Monthly Archives: May 2017

Australia pledges to put an end to bitcoin’s double tax

Taking a leaf out of Japan’s book, the government of Australia has announced that it will look into finally putting an end to the double taxation of digital currencies, such as bitcoin, in the country.

Australian customers using digital currency for transactions are currently taxed twice—one for the goods and services tax (GST) on the product and another one for the GST levied on the digital currency used for the payment. This is because the Australian Tax Office considers bitcoin and other digital currencies as an “intangible property,” which means that cryptocurrency-related transactions are “barter transactions.”

Recently, however, the government’s Productivity Commission recommended that the definition of money in GST regulations to be updated to include digital currency.

The commission also sought to amend the current Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act, so that regulation of digital currency-related businesses will be added for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing purposes.

NetEnt launches first-of-its-kind employer branding campaign with reality TV-style series The Challenge

NetEnt, the leading provider of digital gaming solutions, has created the first-of-its-kind production that features and engages staff across the business and demonstrates its successful challenger culture.

The year-long content marketing campaign launched today (Monday, May 8, 2017) at 12:00 CET, with the premiere of episodes one and two of The Challenge simulcast across NetEnt offices and online at www.netent.com/challenge.

More than 900 employees at seven global locations will combine to help a team of four NetEnters climb one of the tallest mountains in the European Alps as part of the unique, own-brand web series.

Filmed and broadcast in a reality TV-style, The Challenge will document the team’s progress, which will be aided by tasks completed by all employees across the business. They have been undertaking their own work-related missions for the past three months to help their colleagues prepare to scale the summit.

Global gaming industry all abuzz about Japan Gaming Congress

It’s all about getting a slice of Japan’s nascent casino industry.

More than 420 industry executives and policymakers are trooping to the land of the rising sun for the upcoming Japan Gaming Congress (JgC) at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Tokyo (May 10-11). The objective: get a glimpse of what Japan has in mind for the development of its so-called integrated resorts.

After passing the landmark bill that will make casino gambling legal in the country last year, the Japanese government is already hard at work on the second IR bill, which will focus on how to drive foreign tourism to the country a la Singapore. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants the legislation submitted by third quarter of 2017.

Earlier this month, the prime minister reiterated his support for casino legalization in the country, telling the newly-formed IR regulatory legislation task force: “The world’s highest standards or casino regulations will be introduced, and policies to deal with issues like gambling addition will be addressed.”

iGaming Super Show 2017 launches iGnite to showcase latest in innovative products and technologies

8th May, 2017 (London) – The 2017 iGaming Super Show is to feature a brand new open conference track designed for suppliers and developers to showcase their newest, innovative and exciting products or software to the entire igaming industry.

New to this year’s show, iGnite is an open-air theatre style show that will enable everyone from operators to affiliates to view the latest cutting-edge products and technologies which are set to revolutionise the industry.

There will also be a networking zone within the iGnite conference area, meaning that delegates will have the opportunity to network with representatives of the companies that are showcasing their products.

Shona ODonnell, Event Director at iGaming Business, said: “We are extremely happy to launch iGnite at the iGaming Super Show 2017.

Philippines to sell PAGCOR casinos in Q4

The Philippine government is eyeing to dispose its casinos in the fourth quarter as it bids adieu to its commercial functions.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the government targets to bid out the casinos’ licenses as well as facilities before the end of the year.

Philippine Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez was quoted saying at the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank’s 50th annual meeting that the government could no longer compete with private-led casinos when he announced that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will stick to its regulatory mandate.

“If our casinos were to replace a glass that’s broken, I think it will take ages as compared to what Okada and Solaire can do. It’s better [for the government] to move out of [casino operations],” Dominguez said. “And secondly, of course, it will remove the conflict of interest when you are the regulator as well.”

Isle of Man inches closer to new casino regulations

A bill seeking to amend the existing casino regulations in the Isle of Man has made an important progress at the House of Keys.

Members of the House of Keys (MHK) gave the green light to the proposed Casino Amendment Bill last week, when it had been considered at a second reading, local media IOM Today reported.

The Isle of Man, a self-governing British Crown Dependency, implemented its original 1986 Casino Act more than three decades ago, paving the way for the development of up to two casinos. Currently, only one casino—the Western Palace Hotel & Casino in Douglas—is operating on the Isle of Man.

Under the original Casino Act, casinos on the island are required to operate from specified premises, and a single license cannot cover multiple sites. But the amendments in the 2017 bill will allow existing gambling venues to move premises without losing their licenses.

Philippines gearing for more gambling raids as it cozy up with China

The Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has declared an open season against illegal betting operations serving mainland Chinese gamblers.

Reuters reported that the long hands of the Chinese authorities has finally reached the Philippine shores as both countries joined forces in hunting down transnational cyber gambling operations that had mushroomed in the Southeast island nation.

Both countries had already flexed its law enforcement muscle as it shuttered four illegal websites, rounded up 99 people, and froze more than 1,000 bank accounts in April, according to China’s Public Security Bureau.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief Martini Cruz, however, pointed out that April’s raids are just opening salvos of what is to happen this month.

Prague Gaming Summit announces RSVP Networking Lunch Cruise sponsored by EEGEvents

Monday – 8th of May, 2017 – Prague – The organizers of Prague Gaming Summit have released a new press release about the upcoming inaugural event, which is going to be held between the 8th and 9th of June at Andel’s by Vienna House Prague.

The announcement is about the 2nd day schedule of the seminar type conference and is an open invitation for 50 attending delegates.

The Networking Lunch Cruise  is sponsored by EEGEvents and is going to be held on the 9th of June as part of Prague Gaming Summit.

The organizers invite you to spend your final day in Prague by visiting some of the most renowned sceneries has to offer and enjoy a dinner while you grab the last business cards of the participants.

Realistic Games now live on mybet

Casino launches supplier’s full catalogue via NYX’s OGS Platform

 Reading, 8th May, 2017 – Content from award-winning supplier Realistic Games is now live on the website and mobile app of mybet.

The deal, via NYX Gaming Group’s OGS distribution platform, gives the Malta and Schleswig Holstein-licenced brand access to Realistic’s entire catalogue of slots and table games.

Realistic’s market-leading blackjack and roulette are the first games to be made available to players, with a selection of their best performing slots to follow.

EPL week 36 review: A seismic shift at top and bottom

Week 36 of the English Premier League sees a seismic shift at the top and the bottom as the pre odds analysis go out of the window with some startling results.

So that’s all it needed?

David Moyes commits his future to the club and Sunderland turn it on?

Sunderland has been stuffed 23 times this season, and Hull is not one of those teams. The Tigers couldn’t even score a single goal against the worse team in the league by some considerable distance.

UnionPay withdrawals in Macau to require ID, face recognition checks

Security checks at Macau automated teller machines (ATMs) will soon be a little more intrusive as the special administrative region seeks to tighten its restrictions on cash flows out of mainland China.

Holders of mainland China-issued UnionPay bank cards will have to scan their identity cards at ATMs and also pass facial recognition scans before they will be able to withdraw cash, the Macau government announced over the weekend.

The new technology will cover “all ATM machines in Macau, namely those installed in and around casinos.” The security checks, however, will only apply to users whose bank cards were issued in the mainland.

“Customers with bank cards issued in Macao and other regions do not need the above procedure and can carry out the withdrawal as usual. Financial institutions will closely monitor the situation of customer use,” the government said a statement.

APT Macau 2017 coming in June!

Coming off a highly successful APT Championships Philippines in Manila, with huge attendance and record-breaking entries for the Main Event, the Asian Poker Tour is thrilled to announce its next big poker festival, the APT Macau 2017! (Subject to regulatory approval)

In partnership with well-known poker brand Macau Billionaire Poker – who owns one of the most popular card rooms in Macau – the APT Macau 2017 will run for nine days from June 14th-22nd at the Macau Billionaire Poker room in the Babylon Casino.

The upcoming festival will feature a HKD 19,800 buy-in Main Event and 15 APT signature side events. There will also be a High Rollers event with a HKD 33,000 entry fee and a Super High Rollers (special event) with a HKD 200,000 entry fee.

Last year, the APT returned to Macau after taking a three-year hiatus. Two highly successful events were held, the APT Macau in October and the APT Finale Macau to close out its 2016 calendar year. The APT returns once again to bring you top notch international caliber events along with the best structures offered in the world.

Tom Horn forecasts RNG revolution across Asia-Pacific ahead of G2E

Ahead of Tom Horn Gaming’s return to G2E Asia in May, the company’s CEO, Ondrej Lapides, explores the growing trends in the Asian region and describes the company’s continued success at trade shows across the globe.

Malta-based software provider, Tom Horn Gaming, has expanded into a number of key markets in recent years and as it prepares to showcase new games tailored specifically to the Asian market at this year’s G2E, Lapides explores the opportunities his company foresees in the region.

Tom Horn is returning to G2E after a successful event last year. What do you have in store for the Asian market this year?

Every market has specific requirements with player tastes differing from region to region and the Asian market is no exception. Our team had this in mind when planning our participation at G2E Asia, and so created a new game accordingly which takes into account different cultural preferences that ultimately shape the gaming climate of the region. We will be unveiling the game with progressive jackpots and features specifically tailored to satisfy the Asian player.

This summer, iGaming Academy live hosts compliance briefing: Malta

Compliance Briefing: Malta, the island’s must-attend iGaming compliance conference takes place on TUESDAY 27TH JUNE

Its engaging format, in which leading subject matter experts dive deep to deliver essential content, impart insightful analysis and engage with their audiences on the industry’s hottest compliance topics, will draw senior marketing, legal, compliance and HR executives from across the industry.

Over one hundred delegates representing leading operators from Malta and throughout the EU will attend the event, in which the following themes will be discussed:

– The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Japan Gaming Congress approaches capacity as delegates head to Tokyo

The Japan Gaming Congress (JgC) which is being held across 10-11 May at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Tokyo, is close to capacity with over 420 delegates now registered for the event, which will feature thought leaders including, Mark Frissora, CEO, Caesars Entertainment; John Raczka, Former Vice President Entertainment Development & Operations, Melco Crown Entertainment; Masayo Watanabe, Senior Manager Sub-Leader for the Integrated Resort Support Office, Ernst & Young Japan; Masahiro Terada, Senior Manager, Pricewaterhouse Coopers (Japan) and Ed Bowers, CEO and  Representative Officer, MGM Resorts Japan, LLC. Online registration, which is available via www.japangamingcongress.com, will close at 5pm GMT on Monday 8th May, with organisers advising there is no guarantee that non-registered delegates who arrive onsite will be given access to the event.

Rory Credland, Event Director for JgC, said: “The tremendous response from delegates reflects the importance of the lucrative gaming and hospitality market in Japan, estimated to be worth $40bn. Japan, which is the third largest economy in the world, has been preparing itself as a potential gaming hub in Asia for some time and with the gaming industry now tuned into the prospects of addressing this huge market following the approval of the Integrated Resort Promotion Bill, the Congress has taken on huge significance.”

The Japan Gaming Congress is a two-day educational forum that will offer a clear, practical insight and understanding into the casino legislation in Japan. With a relatively short time to go before the first licences are issued, JgC provides an opportunity to fully understand the complex nature of IR Casinos in one of the potential superpowers in Asia. Topics to be covered at this year’s JgC, include: Building a MICE economy in conjunction with IR projects; Licensing regulations; Best practice in responsible gambling; IR locations and Financing IR projects.

For more information and to register as a delegate, visit: www.japangamingcongress.com

Hatch of the Day: GalaBingo.com hosts live lottery game featuring hatching chicken eggs

· From 4th-16th April, GalaBingo.com opened entry to a very special lottery game

· Live ‘draw’ with hatching chicken eggs took place on Easter Monday (17th)

· Prizes included Love2Shop travel vouchers and luxury chocolate hampers

GalaBingo.com was spreading cheer this Easter Monday (17th April) with a very special, live lottery game – featuring hatching chicken eggs.

G2E Asia 2017 conference to provide overview of Asian gaming landscape, insights into critical topics

Influential industry speakers to address attendees at this year’s Global Gaming Expo Asia (G2E Asia), the marketplace for the Asian gaming industry.

Francis Lui, Deputy Chairman of the Galaxy Entertainment Group, will provide opening remarks at 09:30 on May 16. The conference program includes other industry experts who will address:

• Status and projections for the Asian market;

• Integrated Resort products and technology solutions;