Eine im Auftrag des Bundesverbandes Informationswirtschaft, Telekommunikation und neue Medien (BITKOM) durchgeführte aktuelle Studie prognostiziert einen anhaltenden Steilflug der Umsätze im deutschen e-Business. Bereits im Jahr 2009 wird - so die BITKOM - der Umsatz auf unglaubliche 694 Milliarden Euro ansteigen. So wie der FC Bayern München auf unabsehbare Zeit die Bundesliga anführt, so scheinbar uneinholbar aktiv sind die Deutschen im WWW und besonders im europäischen Internethandel. Insgesamt haben die Deutschen satte 30 Prozent aller in Westeuropa über das Internet gehandelten Waren und Dienstleistungen verkauft – so die aktuelle BITKOM Studie.

In December 2007 Italy notified Brussels with the proposed new licensing requirements which are set to prove more EU-friendly than those currently in place (gaming servers may be located abroad provided within the EU territory, no need for the licensee company to be incorporated under Italian law, lower licence fees, etc). The so-called “standstill period” (during which the proposed rules cannot be implemented by the Italian authorities pending possible remarks and requests for clarification and/or amendments from the EC authorities) will officially lapse at the end of March yet it is still unknown at this time whether it will be possibly extended by one extra month.

As well as creating a new temporary exclusive licence for state-owned operator Holland Casino, a proposed Online Gaming Act also suggested that the Ministry of Justice is to target financial institutions dealing with unlicensed remote gambling operators. Justin Franssen and Aernout Kraaijeveld, of Van Mens & Wisselink, explain how although the Ministry's initial proposals have been watered down, the proposed Act still fails to justify its restriction on the freedom to provide services. In the political debate on the proposed Online Gaming Act, which creates a new exclusive temporary licence for remote gaming for Dutch state-owned casino monopolist Holland Casino, the enforcement of the prohibition of remote gaming is brought into focus.

More than 1,200 members of Canada’s gaming industry are gathered in Montreal from April 29 to May 1 in Canadian Gaming Summit, a three-day event consisting of over 40 workshops and seminars, more than 100 exhibitors of gaming products and services, and a charity awards gala. "This is a unique opportunity to come together and discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping our industry today," said Bill Rutsey...

Vicksburg - Employee turnover and short staffs are problems already facing Vicksburg casinos, and the demand for skilled workers is about to get higher as a fifth casino begins hiring and another nears completion of a gaming room expansion. Meanwhile, the city's first casino college has opened with goals of easing local shortages. "This isn't something that's a new phenomenon, it's always been an issue in this industry," said Kim Tullos, general manager for DiamondJacks Casino.

This year’s Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE), held August 24-26 at Sydney’s Darling Harbour, features an innovative and impressive three day conference programme, which is free for gaming industry organizations. “We have a stellar line-up of speakers and entertainers at this year’s conference, covering issues such as gaming technology, regulation and legislation, design and décor, and gaming investment and reward.

Topeka, Kansas - Four state-owned resort casinos and slot machines at race tracks could generate up to USD 739 million in annual revenue even if two Indian casinos operate near the border in Oklahoma, a study prepared for the Kansas Lottery concluded. The estimate assumes the Quapaw casino will operate south of Cherokee County and the Pawnee tribe will have a casino south of Arkansas City. Without the two casinos, the study said annual revenues could reach USD 811 million.

Citing higher oil and food prices and softening of economic conditions, Supreme Ventures Limited (SLV) has shelved all expansion plans, and has replaced its capital-investment programme with a promise to pay big dividends to shareholders. The company, whose retained earnings top JMD 648 million built on triple profits last year, paid no dividends in 2007. Up to two months ago, SVL had said it was pressing ahead with plans to grow its gaming business in Jamaica...

Sacramento, California - A revolutionary gaming compact between the Wiyot Tribe and the State of California was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Wiyot Tribal Chairwoman Cheryl A. Seidner today. The compact, which has been under negotiation for nine years, allows the Wiyot Tribe to join the ranks of many other California tribes who have elected to utilize gaming for economic development, but with an entirely new twist.

According to a report from the Dow Jones business news service, the French Government is still considering the implications of legalizing online gambling under strict controls. Prime Minister Francois Fillon’s office stated late last week that it was in the process of studying a report it commissioned in November into how the virtual gambling market might be opened up in France. At the moment, all internet-based games involving money are outlawed in France...

Macao (Xinhua) -- Except for the existing casino projects, the government of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) will neither grant any new gaming concession or sub-concession nor approve any land for the building of new casinos in the near future, said the SAR's Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah on Tuesday. In light of China's central government's requirement and expectation for Macao to diversify its gaming-centered economy, the SAR government decided to tighten its gaming market regulation policy...

According to figures published by the Norwegian Gambling Commission, the online gaming market in Norway grew by 6.1% in 2007, with an estimated 244,000 people gambling online. The Commission said Norwegians spent 961 million euros online, of which 82.9% or 797 million euros went to foreign operators, with Norsk Rikstoto and Norsk Tipping accounting for another USD 258 million.