The Sneak A Peek series of slot games from Microgaming are popular because of the risqué theme. The latest of these games Planet Exotica has been designated for the first promotion that will be held on Saturday July 2 and Sunday July 3. On each of the two days ten players from those who have wagered on Planet Exotica will be randomly chosen and will be awarded a bonus of $100 each day. And during the course of the wagering on Planet Exotica players have a chance to enter the bonus round where they can witness a strip tease of a sexy alien and win bonus credits as well. Players have to deposit at least $20 during the promotional time period in order to be eligible for the bonus prizes.

From Saturday July 2 to Thursday July 7 Blackjack Ballroom online casino will run a different promotion on the slot game Stash of the Titans. This slot game is based on Greek mythology and features some heroes and villains from the bygone tales. Medusa the Gorgon will not turn players into stone but will act as a multiplier from 2 times to 50 times the total wager and may also reward players with a free spins bonus round where they can win up to 200,000 coins. In the promotion the five highest wagerers on the Stash of the Titans slot game each day will receive bonus prizes of $100. The eligibility requirements are the same as in the Planet Exotica promotion. In both the promotions the bonuses awarded will be subject to the usual Blackjack Ballroom online casino wagering requirements.

The final promotion at Blackjack Ballroom online casino will run throughout the month of July. The slot game designated for this promotion is Bob’s Bowling Bonanza. This online casino game is a fun way to combine slots with ten-pin bowling. Players should look out for the innovative bonus game, in which the reels transform into a set of bowling lanes. Players can wager for as little as 1c per spin, or as much as $150 per spin. Players who wager on Bob’s Bowling Bonanza slot game this month will be credited with double the normal loyalty points. In order to be eligible players must have a real money account and must have deposited a minimum of $100 during the promotional time period.

On the issue of legality, the District’s Attorney General Irvin B. Nathan confirmed that the proposal of intrastate online gambling was legal beyond doubt and that it complied with the US federal laws. Hence D. C. Lottery could proceed toward its September 8 launch date with the required continual monitoring. This will be picked up by the other US states contemplating legalization of online gambling.

Councilor Brown addressed the allegation that adequate notice was not give. He said that the bill was introduced four months before it was voted on and that is sufficient time. He stressed that most of the councilors were aware of the proposal they were voting for. He added that there may have been some councilors who had not gone through the budget.

The bulk of the testimony was offered by Buddy Roogow, executive director of the D.C. Lottery. He outlined the measures that were being taken to ensure that the District’s citizens gambled in a responsible manner. No player would be allowed to deposit more than $250 per week. Payments could be made only through debit cards to prevent players gambling with borrowed money. Facilities for player self exclusion was built into the software. Online gambling would not be available between 4 AM and 10 AM. D.C. Lottery would verify the age and Internet Protocol address of every player. The hot spots from where players could wager would be rooms in hotels or other establishments that offer a wireless Internet. They would not be placed in public spaces, such as libraries, schools and recreation centers. The wagering patterns of players would be monitored electronically and those who did not gamble responsibly would be cut off.

In response to queries on the financial aspects of the proposal, the District’s Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi said that the estimate of revenue of $13 million over a four year period was a conservative one and that he was confident that it would be achieved. Some of the speakers suggested that a part of the receipts should be earmarked for gambling-addiction services or other priorities in the District.

Evans concluded that nothing is a done deal. Any law that is passed can be un-passed. The D.C. Lottery can delay the start date, if it feels that it is not ready.

He replaces Thorvald Bohlin.

Andersson says of his appointment: “I look forward to step in as the new CEO of Redbet, which after a comprehensive
restructuring is now ready to seriously move forward its position. My mission includes both to increase the revenue and
profitability which suits me perfectly considering my background.

Outgoing chief executive Bohlin, who is to remain on the company’s board of directors, commented that when he joined Redbet over a year ago his mission was very clear - to clean up and lay the foundation for a sustainable strategy and to create conditions for profitable growth. He said that this had been achieved and it was therefore time for him hand over the baton.

Representatives Lynn C. Woolsey of California, Christopher S. Murphy of Connecticut, William Lacy Clay of Missouri, and Adam B. Schiff of California are the latest congressional representatives to give their support to the bill, which is currently on hold due to pressure of economic legislative requirements but which Frank wants to re-energise in October, and certainly before the end of the current session of Congress.

Legislation giving effect to the liberalisation comes before the French parliament next month on October 7th, giving entre to suitable foreign companies offering sports betting and poker, and ending the total domination of state monopolies such as Groupe Francaise des Jeux and Pari Mutuel Urbain.

Jim Ryan, CEO of Party Gaming plc, told Bloombergs: “The size of the population and the appetite for gambling, and the group’s historically cautious approach to France make this a particularly exciting opportunity for us.”

Sales from electronic gambling in France will more than double to Euro 671 million in 2010 when the new rules come into effect in the middle of next year, according to estimates from H2 Gambling Capital, a Manchester, England-based consulting company. In 2011, the market will be worth Euro 1.03 billion, an additional 53 percent increase.

Bloombergs recalls that U.K. gambling companies battled a recession-bedevilled economy this year which saw first-half net income fell by 26 percent to GBP 58.7 million at William Hill, the country’s second-largest online- gaming company, and by 57 percent to US$8.1 million at 888 Holdings. PartyGaming posted a net loss of US$66.9 million.

French revenues could help redress the situation.

“The U.K. is fairly flat if you like, or at least slowing down,” said Simon Holliday, director at the researcher H2. He added that France is “the largest single market on the horizon.”

The French move toward a more open market is partly to respond to increasing competition from online gambling firms and partly to placate the European Commission, which has pursued France for failing to allow free movement of goods and services between member nations when it comes to gambling.

Martin Higginson, CEO of the up-and-coming British interactive television gambling firm NetplayTV plc, told Bloombergs that the French market is “large and sophisticated,“ and will be as big as that in the UK as it becomes more open.

David Hood, a spokesman for William Hill plc, said the company is “very aware” of potential opportunities in France. “We would have ambitions to attract business from there,” he said.

Sigrid Ligne, secretary-general of the European Gaming and Betting Association, said the attractiveness of France to foreign operators will depend in part on tax rates and other rules.

France’s original proposal in March 2009 included a 7.5 percent tax on sports bets and a 2 percent tax on poker. Final tax levels will be set by parliament.

“The tax conditions that have been put in place by the French question how economically viable this is going to be for new market entrants,” Ligne said.

EGBA has also criticised proposed restrictions on the types of gambling and payouts that can be offered, which cause “huge concerns about how the project is going to allow fair access” to outside companies, Ligne said.

“The law does not protect monopoly activity,” a spokeswoman for the French budget ministry said in an e-mail. Existing gambling companies “will have to file an application for approval and conform to specifications. Only lottery, scratchcards, and games of random chance remain under monopoly” of Francaise des Jeux, she said.

The current monopolies are preparing for the new regime. Patrick Germain, a spokesman for Francaise des Jeux said: “The competition will be strong” with new operators. The new law will create “the same taxation, the same rules on responsible gaming, the same rules on the struggle against corruption in sport, and permit Francaise des Jeux to compete equally,” he said.

Changes in the law may not benefit all foreign operators. Some foreign companies already do business with French gamblers, using offshore sites not subject to oversight or taxation in France, said Ivor Jones, an analyst at Evolution Securities Ltd. in London.

Such offshore revenue from French gamblers will be about Euro 346 million this year, declining to Euro 277 million by 2011 if the market is opened next year, researcher H2 estimates.

Whatever the specific regulatory regime adopted, France is “ripe for gambling, and it’s been sort of suppressed to an extent,” said Wyn Ellis, an analyst at Numis Securities Ltd. in London. “Any market that liberalises is central to everybody’s strategy.”

Apparently none of those arrested have been charged with a crime as part of the investigation behind the Grand Jury hearings in Kansas City.

Grand jury proceedings generally are closed to the public, but one of the men who appeared at the federal courthouse Wednesday requested an open hearing.

Joseph C. Palmentere (31) was told by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays that he was being found in contempt of court and could be kept in custody for up to 18 months unless he agreed to cooperate.

“The keys to the jail are in your pocket,” Kays told him. “It doesn’t help anybody to lock you up.”

Palmentere and his lawyer did not respond in court to the offer, and he was allowed to remain free until October 2nd to keep a medical appointment.

Two other men had similar appearances before Kays on Wednesday, reports the newspaper, but both hearings were closed to the public. Another person was taken into custody last Friday, also after a closed hearing.

Three men were ordered jailed in late July. Two who requested open hearings were identified by prosecutors as Tommy Cascone and Dominic Cervello.

Federal prosecutors will not comment on how many people have been called to testify, but a number of lawyers representing some of those called said approximately 20 were subpoenaed to appear on September 15. Palmentere was one of those, the judge noted Wednesday.

If the witnesses initially invoke their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, prosecutors have granted them immunity. If they still refuse, they are ordered to “show cause” as to why they shouldn’t be held in civil contempt.

At Wednesday’s open hearing, Kays noted that the potential of being jailed is not punishment but is a “last resort” employed by the court to coerce their cooperation.

Heading the list of new offerings to Mr. Green players is Betsoft’s new 3D slot Barbary Coast, which the company only recently unveiled at EiG in Copenhagen. Other Betsoft games launching this week include Out of this World, The Bees, Diamond Dreams and Monkey Money.

New video poker games from the same provider are also going live at Mr. Green in the form of Deuces Wild and Pyramid Poker.

From Net Entertainment, the casino is offering new arrival Fortune Teller, and from Swedish provider NYX Interactive comes Paradiso and Shake’n'Bake

Mikael Pawlo, md of the casino firm, promises more business moves are imminent as Mr. Green expands its activities to the UK and Finnish markets this autumn.

Revenue for July was also up year-over-year by nearly 25 percent, the highest revenue result for July in the property’s history and the third-straight month the property has set all-time revenue records. Finally, Greektown once again gained market share, capturing more than another full point of the Detroit market, and reaching 27.5 percent, up an astounding 5 points since January. Both competitors once again posted negative year-over-year results for revenue in a market that was down two tenths of a percent overall. Greektown’s outstanding results were aided by the monthly all-time high of more than 600,000 patrons visiting the property.

“We are thrilled with our success in offering former Windsor gamblers a new home right here in Detroit,” said Randall A. Fine, Managing Director of The Fine Point Group and Chief Executive Officer of Greektown. “With the help of all those bringing their Windsor offers to Greektown — where we will double them — we continue to surpass previous records in profit and revenue. We continue to gain market share and to accomplish things everyone believes are impossible in a down market and down economy. There is nothing that intelligent management, smart marketing and an outstanding Greektown team can’t accomplish — our numbers prove that month after month,” Fine added.

Located at 555 E. Lafayette Boulevard in Detroit’s Greektown Entertainment District, Greektown Casino-Hotel opened on Nov. 10, 2000. Readers of The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press have voted Greektown Casino-Hotel Michigan’s and Detroit’s “Best Casino” numerous times. Greektown Casino-Hotel offers such amenities as their all-new International Buffet, the Eclipz Lounge and a VIP lounge for players. In addition to being named “Best Casino” by readers of The News and Free Press, Greektown Casino-Hotel also placed first in other categories in The News’ reader survey, including “Best Slots,” “Best Wait Staff Outfits,” “Best Craps Tables,” “Best Blackjack Tables,” “Best High Rollers Area,” “Best Casino Restaurant,” and “Best Casino Entertainment.”

“I am not surprised that we have so many players left,” said 2005 World Series of Poker Champion and Team PokerStars Pro member, Joe Hachem. “PokerStars has the best online poker players in the world. It was just a matter of time before they started to dominate the live events as well. After having six of final nine players last year on our side, I was expecting another dominating performance by PokerStars.”

PokerStars started the series with over 1,100 online qualifiers, sponsored players, Team PokerStars Pro members and celebrities. Five of the top 20 players in Day 5 made their way to the WSOP through PokerStars, including Team PokerStars Pro member Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier, PokerStars-sponsored Austrian pro Bernhard Perner and three players who qualified through PokerStars’ steps system.

Entering day 5, PokerStars players represented 17 countries. The United States lead the pack with 44 players, followed by the Netherlands with six, United Kingdom with five and Canada, Australia and France tied with three a piece.

Notable PokerStars players still alive in the Main Event include Grospellier (1,253,000), Perner (1,426,000) actor Lou Diamond Phillips (607,000), Noah Boeken (499,000), Joe Hachem (490,000), Dennis Phillips (419,000), Peter Eastgate (397,000), Thierry van den Berg (270,000) and Benjamin Kang (254,000).

The top 407 players at this year’s WSOP are certain to walk away with at least $27,469 in prize money. The nine players who move on to November’s final table will each earn a minimum of $1.2 million.

Those who qualified for the WSOP on PokerStars receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and experience the full Las Vegas lifestyle while preparing to play at the most prestigious live event of the year. The 2009 prize package offered to PokerStars’ players included the $10,000 Main Event buy-in, $1,000 for travel and expenses, eight nights accommodation at the Palms Hotel, PokerStars player bags, shuttle bus service to and from the Rio, and a VIP Invitation to the July 9 PokerStars Party at the Palms club Rain featuring hip hop star Nelly.