The Bitcoin News Flash Of May 2014
All the updated May 2014 news about bitcoins from the different bitcoin news sites that aim to give the bitcoin users the most updated news and happenings on the bitcoin world! Expect Information, a lot of Insights and Analysis!
Bulgaria adds five more websites to gambling blacklist
May 30, 2014
The Bulgarian State Commission on Gambling has added five more websites to its blacklist of online gaming domains that are prohibited from operating in the country. Websites owned by Swedish operators RedBet Gaming and Cherry are amongst the latest domains to be banned from offering online betting services in Bulgaria.
Cherry's EuroSlots.com website has been blacklisted by the Bulgarian regulator, as have RedBet's Heypoker.com and Whitebet.com domains. The regulatory body also moved to ban Casinoluck.com and Nextcasino.com. A total of 203 websites have now been blacklisted by the regulatory body, with Bulgarian internet service providers required to block players in the country from accessing such sites.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 30, 2014
The Bulgarian State Commission on Gambling has added five more websites to its blacklist of online gaming domains that are prohibited from operating in the country. Websites owned by Swedish operators RedBet Gaming and Cherry are amongst the latest domains to be banned from offering online betting services in Bulgaria.
Cherry's EuroSlots.com website has been blacklisted by the Bulgarian regulator, as have RedBet's Heypoker.com and Whitebet.com domains. The regulatory body also moved to ban Casinoluck.com and Nextcasino.com. A total of 203 websites have now been blacklisted by the regulatory body, with Bulgarian internet service providers required to block players in the country from accessing such sites.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
Mt. Gox Operator looks to sell Bitcoin trademark
May 29, 2014
The operating holding company hopes to get around the $1 million for the sale. The bitcoin trademark would include its trademark in the European Union, Japan and domain name Bitcoins.com. The company's chief executive claims the company no longer has use for the trademarks, hence the sale. The trademarks are good until 2021 and 2022, but can be renewed if a fee is paid. It has not been noted whether or not creditor's of the fallen Mt. Gox will receive any money from the sale.
Bitcoin Trademark attempts in January, a London man attempted to trademark the word Bitcoin. The application for the trademark reached UK's patent office on November 5th, 2013, and was sent by Marvin Dennis of Leyton, East London. Similarly, an American lawyer named Michael Pascazi tried to claim the word in the United States and France in 2011. However, his attempt failed as Mt. Gox challenge claim, successfully defeating Pascazi's application. Ironically, Tibanne no longer needs the term it once fought for.
After the review process, applications are advertised in the Trade Marks Journal for two months allowing for any objections towards it. Objections are not part of the legal process, but allow trademarks to be considered before being granted.
Source: coinreport.net
May 29, 2014
The operating holding company hopes to get around the $1 million for the sale. The bitcoin trademark would include its trademark in the European Union, Japan and domain name Bitcoins.com. The company's chief executive claims the company no longer has use for the trademarks, hence the sale. The trademarks are good until 2021 and 2022, but can be renewed if a fee is paid. It has not been noted whether or not creditor's of the fallen Mt. Gox will receive any money from the sale.
Bitcoin Trademark attempts in January, a London man attempted to trademark the word Bitcoin. The application for the trademark reached UK's patent office on November 5th, 2013, and was sent by Marvin Dennis of Leyton, East London. Similarly, an American lawyer named Michael Pascazi tried to claim the word in the United States and France in 2011. However, his attempt failed as Mt. Gox challenge claim, successfully defeating Pascazi's application. Ironically, Tibanne no longer needs the term it once fought for.
After the review process, applications are advertised in the Trade Marks Journal for two months allowing for any objections towards it. Objections are not part of the legal process, but allow trademarks to be considered before being granted.
Source: coinreport.net
Buck and Butler goes live with EveryMatrix
May 28, 2014
Gaming platform provider EveryMatrix has used its new Web API product feature to launch a new website for online casino operator Buck and Butler. EveryMatrix claims its Web API allows operators to build a customized website without the use of a web server.
The Buck and Butler front-end was developed without an in-house team of developers and the process was instead outsourced to a local agency, thus offsetting the costs of hiring, training and maintaining an in-house team. "We are happy to be launching this with EveryMatrix utilizing their innovative feature Web API, as not only are they leaders in the iGaming industry, but we are confident in their abilities and trust their product to elevate us as a top online casino," Buck and Butler founder and chief executive officer Stein Gunnar Strand said.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 28, 2014
Gaming platform provider EveryMatrix has used its new Web API product feature to launch a new website for online casino operator Buck and Butler. EveryMatrix claims its Web API allows operators to build a customized website without the use of a web server.
The Buck and Butler front-end was developed without an in-house team of developers and the process was instead outsourced to a local agency, thus offsetting the costs of hiring, training and maintaining an in-house team. "We are happy to be launching this with EveryMatrix utilizing their innovative feature Web API, as not only are they leaders in the iGaming industry, but we are confident in their abilities and trust their product to elevate us as a top online casino," Buck and Butler founder and chief executive officer Stein Gunnar Strand said.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
Amaya agress to supply exciting online casino games to Cherry
May 23, 2014
Amaya Gaming Group, the gambling industry entertainment solutions provider has agreed a deal with PlayCherry, a subsidiary of Swedish gaming operator Cherry, to provide online casino gaming content to three of its websites. All online casino gaming content of Amaya Gaming Group will now be fully available on three main websites of Cherry which are Euroslots.com, Cherrycasino.com and Spilleautomater.com.
Players on the websites will be able to access and play to a selection of games from the range of titles available on Amaya's Casino Gaming System platform. Games such as online and mobile slots, video poker and table games including content, and games from other games suppliers, will all be accessible. All of the Amaya's selection of games will be available in multiple languages and currencies in order to serve the diverse European market.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 23, 2014
Amaya Gaming Group, the gambling industry entertainment solutions provider has agreed a deal with PlayCherry, a subsidiary of Swedish gaming operator Cherry, to provide online casino gaming content to three of its websites. All online casino gaming content of Amaya Gaming Group will now be fully available on three main websites of Cherry which are Euroslots.com, Cherrycasino.com and Spilleautomater.com.
Players on the websites will be able to access and play to a selection of games from the range of titles available on Amaya's Casino Gaming System platform. Games such as online and mobile slots, video poker and table games including content, and games from other games suppliers, will all be accessible. All of the Amaya's selection of games will be available in multiple languages and currencies in order to serve the diverse European market.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
Playtech to pay out €188m dividend, cash reserves to drive new deals and ventures
May 22, 2014
Playtech is set to hand out €188m in shareholder dividends for 2013 following "another year of exceptional growth", the group said at its annual general meeting this morning. Over 2013, total revenue increased 17% to €367.2m. Stripping out the share of profit from William Hill Online, Adjusted EBITDA grew 17% to €159.4m, announced by the chairman of Playtech Alan Jackson.
The Playtech board announced that it had "recommended a final dividend payment of 15.4€ cents per share, which gives a total ordinary dividend of 23.2€ cents per share for the year, as well as the special dividend of 34.1 pence per share paid in March. In aggregate, approximately €188 million will be paid as dividends for the 2013 financial year".
The "transformational" WHO transaction, strong balance sheet and cash-generative activities will enable it to continue considering new acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships, with a particular focus on regulated markets.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 22, 2014
Playtech is set to hand out €188m in shareholder dividends for 2013 following "another year of exceptional growth", the group said at its annual general meeting this morning. Over 2013, total revenue increased 17% to €367.2m. Stripping out the share of profit from William Hill Online, Adjusted EBITDA grew 17% to €159.4m, announced by the chairman of Playtech Alan Jackson.
The Playtech board announced that it had "recommended a final dividend payment of 15.4€ cents per share, which gives a total ordinary dividend of 23.2€ cents per share for the year, as well as the special dividend of 34.1 pence per share paid in March. In aggregate, approximately €188 million will be paid as dividends for the 2013 financial year".
The "transformational" WHO transaction, strong balance sheet and cash-generative activities will enable it to continue considering new acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships, with a particular focus on regulated markets.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
US online gaming growth slowed by illegal activity reviewed by the experts
May 21, 2014
A number of industry experts have hit out at the negative impact illegal activity is having on the growth of online gambling in the US market. A year since the first legal online poker company in the US opened up its services to legal players, the industry's growth has been hit by a number of factors, including various technical issues such as laws limiting players to access such services in the three states where internet gambling is legal.
Nevada, Delaware and New jersey remain the only US states to have legalized internet gambling, but have all made a slower start than many had imagined with gaming revenue lower than initially expected. The Associated Press news agency reports that David Rebuck, director of the New Jersey Davidson of Gaming Enforcement, believes online gambling exists in all 50 states through illegal offshore operators.
Despite the relatively slow start of US online gambling, many panelists and financial institutions still expect the market to pick up. Multinational financial services corporation Morgan Stanley predicts that the legal online gambling in the US will generate $8 billion per year by 2020.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 21, 2014
A number of industry experts have hit out at the negative impact illegal activity is having on the growth of online gambling in the US market. A year since the first legal online poker company in the US opened up its services to legal players, the industry's growth has been hit by a number of factors, including various technical issues such as laws limiting players to access such services in the three states where internet gambling is legal.
Nevada, Delaware and New jersey remain the only US states to have legalized internet gambling, but have all made a slower start than many had imagined with gaming revenue lower than initially expected. The Associated Press news agency reports that David Rebuck, director of the New Jersey Davidson of Gaming Enforcement, believes online gambling exists in all 50 states through illegal offshore operators.
Despite the relatively slow start of US online gambling, many panelists and financial institutions still expect the market to pick up. Multinational financial services corporation Morgan Stanley predicts that the legal online gambling in the US will generate $8 billion per year by 2020.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
Robbins and Haddrill to reassume Bally roles
May 20, 2014
Online casino and solutions firm Bally Technologies has announced that David Robbins and Richard Haddrill are to reassume their previous roles as chairman and chief executive respectively. The news comes as Bally confirmed the departure of incumbent president and chief executive Ramesh Srinivasan, who will step down on May 23.
Haddrill has been a member of the Bally board since 2003 and has served as chairman of the board since 2012. He was also the firm's chief executive officer from 2004 to 2012. Although he will remain a member of the board, Haddrill's reappointment as chief executive officer will see him step down as chairman of the board, with Robbins reassuming the role he help between 1997 and 2010. Richard depth of knowledge about the Company and the industry is unparalleled.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 20, 2014
Online casino and solutions firm Bally Technologies has announced that David Robbins and Richard Haddrill are to reassume their previous roles as chairman and chief executive respectively. The news comes as Bally confirmed the departure of incumbent president and chief executive Ramesh Srinivasan, who will step down on May 23.
Haddrill has been a member of the Bally board since 2003 and has served as chairman of the board since 2012. He was also the firm's chief executive officer from 2004 to 2012. Although he will remain a member of the board, Haddrill's reappointment as chief executive officer will see him step down as chairman of the board, with Robbins reassuming the role he help between 1997 and 2010. Richard depth of knowledge about the Company and the industry is unparalleled.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
Amaya Gaming claims 'strong' revenue growth in Q1
May 19, 2014
Gambling Industry entertainment solutions provider Amaya Gaming Group has cited the impact of its installed base and new sales of gaming machines in the US and Latin America as the main reason behind 'strong' year-on-year revenue growth during the three month to March 31, 2013.
The Company posted revenue of CAN$41.2 million (€27.6 million/$37.9million) in the first quarter, up from CAN$28.1 million on the corresponding period last year. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased form CAN$12 million in Q1 of 2013 to CAN$41.9 million during the quarter while net income jumped from a loss of CAN$7.4 million last year to a positive of CAN$39.6 million.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 19, 2014
Gambling Industry entertainment solutions provider Amaya Gaming Group has cited the impact of its installed base and new sales of gaming machines in the US and Latin America as the main reason behind 'strong' year-on-year revenue growth during the three month to March 31, 2013.
The Company posted revenue of CAN$41.2 million (€27.6 million/$37.9million) in the first quarter, up from CAN$28.1 million on the corresponding period last year. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased form CAN$12 million in Q1 of 2013 to CAN$41.9 million during the quarter while net income jumped from a loss of CAN$7.4 million last year to a positive of CAN$39.6 million.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
188Bet extends Liverpool betting partnership
May 16, 2014
English Premier League top-flight football club Liverpool has extended its partnership with online betting and gaming provider 188Bet until the end of the 2015-16 season. Under the two-year extension, 188Bet will continue to use the club's platforms in Brazil and Asia to promote exclusive promotions and gaming prices surrounding each Liverpool fixture.
Since 2012, Liverpool has been evolving its global betting partnership strategy, which allows betting partners to deliver a geo-targeted approach. "We've had great success over the last five years, continually adding value to our working relationship," Said the Liverpool chief commercial officer. 188Bet will service fans in two of football's biggest markets, Brazil and Asia, where we have a combined total of over 340 million followers.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 16, 2014
English Premier League top-flight football club Liverpool has extended its partnership with online betting and gaming provider 188Bet until the end of the 2015-16 season. Under the two-year extension, 188Bet will continue to use the club's platforms in Brazil and Asia to promote exclusive promotions and gaming prices surrounding each Liverpool fixture.
Since 2012, Liverpool has been evolving its global betting partnership strategy, which allows betting partners to deliver a geo-targeted approach. "We've had great success over the last five years, continually adding value to our working relationship," Said the Liverpool chief commercial officer. 188Bet will service fans in two of football's biggest markets, Brazil and Asia, where we have a combined total of over 340 million followers.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
Zynga's "Hit It Rich" slot launches on Google Play
May 15, 2014
Social gaming company Zynga has announced that its 'Hit It Rich!' free social slots game is now available worldwide on Google Play! The game, which is already available for free download from Apple's App Store as well as on the web, is part of Zynga's Casino franchise that provides consumers with a free-to-play casino experience.
Hit It Rich! features a number of branded slots games that were previously exclusive to the casino floor, such as 'Farmville 2', 'The Wizard of Oz', 'Ted', and 'Sex and the City'. Joe Kaminkow, chief game designer for Hit It Rich! at Zynga, said: By blending the look and feel of real slot machines with iconic entertainment brands and free-to-play, social gaming elements, Hit It Rich! delivers consumers an authentic entertainment experience that mirrors the fun people have in real casinos around the world.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 15, 2014
Social gaming company Zynga has announced that its 'Hit It Rich!' free social slots game is now available worldwide on Google Play! The game, which is already available for free download from Apple's App Store as well as on the web, is part of Zynga's Casino franchise that provides consumers with a free-to-play casino experience.
Hit It Rich! features a number of branded slots games that were previously exclusive to the casino floor, such as 'Farmville 2', 'The Wizard of Oz', 'Ted', and 'Sex and the City'. Joe Kaminkow, chief game designer for Hit It Rich! at Zynga, said: By blending the look and feel of real slot machines with iconic entertainment brands and free-to-play, social gaming elements, Hit It Rich! delivers consumers an authentic entertainment experience that mirrors the fun people have in real casinos around the world.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
American Gaming Systems to acquire Colossal Gaming
May 14, 2014
Gaming machine designer and manufacturer American Gaming Systems (AGS) has agreed a deal to acquire game design studio Colossal Gaming. Founded in 2003 by industry veterans Steve Weiss, Alison Stroh and Lowell Hanson, Colossal Gaming is the company behind titles such as 'Hot at the Top' and Colossal Diamonds'.
Andrew Burke, senior director of product management at AGS, said the acquisition would help improve an existing relationship between the two companies. "Colossal has proven to be a talented team of designers and developers that are committed to an alternative way of thinking as a path to winning," said the senior director.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 14, 2014
Gaming machine designer and manufacturer American Gaming Systems (AGS) has agreed a deal to acquire game design studio Colossal Gaming. Founded in 2003 by industry veterans Steve Weiss, Alison Stroh and Lowell Hanson, Colossal Gaming is the company behind titles such as 'Hot at the Top' and Colossal Diamonds'.
Andrew Burke, senior director of product management at AGS, said the acquisition would help improve an existing relationship between the two companies. "Colossal has proven to be a talented team of designers and developers that are committed to an alternative way of thinking as a path to winning," said the senior director.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
888poker launches new rewards programme
May 13, 2014
Online gaming operator 888 Holdings has announced a new rewards programme for customers of its 888poker internet poker brand. The '888poker Rewards initiative comprises six levels - 'Blue' through to 'Platinum' - with players rising through the levels with every hand they play at 888poker.
Each level features unique rewards such as free tournaments and higher levels of cashback. Players can move up levels and get increased cashback as well as tickets to tournaments with higher cash prize pools. In addition, 888poker will each month hold daily, weekly and monthly free tournaments with a $10,000 monthly prize pool.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 13, 2014
Online gaming operator 888 Holdings has announced a new rewards programme for customers of its 888poker internet poker brand. The '888poker Rewards initiative comprises six levels - 'Blue' through to 'Platinum' - with players rising through the levels with every hand they play at 888poker.
Each level features unique rewards such as free tournaments and higher levels of cashback. Players can move up levels and get increased cashback as well as tickets to tournaments with higher cash prize pools. In addition, 888poker will each month hold daily, weekly and monthly free tournaments with a $10,000 monthly prize pool.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
King reports significant growth in first quarter
May 9, 2014
Mobile games developer King is to target further growth after recording a significant increase in year-on-year adjusted revenue during the three months to March 31, 2014. The company reported that adjusted revenue totalled $606.7 million (€435.3 million) in the first quarter, an increase of 195% on the $206 million achieved in the corresponding period last year.
Gross bookings also jumped 193% from $218.6 million in Q1 of 2013 to $641.1 million in the most recent quarter, with King also having reported record quarterly mobile gross bookings of $480 million in the quarter. King was also able to report adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $249 million, an increase of 205% on the $81.4 million posted at the same point last year.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 9, 2014
Mobile games developer King is to target further growth after recording a significant increase in year-on-year adjusted revenue during the three months to March 31, 2014. The company reported that adjusted revenue totalled $606.7 million (€435.3 million) in the first quarter, an increase of 195% on the $206 million achieved in the corresponding period last year.
Gross bookings also jumped 193% from $218.6 million in Q1 of 2013 to $641.1 million in the most recent quarter, with King also having reported record quarterly mobile gross bookings of $480 million in the quarter. King was also able to report adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $249 million, an increase of 205% on the $81.4 million posted at the same point last year.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
CashBet confirms UK launch and announces US expansion plans
May 6, 2014
Software platform provide and eGambling specialist CashBet has launched its real-money online gambling platform in the UK and has announced plans to expand its services in the US market. The CashBet platform was granted permission from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.
The first game to go live on the CashBet platform will be 'Casino Island Adventure' from social casino gambling company Gamzio Mobile, following an earlier agreement between the two companies. The further boost its UK presence, CashBet has struck a deal with gaming company Reflex Gaming to bring the firm's fruit machines online for real-money play on mobile devices. Mobile game development studio Furywing has also agreed to launch with CashBet's proprietary platform in the UK.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 6, 2014
Software platform provide and eGambling specialist CashBet has launched its real-money online gambling platform in the UK and has announced plans to expand its services in the US market. The CashBet platform was granted permission from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.
The first game to go live on the CashBet platform will be 'Casino Island Adventure' from social casino gambling company Gamzio Mobile, following an earlier agreement between the two companies. The further boost its UK presence, CashBet has struck a deal with gaming company Reflex Gaming to bring the firm's fruit machines online for real-money play on mobile devices. Mobile game development studio Furywing has also agreed to launch with CashBet's proprietary platform in the UK.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
Bwin.party dole out controversial exec bonus, consolidate euro poker ops
May 5, 2014
Top execs at UK-listed online gambling operator Bwin.party digital entertainment brought new meaning to the phrase 'March Madness' with the implementation of their bonus plans on March 31. The controversial bonus plans were deemed necessary because the company's share price had fallen so precipitously that the existing benchmarks for judging how much to top up the execs' annual pay packets were hopelessly out of reach.
CO Norbert Teufelberger was awarder 560,254 shares (at £1.27 per share) under company's Bonus Banking Plan and a further 806,405 shares under the Incentive Plan. Making a total bonus of £1.735m.
Souce: calvinayre.com
May 5, 2014
Top execs at UK-listed online gambling operator Bwin.party digital entertainment brought new meaning to the phrase 'March Madness' with the implementation of their bonus plans on March 31. The controversial bonus plans were deemed necessary because the company's share price had fallen so precipitously that the existing benchmarks for judging how much to top up the execs' annual pay packets were hopelessly out of reach.
CO Norbert Teufelberger was awarder 560,254 shares (at £1.27 per share) under company's Bonus Banking Plan and a further 806,405 shares under the Incentive Plan. Making a total bonus of £1.735m.
Souce: calvinayre.com
Casino sites with lots of work to do when it comes to customer service
May 2, 2014
An extensive audit of online casinos' customer support quality has revealed that despite many operators publicly committing themselves to providing exemplary customer experience, operators still have much work to do when it comes to addressing client support and services issues.
When it came to best performing sites, 32Red, Bet365 and InterCasino led the field for online casino customer service, while the bottom three sports were filled by NetBet, Paddy Power, and Club World. The research, carried out by iXP Consulting and published in partnership with iGaming Business, analysed the quality of poker and casino operators' customer support services over the third quarter of 2013.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
May 2, 2014
An extensive audit of online casinos' customer support quality has revealed that despite many operators publicly committing themselves to providing exemplary customer experience, operators still have much work to do when it comes to addressing client support and services issues.
When it came to best performing sites, 32Red, Bet365 and InterCasino led the field for online casino customer service, while the bottom three sports were filled by NetBet, Paddy Power, and Club World. The research, carried out by iXP Consulting and published in partnership with iGaming Business, analysed the quality of poker and casino operators' customer support services over the third quarter of 2013.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
Updated News For The Month Of May 2014!
Sources: igamingbusiness.com - coindesk.com - calvinayre.com
Sources: igamingbusiness.com - coindesk.com - calvinayre.com