vimal’s blog

As many nations are coming forward to legalize online gambling such as France, Germany, Denmark followed by United States where legalization is taking pace, Poland is the only country which is planning to put a ban on all online gambling activities.  In a recent news Polish leaders have arranged an anti gambling campaign to ban all forms of gambling in the country, Prime Minister Donald Tusk is planning to make all gambling outside of casinos illegal and also raise taxes on the gambling industry.

Polish is growing in terms of online gambling activities and the underground market is huge at this point of time. However some critics are claiming the move is an attempt to take attention away from the government’s corruption and recent political scandals. There are few concerns that makes Poland govt to think, if they ban gambling how will they fund their treasuries with taxes, the country is also planning to host 2012 European Football Championships with Ukraine for that they need funds.

However Polish online gamblers don’t seem too threatened by the proposal as various laws banning online gambling in their country have been and gone before.

When comes to online gambling popularity, we considered only few major countries such as United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and some tiny but popular countries like Denmark and Netherlands but did you guys ever heard of Bulgaria hhmm.. I never did.

Yes, Bulgaria is one of the country where online gambling is gaining popularity but illegally and the country is sturggling under illegal online gambling operations as it looses million of  BGN every year. According to some reports, Betsafe, an internet gambling company is operating illegally in Bulgaria.

This has been reported by the BGNES agency which cites data provided to it by representatives of the State Gambling Commission.

Commission's representative, Simeon Simeonov, stated that the companies providing online gambling and betting in the country is unlicensed. The Commission has reportedly imposed dozens of fines on such companies.

According to stats, in 2006 the turnover from illegal online gambling operations in Bulgaria was BGN 500 M, going up to BGN 700 M in 2007, and BGN 1 B in 2008; the figure is expected to reach BGN 1,5 B in 2009.

France, one of the biggest EU nations is legalizing online gambling by drafting a bill in the parliament and hopes to see the online gambling legalized by next year. Currently, France had banned gambling companies from any sort of advertising their products and services.

Now, the online gambling bill is almost done but the problem seems to be coming from Maarten Haijer,  EGBA regulatory affairs. He added that French budget minister, Eric Woerth commented that "sports betting legalization will defend the integrity of the sports". Maarten Haijer opposed to the statement made by the budget minister and added that "there no link between a sportsbetting right and the integrity of sport."

Maarten Haijer further said that we are not opposing EU commission's decision but we need to take certain steps in order to regulate and strict online gambling laws in the country. We need to generate revenues through proper implimentation of taxes on winnings and licensing fees and the money generated should be funded to other sports.

French minister has asked all local and foreign gambling firms to stop advertising their products and services. He further added that online gambling is still not legalized and will take time until 2010.

French govt recently declared that they are going to legalize internet gambling in year 2010 and until that happens gambling firms are not suppose to advertise in any forms let it be TV ads, print or web ads.

Eu commission pressurized French authorities to legalize and allow other gambling firms to enter their French jurisdiction, otherwise strict action will be taken. After years of meeting and discussions France agreed to legalize online gambling with strict rules and regulations.

Things are looking good for online gambling industry in France but until it is properly legalized  you never know with these politicians. France was forced to opt for legalizing gambling by EU authorities.

Let us hope for the best.

PartyGaming deal with US dept of justice for whooping $105 million to avoid any threats of prosecutions has been cleared and now the employees and the executives of the gambling firm can easily move around in United States.

Followed by PartyGaming , other gambling firms such as 888.com and sportsbetting.com  have also stepped forward to settle down with US justice dept with same kind of deal, so that they can benefit and flourish their relationship with the country.

After the deal, PartyGaming was happy and relieved and was confident of the companies future prospects. Now Party can get funding from US banks and according to guardian newspaper some US investors are already looking to invest in PartyGaming firm, following this news , Party shares rose at London Stock Exchange.

If UIGEA rules were overturned in near future, PartyGaming could be the first company to enter giant US market which will benefit them from market share point of view.

US govt will notice this scenario as to how unregulated gambling can lead to crime.  When Unlawful internet gambling enforcement act was passed it was clearly written that online horse betting and lottery's are exempted from UIGEA  in order to protect local gambling business in states. 

Now, there is case going on in Florida state against David Sarnowsk, who had stolen whooping $1.6 million from a law firm that he worked for. The motive behind was not due to addiction in online poker or casino's but for betting online on horse racing. Sarnowski was arrested in Pinellas County, Florida on Saturday.

My question to US govt is, could you please tell me from which angle do you see horse betting as skilled game and why isn't that game is under UIGEA law?. Shame!!!!!.

Online poker or you can say online gambling has become a hot topic for discussion in America these days. Recently millions of Americans have requested newly elected president Obama to legalize online gambling and especially poker, which Americans considered as game of skill not chance.

Many Americans raised their voices through posting and commenting on Obama's citizen briefing website. The site was set up by Obama’s transition team and is designed in such a way that allow citizens to submit and promote suggestions and the issues that president should address.

This coming 20th Jan, new president will take its seat and we all hope that things go in right direction for America and its citizens.  Will OBAMA Do IT ?

Google has sent a very good news for all gambling affiliates who were looking to promote ther sites through PPC ads. Previously Google announced that only gambling companies can use PPC Adwords for advertising their brands in UK and now affiliates can use PPC for promoting their affiliate gambling sites.

Google has placed some strict regulations regarding usage of gambling ads. It was banned for many years but now it has gained permission from UK govt where the gambling is legalized. The search engine giant is expected to make million of pounds in revenues.

One can visit Google adwords PPC terms and conditions page to read the entire rules and regulations that affiliates and gambling companies had to follow.Google even stated that affiliates sites should provide links to gambling portals gambleaware.co.uk or gamcare.org.ukto ensure that minors should not gain access to gambling games. 

According to telegraph's recent post, internet has been growing tremendously and many forms of activities are taking place online. Just think a services and you get it online, no matter a huge money transfers, direct live communication around the world, sending emails, playing games both real and play money and what not.

But the major concern over here is apart from the good usage of internet, there has been continous running of terror activities through online technology. Yes, I am right, according to UK's internal security system, terrorist activities are taking place through internet technology by transferring huge amount of funds for illegal activities.

Online gambling has come under scanner, as terrorist are using it as a source for transferring funds. Computer experts in al-Qaeda have created an "online University of Jihad" that is recruiting and training potential terrorists in Britain without them having to risk travelling to camps in Pakistan.

Please read the telegraph's post for more information.