Let your mouth speak archive

The regulation of online gambling requires streamlining, the European Commission has decided. In a recently published communication, it has set out an action plan on how to achieve some much-needed harmonisation in the regulation of this sector without, at least at this stage, having to adopt legislative measures. Online gambling services cover a range of games of chance such as sports betting and poker, casino and lotteries. There is currently no EU-wide legislation which regulates this sector. Member states are free to set their own policies by restricting or limiting the supply of all or certain types of online gambling services in their territory quoting public interest objectives such as the protection of minors and the like as a justification. This has resulted in the fragmentation of Europe’s online gambling services market, with some member states adopting a liberal approach while others imposing an outright ban. In regulating this industry, member states must, however, at all times ensure that they are not in breach of the fundamental freedom of EU operators to provide cross-border services as enshrined in the Treaty.

The absence of harmonised legislation in this sector has led to a number of rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union as well as to several infringement procedures against member states. The court has confirmed that the provision and use of cross-border gambling is an economic activity and hence member states must ensure that they do not hinder online gambling service providers from offering their services to recipients in any member state in breach of the fundamental freedom to provide services. National rules which prohibit the provision of gambling services authorised in other member states were often found by the court to restrict the freedom of national residents to receive, over the internet, services offered in other member states. They were also found to restrict the freedom of operators established in other member states to provide gambling services.

Both industry and policymakers have long insisted about the need of some form of legislative harmonisation in this field. In response to this, the Commission has now set out a number of initiatives which it intends to take in an attempt at clarifying the regulation of this sector.

The Commission seems to be determined to make use of the knowledge garnered from previous consultations with stakeholders and the latest case law of the CJEU, to take action to ensure that the policies adopted by the individual member states are in full compliance with EU law. Member states must be able to demonstrate that the public interest objectives which they adopt such as the prevention of problem gambling and the protection of minors are pursued in a suitable, consistent and systematic manner.

The Commission has declared that it will be sending out requests for information to the member states against whom infringement cases have been open since 2008 to get a complete update about the latest developments in national legislation. Information will also be requested from those member states against whom complaints have been registered.

The facilitation of administrative cooperation between gambling regulators is also on the Commission’s agenda as is the protection of consumers. The Commission has expressed its intention to adopt recommendations for member states on the common protection of consumers as well as responsible gambling advertising. It also believes that a common set of principles elaborated at EU level should ensure a high level of consumer protection. These principles would tackle issues such as the effective and efficient registration of players, age verification and identification controls, reality checks, no credit policy, protection of player funds, self-restriction possibilities as well as customer support and efficient handling of complaints.

Another important objective defined by the Commission in its action plan, is the prevention of fraud and money-laundering in this sector. The Commission seems to be inclined towards extending the scope of the current EU law regulating money laundering to all forms of gambling. It is also exploring the possibility of an EU standard on gambling equipment including gambling software.

The Commission has also noted that more in-depth cooperation between betting operators, sports bodies and national authorities is needed to eradicate betting-related match-fixing. From its end, the Commission intends to adopt a recommendation on best practices for the prevention and combating of betting-related match-fixing. It intends to promote faster information exchange between the relevant authorities, whistle-blowing mechanisms, and overall cooperation at national and international level between stakeholders, operators, and regulators to preserve the integrity of sports. The better education and increased awareness of sportspeople has also been identified as an indispensable tool in eradicating this phenomena.

The Commission has announced that two years from now, it will evaluate the implementation of the action plan and assess progress achieved in order to ascertain whether more concrete action is required.

Online gambling is one of the fastest growing service activities in the EU, with annual growth rates of almost 15 per cent. Statistics show that 6.8 million consumers participate in one type or more of online gambling services. In the absence of harmonised legislation regulating this sector and in view of the divergent policies adopted by the different member states, the need for legal certainty has long been felt by service providers seeking to offer cross-border services. While not offering complete legal certainty, this action plan could be seen as a step in the right direction in the regulation of this delicate market wherein both the interests of the operators and those of the consumers need to be balanced out.


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According to report in interGAME news the government of the Netherlands has every intention of regulating its online gambling industry and selling off its state owned monopoly on gambling. Last June an article appeared on the Public Gaming Research Institutes web site that outlined the possible models the Netherlands would use to comply and modernize their laws.

The Netherlands’ new coalition government revealed the draft coalition agreement recently which read, “We will modernise gambling policy. Online gambling, sports betting and poker events will be strictly regulated. Thereby we will reduce the illegal offer of gambling. Compliance with the licensing conditions will be strictly monitored.”

The government was expected to come to a conclusion regarding it gambling laws soon but now the new coalition is making changes that are at times restrictive. The Dutch Supreme Court ordered international online gambling operators to install software that would prohibit Dutch citizens from accessing their sites. Those online gambling operators who did not comply and remained accessible will be refused licenses in the new regulated market in the Netherlands. Many of the larger operators did comply and vacated the jurisdiction.

The draft legislation in the Netherlands is in the works and it is expected to follow the framework that Denmark has approved for the online gambling industry there. There is a flat 20 percent fee on gross revenue in Denmark something the operators and the European Commission agree on as being fair. The Coalition government of Mark Rutte will take the money from the sale of Holland Casino which has 14 casinos in Holland and a legal monopoly to help the finances of the country. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of gamblers ignore the current prohibition on online gambling in the Netherlands. The current government feels the people of Holland should not be restricted from enjoying the past time of online wagering that they already partake in.



Draft Online Gambling Legislation Coming In Netherlands

Blake Shelton dominated the Country Music Association awards on Thursday, taking home three trophies, including the coveted entertainer of the year prize, on country music's biggest night.

Shelton, 36, whose popularity has rocketed since he became a judge in 2011 on the TV singing contest "The Voice," also won male vocalist of the year for a third time.

Shelton shared song of the year honors with his wife, Miranda Lambert, for the emotional ballad "Over You," while Lambert took home the female vocalist prize, also for the third time.

Shelton looked stunned as he accepted the biggest award of the night, beating out recent arrivals Jason Aldean, country-pop crossover sensation Taylor Swift and veterans Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney. He has not released an album since "Red River Blue" in July 2011. "Man! Entertainer of the year? What are you talking about?" he said. "I know I am not out there on the road as much. I don't know how this happened. I freaking love it though."

"I know I have a side job," he said, referring to his TV gig, "but country music is still what I love doing."

Swift, who won entertainer of the year last year and in 2009, and Aldean both came away empty-handed. Eric Church, who went into Thursday's awards show with a leading five nominations, went home with one award -- album of the year for "Chief."

"I spent a lot of my career wondering where I fit in -- country or rock? I want to thank you guys for giving me somewhere to hang my hat," said Church, 35, sporting a baseball cap and sunglasses. Church, who got his first CMA nomination just a year ago, told reporters backstage that he never thought he could win a CMA award. "I can distinctly remember playing for about eight people in Amarillo, Texas, about four years ago and to get from there to here is surreal," he said.

The awards show, broadcast live from Nashville, kicked off with a shout-out to those affected on the U.S. East Coast by Superstorm Sandy, and included appeals to viewers to donate to the Red Cross during the show.

"Country music has always lifted people up in tough times, and we hope to do that tonight," said co-host Carrie Underwood.

The country world paid tribute to singer and songwriter Willie Nelson, 79, and his storied career, presenting him with the inaugural Willie Nelson lifetime achievement award.

Nelson performed his signature 1980 song "On the Road Again," while Lady Antebellum, Shelton, Keith Urban, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw did the honors with a medley of his hits "Crazy," "Whiskey River" and "Good Hearted Woman."

"How many push-ups can you do with that one?" joked Nelson as he accepted the huge trophy. "Thank you all out there. Appreciate it."

Alabama quartet Little Big Town scooped up two awards, winning vocal group of the year, and single of the year for the group's hit record "Pontoon." The band, which started out in 1998 but did not begin to make an impact until 2005, was ecstatic. "This has been a 13-year journey. Nashville, you have made us your band," said singer Kimberley Schlapman.

The show also saw performances by Swift, debuting her new single, Dierks Bentley, The Band Perry, Aldean, the Zac Brown Band and Kelly Clarkson.

Husband-and-wife team Thompson Square took home the prize for best vocal duo, and Louisiana native Hunter Hayes, 21, was named best new artist.

"Can you believe we were singing for tips for eight years down on Broadway and now we've won this award? It's one of the most wonderful nights of our lives so far," Keifer Thompson of Thompson Square told reporters backstage.



Blake Shelton dominates CMA Awards with three wins - TODAY Entertainment

The recently formed coalition government of Netherlands, which will be installed in just another week, has made plans to create a regulatory framework for the country's online gambling industry. The draft of this coalition agreement was released yesterday, and it promises to modernize the country's gambling policy.
Holland to Regulate Online Gaming

Mark Rutte, prime minister of Holland, announced, "We will modernize gambling policy. Online gambling, sports betting, and poker events will be strictly regulated. This way we expect to prevent the offer of illegally operated games of chance in the Dutch market. Compliance with license conditions will be strictly enforced." The coalition government comprises the Liberal Party and the Labour Party. Mark Rutte's Liberal Party had been a staunch advocate of online gaming regulation for a long time and has succeeded in gaining the support of the Labour Party.

If the new regulations will be implemented, each casino operator will have to pay 29 percent of its gross profits as taxes to the government.

Many industry analysts feel that taxing gross profits, instead of wagers will make sure that the Dutch online gambling industry will be more successful that the Italian and French online gambling industries. .
Gaming Authority Issues Warning

The Dutch Gaming Authority has warned all online casino operators it has placed in the "illegal" category that they will be excluded from the Dutch gaming market if they do not heed its compliance warnings.

Half of the 40 companies thus warned, including Ladbrokes, Unibet, and Bwin.party, have already taken the required measures to become compliant to Dutch regulatory standards. The Dutch Gaming Authority has assured these companies that they stand a better chance of getting gambling licenses if they comply.

According to the terms of the coalition agreement, the Holland Casino, which is a chain of 14 land casinos generating around 250 million Euros in gaming revenue for the Dutch government, will be privatized.

Holland is the European Union's fifth biggest economy, and although considered to be one of the most financial fit EU nations, it has a number of economic problems.

Although Holland's government debt is much below the EU average, its private debt is more than any other country in the union. The country, therefore, has no other option, but to regulate and tax its online gaming industry to boost revenue.


Holland To Regulate And Tax Online Gambling - GamblingKingz-com

I was optimistic when Commissioner Barnier, the EU’s Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, launched the Europe-wide action plan to regulate online gambling last week.

It’s not new legislation, which given the differences of opinion that currently exist on gambling between member states would be hard to pass through EU institutions. Rather, Barnier has introduced mechanisms to increase cooperation between member states and respective regulatory bodies. Its a step in the right direction, but what would really help is a centralised self-exclusion button.

Self-exclusion stands as one of the pillars to how we seek to help problem gamblers in this country. What happens is that a gambler tells his local bookies that he wants to exclude himself from gambling, which means that the bookies then do not let him place bets for a set time, helping him to regulate his betting, or cease completely.

Sadly with remote gambling the pillar is not as effective as it should be. Compulsive gamblers, recognising their addiction, can opt to tell the website with which they have an account not to allow them to gamble, for a set period of time, or indefinitely. But self exclusion from gambling websites is only possible if a person already has an account with a web-based gambling firm. This makes it impossible for a problem gambler to properly self exclude because there are so many websites which offer gambling services. It’s just not feasible for somebody to open an account on all websites in order to self exclude from all of them.

What is needed is a third-party centralised self-exclusion mechanism, a one stop shop of self exclusion, enforced by individual member states' Gambling Commissions. Under the current proposals put forward by the Commissioner, this would be very unlikely. But in two years' time there will be an evaluation of how the cooperation and voluntary self regulation has worked. At that point all options should be on the table including the introduction of a directive which would standardise and offer a minimum platform for regulating remote gambling in the EU. The directive is something that the European Parliament has asked for in an opinion report voted for by a sizable majority of MEPs.

Closer to home Government Ministers have pledged that all websites operating in the UK will have to apply for a UK gambling commission licence. This is something church groups have been campaigning on for 5 years. The new measure will mean that all website will have to comply with the UK licensing code of conduct. It’s a real positive victory for the faith-groups. This code offers some safeguards to the vulnerable, including proper age and identity verification but does not go as far as offering self exclusion from all websites.

The slow pace, whether in the EU or at Westminster need not deter campaigners. The UK does not have to wait for the EU to legislate in order for us to lead the way in online gambling safety by setting up a one stop shop self exclusion button. According to the latest statistics there are 400,000 problem gamblers in the UK, whose addiction affects not only themselves but also their friends and loved ones. If it was possible to create a safer environment for these people to be ensuring they can self exclude properly, we should be doing it. Anything less is irresponsible.


How to regulate online gambling | Christian News on Christian Today

One of the online gambling industry’s benefactors is the advertizing industry. Internet businesses need to get their information to the consumer and to do this advertizing is required. Whether it is print television or other media the online casinos and poker sites use a great deal of advertizing to get their services known.

The casino and hotel operators in the USA are gearing up to sell online gambling to the public. The need to be prepared for the eventuality of internet gaming is paramount in the race for market share of this lucrative market.

The spend on advertizing is already enormous as hotels and casinos compete for the consumer dollar at a fantastic pace. The newly licensed operators in Nevada are looking to spend between $3.5 billion and $4 billion usd on marketing the new products over the next five years. Laws in the various US states are changing to accommodate the internet wagering trend which in turn will require advertizing campaigns to get the word out.

Caesars Interactive Entertainment is already prepared for the internet gaming swing as Mitch Garber, CEO of Caesars Interactive Entertainment and World Series of Poker explains, "Five years ago, the combined spend of all onsite-based gaming companies in online advertising was very small, limited to SEO for attracting visitors to book hotel rooms online and to come to the website," Garber, continued to add, "It's changing dramatically. ... There's no question that as an industry we'll be spending more time and money on interactive advertising."

Garber also talked about his experience in the U.K. where online gambling has been legal and licensed for years, "TV was the biggest creator of new customers." "We're not going to do away with magazine, TV and billboard advertising, but we'll be a lot more creative." That creativity will be aimed at the youthful demographic because surveys are pointing out it is the young who are more tech savvy, mobile and have time to play.



Online Gambling Advertizing Growth Expected in USA

America's bewildering gambling rules mean that no official betting on the outcome of the election is allowed in the gambling mecca of Nevada or anywhere else in the US for that matter.

So when marketing manager John W. wanted to have a little flutter on the biggest race of the last four years, he was forced to go to an online betting site to place his 100-dollar-bet on Barack Obama.

"I like to gamble on sports results and I usually do pretty well, because I follow the statistics and trends and keep my emotions out of it," he said, asking that his full name not be used because of the technical illegality of his election gamble.

"I took the same approach with the election. I am sure Obama will win because he has managed to hold onto his majority in the battleground states. It's easy money as far as I'm concerned."

Others resorted to personal bets, which are allowed under the law. The most famous exponent is US President Barack Obama's senior political advisor David Axelrod. He bet conservative news anchor Joe Scarborough that he would shave off his bushy mustache if Obama loses the states of Minnesota, Michigan or Pennsylvania on Election Day.

"I will come on 'Morning Joe' and I will shave off my mustache of 40 years if we lose any of those three states," Axelrod said. Scarborough also has a stake in the game. He promised to grow a mustache if Obama wins Florida or North Carolina.

New York Times pollster Nate Silver, whose nuanced analysis of individual state voting trends has led him to favour Obama's chances far more highly than all the national polls indicate, also wants to get in the game. He rated Obama's chances of victory at 79 per cent on Thursday, and was willing to wager Scarborough that he was right.

"If you think it's a toss-up let's bet," he tweeted the news anchor. "If Obama wins, you donate 1,000 dollars to the American Red Cross. If Romney wins, I do. Deal?"

Silver's scientific analysis is bolstered by online betting houses, all of which view Obama as a strong favourite to win reelection, with Romney cast in the role of the overwhelming underdog.

Most online betting shops were offering odds Thursday of 1:4 on an Obama victory, meaning that a four-dollar bet on an Obama victory would yield just one dollar in winnings. By contrast the odds for a Romney win were 11:4, giving winning punters an 11-dollar payout on a four-dollar bet. Intrade-com, in which punters buy shares in real world outcomes based on their probability, priced Obama's chances of victory at almost 70 per cent.

Leighton Vaughan Williams, the Director of the Political Forecasting Unit at Nottingham Business School in Nottingham, England, says his research has shown that gamblers are better predictors of elections than pollsters. This is because the average voter doesn't have any incentive to tell a pollster the truth about their voting habits, but when they are betting their own money they will tend to think hard about the choices they make using the best information available to them.

Williams expects about 100 million dollars to be bet on the outcome of the election, and in a blog posting this week argued that the betting markets were actually too conservative in assessing Obama's reelection chances.

Nevertheless he advised caution before wagering hard-won wages on Tuesday's election results.

"Polls don't decide elections, however, and neither do the betting markets," he advised. "People do, and that's why anything can happen, and sometimes does."



Online Gamblers Bet on Obama Victory - HispanicBusiness-com

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The Spanish online poker industry has been attracting a huge volume of traffic, ever since the Spanish government regulated online poker four months ago. The role of PokerStars in boosting the Spanish market is not only significant, but also commendable. PokerScout, the poker traffic tracker, announced that PokerStars attracts two-thirds of the Spanish poker players to its online ring games.

Last May, the Spanish Gambling Act was implemented, as a result of which unlicensed online gaming companies cannot cater to Spanish players. In June, the Spanish regulatory bodies created a proper regulatory framework for online poker operators to comply with. According to the new poker law in Spain, online poker rooms are required to operate via a .es website and offer separate prizes and games for Spanish players. Operators are also required to pay a tax of 25% of their total gambling revenue.

Grabbing a share of the Spanish online poker market has not been that easy for operators, especially considering the fact that cash gaming revenue plummeted after first reaching a peak when they first launched online poker services in Spain. PokerStars.es lost 15% of its online poker traffic. However, the online poker business picked up during the past three months, and player traffic to .es online poker sites has reached its highest point now. PokerStars.es has recovered and now boasts of 1,500 registered active cash game players, a significant 40% rise in player volume from June and a 20% rise from the days in which the online poker room went live in Spain.

PokerStars.es is now well on the way to becoming the largest online poker room in Spain, far surpassing PokerStars.it, its Italian version. The online poker room is also turning out to be a tough competitor for Winamax.fr, the French online poker service, which happens to be the sixth largest online poker room at the international level.

The other online poker operators, who have grown steadily along with PokerStars.es are PartyPoker.es, which offers both Bwin Poker as well as Party Poker. Traffic to the Party Poker network shot up by 25%, and today PartyPoker.es is the third largest online poker room in Spain, coming closer and closer to its competitor 888 Poker, which has fallen behind because it recently denied access to all non Spanish poker players to its .es service.

Spanish players have gotten to trust the well-regulated poker market; besides, operators are using excellent marketing strategies, leading to its boom.



Newly Regulated Spanish Online Poker Industry Flourishes

Pop star Katy Perry is sporting a skin-tight minidress with President Barack Obama's campaign slogan "Forward" emblazoned across it at the president's rally in Milwaukee.

Perry came on stage at Saturday's event initially wearing a red, white and blue dress and holding a microphone shaped like the Statue of Liberty's torch.

But after her first song, a cover of Al Green's soul hit "Let's Stay Together," she tossed aside the dress to reveal the bright blue minidress.

Obama's slogan "Forward" is also Wisconsin's state motto.

Perry paused midway through her set to make a pitch for donations to victims of Superstorm Sandy.

Obama's rally with Perry comes before he's set to be in Madison on Monday with rocker Bruce Springsteen.

Read more here: Katy Perry wears dress with Obama slogan at rally - Wire Entertainment - People - The Sacramento Bee

It’s that time again and even with the extra hour I can seem to catch up today, so I’m getting straight away into this weeks weekly recap starting off with the impending launch of Full Tilt Poker.

Peter wrote a post last evening in regards to an email welcoming back players once Full Tilt opens up the felt in two days. Your opinions were asked and I noticed that a couple members posted concerns in regards to PokerStars meddling with Full Tilt’s RNG’s.

Both PokerStars and FullTilt Poker’s RNG’s are tested independently for reliability in statistically random sequences; Gaming Labs and Cigital have approved both poker rooms RNG’s. Both companies are consulting firms specializing in software security and Cigital has associated its reputation with the approval of PokerStars RNG’s.

Cigital is is the leading software security and quality consulting firm in the world and an active participant of the U.S. Homeland Security Department’s Build Security In project, providing research and overviews for generic principles for software security, as well as for more specific issues, like code guidelines practices.

There has been numerous discussion on PokerStars RNG’s on poker forums, blogs etc and while assumptions can only be made about the validity of their RNG’s, until it is proven otherwise, one can only hope that the professional services deemed to validate accuracy of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker’s software is in fact reliable. The certificate is set to expire in December at which time a new process of validation should occur.

On to other matters at hand, in online gambling news this week, GEObet Gambling Network, is to launch the first Native American online casino and poker room in November. The new coalition government is seeking to issue egaming licenses in efforts to secure online gambling regulation in the Netherlands. Bodog88′s uprising in Asia and launch in Vietnam made headlines, in other poker news Greg Merson emerge as the king of poker, in a 12 hour battle that lead to the momentous conclusion to the 2012 World Series of Poker.

Hurricane Sandy came to devastate NY and NJ leaving many residents without power and in dire straits for aid. Casinos on the boardwalk were temporarily shut down but reopened with minimal damage as reports came in on the worst superstorm the east coast has ever face.

This week we want to welcome again Red Flush, Bodog88 and Old Havana to our line up of approved operators. Also, we are working on revisions to our online poker and bingo hall reviews and I can give you a sneak peak at our latest review for PokerStars here, that our new staff writer Peter so graciously worked on all this week for his first review assignment.

Bigshot Shootouts most definitely go out to Caroline F, who literally Broke the Bank as the popular Microgaming slots made another player some cash! Caroline won an amazing $139,709 playing at Platinum Play this past week. Congrats Caroline!

Platinum Play and Royal Vegas both announced the release of two exciting Microgaming slots, Break Away Video Slot is a “smash your way to ice-hoockey victory in this exciting 5-reel, 243-way video slot game. The game is full of Wilds, Scatters and Multipliers and the base-game jackpot can go as high as 5,000 coins.”

Octopays Video Slot: Go deep-sea diving for untold riches in this 5-reel, 243-way video slot game. There is a giant Octopus as well as a baby one to help you to score your wins. The base game jackpot can go as high as 8,000 coins.

Friendly reminders of some great promotions going on this month as PDC Poker’s FreeRoll Giveaway and Third Poker Maximus Tournament, and Bet365′s I Do Like Monday’s are sure to make you guys stand up and cheer!

Well that all for now, you can check out all the latest online gambling new after the jump…here, read all about our new casino reviews here and find the perfect online bonus here!

To close out the recap, checkout J Todds latest Perspective’s Weekly as he touts about, Ladbrokes deciscion to cut ties with their American based affiliates and William Hill is on the move again… this time with an eye toward Playtech!


Online Gambling Regulation, Online Poker and Casino Approvals | CS Report

Top betting organizations are making President Barack Obama the odds-on favorite to win re-election over Governor Mitt Romney. William Hill, the world's biggest bookmaker, put the odds at Obama 3/10, and Romney 5/2. For Betfair, the world's largest Internet betting exchange, it's Obama 1 /4 and Romney 11/4. But gamblers (both land-based and online), while concerned about the future of the country, are also focused on the future of gambling in the next administration.

Both candidates, mindful that gambling is a revenue driver as well as entertainment provider, have not displayed overt opposition to online gambling. Romney is, of course, big business-friendly; while Obama is desperate for any measurs to stimulate the economy.
Gambling issues on state ballots

This election year, citizens of five states are preparing to vote on several gambling measures. In Arkansas, Ohio, Oregon, and Rhode Island, residents are to vote on amendments aimed, basically, at either allowing casino games where there was none or expanding existing casinos and the scope of their business operations. In Maryland, voters are being asked if video lottery outlets can also run table games. Bills on online poker may also be in the offing.
Maryland gambling companies spend $72M on ballot fight

In Maryland, proponents on both sides of Question 7 - which would allow the construction of an additional casino in Prince George's County and increase the types of games being played at existing casinos - are putting their money where their mouth is. To date, casino companies for and against Question 7 have put in$72 million into the fight, demonstrating the seriousness of this ballot initiative.
Online gambling: What do regular folks think?

Despite the gridlock, Washington has not been amiss in proposing online gambling regulatory bills. Expect lobbyists from big gaming companies to also get into the act. But what do regular Americans think? Surveys show that a majority favor legal and regulated online gambling. But while they like regulation, they also appreciate the rewards that revenue-generating businesses can bring to an uncertain economy.

It only makes sense.



2012 US Elections: Online Gambling on the Ballot - The Headlines - Onlinecasinoreports-com

George Lucas is done with "Star Wars," but not with filmmaking.

The "Star Wars" creator says he still plans to make his "own little personal films."

Lucas spoke Friday night while attending Ebony magazine's Power 100 Gala, days after announcing the sale of his storied Lucasfilm to Disney for $4.05 billion. The deal would allow for more "Star Wars" films. While Lucas will be a creative consultant, longtime collaborator Kathleen Kennedy will be in control.

When asked if he'd have a hand in picking a director for the films, he said, "I've turned it over to a wonderful producer, Kathy Kennedy, and I've known her for years. She's more than capable of taking it and making it better than I did."

Lucas admitted mixed emotions about letting Lucasfilm go. "It's very sad. It's 40 years of work and it's been my life, but I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things."

Among them are his educational foundation, which will be a major benefactor of the money he got for Lucasfilm.

"Mostly it will be philanthropy but I'm also going to make my own little personal films," he said of his plans.

His last film was this year's "Red Tails," which told the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a legendary black flight unit formed in 1941 that debunked widely held beliefs that black pilots were incapable of fighting in combat. While he described that film as a labor of love, he said, "I'm going to go further out than that. I barely got ‘Red Tails' into the theaters. The ones I'm working on now will never get into the theaters."


seMissourian-com: Entertainment: George Lucas plans ‘little personal films' in future (11/05/12)

Obama will win this election....

Of course they do he is a winner....!!

Political-betting websites that allow wagers on Tuesday’s election increasingly favor President Obama to be re-elected as the race — and the betting — head into their final hours.

Intrade, a top online prediction market where “investors” vote with their money, favors Mr. Obama to win an Electoral College victory over Republican challenger Mitt Romney, as his stock continued to tick up Monday.

As of about 7 p.m. Monday, more than two-thirds (68.5 percent) of Intrade bettors pick Mr. Obama to win over Mr. Romney, who garnered 31.4 percent of the vote. The president’s stock rose 4.1 percent during Monday alone, while Mr. Romney’s stock fell 8.7 percent.

In Betfair, which also measures the Electoral College, and the Iowa Electronic Markets, where gamblers pick who will win the popular vote, the president also had a considerable lead over Mr. Romney.

Proponents of these political gambling say these sites are more accurate than polls, because bettors vote with their money.

“The prices tell a lot,” said Tom Rietz, a member of the steering committee for the Iowa Electronic Markets, which is run by the University of Iowa.

Mr. Obama has been the consistent favorite in these online betting markets during the general election campaign, although his “stock” fell sharply after his weak performance in the first debate against his Republican rival.

Mr. Romney made a strong push to catch the president in the last few weeks, but at this point there is little left he can do to change the outcome, Mr. Rietz said.

“It could simply be that nothing is changing and we’re getting closer to the election,” he explained. “There are no more debates that are going to happen, so no one’s going to say anything really positive or negative. Very little campaigning to be done. No more storms. Neither candidate is going to run out of money. There are not as many things that could happen as could’ve happened a week or two weeks ago.”

In the Iowa Electronic Markets, which takes bets on two popular vote questions, Mr. Obama peaked on Sept. 27 in the winner-take all market with 81.7 percent of gamblers expecting him to win, but his stock took a sharp hit and fell to 61.3 percent on Oct. 21. However, in the last week or so, the president enjoyed a steady increase as bettors realized there was less time for Mr. Romney to catch up.

“The fact that Obama’s rising may just be that he’s predicted to win and we’re just getting closer to the election,” Mr. Rietz said. “It could be the case that Romney was getting closer, but he’s just run out of time.”

In IEM’s “winner-take-all” market, gamblers must pay a certain amount to get a dollar if they pick the correct winner of the popular vote. If they pick wrong, they get nothing, so the more a gambler must put up, the better the candidate’s chances are perceived to be. In Monday’s trading, it cost an average of 74.7 cents to buy a share of Mr. Obama that would pay off a dollar if he wins. A Romney share, by contrast, cost just 26.6 cents.

In IEM’s vote-share market, gamblers must pick exactly how much of the popular vote either candidate will win. The average pick for Mr. Obama as of Monday is 50.9 percent, compared with Mr. Romney’s 48.7 percent.

Betfair, the London-based website that is the world’s largest Internet betting exchange, also puts the odds of Mr. Obama winning at 76.6 percent to 23.0 percent, according to PredictWise, a site that publishes research on these online betting websites surrounding the election.

Intrade and Betfair are the two most respected sites, according to PredictWise founder David Rothschild, because they predict the Electoral College, while IEM, based in Iowa, focuses on the popular vote. Intrade, based in Ireland, targets Americans, while Betfair is more popular with Europeans.

Read more: Bettors put money on Obama to win re-election - Washington Times Bettors put money on Obama to win re-election - Washington Times
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If you think the debate of who should play James Bond is contentious now, think of what it was like before Bond hit the screen.

Ian Fleming's novels are seldom taken into account anymore, and to some extent hardly were - although Daniel Craig takes Bond to a Fleming-esque almost psychopathic, on-the-edge place.

Interestingly, when two producers, an Italian and a Canadian - Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman - secured the rights to all Fleming's books except Casino Royale, Fleming's own choice for Bond was David Niven.

Now Niven (some of you may have to ask your grandparents) was a suave British actor who specialized in witty repartee, but he was no action star. Inappropriate old-school Brits like Niven, Rex Harrison and James Mason all turned down the Bond role, usually because they only wanted to do it once.

Cary Grant - nearing 60 at the time - was also under consideration, as were Richard Burton and Stewart Granger.

In the end, however, the choice came to Roger Moore (of TV's The Saint fame) and a rough-hewn young Scot named Sean Connery, who legend has it, was made to wear bespoke suits to bed to get him used to wearing them.

Fleming was a Moore fan. But Broccoli thought him too pretty. The producers won out (Moore, of course, would get his chance later).

Bond changes since then have been like beauty pageants, with runners-up littering the landscape. When Connery quit in '69 and George Lazenby was hired for On Her Majesty's Secret Service, also-rans included Oliver Reed, Adam West (!), Roger Moore (held back by his TV contract) and young future-Bond Timothy Dalton.

A disillusioned Lazenby quit after that one movie, and with Moore in another TV series (The Persuaders with Tony Curtis), it looked like there might be another cattle call. But The Persuaders bombed, and Moore became the longest-running Bond, giving up the role in 1985 after A View To A Kill.

Cue the audition room! A TV contract got in the way yet again, when Broccoli/Saltzman's first choice, Pierce Brosnan learned that his series, Remington Steele was renewed and the producers refused his pleas to be released. In some parallel universe, Timothy Dalton was never Bond, and Brosnan broke Moore's record.

But Dalton it was, beating out a young Mel Gibson, Christopher Lambert, Simon MacCorkindale and Sam Neill.

After two films - License To Kill and The Living Daylights - Dalton resigned his posting and Brosnan finally got his own license to kill. It was pretty much his job to lose, but other applicants included future Dr. Who Paul McGann.

And then came Daniel Craig, and the biggest star-search/guessing game in Bond history. Let's end with actors Craig reportedly beat out: Clive Owen, Jason Statham, Jude Law, Heath Ledger, Eric Bana, Colin Firth, ER's Goran Visnjic, Ioan Grufudd

Ioan Grufudd, Dougray Scott and the soon-to-be-Superman Henry Cavill.

If they'd licensed them all to kill, it would be the best MI6 convention ever.




www-edmontonsun-com/2012/11/05/the-men-who-were-almost-james-bond

The Daily Mirror has been criticised for using Transformers to promote its online gambling site, after the advertising watchdog ruled it broke rules against marketing such services to children.

An ad for MirrorCasino-com ran in the Daily Mirror promoting a £5 free play offer using images of cartoon characters, including children's favourite Optimus Prime from the Transformers franchise.

The Advertising Standards Authority received a complaint that it was irresponsible as the ad was likely to appeal to children.

Trinity Mirror, the parent company of the Daily Mirror, said that the image was licensed and used because one of the games on MirrorCasino was Transformers-branded.

The publisher argued it was not targeted at under-18s and that the ad only appeared in the Money section of the newspaper.

Trinity Mirror said that while it did not believe the ad was irresponsible it would not use it again to promote gambling.

The ASA said that the ad did break the broadcasting code, which states that ads for gambling should not be of particular appeal to children or young people.

"We considered that the depiction of the popular comic book character was likely to have particular appeal to children and young people, regardless of the context in which it appeared and therefore concluded that the ad breached the [advertising] code," the ASA said.



Daily Mirror criticised by watchdog for Transformers gambling advert | Media | guardian.co.uk