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Still smarting from last year's slap-in-the-face Christmas rebellion, Simon Cowell and 2009 X-Factor winner Joe McElderry would be the first to warn this year's star, Matt Cardle, that not even the X-Factor guarantees you the Christmas Number One spot. But it seems that Matt need not fear a Rage Against the Machine-style coup - so far he's well on target to be first choice come Christmas Day. Bookmakers Backing an X-Factor Christmas Ladbrokes clearly thinks that Matt is unstoppable and has even begun paying out to punters who've put their money on him. A spokesman for the bookies said: 'It's done and dusted as far as we're concerned. Matt might as well order extra champagne as he'll be celebrating again in next to no time. His fans can have their money back early to buy his new single.' William Hill: Matt's Rivals Trailing Likewise, William Hill is predicating Xmas success for Matt at 1/16 - with his closest rivals 'The Trashmen' and 'Biffy Clyro' behind on 7/1 and 16/1 respectively. But that's not all that Will Hill is speculating on. X-Factor fans can place online bets on how many No. 1 hits Matt will collect in 2011, and which of the three X-Factor finalists will top the charts most often in the coming year. X-Factor Betting Frenzy X-Factor betting this year has been lucrative for punters and bookies alike. Will Hill paid out more than 7 figures on successful wagers and turned over more than £2 million. 23 bets of £1,000 + were placed on the last day of the competition. Will Hill representative Rupert Adams had this to say about the final night: 'The X Factor goes from strength to strength and at one point on Sunday night we were taking over 130 bets a minute. The X Factor is quite simply the Daddy of reality TV betting.' Without doubt, William Hill's efficient online service is what enables the company to cope with wagering and paying out at such a furious rate.
The drama over the US crackdown on online poker, mainly the full Tilt Poker collapse following the events, has had an impact across the pond in the United Kingdom - where the government is preparing to introduce vast online gambling reforms. Reforms to regulation of offshore operators Under the plan, introduced by British Culture Secretary Jeremy Huny, the government is looking to reform how offshore online gambling operators are regulated, and is planning to make an announcement on the issue in the coming weeks. The government only recently completed a big consultation on the industry, whose laws currently do not prevent foreign, unlicensed operators from advertising and operating in the UK. As such, much trust has been placed in the hands of overseas regulators, but this is about to change. Full Tilt spurs change Full Tilt Poker, like its rival website PokerStars, has spent millions of pounds in recent years on advertising in British online and print media, and had become one of the most popular poker rooms with British players. But it was one of three sites, along with PokerStars and Absolute Poker, to be charged by US prosecutors over various charges in April, in what has become known as Black Friday. Those events shocked the world and have now impacted the UK, as we can see from this latest news of reforms.
The United Kingdom may be about to change the manner in which taxes online gambling companies that offer services to its residents from abroad, which could mean higher bills for those firms. British gov't announces review The Treasury announced last week that it would be undertaking a review of remote gambling taxation, hot on the heels from a similar proposal last week by Gambling Policy Minister John Penrose. Under the proposal from Penrose, gambling would be regulated according to consumption, not according to supply, which means Britain would have the power to tax foreign firms just for offering their online casino, poker and other products to British residents. Possible downsides There are various downsides for this to gambling operators, who could be hit twice by taxation - once on the way out from the country in which they operate and then a second time on the way in to Britain. In fact, analysts have estimated that the introduction of such could see leading betting operators like William Hill, Ladbrokes and Betfair - which operate offshore in tax havens like Gibraltar - slapped with up to $50 million a year in extra taxation costs.
Genting, operator of the popular online casino and poker room of the same name, has been named as sponsor of part of the events at London's Poker in the Park. Genting Poker in the park Under the deal, Genting's London card rooms Palm Beach and Bluff @ The Mint will be sponsoring one of the poker domes at Poker in the Park, which is being held at London's Hanover Square on September 2-3. Palm Beach, situated in Mayfair not far from where Poker in the Park will take place, has become one of the London poker community's most popular sports in recent times. South Kensington's Bluff @ The Mint is another popular venue. Europe's biggest free poker festival Poker in the Park, now in its fifth year, is Europe's largest poker festival. With more marquees, lectures and activities than ever before, and of course, live poker, event organisers are hoping it will beat last year's record of 20,000 visitors. This year the event will also bring back its two giant poker domes, which will host live sit and go's 24/7. Last year the domes were among the most popular attractions of Poker in the Park, with long queues of players waiting to play from all over the United Kingdom.
Earlier this week, leading UK bookies William Hill and GVC finalised their takeover of Sportingbet's Australian business for no less than £460 million (pound sterling). The acquisition was completed and announced on 19 March 2013. Sportingbet, a leading British corporate bookmaker, sold off its Australian business and an option on its Spanish arm. Included in the package was Sportingbet's successful online poker brand Paradise Poker. Established back in 1934, William Hill is the one UK's leading and largest bookmakers with an annual revenue of over £1.2 billion. This takeover bid is one in a long chain of moves to tap into growing international markets. Last year, 90% of William Hill's revenue was generated in Britain, but this is all set to change as part of the company's new international strategy: Australia is one of the world's largest licensed betting markets and William Hill is set to capture a huge audience with its online and mobile gambling products. Last June, William Hill became the first UK bookmakers licensed for sports betting in the US, when they purchased three land-based gambling premises in Nevada. Prior to that, they had obtained their Spanish and Italian licenses. Online gambling made up 28% of William Hill's revenue in 2012 and this figure is only set to grow and grow. Further updates will be reported here at Online Casino Reports.
The British government will require offshore gambling operators to be licensed by the Gambling Commission in order to serve British consumers, under a bill announced by Queen Elizabeth II at the state opening of parliament in London last week. New gambling bill If passed, the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill amends the Gambling Act 2005 to add the requirement that all offshore gambling operators offering their services to British consumers apply for a licence from the Gambling Commission, regardless of where in the world their operations are based. In addition, the government-sponsored bill would force anyone with a British license to inform local authorities of suspicious betting patterns in an attempt to tackle corruption and problem gambling. Operators will have to contribute to research, education and treatment on British problem gambling and child protection. Gov’t aims to change Government ministers believe the bill will increase protection for British consumers by holding all remote gambling operators to the same robust and consistent regulation and requiring them to fight against corruption and illegal activity, in the same way as it is currently able to enforce this in regard to local operators. The Gambling Act’s three main objectives will remain: Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder; ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
Bally Technologies is one of the leaders in online casino games and online casino platforms around the industry. They are one of the top software developers providing slots, casino management tools, and more to many online casinos in the world and following a strategic partnership with Rank Group they can now be found at Mecca Bingo based in the UK. Until now, Bally has provided Rank Group Casinos with player tracking systems and casino-management tools but since this new agreement was made, they can now enjoy Bally’s incredible game content as well. “We are confident our players will have a great time playing Bally games. Bally is widely recognized as one of the top gaming companies in the world and it is exciting to partner with them as they continue to grow in the online market,” stated Rank Group Head of Games, Alex Franklin. Bally Interactive General Manager Michael Probert said, “Bally games being on the well-known Mecca Bingo is another big step for our online gaming business. We are excited for more players to have the chance to experience the excitement of our latest titles.” Rank Group Rank Group is one of the leading iGaming companies in Europe. They have a few different brands including Mecca, Enracha and Grosvenor Casinos. There online gambling platforms entertain over 2.5 million customers annually Bally Technologies, Inc. Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies has been in the gambling industry since 1932 and they continue to design, manufacture, distribute and operate some of the world’s most advanced and popular gaming systems, devices and other technology solutions.
The distinguished British Poker Awards will take place on March 3rd, 2014 in London and it is your last chance to vote online for the nominees. The awards are made up of 17 categories which honor virtually every aspect of the industry including Best Live Tournament Player, Best Poker League, Best Blogger, Best Live Card Room and much more. Many of the categories are open to public voting at the British Poker Awards website while others are decided by the Panel and Peers in the game. The nominees were chosen by a dedicated panel of experts in the online gambling industry and each one selected in of the best and brightest in the game. The panel features PokerNews’ Matthew Pitt, the “Voice of Poker” Jesse May, PokerStrategy’s Barry Carter, Lee Davy of CalvinAyre.com, UKIPT Media Coordinator Jen Mason, and editor of Bluff Europe, Philip Conneller. These are some of the most respected names in the online gambling industry and their nominees are the cream of the crop. In 2013, the biggest winner was high-stakes pro Sam Tricket who took home 3 awards including Best Tournament Player, Best Cash Player, and Player of the Year. In 2014, there is no visible front runner and each of the players on the lists could win. Every vote counts so do your part and vote while the polls are still wide open.
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