From January the 25th to the 27th the annual International Casino Exhibition (ICE) was held in London. The internet gaming industry has pulled out all the stops at this exhibition. All the major software providers and payment solutions displayed their prowess at this infamous exhibition. In total there were over 400 exhibitors from 55 countries.

IGT was one of the main exhibitors, having both a presence in land-based and internet casinos; their internet gaming segment is WagerWorks. The new internet slot game Star Trek enjoyed centre stage at the IGT booth, since it showcases the latest visual and audio technology. To crown the introduction of this new slot game, IGT’s personnel dressed up as the crew of the Starship Enterprise. IGT and MGM have joined forces to adapt the popular WagerWorks slot game Cleopatra for iPhone application. Players will be able to access this slot game on a fun basis …

The planned merger between PartyGaming and Bwin has finally been approved by its shareholders today.

More than 99% of PartyGaming’s shareholders approved the amalgamation with the Austrian internet casino; Bwin’s shareholders have collectively agreed the projected merger held at their own EGM today.

PartyGaming and Bwin will be re-named as bwin.party Digital Entertainment Plc as a result of both sets of shareholders voting in favour of the planned merger.

Giving feedback on the results of today’s EGMs, Jim Ryan and Norbert Teufelberger, the future co-CEOs of bwin.party digital entertainment plc, said: “The shareholder’s meetings held today has paved the way for future success, the transformational merger of our two internet casinos are on track and this bodes well for future revenue.

“It pleases us immensely that our respective shareholders have accepted the tactical, operational and financial benefits of creating the world’s largest listed internet casino.”

On the 23rd of December last …

PKR and Sportingbet are some of the internet casinos and founding members of a new trade association that champions the legalisation and regulation of internet gaming in the U.S”, the body announced this week. Melanie Brenner is head of the US Online Gaming Association (USOGA). She was also the previous executive director of the Poker Voters of America intrastate lobby group.

“Although the legalisation of internet gambling was not successful, the opening of the profitable U.S market will cause many state capitols such as Tallahassee, Sacramento and Trenton for the legalisation of internet gambling. So far we are in a very strong position because of the work we’ve done through Poker Voters,” Brenner said.

She reiterated that PKR, Sportingbet and Secured American Games are the first three internet casinos to carry out “financial and technical support” at its initial assembly yesterday, Brenner said.

Chief Executive of PKR, Malcolm Graham said, …

When asked about his main regret, billionaire gambling magnate Stanley Ho was amazingly honest. “One has to sacrifice time sometimes,” he said in a recent interview. “To build an empire one has to make sacrifices and it’s impossible to start at 9 in the morning just to stop at 5 in the afternoon. That’s why I confess I have not been a good husband neither a good father to my children.”

As of late there is bad blood amongst his three surviving wives and 17 children over the family empire and has become Asia’s top version of a soap opera just like the “Bold and the Beautiful”. Leading from the front are Ho’s five Canadian children, including the likes of confidante and businesswoman Daisy Ho, she’s a graduate from Toronto University and second wife Lucina Laam, who revamped a stately home the family still owns on the Bridle Path.

The …

Royal Vegas keeps players updated with the latest news on its blog site. The casino just started a new promotion and it reads as follow:”Come jam with us in a game of Slots Hero and win one of three bonuses!” The bonuses we offer are free cash, deposit match and free deposit money.

Players don’t have to download the software to participate in the new Slot’s Hero promotion. To top it all, players don’t have to be a member of Royal Vegas to start with. Although players must register a Real Money account first and make a deposit before they can claim the cash they’ve won.

The Slots Hero slots has four classic slots symbols. They are Sevens, Cherries, Bells and Bars. Each is showcased on one reel from left to right in that order. The deposit amount is determined by Seven symbol, the Cherries determines the percentage the …

English Harbour internet casino is very busy when it comes to hosting daily, weekly and monthly tournaments. Tournaments mainly comprise of guaranteed prize pools and where players play for a collective pot. Casino games generally selected in tournaments are internet slots, blackjack and video poker. This internet casino is not idle, to top it all English Harbour has added yet another internet tournament to its already impressive collection.

The latest caption from English Harbour’s newsletter to its players reads as follows. “This coming weekend, we sincerely hope that it would become tradition at English Harbour – “The Big Free Weekend”. From the 28th-31st of January we’re hosting the biggest free slots tournament online with $1,000 in prizes! The slot game selected is Fire Hawk slots; please don’t miss this event at English Harbour!” While we’re on the subject in January so far the biggest win at the English Harbour internet …

Playtech has started 2011 with a bang and so far its profits have increased by more than 11% for the same period last year with its daily activity in the first three weeks. It notified the stock exchange in its fourth quarter trading update today.

Playtech purchased Intelligent Gaming Solutions (IGS), a provider of software based casino management systems to land-based casinos, for an initial £2.5m, rising to £3m. IGS just installed systems in nine casinos, such as the Aspers Group in the UK and the Regency casinos in Greece.

Mor Weizer chief executive of playtech also gave feedback on the purchase, said: “The union of land-based and internet casino network are becoming more important in the industry. This deal has cemented Playtech’s aggressive lead and cross-platform potential.

“The IGS management team has a standing reputation in the development of such systems and we welcome them with opens arms into …

Royal Vegas internet casino recently posted a message to remind its players about one of its most trendy promotions, the International Slots League. In a nutshell, Royal Vegas casino describes the International Slots League on its blog in the following manner: “This red-hot internet slots portal welcomes all Royal Vegas players. Players can now partake in live weekly tournaments and stand a chance of winning a share of the $40,000 cash prize pool.”

The majority of players at Royal Vegas already started playing the International Slots League. In order for players to participate in this tournament all they have to do is to register a new player account at Royal Vegas internet casino. The first step to getting in on all the action is to register at the Royal Vegas online casino. Players who already joined the Fortune Lounge group can participate at all Fortune Lounge casinos such as 7 …

The French Competition Authority (FCA) aired its reservations about possible privileges afforded to ex- monopolies since the opening of the French regulated internet casino market.

This comes in reply to matters delineated by the European Gaming & Betting Association (EGBA) in 2010 and the FCA has concluded that steps need be taken “to prevent any competitive deformation linking previous monopolies.”

It took cognisance that Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU) and La Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) still generated substantial cash because of their previous monopoly status on the land-based side of casino vendors, but recommended a parting of these operators’ physical sales points and their needs.

After the French internet betting market opened to competition in May 2010, ARJEL issued 19 licences to various operators permitting them (counting in previous monopolies) to offer sports betting, betting on horse racing, or both. Nevertheless FDJ and PMU still maintain strong ties in the world of …

32Red has won its trade mark clash against William Hill, in turn it now seeks full reimbursement from Britain’s largest bookmaker after two years of lengthy court cases, it announced in a statement today.

Ruling in 32Red’s favour the High Court of Justice in London declared that William Hill’s exploitation of 32Vegas and 32V had infringed upon 32Red’s European Community (EC) registered trademarks. “The court found that William Hill’s 32Vegas casino logo was rather similar to 32Red’s, truth be told it has caused a fair amount of confusion amongst players,” according to one statement. It further stated that William Hill’s violation “caused damage to the reputable nature and standing of 32Red’s trademarks” and dismissed William Hill’s counterclaim as to the legality of 32Red’s trade mark rights within the UK and European Community.

32Red said that the case is not over by a mile and it will claim damages incurred whilst the court …