• Congressional Legislation: Internet Gaming Bill Unlikely

WASHINGTON -- Congress will not pass Internet gambling restrictions this year as lawmakers scramble to complete other major legislation before adjourning in the next few days, according to Capitol Hill sources. As late as Tuesday, Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., predicted his bill to crack down on Internet gambling would reach the Senate floor. But with the Senate focused on passing milestone energy and Medicare bills, Kyl has realized there is not enough time to pass his bill in 2003, sources said. Calls to Kyl on Thursday were not returned. "I'm not so sure he has given up. We're assuming he will go forward," said Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : ReviewJournal.com

• Tulane.edu To Offer Online Casino Degrees

If you thought Universities only offered degrees in arts, engineering, sciences and business, then there's more. Uc.tulane.edu or Tulane University College of Biloxi has announced plans to start a casino/resort management degree program in January 2004. South Mississippi casino executives believe this long-awaited program will boost the industry, and make it easier for the 15,000 gambling employees in South Mississippi. The casino industry believes, having formal qualifications will help casino employees to move up the corporate ladder into management jobs, besides helping women and minorities says Bernie Burkholder, President and CEO of Treasure Bay Casino in Biloxi. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : OnlineCasinoNews.com

• Foreign Operators Brace For 'Real War' In Holland

Primary proceedings on the Ladbrokes/De Lotto case will begin today. Ladbrokes is contesting the rulings of two lower courts that found that the company violates Dutch law by offering sports betting services in the Netherlands. The case is expected to last between one and two years. Ladbrokes has argued that the Dutch law that prohibits it from offering its services is a violation of the free movement of services within the European Union. The courts have disagreed, ruling that the laws are valid because they are based on social interests, such as preventing gambling addiction and fraud. To prevent compulsive gambling and fraud, the Netherlands has constructed a licensing system that limits both the number of companies that may offer games and the number of games that may be offered. As a result of the licensing system, certain conditions are imposed on De Lotto and the other license holders. And though Ladbrokes is licensed in the United Kingdom, the licensing regime there is relatively looser than in the Netherlands and Ladbrokes does not adhere to the same restrictions. The courts in the Netherlands have therefore ruled that Ladbrokes does not have the right to accept Dutch bets even though it operates from United Kingdom. The Court of Appeals in its decision on Sept. 9, 2003 ordered Ladbrokes to cease offering sports bets to consumers in the Netherlands and also refused Ladbrokes' request to submit the matter to the European Court of Justice. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : IGamingNews.com

• Queen Of England Talks Of Online Gaming

Queen Elizabeth II announced in her “Queen’s Speech” (11:00 GMT today) that UK Draft Gaming Reform is a priority on the government’s agenda for 2004. The speech, made by the regent herself, marks the beginning of a new parliamentary session and serves to outline the UK government’s agenda, in broad strokes, for the upcoming parliamentary session. Gaming Reform’s recognition in the Queens Speech places it high on the government’s to do list, along side energy reform, consideration of joining the Euro, health care and education. This level of commitment to gaming reform paves the road for the much anticipated adoption of online gaming by Great Britain. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : OnlineCasinoNews.com

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