We always think it is the kettle calling the pot black when one gambling concern takes umbrage against another for fear they will lose their business. A prime example in the USA is Gambling Billionaire Magnate, Sheldon Adelson. He is the man who made his money with the Las Vegas Sands Corporation; he is also still their Chairman and CEO. In his opinion online gambling is morally wrong, but apparently it is not morally wrong to set down 5000 slots machines, 300 blackjack tables, 150 roulette wheels, and high stakes private Baccarat rooms on his casino floors. Go figure?

Anyway the latest in a long line of green monsters with regard the online US online gambling saga, is Lottery Directors. Another bunch of hypocrites from seven states who plan to storm in on Washington to speak against a bill which might potentially allow federal legislation and regulation for this much maligned industry. It appears that the bill is to restrict the expansion of lotteries online, as well as other gambling, but will promulgate online poker. Again with this bill, we see what appears to be a morally superior stance, calling the pot black so to speak, then, sneaking in the back door.

For goodness sake, why does the Federal Government not allow all online gambling activities across the board, a law such as this would stop all this envy and dissention right in its tracks. But then the Church and other groups who believe themselves to be on "higher" moral ground, would also have something to say.

Nevertheless, these lottery official hail from Kentucky, Idaho, New Hampshire, Georgia, Washington state, Missouri, and Iowa are signed-up. They will be flying in to lobby against the Federal bill devised by Senators Harry Reid, of Nevada, and Jon Kyl of Arizona.

David Gale who is the Exec Director of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, says the Bill will restrict most other online gambling activities which leaves them out in the cold. More and more states are looking to expand their lottery operations online, but not only that, they also want to be able to offer various other casino-type gambling games. What was mentioned were slots and keno-type games. Basically random number games.

They say that the purpose of the lobbying trip was to spread the message that gaming rights are a state-specific right, and that each and every state has the right to determine what games should or should not be on offer. However, this has also never really been disputed at Federal level, we only have to look at the fact that Nevada has made online poker legal.

Apparently these lottery leaders want their individual states not only to have the power to determine the games they offer their residents, but also how these gambling games are delivered. In other words – they are concerned that a Federal bill would interfere with their power.

According to Reid and Kyl, their online gambling bill does not deserve any of this ire, it is simply in draft form at present, and they will continue to work transparently with all stakeholders.

iGB Affiliate Events, organisers of the London Affiliate Conference 2013 (LAC) at Old Billingsgate 7th – 10th February, have announced that the iGaming Series of Poker will return to their flagship event. The iGSOP has a new sponsor, 888 Poker, who will be hosting the online freerolls on their website, leading up to the live event at LAC.

888 poker are excited to be sponsoring this year’s iGSOP and are looking forward to seeing both old and new affiliate faces at their poker tables during LAC.

888 poker is the fastest growing online poker brand in the industry, hosting thousands of poker enthusiasts the world over at any given time. With over 10 million registered members, 888poker continues to offer the best consumer experience. 888poker strives to provide quality entertainment by providing a safe, fun and secure poker environment. Customers play on state-of-the-art software with 3D, PokerCam and Teams features.

In addition, the online freerolls for the iGaming Series of Poker (iGSOP) will now be streamlined, thanks to Global Gaming Events (GGE), the platinum media partners to the event, who have lent their industry know-how and proficiency to the tournament. GGE, as an organisation, offer players the chance to win thousands in prizes, working with different poker rooms to ensure players receive the best possible experience and maximum chance of prizes. In turn Partners of GGE (such as affiliates) can promote these prizes to their poker players and still earn affiliate commission from them. LAC delegates can register to play on London Affiliate Conference.

"We have worked with over 1000 affiliates to earn them over $2.4 million in affiliate commission." Explains Jason Rosenberg, president of GGE. "In turn we will be bringing our expertise and connections within the Poker industry to the iGaming Series of Poker, ensuring the affiliate experience with the tournament are as enjoyable and smooth as possible. This is a fantastic opportunity for affiliates to see what GGE can offer them: a high conversion tool and a win-win situation for all."

The iGaming Series of Poker is a tournament traditionally played at each of the international iGB Affiliate events, with only delegates attending allowed to play on the online freerolls to win seats for the live event. The iGSOP is free to enter and the next tournament will be held at the London Affiliate Conference 2013. The top seven spots will win cash prizes. More information on the iGSOP and LAC can be found on London Affiliate Conference.

The independent online gambling testing and compliance organisation eCOGRA, which is already performing technical standards reviews for operators licenced by the Danish Gambling Authority, has been further empowered by the Authority as an ‘Approved Enterprise’.

eCOGRA is the first company to be so appointed by the Danish Gambling Authority.

The role of an Approved Enterprise in the Danish market is to complete a report as required by the Danish Gambling Authority in respect of Danish licence holders within 14 months of the commencement of licensed online gambling operations.

Such a report includes an extensive review of license holders’ operational activities, embracing financial and statistical data to ensure that the licensee has provided gambling services in accordance with Danish gambling legislation.

eCOGRA chief executive Andrew Beveridge said this week that in order to be appointed as an Approved Enterprise, eCOGRA was required to demonstrate to the Danish Gambling Authority that its employees possess the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience for the role.

"The majority of eCOGRA’s employees are professionally qualified auditors with Big 4 audit firm backgrounds, and are highly experienced in auditing and reviewing financial information and remote gambling operator systems; we were therefore confident that we would meet the high standards of the Danish regulator," Beveridge said.

"eCOGRA now has ten years of diverse compliance, testing and consulting experience in the industry, during which its staff has successfully performed over 500 online gambling compliance reviews in the areas of player protection and responsible operator behaviour, in most cases for large and well-established internet gambling operator and software supplier companies."

"I therefore believe that we are well suited to perform the role of an Approved Enterprise in the growing Danish market."

"This appointment is extremely important to us, as our clients require us to provide them the full suite of services required by the various licensing jurisdictions, including the review of technical and information security requirements, and legal and financial compliance."

Predictions regarding the popularity and expected growth of mobile gambling have been pretty spot-on. Even though this boom got started a little later than predicted, this was only because the ideas and innovation were ready before the technology was. Now ideas and innovation are totally tying in with technology, and as once was expected this is going to be the next big internet gambling wave of growth. Websites offering mobile gaming options are already showing proof of this, with leaps in profit margins in some instances of 300% and more.

The big prediction is that the mobile gambling channel with be a $100 Billion Market by the year 2017. Why should we believe any different when the evidence is all there. Every time we turn on the television there is an advert for gambling online, and now for the mobile version of these games too. Not only that, we see it spread across gigantic billboards, see it in newspapers (if we read these), and also in magazines. Mobile gambling is here, and it appears it is here to stay.

It really is of no surprise that this business is predicted to top $100 billion within the short space of just five years. But what is kit exactly that makes this form of gambling so appealing to so many people? Basically any savvy casino should offer the capability of mobile real money gambling to their customers – why? Because virtually everyone, throughout all income groups, social sectors, and demographic has access to a mobile phone!

Even granny and grandpa are on mobile today. We all take our mobiles wherever we go, and check them all the time. We take them to the bathroom, to work, to restaurants, into meetings, check them in bed, and the big thing is that we don’t just use them to check up on granny and grandpa, we use them to entertain us.

It has been speculated that nearly half of the mobile phone users for example in the UK – make use of a smartphone. The people who own them might not be that smart, but the phones definitely are. They can be used to connect to the internet, access Facebook, Google stuff, and people, are getting smarter, they are using their mobile devices to connect to the internet more regularly. This function was available, but ignored just a few years ago.

The big appeal for mobile gambling or any kind of gambling at all, is that people can win prizes. Imagine getting involved in a game or two when on the commute home from work, and winning a prize? Well, people are doing it all of the time! Who doesn’t like winning prizes – especially if it is money? And who hates having nothing to do on the commute from work home?
Yes, today you don’t have to get home, get dressed and then commute again to the bright lights of the casino. Mobile gambling has done this for us, it is safe, easy, convenient and a rewarding way for many to end their day with a little light entertainment.

The regulatory auditing and testing agency eCOGRA has been selected by leading Stoke-on-Trent based online gambling group bet365 to serve as its "third party regulatory testing and certification partner".

Companies are increasingly recognising the value of partnerships that will oversee and conduct independent specialist audit and testing procedures to streamline the often complicated and varying matrix of national regulatory requirements in newly legislated, as well as existing, markets in Europe.

Bet365, as one of the world’s largest online gambling groups, identified the need to appoint a strategic partner that would provide it with quality and cost-effective compliance and audit services ensuring each aspect of its business is in sync with the myriad of legislative requirements adopted by the various markets it operates in or intends to enter.

eCOGRA’s 17025:2005 testing laboratory accreditation by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and extensive mix of professional Big 4 audit firm, IT and industry experience, ideally places the firm to perform compliance and audit services across the diverse spread of regulation and testing principles and methodologies being adopted throughout Europe.

Andrew Beveridge, the chief executive of eCOGRA, welcomed the appointment saying: "eCOGRA specialises in providing services to tier 1 software suppliers and operators, and bet365 certainly meets this requirement. eCOGRA looks forward to assisting bet365 with future certification endeavours while ensuring the group remains compliant in the markets in which it currently operates."

Steven Degg, regulatory compliance and information officer of bet365 commenting on the appointment said: "bet365 selected eCOGRA based on the depth of skills, experience of their resources and a successful track record in providing compliance services to other leading operators and software suppliers. Bet365 successfully submitted challenging Spanish and Danish certifications in partnership with eCOGRA, and look forward to working with eCOGRA as we expand into new markets going forward."

About eCOGRA

Founded in 2003 to set and improve operational standards and player safety in the online gambling space, eCOGRA has amassed a wealth of experience in implementing international best practice standards and requirements and ensuring these are maintained through regular review and monitoring.

Over 200 of the most established and successful internet gambling websites are accredited and policed by the independent, London-based company, which is staffed by professional auditors with Big 4 auditing firm experience, information system experts and responsible gambling specialists.

The company is an accredited testing agency with several jurisdictions, and has been awarded the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) ISO approval ISO/IEC 17025:2005 : General Requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. This accreditation is one of the quality assurance requirements for approval as a testing agency in various European remote gambling licensing jurisdictions.

About bet365

Bet365 is a world leading eGaming company and a driving force in the development of Enterprise and Internet technology. Established in 2000 from a portakabin in Stoke-on-Trent, bet365 has grown into a global operation that employs over 2,000 people, is live in 17 languages and delivers an unrivalled online experience to over 9 million customers worldwide.

Giving its development teams the freedom to innovate is key to bet365’s success. The company has worked hard to cultivate a culture of innovation where good ideas and a techno-entrepreneurial attitude are encouraged and rewarded. Today bet365 continues to push technological boundaries and break new ground in software innovation.