Latest edition packed with information
Industry people who like to keep in touch with legal and other developments in the online gambling milieu can order the latest annual edition of Global Gambling Report, according to a release from Casino City Press.
Rather boldly describing the publication as “…the most definitive resource ever published on the global gaming market” the announcement says that it “… provides an up-to-date guide to the global betting and gaming market for both land-based and interactive gambling utilizing in-depth research from a leading international betting and gaming consultancy.” David Harding, chief executive of William Hill seems to be a fan, and is quoted as saying, “The 2nd Global Gambling Report identifies some of the tremendous opportunities that exist around the globe, and in an industry where accurate global data is hard to come by, identifies and quantifies the majority of the major trends and issues.”
The publication includes detailed analyses on 259 jurisdictions and 4 federal areas across six global regions, making it the most comprehensive and up-to-date review of the industry ever produced. Information provided by jurisdiction includes Slot Gacor market reviews, key developments and legislation, revenue summaries, economic indicators, leading corporate players and projections.
MORE LEGAL WOES FOR WORLD GAMING
Gay site civil case being fought
World Gaming continues to battle against legal suits it appears. In the latest setback for the successor to Starnet Communications International, a subsidiary faces action arising from its troublesome sale of Chisel.com, a gay soft-porn business, several years ago.
Action commenced earlier this year in the Supreme Court of British Columbia when Starnet Communications Canada Inc. was sued by Chisel’s buyer, 596773 B.C. Ltd., carrying on business as Chisel Media, and another numbered company, 600636 B.C. Ltd.
The suit claims that Starnet now denies the existence of a settlement agreement reached last July, two years after Chisel Media launched arbitration action in the wake of the gay porn deal.
The claim is that Starnet sold its Chisel assets in March, 2000, claiming its receivables were true and correct, its credit card subscription fees would not be interrupted, its equipment was in good working condition and its operating licences were in place and prepaid. Chisel Media made an initial payment of over $400,000, while securities filings note Starnet Canada sold virtually all of its porn assets for a total of $2.3-million.
Chisel Media claims it quickly discovered Starnet’s representations were false, and it launched an arbitration action in July, 2000. The suit claims Heenan Blaikie, Starnet’s counsel, made a settlement offer last April, resulting in a settlement agreement on July 24. (This settlement is not disclosed in World Gaming’s comprehensive 20-F filing made Aug. 22.)
The deal was that both sides would drop their respective claims, while Starnet would release escrow documents to Chisel Media and discharge a general security agreement over its assets. Chisel Media claims Starnet has now denied the existence of the settlement agreement, and consequently the buyers are seeking various court orders, including a declaration that the agreement is valid and binding.
CRYPTOLOGIC STILL FACING MAJOR COURT ACTION
Multi-million dollar WebSports Technologies claim
This week a WebSports Technologies spokesman confirmed that the $ 293 million action against Cryptologic by his company was still very active…and some of Cryptologic’s former execs may be giving evidence.
Spokesman Nick Murphy said this week, “We will be deposing certain former key executives of Cryptologic in the coming weeks who will undoubtedly shed an interesting light on the allegations in the suit.”
The action centres on allegations of breach of contract, conspiracy, misrepresentation and collusion. It alleges that CryptoLogic conspired to alter the results of a testing procedure being conducted by TST testing systems of North America to authenticate and certify WebSports’ “ProSportsTrade Exchange” game in order to break a contract that had been signed by both parties.
CEO & President of WebSports, Nick Murphy issued a strong statement last December in which he said, “WebSports will pursue every legal avenue available in order to challenge the duplicitous actions of CryptoLogic.”
WebSports is seeking more than $100 Million in punitive damages, and the case is lodged with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Canada.
POLITICS CAN BE GOOD NEWS FOR ONLINE CASINOS
Cambodian border closures good for business
Regional politics have forced the closure of the Aranyaprathet – Poipet border dividing Thailand and Cambodia over this Chinese New Year, denying thousands of would be Thai gamblers the pleasures of land casino entertainment at Cambodian establishments, where a more liberal attitude to gambling exists than in Thailand.
But as the old cliche goes, it’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good, and several wide-awake Asian-targeted online casino operations have geared up with special promos in anticipation that at least some of those disappointed Thai players will get their gambling kicks over the internet instead.
Many of the large, “quality-end” internet operators are already established in the sector with Asian language sites and appropriate games, but smaller casinos are also being tempted. Unfortunately they are learning the hard way that sometimes different marketing techniques may be necessary, and that unfamiliar banking and financial systems can cause hassles. The smart guys are those who do their homework and enter consultancy agreements with regional specialists.
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