On Friday 15th April 2011 The FBI and the US Department of Justice issues arrest warrants in the Southern District of New York to three companies (Poker Stars, Full Tilt, and Absolute Poker) engaged in the business of betting or wagering committing a federal crime to knowingly accept in connection with the participation of another person in unlawful Internet gambling, credit, electronic fund transfers, or cheques. Penalties range from five years imprisonment and up to USD 250,000 fine.

The government of California could capture tax revenues of USD 650m in gaming tax over the next five years if it were to legalise on line poker according to a report from GBGC (Global Betting and Gaming Consultants). California’s share of the US Internet poker market was approximately USD 448m in 2009 with 778,000 active accounts and this revenue is going offshore causing a loss of income for California.

The emerging gambling markets of Eastern Europe are attracting interest from both land-based and Internet operators and, despite the economic crisis, the region holds interesting potential according to a new report published by Global Betting & Gaming Consultants (GBGC). The gaming industry as a whole was still showing growth in 2008 in many of the 17 individual gambling markets covered in GBGC‘s report, suggesting the Eastern European gambling markets are not yet in recession.

Die GBGC (Global Betting and Gaming Consultants) sind Spezialisten im Bereich der Beratung und Berichterstattung des Glücksspielmarktes. Die Analysten, Statistiken und Tendenzen des Unternehmens werden weltweit veröffentlich. Der letzte Bericht zur Online-Glücksspielbranche und des Pokermarkts fällt positiv aus – dieses Marktsegment würde sich im Bezug auf die Rezession als widerstandsfähig erweisen.