With well over three million poker players, the International Poker Network is the world’s largest independent poker network. It is operated by GTECH G2 and managed by GTECH G2 St Minver, one of the four igaming companies acquired by lottery industry giant GTECH to form its interactive gaming division.

One of the world’s most recognized brands, Virgin Poker has been part of the IPN since 2005. Attracting players from around the world, Virgin Poker offers seven different poker games including multi-table and Sit&Go tournaments and is also the host of the annual Virgin Poker Festival.

“Having a blue-chip client like Virgin renew their commitment with us is a terrific endorsement of the investment we have made in our product and, together with our partners, our success in building further liquidity on the IPN,” said Atul Bali, CEO, GTECH G2.

Simon Burridge, Chief Executive of Virgin Games, says “Virgin Games is very happy to extend our partnership. Since our launch in 2005 we have seen good growth in the UK poker market and we look forward to continued progress, moving forward with GTECH G2 and the IPN´”

The IPN recently awarded a Bad Beat jackpot of nearly half a million dollars and hosts a €100,000 Guaranteed Freeroll Tournament every Sunday. At any given time there are nearly 10,000 players on the network playing at more than 1500 tables.

“There are many advantages in a large network like ours,” said Tony Ure, Head of IPN, GTECH G2. “With so many players, there’s a table for every kind of player and they’re always busy. Our liquidity allows us to provide big jackpots and to host €10,000, €100,000 and even €1,000,000 guaranteed free rolls.”

Jackpot City Bingo’s launch on the network includes the introduction of a Swedish 75 ball Bingo game variant, the first of its kind to be introduced within the network.

Jackpot City Bingo was formerly on the Virtue Fusion Alderney network.

Gilbert Puente, Jackpot City Bingo’s chief, said: “Everything we do at Jackpot City Bingo is designed to create a fun and exciting bingo experience based on an unrivalled community. Microgaming offers industry-leading features and functionality. They offer more chances to win. Basically, they’re our ideal partner, offering the technology needed to enhance our community and our reputation as a great place to play online bingo.”

“Microgaming is committed to investing in Jackpot City Bingo and we are delighted to be welcoming yet another high profile operator to the Microgaming Bingo network,” said Neill Whyte, Microgaming’s bingo operations manager. He added that the network is growing rapidly, boosting player liquidity and providing enhanced guarantees along with a wide selection of casino side games.

(PRESS RELEASE) — Net Entertainment has signed a license agreement with Italy’s largest remote gaming service provider Microgame for the delivery of CasinoModule™. Under the terms of the agreement Net Entertainment will be the strategic casino provider of choice to Microgame. The agreement further solidifies Net Entertainments position within the online market and is a major breakthrough as it gives access to the vast Italian gaming market which is in the process of becoming regulated.

Founded in 1996, Microgame is Italy’s largest independent remote gaming service provider. Microgame’s market share in poker and sports betting is 25% and 28% respectively and the company manages well over 1,300.000 game accounts on behalf of its Italian authorized customers. During 2008 Microgame’s customers generated over 490 million Euros of gross gaming revenues while the revenues of Microgame itself exceeded 85 million Euros.

The Net Entertainment CasinoModule™ gives Microgame access to an extensive range of market leading casino content to complement its existing product portfolio. Fabrizio D’Aloia, CEO of Microgame says; “we are very happy to join Net Entertainment to our exciting gaming project for the new emerging Italian casino games market. The worldwide recognized Net Entertainment’s expertise in the casino games development and marketing will be strategic for Microgame to maintain the leadership on the Italian online gaming market”.

Italy is the first country in Europe to regulate the domestic online gaming market through licensing, and the development is monitored with interest by several European countries. Microgame is a gaming service provider authorized by the Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies (AAMS).

“Gambling is huge in Italy and is expected to generate a Gross Gaming Yield exceeding 17 Billion Euro in 2009 making it the country’s third largest industry. In light of this, it is obviously extra encouraging that one of the dominant incumbents selects Net Entertainment as their strategic casino partner thereby giving us a substantial footprint in a totally new market.” says Johan Öhman, CEO of Net Entertainment.

World Poker Tour

Mandalay Media Inc. stated on Friday that it submitted a revised proposal to WPT Enterprises Inc.’s board to buy its World Poker Tour assets for $36.5 million in cash and stock.

The revised proposal is to acquire WPT for $36.5 million, consisting of $28.5 million in cash, $5 million in Mandalay Media stock and perpetual revenue participation rights, guaranteed to be at least $3 million. The estimated value to shareholders per share is $1.77, including the guaranteed portion of the revenue participation rights, and as adjusted for the actual share count at closing.

WPT Enterprises announced in August that Peerless, a WPT customer, would buy its assets, including the World Poker Tour franchise, for for what equated to $12 million. The new proposal represents a premium of approximately 61% over the closing price of WPT`s common stock on October 26, 2009 and a premium of approximately 28% over the implied value at closing of WPT`s pending asset sale with Peerless Media Ltd.

Internet Gambling

Canada-based Optimal Group Inc has agreed to pay $19.2 million in criminal proceeds from processing payments for illegal Internet gambling websites between 2004 and 2006, U.S. prosecutors said on Friday.

They said Optimal acknowledged that Internet gambling merchants broke U.S. criminal law by offering gambling in the United States.

“Optimal, operating an electronic wallet called Firepay, processed more than $2 billion worth of illegal gambling transactions for United States customers,” a statement by the office of the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan said.

The company said in its own statement earlier on Friday that it would forfeit $19,182,418.82 to the U.S. government.

It said that, under the terms of an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan, the company would not be prosecuted but “a total of $19,182,418.18 will be forfeited to the United States by the Company and its subsidiaries.”

The amount reflected “disgorgement of property involved in and proceeds received from the payment processing services that were provided by the Company’s subsidiaries to Internet gambling merchants in relation to U.S. customers of such merchants.”

U.S. prosecutors said Optimal processed transactions originating from customers in the United States until Oct. 13, 2006, when the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was signed into law. It disposed of most of its payment processing business and is now principally a toy and consumer electronic company.

The hearing is being held to look into the impact of proposals to expand casino gaming throughout the Commonwealth.

“Sadly, while the game of poker has evolved, the way politicians think about it has not,” said Randy Castonguay, Massachusetts state director of the PPA. “As this Committee discusses the pros and cons of regulating expanded gaming in our Commonwealth, it would also be appropriate to consider the existing Internet poker play that is occurring today without any state oversight or control. Regulation of Internet poker is not expansion of gambling, it is simply the responsible government response to an industry that exists today.”

Licensing and regulation of online poker would result in several benefits to Massachusetts residents, the first and most important of which is implementing state-based consumer protections which do not exist today. A regulated marketplace will also help the state combat underage access to online poker as well as identify and provide services to problem gamblers. Finally, licensing and regulation would provide significant state tax revenue – conservative estimates show $40 million annually for Massachusetts.

“We are advocating regulation of Internet poker, not Internet craps or roulette. And as every member of this Committee knows, unlike craps and roulette, poker is a game of skill that has been played in the home since Americans have been playing it. Regulating poker on the Internet is simply recognition of the game’s 21st Century place in American culture,” continued Castonguay.

32 Red Casino

32Red Online Casino has announced that Australian players can now play in their home currency of Australian Dollars, further opening up the Australian market to 32Red’s award-winning casino service.

All players can now opt to play in Australian Dollars and enjoy the Best Casino award-winner’s many banking methods, including NETeller, Moneybookers and credit and debit card systems. As an official Barclays Merchant, Australian Dollar players can also be assured of quick and secure deposits and withdrawals at 32Red.

The Gibraltar-based online casino has a large international and Australian player base, despite being largely UK facing. Head of marketing for 32Red, Mark Quayle, said “With over 250 online pokies in our casino, as well as hundreds of other casino game classics, the addition of Australian Dollars was a natural development to our global growth” Adding, “Our Australian players are attracted to our reputation for delivering top casino games and bonuses in a trusted playing environment. I’m sure the addition of their local currency will be welcomed”

This news comes off the back of 32Red’s nomination for eGaming Review’s Casino Operator of the Year award for 2009, marking a good year all round for the casino having retained the Best Casino title in February, enjoyed unprecedented recruitment figures and a successful television advertising campaign.

32Red Plc CEO, Ed Ware, commented, “The introduction of Australian Dollars to our online casino shows 32Red’s commitment to all our players and is a measure of how we listen to their needs” Ware added that player currency is an important factor in the company’s obligation to promote responsible gaming, “Allowing players to play in their home currency lends them an increased awareness of spend and budget, which is in line with our commitment to ensure players enjoy our casino responsibly”

About 32Red
32Red is the six times winner of the Best Casino title awarded by watchdog and player advocate, Casinomeister. The online casino is renowned for providing industry-leading levels of support to players. 32Red is licensed and regulated by the Government of Gibraltar. 32Red Plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM. The company operates 32Red Casino, 32Red Poker, 32Red Mobile, 32Red Affiliates and 32Red Bingo. 32Red Casino is committed to responsible gambling and ensures the company adheres to UK law.

32Red PR contact:
Aaron O’Sullivan
Public Relations Department
32Red Plc
Suites 9-11
Eurotowers 2
Gibraltar
+350 200 49357

Breeders Cup

Online betting exchange Betfair has scored another American coup, reaching a deal that will allow common-pool betting on next month’s Breeders’ Cup at the Kentucky racecourse Santa Anita Park, reports Associated Press.

The agreement opens the Breeder’ Cup to the 2.5 million gamblers on Betfair’s books, significantly increasing the potential total handle.

The agreement gives the Cup an undisclosed percentage of revenue from exchange bets placed on its races by Betfair customers, and the betting giant will video stream the races on November 6-7 on its website.

International handle bet directly into the Breeders’ Cup pools last year was $17.6 million

Iron Man Slots

Online casino enthusiasts can now enjoy a pair of the most recognized faces from recent Hollywood blockbusters, The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man at Casino Plex.

The two new 5-reel, 20 payline Video Slot Games are both based on the very popular Marvel movies and are packed with fantastic features that will entertain even the most demanding casino players.

Iron Man contains an exciting Missile Attack Bonus round which features captivating graphics and sounds. This movie-like bonus round will test players as they try to shoot missiles in order to win prizes, free games and free games multiplier. Iron Man features reel symbols such as Tony Stark, his alter ego Iron Man, missiles and suitcases.

Additionally Iron Man has a unique expanding wild feature and a massive prize of 5,000 times the line bet.

The Incredible Hulk is equally entertaining and features a thrilling Smash Bonus round which is triggered when the Smash Bonus icon appears on reels 1 and 5 at the same time.

The Smash Bonus round starts with an amazing Flash animation in which the Hulk is being chased by the police in dark alleys. As the Hulk faces the police, the player is asked to choose 3 out of 7 police cars to reveal the prize. After that, the player must choose 1 of 3 police helicopters to get a multiplier for the prize amount. During this round, the Hulk Rage special feature might come into play awarding players even more prizes.

The Free Games bonus round is entered when 3 or more scatter symbols, The Incredible Hulk logos, appear anywhere on the reels. The player is awarded 10 Free Games with a multiplier of three.

“We had tremendous success with the last bunch of new slot games that we launched at Casino Plex, but I think the mass market appeal these movie characters have will definitely appeal to our existing players but also help us attract new players to Casino Plex.” said Harry Christodoulou, Marketing Manager at Casino Plex.

Both, the high flying Iron Man and the angry not so little green monster, The Incredible Hulk can be played at Casino Plex for as little as €0.01 per spin.

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