Greece, a nation known in the past for its government’s hostility to online gambling and indeed any competition to entrenched local interests, became the scene this week for litigation between a land casino and an internet gambling site.

Powered by Dragonfish/Cassava in the 888.com group, the Gibraltar-licensed online casino 848.com found itself, and its marketing provider Master Media, targeted by a legal complaint launched by the Mount Parnes Casino Resort in Dytiki Elada, Greece, and claiming that the internet enterprise contravened European Union laws.

The focus of the litigation is on advertising, and specifically billboards advertising 848.com extensively in Greece and the Balkan states.

It appears from local media reports that the Greek government and judicial system has backed the Parnes complaint, ordering that because the internet casino accepts wagers from Greek citizens illegally, having no licence or authorisation from the Greek authorities to do so, the advertising on Greek soil must be withdrawn, and will not be permitted going forward.

Master Media Systems was additionally fined €3,000, to be applied in respect of each case where the advertisement appears.

Australia’s Federal Families Minister Jenny Macklin is concerned over the popularity of internet gambling, and revealed whilst addressing a problem gambling conference this week that the federal government planned to discuss the rapidly growing pastime at a gathering of state and territory ministers next year.

Observers noted the irony of the minister delivering her problem gambling speech at a land casino on Australia’s Gold Coast.

The Courier-Mail newspaper reports that new research numbers show that Aussies will bet just short of A$1 billion on internet gambling this year, with government ministers like Macklin fearing it could become a problem as large as the better known pokie machines found extensively throughout the nation.

Internet gambling, apart from sports betting and lotteries, is banned for Australians (*incorrect – see note below), but many of them access overseas-based gambling sites to sidestep the ban.

Reporting on the conference, the Courier-Mail quoted Dr Sally Gainsbury of Southern Cross University’s Centre of Gambling Education and Research, who said internet gambling worldwide was forecast to grow in value from A$21 billion in 2008 to A$30 billion by 2012. She claimed that “unregulated” websites provide few player-protection measures.

Earlier this year, the federal government appointed Productivity Commission recommended that a decade-long ban on internet gambling be lifted – a recommendation which the federal government rejected.

The long-running and still to be resolved dispute over a subsidisation levy from British bookies for UK horseracing saw major bookmakers speaking up this weekend in an open letter to the government’s Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, who has the unenviable task of finalising the issue.

An imposing roster of top companies and executives signed off on the letter, including Will Roseff, Chairman, The Bookmakers’ Committee; Richard Glynn, Chief Executive, Ladbrokes plc; Neil Goulden, Chairman Emeritus, Gala Coral Group; Ralph Topping, Chief Executive, William Hill plc; David Yu, Chief Executive, Betfair; Keith Johnson, Chairman, National Association of British Bookmakers; and Warwick Bartlett, Chairman, Association of British Bookmakers

The letter reads:

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt will, in the next few weeks, decide on whether to bow to the British horseracing industry’s demands for an increase in the Levy paid by Bookmakers. The “Racing United” campaign group of owners, trainers, jockeys and racecourses is attempting to paint a picture of an industry in financial crisis by focusing solely on revenue from the Levy. But the full facts do not back this claim. Betting supports British horseracing not just through the Levy, a statutory subsidy funded by a tax on the profits from betting on British horseracing. Our industry also funds British horseracing through payment for TV coverage from courses and sponsorship of meetings and races. The revenue generated for British horseracing by both of these has increased as revenue from the Levy has fallen. Over the coming years, the British horseracing industry’s revenues will be further boosted by above-inflation increases already agreed in lucrative new contracts for TV pictures with SIS and Turf TV which commence in 2012, and which include advance fees received by the racecourses. Other revenues are also healthy. The Racecourse Association has announced a 4% increase in overall attendances. Indeed, far from the British horseracing industry being in financial crisis, the major racecourse groups seem likely to see profits increase. Arena Leisure, on whose courses 26% of fixtures take place, has already posted a substantial rise in profits. At the heart of this issue is a fact that the British horseracing industry seems determined to ignore – revenue from the Levy is down principally because fewer people are betting on British horseracing. Its relevance to the betting customer continues to decline. British horseracing, just like every business, must adjust to changing circumstances rather than expect a bail-out through an increase in a subsidy established in 1961 to compensate racecourses for the anticipated impact of off-course betting on attendances. The world has changed a great deal in the last 50 years. British horseracing, protected by this subsidy, has failed to adapt. The betting industry is happy to work with British horseracing. But given our falling revenues from betting on British horseracing and the increased money we pay for TV rights, ‘Racing United’s’ demands for an increase in the Levy is without justification. Indeed, if anything, the falling value of British horseracing to betting makes the case for a reduction in the Levy. British horseracing must look inward, not outward, for solutions. Bookmaking can’t be expected to pay a higher percentage of its profits to prop-up an industry whose problems are primarily of its own making. We are confident that Mr Hunt will look at this broader picture when he comes to make his decision in respect of the 50th levy scheme.

Over the past couple of years, online sports books have had to deal with some major upsets in reality television competitions. With large underdogs winning American Idol the past two years, sports books were left to pay out large sums of cash.

Luckily for the sports books, Dancing with the Stars, the 2010 edition, ended according to plans. Jennifer Grey was crowned the champion, and that meant that most gamblers received less than two to one on their money.

Grey was one of the favorites for the entire competition. In fact, before the dancers ever hit the floor, Grey was made the betting favorite by odds makers. The actresses major role in Dirty Dancing opposite Patrick Swayze was a main reason why odds makers and fans thought she would do well in the competition.

In the past few weeks, however, the sports books became worried that growing support for Bristol Palin would again deliver an underdog winner. When Palin was saved last week and favorite Brandy was eliminated, the sports books and fans alike started to see that Palin had more support than was previously expected.

In the end, Grey was too perfect on the dance floor for fans to vote anybody else but her the winner. With Dancing with the Stars now completed for this year, online gamblers will turn their attention to American Idol, which will begin its new season just after the new year.

American Idol has delivered Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze as winners the past two seasons. Allen and DeWyze were both over ten to one long shots when the live shows began on Idol. By the end, the two underdogs delivered bettors that took a gamble early in the competition a large pay out.

November 22 – Unconfirmed rumours over the weekend were that Canadian payment provider, Ewalletxpress has been effectively shut down by the Department of Justice through having their funds seized.

 Online gamblers in the United States have had to use a variety of alternate payment methods to deposit and withdraw funds at online casinos, poker rooms ans sportsbooks, of which Ewalletxpress has been one of the most popular.

Numerous other providers have suffered a similar fate in the last number of years including Neteller and Click2Pay.

No official statement has been forthcoming from either Ewalletxpress or the Department of Justice.

Reports started surfacing on online forums around November 12th that the Ewalletxpress was inaccessible. Players were told that the payment provider was experiencing technical problems.

The big concern for players at this stage is that once the website is operational, whether they will be able to cash out their funds. When Neteller was targeted by the DOJ, they agreed a settlement and paid a fine. US Players who had accounts with Neteller waited for months to get their money back.

We will provide an update on the situation as soon as more information becomes available.