OUI TO ONLINE GAMBLING LIBERALISATION? – French gambling minister seems to like the idea
“Whether it’s the attentions of the European Commission seeking to ensure free passage of goods and services, good commercial sense or even an altruistic motivation, the French minister for the Interior Michele Alliot-Marie appeared to be taking a more reasonable approach to online gambling in France this week. Forbes magazine reported that the minister wanted to liberalise online gambling, in order to allow French casinos “”to be present in these new markets without lowering the level of vigilance that operators and the state must maintain on the quality and offering of games.”" France is one country that enjoys a creaky state monopoly of the industry, thanks to the government-owned lottery Francaise des Jeux and the PMU betting organisation. Only the Francaise des Jeux and the PMU are currently allowed to operate online games of chance in France, which has led to pressure from European regulators concerned that international operators are being unfairly blocked from some markets. In July, European competition laws overturned a French ban on Maltese betting company Zeturf, a sign that frustrated foreign players were finally making themselves heard. Francaise des Jeux and PMU have justified their stranglehold on the industry by claiming that gambling needs to be regulated and certified and that they are the bodies best able to do so. In practice, it has given the state carte blanche to stifle competition in France, resulting in the high-profile and shocking arrests of executives from Austrian betting firm BWin last year (see previous InfoPowa reports). The French may have embarked on a new course regarding the popular pastime. Recently, meetings have been held with European Commission representatives, and negotiations continue as reported in our earlier bulletins. Abstract from casinomeister.com/news”
BODOG BOSS IN BOXING MOOD – bizarre development in the Bodog vs. 1st Technology patent dispute
“The weekend saw Bodog boss Calvin Ayre again taking an unusual path in his expensive confrontation with 1st Technology LLC and its head honcho Dr. Scott Lewis (see previous InfoPowa reports) Good to his word that Bodog would extract maximum publicity from the contentious patents and domains affair, Ayre was again active on his blog, this time challenging his legal opponent to a good old fashioned, knockdown fight. “”I, Calvin Ayre, am challenging 1st Tech’s Scott Lewis to a 3-round Bodog Fight rules MMA face pounding,”" he wrote. “”Think he’ll go for it? I’ve got a million bucks that says even if he does-and wins the fight-I’ll still come out on top.”" Ayre may have been reacting to 1st Technology’s latest legal broadside – a statement that claims Ayre will be required to make an appearance in U.S. court or face a warrant for his arrest. Ayre again blasted Lewis in his blog calling him an “”unethical thieving Patent Troll,”" who steals money from a legitimate product that is favoured by the consumer’s market. Ayre proposed a $1 million trust fund with a lawyer. The fight would be scheduled for three-rounds with Bodog fight rules in a jurisdiction in which the company is licensed. If Lewis wins he gets $1 million from Ayre but if Ayre wins Lewis would return the Bodog domains. With a default judgement of $49 million already granted, and possession of the Bodog domains, it is unlikely that Dr. Lewis will respond. Never one to mince words, in this latest bizarre challenge Ayre wrote: “”Scott Lewis: you want money. I want to hit you repeatedly. In a lawful way, of course. Three rounds. What do you say?”"
Abstract from casinomeister.com/news”
PADDY LAUNCHES PARLAY BINGO – Direct licensing agreement kicks off
Paddy Power plc, Ireland’s largest betting and gaming company, has relaunched Paddy Power Bingo under a direct licensing arrangement with Canada-based Parlay Entertainment.
Abstract from casinomeister.com/news
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