The latest survey of the UK Gambling Commission known as “Survey Data on Remote Gambling Participation” reveals that 8% of the country’s adults gambled at least once last month. The age group of those most likely to gamble varies from 18 to 34.

The majority of the respondents prefer the National Lottery. Online poker comes second, while betting is the third. Gambling using a computer, laptop or another handled device comes next. It is followed by mobile phone gambling and gambling via interactive/ digital TV.

The results revealed also show influence of technical progress on the people’s choice.

As it has been reported, PartyGaming – the leading online gaming operator – has made earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) share option charges of $550.7 million for the year to Dec 31, 2006. The previous year’s profit totaled $583.7 million.

A 5.7% fall can be explained by the fact that the company had to leave the US market that made up 75% of its profit. PartyGaming had nothing to do but to reorganize its business and focus on other markets like Europe, Middle East and Africa.

It must be noticed that the company is reviving now and it is undergoing through rising by 158% to $50.9 million. It sounds amazing especially taking into consideration that the company has lost US market.

An amazing thing happened to a 16-year-old Hong Kong girl who went to Macau with her mother and grandmother to celebrate New Year. Being given a few pennies to put in the slot machine, she won the jackpot. And that happened in the matter of a few seconds.

Being underage and being not allowed to play in the casino, the girl could not receive the money. But Macau’s gaming authorities decided that the money should be paid out, not to the girl but to her mother.

The decision of Macau’s gaming authorities is based upon the casino policy that specifies a minimum age for entering the casino, but not for playing inside.

UltimateBet, one of the world’s largest poker sites, has surveyed over 12,000 its online poker players asking them which celebrity they would like to challenge in must-win Texas Hold’em poker tournament most of all.

The results of the survey turned out to be really amazing. 21% chose Linsday Lohan, 15% – Paris Hilton, 7% – Sienna Miller, 5% chose others. But the majority of those being surveyed, 46%, chose Britney Spears.

It’s possible that Britney topped the survey because of her bizarre, erratic behavior and bald head. The players would like to stare at her being bald, and what a pleasure to witness someone’s weak poker play.

UltimateBet.tv being a sponsor of the televised event called VH1 Classic Rock n’ Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament that will take place in Las Vegas on March 14 at 10:00 pm EDT, gave a chance to two of its free online poker players to take part and contend in the celebrity poker event. Godsmack’s Sully Erna, Damageplan and Pantera’s Vinnie Paul and even ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill are just a few celebrities who will participate in the event.

The prize package totals $2,500, and it includes the roundtrip fair, hotel accommodations and ground transportations in Las Vegas.

The tournament is going to be rather challenging and exciting, but all the cash winnings will be donated to the charity depending on the choice of the winner of the tournament. Besides, the winner will get a trip to Aruba where next Year’s UltimateBet Poker Classic will be hosted.

Being knocked out of the tournament, players don’t leave. They enter a so called “Green Room” which is hosted by Antonio Esfandiari and Phil Laak. After the interviews and coaching session, they’ll play a heads up tournament. Its winner will be awarded with a cruise to Alaska.

For more information about the VH1 Classic Rock n’ Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament visit the UltimateBet website.

Based on the opinion that online gaming has ruined the online environment and doesn’t do anything good for the moral and physical growth of the young people, Chinese authorities have launched a raw of strict measures the aim of which is to make the Internet environment purer.

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong are the focal points, as the government should clamp down on the online games involving betting and gambling. As a result online game service providers will be strictly and closely supervised. It is forbidden for them to exchange “virtual money” with real currency and to launder money.

Last year proved to be very strict in this respect, as the police had 347,000 gambling cases that involved as many as 1.099 million people.

Canadian players’ deposits will not longer be accepted by VIP.com, the online casino, and its VIP Profits merchants, but they will have access to their accounts and will be able to use their funds until April 1, 2007. After that the accounts will be closed, but all the remaining funds will be refunded to the customers.

Canadian players are not the only ones whose deposits are not taken. The deposits from the US are not accepted either.

Recently, the company has closed down telephone betting – the business which is unprofitable from their point of view. And having stopped registrations from the USA and Canada because of the legal uncertainty, they claim they are able to provide their clients with the best service ever.

A possible takeover bid is still being discussed between Ladbrokes and online casino 888, but the current situation in the US affects the negotiations.

After the rise of the annual pre-tax profit that made up £669.8 million for the year ending 31 December 2006, Ladbrokes is ready to expand its business. If to compare, the last year’s pre-tax profit totaled £394,0 million. The amount won from gamblers rose from 9.9% to £1 billion. It’s a very significant increase that put Ladbrokes in a very favorable position.

Thanks to the year of 2006 Ladbrokes has become a leading, standalone betting and gaming company on the market.

There are going to be some changes in licensing and regulation of the online gambling industry in the UK. What is being planned is a new tax called Remote Gaming Duty. The tax is expected to be as low as 2% what will make possible for companies to get a UK license and go on operating overseas. The thing is that many UK gambling companies like 888 Holdings and PartyPoker are based in Gibraltar and other offshore places. So, the government was looking for the way to tax them.

The companies will be able to relocate to the UK in September. They’ll get a license under the Gambling Act. But still companies refuse to relocate to the UK if they have to pay the same tax as the brick-and-mortar casinos do, and it makes up to 40 % depending on the size.

Ladbrokes taking into consideration government’s plans, especially what concerns the 2% tax, has nothing against signing up for a UK license.

Skill 4 Prizes, a games content provides with more than 20 years experience, has signed an agreement with Finsoft, a sportsbook and gaming platform provider. According to the agreement Skill 4 Prizes content will be provided as a part of Finsoft’s Final Gaming Portfolio.

Having thoroughly studied the market, Skill 4 Prizes has launched a series of games – Internet based Skill/Fixed Odds Hybrid games termed eSWP’s. What makes the games different is the skill element they feature. So, the best player has a better chance to win bigger money. The cash wins are instant. The games are played against the house.
The release of the first game is being planned before mid-2007.

The fact is that safe, secure, fun format Skill 4 Prizes developed, will provide a greater future and better opportunities within the Internet gambling market.