|
Written by Thomas Jensen
|
|
Sunday, 27 January 2008
|
 After a successful launch in 2007, BetMarkets, the only global sports betting conference, returns to Vienna, Austria from 31 March – 1 April 2008. Recognising the need for a dedicated event, BetMarkets launched last year as the premiere global conference for senior executives in online and land-based sports betting. The 2007 conference gave delegates valuable insight into all facets of the industry and saw incredible attendance figures thanks to the excellent speakers and extensive choice of relevant topics.
BetMarkets 2008 promises to be bigger and better, with quality networking guaranteed and hours of interactive, lively and informative sessions. Delegates will be able to get involved in debates with important industry speakers and gain the essential knowledge needed to create more successful business development and marketing strategies.
Sponsored by BGT (Best Gaming Technology) for a second year, the 2008 conference offers an intensive learning experience, with an impressive list of high calibre speakers already signed up to the event.
Joe Coughlin, Business Development Manager, Gala Coral Group who was a delegate at the 2007 event said: "Sports betting has been mostly ignored by the major conferences, so it’s great to finally see a conference like Bet Markets dedicated to nothing but this important sector."
Extensive research and expertly chosen topics provides a conference schedule offering delegates a forum to discuss how to better develop a profitable sports betting business in an increasingly competitive environment.
BetMarkets also allows delegates to choose the most relevant sessions to attend for their business, as the conference splits into two streams for part of day one. Stream A focuses on how to efficiently develop a successful mobile betting strategy, webstreaming, customer acquisition and retention via Web 2.0 and affiliate marketing. Whereas, Stream B examines profiting from in-play betting, how to enhance profits by creating efficiencies in technology, how the right environment can increase punter activity and offers top tips for creating a successful online offering.
BetMarkets leads the field in internet gambling industry networking opportunities and with a welcome dinner, drinks reception and party organised during the event, delegates can be sure to network and learn in a dynamic environment. |
|
|
Written by Thomas Jensen
|
|
Thursday, 24 January 2008
|
|
 Income Access is blazing a new trail for affiliate toolkit usability with the latest version of their industry-leading affiliate management software. Affiliates and merchants are invited to sample what Income Access has to offer at the upcoming ICE and CAP Euro affiliate marketing conferences in London, England, at the end of January.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada January 24, 2008 - Several months ago, the Income Access team launched plans to raise the bar on affiliates’ and operators’ experiences with the Income Access software. Drawing from Web 2.0’s clean, friendly esthetic elements and its emphasis on easy access to information, Income Access crafted version 3.0 of their software. Income Access has now released a demo of this latest version, with its official unveiling to occur at the ICE and CAP Euro affiliate conferences, running January 21st to 27th, 2008.
“Our main objective with this redesign has been to ensure our software’s appearance and usability reflects the depth and range of its capabilities as a data analysis tool,” says Nicky Senyard, CEO. “By making the design of the software even more intelligent and pleasant to interface with, we’ve aimed to deliver at-your-fingertips access to information for affiliates and merchants alike.”
Just as Web 2.0 is a better version of the Web, version 3.0 of the IA software is a better way to look at reporting for affiliate marketing. The visual elements of the software have been brought out with use of colours and icons that assist users to quickly find what they’re looking for to carry out the tasks that matter most. Pop-ups have also been minimized to streamline navigation. A softer, friendlier feel has transformed the admin, merchant, and affiliate interfaces into a more enjoyable environment to log in to.
Version 3.0 of the Income Access software also lets users exercise more control over their data by experimenting with several new features. The presentation of reports has been fine-tuned to put the most commonly used reports front and centre, and to fit more information on a single page. In addition, affiliates and merchants will notice that their daily tasks are faster and simpler thanks to scrolling within reports and the ability to highlight multiple rows of data for easy viewing of pertinent data.
“Version 3.0 will make it easier than ever before to access the information you need to make marketing and business decisions,” says Nicky Senyard. “We’ve always used our own experience with affiliate marketing and affiliate management to push our software from one release to the next, and this latest release is the perfect example of how this approach really pays off for the end user. With 3.0, the Income Access software is now more adept than ever not only at reporting data, but at intelligently supporting the most vital functions involved in affiliate marketing with perfected usability.”
Affiliates, operators, and merchants are invited to make appointments with Income Access representatives at the upcoming online gambling conferences to see a demo of version 3.0 of the software. Income Access will be at booth 43 at CAP Euro. To prearrange an appointment time for a demo or a chat, please contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
About Income Access
Uniquely placed in the affiliate marketing arena, Income Access provides the industry with affiliate software, an affiliate network and affiliate management services. Income Access is built from the affiliate marketing perspective for the gaming industry and powers the affiliate programs of leading brands in Europe including renowned international brands Victor Chandler, Jackpotjoy, Lasseters, Sporting Bet Europe, Unibet, Ladbrokes, Dublin Bet, Centre Bet, Wager Profits and Bingo.com. Established in 2002 and based in Montreal, Canada, Income Access is operated by a team of seasoned affiliate marketing professionals in online gaming. Income Access is the online gaming industry's trusted partner. |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 January 2008 )
|
|
|
Written by Thomas Jensen
|
|
Friday, 21 December 2007
|
 The last thing the online poker industry needs is another scandal but at least 4 poker players of a former Playsafe Holdings licensee are not going to have a Happy Holiday this year after being pillaged by a Viking. It turns out that the publicly traded online poker company and turnkey software provider from Norway (Symbol: PLAY on Norwegian OTC) still seems to be stiffing players and at least one licensee with a second licensee reporting being stiffed as well. Playsafe Holdings owns ActionPoker.com, TigerGaming.com and online poker affiliate website WagerProfits.com.
Point-Spreads.com reported back in August 2007 that a former online poker licensee of Playsafe Holdings was getting stiffed on commissions/rake while online poker players were being refused payments. After our report circulated throughout the internet on several popular internet gambling websites, the licensee received the following instant message from Playsafe COO Ben Johansen on August 31st, 2007:
"You will receive a check for the commission earned on XXXX but client balances are my responsibility and will remain with me. Good Luck!"
Translation we will not be paying you, your players balances. To date, the licensee has not received the promised commission/rake and slow and no pay complaints are beginning to pile up.
"Our players were forced by Playsafe Holdings to re-install a Action Poker client on their desktops once we moved to a new poker network," stated the new owner of the first licensee being stiffed for close to one year. "So now our poker players are playing at Action Poker and are asking us to pay them instead of the people with their money, Playsafe! Not only does this cause issues for our brand, it is tying up our support team."
Point-Spreads.com was able to get two stiffed online poker players paid earlier this month. One of the online poker players had this to say about our efforts on his behalf:
"TJ you must pack some clout my friend as he was full of apologies. My family and myself would like to thank you in advance, there will be a couple extra gifts for the grand kids this Xmas."
We were very happy to receive this email and it appeared that Playsafe Holdings was moving in the right direction, however Point-Spreads.com has recently learned that the second player who originally requested a wire transfer had his balance transferred to Action Poker instead of the promised wire transfer. One of our biggest original concerns with Playsafe Holdings is that they appear to be using licensee's marketing dollars to grow their client base by stealing their licensee's databases instead of spending money on marketing dollars themselves.
Our fears seemed to be put at ease when Playsafe COO Ben Johansen emailed us on September 19th, 2007 saying that "we don't accept US wagers" so learning that the second player from Chicago was placed in ActionPoker.com was a shock.
At least four other slow and/or no pays are being reported to Point-Spreads.com this month, making for a total of 7 online poker players getting the shaft. Here is a copy of one of the most recent email correspondence we have received from a disenchanted online poker player:
"Hello. I play at Action Poker and I've been waiting for my payout of $2,000....I know many players are in the same situation. What is your advise? Should I take legal steps or wait a bit more? And what can be done legally to protect the customers' rights? Thank you for your cooperation."
Point-Spreads.com has attempted to contact Ben Johansen as an open line of communication was thought to have been opened but all attempts have gone unanswered in the last 15 days. Meanwhile, Point-Spreads.com has learned of a second licensee having the same no pay experience with Playsafe. In an email correspondence, the second licensee stated that "Jeremy has been stalling me since April”. Jeremy Brenes is the Licensee Manager of APG Enterprises Ltd of Costa Rica, a Playsafe Holdings company.
Online poker players, licensees, potential licensees and shareholders of Playsafe Holdings back in Norway should be made aware of what is transpiring hence the reason we are releasing this report. Anyone involved is urged to contact Point-Spreads.com immediately. Also, if any additional licensee's of Playsafe Holdings are experiencing problems obtaining commissions/rake should contact us immediately as well. |
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 21 December 2007 )
|
|
|
Written by Thomas Jensen
|
|
Thursday, 20 December 2007
|
 A formal complaint filed today by European online gambling operators for claims of discrimination and violation of international trade law by the United States should encourage U.S. lawmakers to regulate Internet gambling. Legislation introduced by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, would regulate Internet gambling and resolve the pending action by creating a level playing field among domestic and international operators.
"This complaint complements the current legislative initiatives led by Representative Frank,” said Nao Matsukata, formerly Director of Policy Planning for USTR Robert Zoellick and now a Senior Advisor for Alston and Bird LLP. “It is consistent with the effort to establish a non discriminatory market in the United States."
The action was filed under a provision of the European Union’s Trade Barriers Regulation by the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), which represents the largest remote gambling companies in Europe. RGA asserts that the U.S. Department of Justice is in violation of international trade law by threatening and pressing criminal prosecutions, forfeitures and other enforcement actions against foreign online gaming operators while allowing domestic U.S. online gaming operators, primarily horse betting, to flourish.
“We applaud the efforts of the RGA and agree that Congress should take action to end the current discrimination against foreign online gambling operators,” said Jeffrey Sandman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative .
The RGA complaint comes in the context of an increasingly contentious trade dispute over online gaming resulting from Antigua’s World Trade Organization (WTO) victory over the U.S. earlier this year. After the W.T.O. ruled that the U.S. had violated trade rules in barring Antiguan online gaming operators from the U.S. market, the U.S. withdrew its W.T.O. obligations with regard to free trade in the gambling area. Earlier this week, the European Union and several other countries, including Japan, Canada, and Australia, agreed to accept compensation from the U.S. for the withdrawal of market access. However, the trade concessions do not address charges against the U.S. for discriminatory and protectionist practices against foreign online operators that took place before the withdrawal of the commitment.
"The U.S. decision to pursue the compensation negotiations with these countries was unfortunate,” Matsukata said. “This filing by the RGA is a welcome development; it is an effort to restore integrity back into the international trading system."
“It is unfortunate that the Administration has unilaterally acted to resolve the WTO Internet gambling dispute by continuing to block E.U. operators from accessing the U.S. market,” added Sandman. “It is time for the U.S. to end its hypocritical practices that discriminate against foreign online gambling operators, while allowing U.S. gambling operators to accept bets for certain forms of gambling. Regulation of Internet gambling should be supported as a means to resolve this trade dispute.”
A provision of the E.U.’s Trade Barriers Regulation allows any E.U. company or association to complain against obstacles to trade in other countries, which the E.U. must then investigate. After the investigation, the E.U. could pursue discussions with the U.S. to find an appropriate solution to end the discrimination. If the parties cannot settle the matter themselves, the E.U. could bring a case against the U.S. to the WTO on the claims. |
|
|
Written by Thomas Jensen
|
|
Wednesday, 19 December 2007
|
|
 Internet giants Google, Microsoft and Yahoo agreed to pay a total of $31.5 million to settle with the United States Attorney's office in St. Louis for taking ads from internet gambling websites.
"This is a very profitable business that had a lot of money to spend on marketing," stated U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway. "I do think it will have a major impact. Obviously these are three of the largest online organizations in the world."
As part of the agreement, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo agreed to stop accepting ads for sports wagering and other online gambling. The three internet giants already stopped taking such ads approximately 4 years ago. The settlement reached today was finalized after a year and a half of negotiations between the tech companies and federal prosecutors.
"It is a shame that the United States continues to taking such draconian measures against the internet gambling industry while they were found to be violating international law by the WTO earlier in the year," stated an executive of a US facing online sportsbook that spoke to Point-Spreads.com after the news broke of the fines. "We miss doing the PPC advertising on Google, Yahoo and Microsoft, but have already transitioned away from that sort of marketing years ago."
The entire internet gambling industry is waiting for a ruling from the World Trade Organization over what sort of sanctions and relief will be handed down to Antigua & Barbuda. The tiny island nation has asked the WTO to grant $3.4 billion in annual relief since finding that the United States ban on internet gambling is illegal under international trade laws. Yahoo's $7.5 million share of the settlement includes a $3 million forfeiture and $4.5 million in public service ads over three years. Google is to pay $3 million, less than half its average daily profit of $11 million.
"While we did not admit any wrongdoing, the Department of Justice has advised that online gambling is illegal in the United States and ads to promote it are improper," stated Google spokesperson Jon Murchinson. "Google voluntarily discontinued running such ads, which were a very small part of our AdWords business, in April 2004."
Microsoft's $21 million portion of the settlement includes a $4.5 million forfeit, $7.5 million to be paid to the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children and $9 million in public service ads over a three-year period starting next year.
Hathaway is the same U.S. Attorney leading the prosecution of BetOnSports PLC , David Carruthers and Gary Kaplan. BetOnSports PLC pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges while the cases against former CEO Carruthers and company Founder Gary Kaplan are still pending. |
|
|
Sports Betting News 
