Archive for September, 2006
The US senate has passed a watered down version of the Internet Gambling Bill in the last session of the term – by attaching it to a completely unrelated bill on Port Security.
To summarize what was passed, this bill is designed to prevent the use of payment instruments (credit cards, fund transfers, etc.) for certain forms of online gambling that are defined as “unlawful Internet gambling.”
The bill requires financial institutions to identify and block payments related to so-called unlawful Internet gambling transactions. If there is a violation, the government may file a lawsuit (known as an injunction) to prevent or restrain the violation.
The bill provides a special exemption for three types of Internet gambling:
(1) horse racing under the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA), so OTBs and account wagering systems can remain in business,
(2) Indian gambling that takes place on a reservation or between two reservations; and
(3) Internet gambling that occurs solely within a state’s own borders, referred to as Intra-state gambling.
… the President will sign this legislation within two weeks, but it allows 270 days before it is regulated and enforced.
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OUR COMMENT :
The methods needed to get this bill to pass are a travesty – and the fact that the bill could not pass any other way speaks volumes for the lack of integrity in this process and the content of the bill.
This does seem to fly directly in the face of WTO ruling on foreign internet gambling – basically you cannot lockout companies if you are allow internal gambling …
But since when has President Bush even considered outside influences eh?
September 30th, 2006
A sentence will be announced Monday for three Russian hackers in the Saratov Region, 530 miles southeast of Moscow, accused of extorting $4 million from world Internet companies, a public prosecutor said Friday.
“Three Russian nationals – Balakovo resident Ivan Maksakov, Astrakhan resident Alexander Petrov and St. Petersburg resident Denis Stepanov – are charged with committing a number of computer crimes via the Internet, and extorting money from several U.K. companies,” Anton Pakhomov said.
He said the hackers collected information about British web casinos and bookmaker’s offices, and then demanded ransoms from the owners, threatening to disrupt the operation of their web servers.
“The web server of Canbet Sports Bookmakers Ltd, which refused to pay a $10,000 ransom, was blocked during the Breeders’ Cup races, and the company lost more than $200,000 for each day of downtime,” the source said.
Investigators said the criminal group received more than $4 million from U.K. companies. The prosecutor said the group made 54 similar attacks in 30 countries for the six months they were active.
Maksakov and Stepanov were detained in September 2004 thanks to the joint efforts of Britain’s National High Tech Crime Unit, Interpol, the FBI and Russia’s Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General’s Office. Petrov was arrested in mid-2005, Pakhomov said.
Each of the three faces charges on 19 articles of the Russian Criminal Code, with a punishment of up to 15 years in prison.
September 30th, 2006
Italy has apparently done a radical about-turn in its approach to online gambling. It appears that the Italian authorities are going from website blockades instituted with local ISPs through the AAMS, to a UK style regulatory and taxation regime.
Italy has had an interesting relationship with online gaming. In February, the country attempted to ban all IP addresses of online gaming sites – well over 600 in all – and then a few days later reportedly tried to set up an ‘exclusive’ relationship with an online poker room, allegedly for a piece of the action.
Now, Italy is moving toward regulation of the industry. As of January 1, 2007, it will be legal for Italian citizens to gamble online. The new law also clears the way for things like public sports betting as well.
This piece of legislation regulates all ‘ability based and fixed betting activities’. The Italian plan is apparently informed by the U.K. initiative when it comes to how the entities that do business in Italy are regulated.
If a company does business with Italian customers, the government will stand to make a 3 percent tax on any gaming based revenues acquired by the company.
Finally mainland Europe is getting it’s act together – and recognising that online business – gambling and otherwise – is here to stay.
September 29th, 2006
Bolton are 11/4 with bet365 to continue their 100% home record against Liverpool and it could be a price worth taking.
The Trotters are difficult to beat, especially at home but if you think Liverpool’s mini-revival is set to continue, they can be backed at 10/11 with bet365.
There’s four other Premiership matches on Saturday …
Arsenal are 4/7 to continue their winning streak at Charlton, who can be backed at 9/2 for their second win of the season.
Some bet365 customers will fancy Aston Villa at a tasty 17/2 to grab a shock win at Stamford Bridge – Chelsea are a very short 2/7.
Meanwhile, Everton are 5/6 to take all three points at home to City (3/1), while bet365 can’t split Sheff Utd and Middlesbro – they’re both 6/4 to win the match at Bramall Lane.
RELATED LINKS :
Bet365 Bookmaker Review at BookieLabrat.com
English Football Betting Previews at GoonersGuide.com
September 28th, 2006
One of our favourite bookmakers on the Internet, PinnacleSports.com have opened betting on week 4 of the NFL regular season. Pinnacle Sports has already some interesting volume on this weekend’s games and the oddsmakers have adjusted the point spreads accordingly as early bettors took positions on several match-ups, including:Indianapolis @ New York Jets
The Colts opened as 7.5-point favorites at PinnacleSports.com, and after early sharp action, the line now stands at Indy -9. The sportsbook has received nearly two times as many bets on the Colts versus the host Jets.
Dallas @ Tennessee
There’s been a lot of early action on this game with nearly three times as many bets on Dallas coming off the bye week. The point spread opened at Cowboys -7 (-104), but early betting has moved the line to Dallas -9.5 (-106). If this trend continues throughout the week, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Dallas as double-digit road favorites.
Cleveland @ Oakland
In a battle of winless teams, early bettors have jumped on the Browns bandwagon following their near upset of Baltimore. Pinnacle Sportsbook opened Cleveland as a 1-point road favorites, but a flurry of sharp action has moved the line to Browns -3 (+109).
Jacksonville @ Washington
In a week full of road favorites, Pinnaclesports.com opened the line with Jacksonville listed at -2.5 (-104). Nearly four times as many bets have been placed on the Jaguars to date, but the line has only moved seven cents to -2.5 (-111) mainly because there’s opposition from sharp bettors who like Washington as home underdogs.
New England @ Cincinnati
This game opened with the Bengals at -4 (-113) and early sharp action has moved the line to Cincinnati -6 (+102). After the Patriots home loss to Denver Sunday night, Pinnacle Sports Book has seen bets on Cincinnati come in at a rate of 4 ½ to 1 as on those on the Patriots.
To further assist your NFL handicapping skills, visit Pinnacle’s pro football betting portal to find detailed match-up information on every NFL game including all the latest stats, betting trends, injuries and weather reports necessary to make informed plays.
Using the same data as the bookmakers is a smarter way to bet.
RELATED LINK :
Pinnacle Sports Bookmaker Review at BookieLabrat.com
September 27th, 2006
English and Portuguese clubs also face each other at the Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal take on Porto looking to cement their position at the top of Group G.
Arsenal scored an opening victory in Hamburg. The 2-1 win in Germany could prove the launch pad for the Gunners season, being swiftly followed by victories at Old Trafford and at home to Sheffield United.
Arsene Wenger feels his youthful, new-look side, is coming of age and this game will certainly be another test of their development.
PinnacleSports have the Londoners as favourites (-1) 1.84.
Arsenal reached last season’s Champions League final, whereas the visitors went one better by winning the event in 2004.
However, Porto is a much changed side since that win, with the departure of coach Jose Mourinho beginning an exodus of players.
Though the Dragoes still dominate Portuguese football, winning last season’s Primera, they have only been successful on the road once in seven European games since lifting the trophy.
Jesualdo Ferreira’s side were disappointing in a goalless draw at home to CSKA Moscow, and Porto are (+1) 2.09 underdogs.
OUR PICK :
Arsenal 2-0
RELATED PRICES at PINNACLE SPORTS :
Arsenal —– handicap (-1) @ 1.84
Porto —-— handicap (+1) @ 2.09
September 26th, 2006
Manchester United return to the Estadio da Luz, hoping to avenge the 2-1 defeat that ended their European dreams there last season.
Benfica went on to knock-out the defending champions in the fourth round, with victories at Anfield and “the Cathedral” , as their home stadium is more commonly known. With an intimidating atmosphere, it is a tough venue for any visiting side.
The Portuguese Champions of 2005 won the European Cup twice in the 60’s but their fans firmly believe they still belong among Europe’s elite
Manchester United’s 100% Premiership record was recently ended at home by Arsenal, who exploited the Red Devil’s over-confidence, and sloppiness in midfield.
Alex Ferguson will be desperate to regain momentum by laying the ghost of last season’s European failure to rest with a much tighter performance in Portugal.
Though United currently top Group F, with three points from a gripping Battle of Britain victory against Celtic, some of their defending against the Scots left a great deal to be desired, while Wayne Rooney has been anonymous since returning from suspension.
OUR PICK :
Draw 0-0 – take Benfica on handicap.
RELATED PRICES at PINNACLE SPORTS :
Benfica —– handicap (0 & +0.5) @ 2.07
Man United — handicap (0 & -0.5) @ 1.86
September 26th, 2006
Chelsea went top of the Barclays Premiership table with a 2-0 derby win at Fulham on Saturday.
Manchester United stumbled again as they were held 1-1 by newly-promoted Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
William Gallas scored his first goal for Arsenal, lashing in a volley in the 3-0 win against Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt scored again as Tottenham were swept aside 3-0 at Anfield.
Gabriel Agbonlahor and Luke Moore scored the goals for Aston Villa in a 2-0 win over Charlton at Villa Park.
Shabani Nonda scored on his first start for Blackburn, heading in the winner after 27 minutes against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
September 24th, 2006
Fiorentina striker Luca Toni has escaped a ban for his wrongful dismissal, but Patrick Vieira of Inter has been slapped with a three game stop.
Toni was sent off in last night’s 1-0 win over Parma for what the referee believed was an elbow on Massimo Paci.
However, the disciplinary panel have cleared the Italian of foul play and handed Paci a two-match ban for simulation instead.
Paci’s punishment comes just hours after the player admitted there was no contact between the two. “He didn’t elbow me,” said the Gialloblu man.
Meanwhile, Vieira has been handed a three-match suspension after his early bath against Roma last night.
The former Juventus player, sent off against Sporting Lisbon last week, was booked twice but has been heavily penalised for using foul and abusive language towards the referee.
Palermo midfielder Fabio Simplicio, who picked up one yellow card too many against Catania, has been served with the normal one-game penalty.
September 22nd, 2006
It’s midweek and the search for good College and NFL bets continues. We’ve been scouring the internet and yakking on the fourms so what are the biggest bets being taken on at the bookies ?
Continue Reading September 20th, 2006
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