• Playtech Launches 90 Ball Bingo

The new game, which brings all the familiar features of a typical UK bingo hall into an exciting and entertaining online package, will be implemented first by the Bingoland network, arguably the largest networked pari-mutuel bingo game in the world. Bingoland already uses Playtech's integrated 75-ball bingo suite. The 90-ball bingo game has been especially tailored for the UK market and is aimed both at Playtech’s existing licensees on the mainland – especially the growing number of brand-name operations that have launched online gaming platforms on the Playtech system and are looking to diversify – and at online bingo operators in general. The ticket format of the 90-ball game differs somewhat from the 75-ball game. Each ticket has 3 rows of numbers – in each game there are 3 winners: the first to complete one row, the first to complete 2 rows and the first to complete 3 rows (the entire ticket). The new game also features authentic Cockney dealer voices and traditional British bingo call-outs (“Duck and Dive, 25”, “Two Fat Ladies, 88”, etc.), for an authentic feel. Game features include: compelling 3-D animated graphics • fully featured chat with integral player photos and private chat facility • real-time player access to graphical game history • selective buy-ahead feature • auto-play, auto-daub and “best card to front” features • card manager plays even when the player is offline • built-in scratch cards, slots, multi-line, multi-reel progressives and video poker Real time online management tools include: fully programmable games and patterns • full support for marketing offers and promotions • comprehensive in-game "all or any" player messaging • comprehensive chat management tools • automatic, multi-level player comp scheme • integral referral program • powerful, multi-tier affiliate programs • comprehensive online financial reporting and player tracking. 90 Ball Bingo is the latest in a long line of new product developments from Playtech, now recognized as one of the fastest growing and most highly respected online gaming software developers. Other recent developments include the release of four brand-new games: Derby Day (a horse racing game), Blackjack Surrender, and 10- and 25-line video poker.

> Read the full story here Source : Press Release

• They Are Baaack - Next Round Of Subpoenas Targets Esquire

Any thoughts that the interactive gambling industry's advertising dilemma was nearing an end were debunked this week by news of subpoenas handed out on April 12 to Esquire magazine publisher Kevin O'Malley and nearly a dozen members of the magazine's staff. The recent action, brought to light Wednesday by a New York Post article, is related to the magazine's April issue, which features an eight-page insert billed as the "Gentleman's Guide to Poker" and sponsored by BoDog Poker. The insert includes BoDog CEO Calvin Ayre's photo and his tips for playing Texas Hold 'Em online, along with several references to the BoDog Poker URL and images from the site. It also includes a greeting from Ayre, who invites readers to "join me online at the tables and see why the world is playing poker at Bodog.com," and the disclaimer: "Void where prohibited by law. Fully licensed in Costa Rica." A similar insert appears in the May issue and another was planned for the June issue, which started printing on Saturday, but the Post reports that Hearst Publishing, which publishes the magazine, is considering pulling the ads. The subpoenas are the first reported legal action of this nature since the U.S. Attorney's office in the Eastern District of Missouri carried out a grand jury investigation into the advertising practices of the online gambling industry starting in mid 2003 and lasting well into 2004. The original investigation resulted in hundreds of media outlets, broadcasters, portal site owners and even ancillary providers to the industry receiving subpoenas. Clear Channel, Infinity Broadcasting, Discovery Networks and a host of other media outlets subsequently ended longstanding relationships with I-gaming advertisers. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : iGamingNews.com

• Lotteries May Gamble On Internet

Several states are considering selling lottery tickets on the Internet, a change that could usher in a new era in how such tickets are purchased. Online lottery sales would be limited to residents within the state. But Internet lottery sales are expected to spread quickly to other states if the practice proves popular, advocates of the idea say. "Every state is looking at it," says Georgia state Rep. Terry Barnard, a Republican whose bill authorizing Internet sales passed the Georgia House of Representatives last month. The Senate adjourned before taking action. State officials hope the Internet will boost lottery sales, which have been sluggish in some states because of competition from casinos and Internet gambling. "The bottom line is: It will make more money and help school funding," says Illinois state Sen. John Cullerton, a Democrat. The Illinois Senate approved online sales April 14 and sent the bill to the House. "I've said for 10 years that Internet lottery sales are just around the corner, and I may finally be proved right," says Charles Strutt, executive director of the Multi-State Lottery Association, which runs the Powerball lottery. Internet sales are "the next logical step to make life easier for our players," says Rick Wiser, executive director of New Hampshire lottery, which was the nation's first when it began in 1964. Forty states and Washington, D.C., have lotteries. Oklahoma will start one in October and is looking at online sales. North Carolina also is considering a lottery. Lottery sales were $49.4 billion in 2004, according to the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. Once prizes and administrative costs were paid, $15.1 billion was left in revenue for states. Throughout the USA, 64% of lottery profits go to education funding, the association says. Internet sales have drawn opposition from gambling opponents. "My biggest concern is that teens could get lottery tickets and start gambling online," says Guy Clark, chairman of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : USAToday.com

• iTouch Launches New UK Mobile Gaming Service

Leading provider of mobile entertainment, iTouch plc, has announced a three year agreement with betting and gaming operator, Coral Eurobet. The agreement represents the formal launch of iTouch's mobile gaming service in the UK. This will be the first time that iTouch will market mobile gaming services to consumers in the UK, both directly and via its key large scale media partners. There will also be further scope to offer the products to networks and virtual networks as an add-on sale, or as an additional function embedded directly onto handsets or within operators' mobile portals. The initial product will offer 4 fixed odds mobile games, marketed under the Coral brand in the UK: Fruity Slots, Dice, Dr Hi Lo and Keno. iTouch also intends to introduce a series of new fixed odds mobile games and other mobile gaming technologies during 2005, including a full sports book. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : iGamingBusiness.com

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