Ladbrokes and online gaming firm 888’s discussions regarding a possible deal have been discontinued. Both companies have already announced their decisions. But as the result shares in the Gibraltar-based parent 888 Holding PLC have dropped 5.7%

The US UIGEA interrupted the speculation that started in October last year. Ladbrokes was looking to cap any liability in the US. That could arise from a takeover of 888. The latter one was pulled out of the USA as a consequence of the UIGEA. 888 had managed to widen its business geography before the US legislation was introduced. So, the losses were not that bad. Later 888 got an online sports betting license in Italy and signed an agreement with the owner of Rileys.

Gambling.com magazine celebrating its first anniversary has announced the results of its first High Roller Awards based on the poll conducted in the Platinum Member’s arena at Gambling.com. There were over 10,000 votes. The winners were named in the following categories: ‘Favorite Casino’, ‘Favorite Poker Room’, the ‘Best Sportsbook’.

Intercasino.com became the winner of the ‘Favorite Casino’ category. Goldenpalace.com and 888.com were named its runners-up. The first prize in the ‘Favorite Poker Room category was taken by Everest Poker. Mansion Poker and Party Poker were its leading rivals.  US bookmakers Pinnacle Sports got the ‘Best Sportsbook’ award. It was followed by online casino Bodog and online giant William Hill.

Gábor Székely, the CEO of Hungary’s state gambling company, has made an announcement concerning the expansion of his company’s online gambling services.

Being the biggest gambling provider in Hungary, Szerencsejáték Zrt is the only one in the country to offer draw games, sports bets and prize draw tickets. Besides it has interests on four Hungarian casinos.

As the result of the request of the European Commission, Hungary is ready to open its sportsbetting market for other EU member states, thus creating free movement of goods and services.

Because of the legal procedures the implementation of some games is expected to take 18 months.

UKash, Internet eWallet, the brand name of Smart Voucher Ltd, was started by the founders of the Switch payment card and its headquarters are located in London. It is widely used at UK online casinos. UKash offer an easy alternative to the online gamblers preferring to make cash deposits but not having a credit card or bank account.

At the moment UKash is expanding their business throughout Europe. Sixteen more countries have been added to their market: Italy, France, Finland, Portugal, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary and Sweden.

UKash, being recognized in such countries like Britain, Germany and Spain, and with many countries making motions to follow the UK, is facing bright future. Moreover, lots of online gambling sites, giant gaming operators like Ladbrokes, 888, Bwin and Party Poker, operating in Europe accept and encourage their players to deposit their gaming funds using UKash vouchers. Even online phone service, Skype, contributes to the spread of UKash. No wonder, thanks to this support UKash is planning to expand into twenty eight countries.

Zone4Play is widely recognized thanks to their mobile gaming applications and interactive TV gaming solutions. Now, the company is ready to expand their business. Online multiplayer blackjack software and TV gaming service The Winner Channel are the main focus of Zone4Play for the remainder of 2007. The strategic business plans announced require cutting back both employees and monthly operating expenses by nearly half.

Get21.com, Zone4Play’s online blackjack tournament service, will help extend their gaming offering on the blackjack tournament sector, while The Winner Channel operated with Two-Way Media, offers a new line of online casino games thus satisfying the needs of players for online TV gaming content.

Robert P, an office worker in California, having won his seat at a free roll, won the Sunday night tournament. He was awarded with WSOP prize package of $12,000 – the first of twelve WSOP prize packages being awarded in weekly satellite tournaments at PlayersOnly.com.

Being a recreational player, Robert P. has never won such a great amount of money in his life. But at the same time he has always dreamt of playing in WSOP. Now, his dream has come true.

Each Sunday, starting from the 8th of April, PlayersOnly.com has been hosting a multi-table Texas Hold’em tournament. To enter, the players can either win a free seat at the Sunday night playoff in a series of qualifying satellites during the week or buy-in for $100.

The winner of UltimateBet.com’s online poker ‘Be A Pro’ package, a 24-year old poker player from Alabama, known as CK, has won seats in an array of poker events such as the WPT World Championship; the WSOP Main Event; Ultimate Bet’s signature Aruba Poker Classic; WPT Bellagio 5 Diamond; WPT Tunica; and WPT LA Poker Classic. All his travel expenses are included. Besides, the world’s best poker professionals will train CK to help achieve his ultimate goal.

Bwin, Vienna-based online betting firm – is one more firm whose dramatic financial losses were caused by the US Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act introduced in 2006. As a result the firm lost €539.6 million. In 2005 its profit was declared to be about €6.4 million.

At the moment, Bwin has nothing to do but to strengthen and expand its business in those countries, where its presence has already been established.

Analyzing the damage caused to Bwin and other companies by the UIGEA, Bwin has come to the conclusion that there are not many EU countries who met the UIGEA with great resistance.

The Gaming Executive Summit produced by the Gaming Executive Summit Australia and the Asian Casino Executives will make its debut at the Intercontinental Hotel in Madrid, between July 10 and July 12, 2007. The speaking panel of the conference is expected to attract only the brightest people in the gaming industry.  888 Holdings, Casinos Austria International, Gala Coral Group, Ladbrokes, Probability Games, Remote Gambling Association, The Alderney Gambling Commission and Trident Gaming are expected to be present there.

Shifting market dynamics, the changing shape of the regulatory landscape, strategies for developing the industry as well as presenting the latest gaming innovations and technologies are the focal points for discussion.

William Hill, bookmaker and online casino giant, has requested a license in Greece. Hill’s goal is to open betting shops there. However, some officials don’t expect license to be granted. If it happens, William Hill is going to fight out the license in the European courts, as what might happen is in breach with EU laws. So, it is going to be a real fight against OPAP’s monopoly.

On the one hand, William Hill may enter the market if they receive EU’s support. On the other hand, Greece newspapers have already been informed by OPAP that William Hill’s application may be rejected.