning Directions on a full-time basis in 2005. …

A new mobile offering is recently introduced by Betfred and it’s available on Android and Apple devices. The app permits betting on all the main sports and it includes a mobile version of the internet casino’s ‘Goals Galore’ football coupon.

It’s still possible for Jersey to become the third Channel Island to legalize internet casinos; however it has to wait a little longer before laws are introduced. An additional analysis of the proposed legislation has been ordered by Deputy Mike Higgins, irrespective of the island’s parliament coming out in full support for the licensing of internet casinos in a vote held this week.

Gaming revenue for Finish internet casino RAY is on the up, its revenue increased by €24m in 2010, marking a year-on-year growth of 3.7%. A 4.8% increase in slots revenue further boosted RAY’s growth, which comprised 79% of the internet casino’s total revenue.

French gambling operators refused to …

Ladbrokes is geared to increase its egaming profits in key segments this year by making use of online, mobile and international growth. Pre-tax profits for Ladbrokes increased by £4.5m in 2010 from £58.2m to £62.7m and its net gaming revenue increased by £8.7m from £160.7m to £169.4m.

In the UK retail still overshadows online in both revenue and profits. However, Glynn is eager to point out the company’s commitment to its non-retail and non-UK activities comprising 25% of the bookmaker’s activities. “Ladbrokes nowadays is sees as a retail-led business expanding abroad and online business,” he said. “We strive to be an e-enabled international betting and gaming internet casino and we have clearly defined goals in mind to accomplish this.”

Glynn is realistic when it comes to developing and expanding Ladbrokes’ online player presence. He indicated that 25% of Ladbrokes’ new digital players found Ladbrokes.com into their internet search-bar, whilst a …