Three more people have been charged in connection with an armed robbery at a Gloucester betting shop.

Several hundred pounds were stolen when two men, one armed with a gun, targeted the premises on 24 February.

A 26-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man, both from Gloucester and a man, aged 21, from Westbury on Severn are charged with conspiracy to rob.

An 18-year-old man from Gloucester had previously been charged with robbery from the shop in Oxford Street.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 12:41 PM BST

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September 10th, 2007

US ban fails to stem 888 profits

Another story from the BBC:

Online gambling firm 888.com says its first-half pre-tax profit soared 298% to $19m (£9.36m) and that it had made a good start to the second half of 2007.

888 was forced to pull out of the US last year following the approval of a new law effectively banning all foreign internet gaming websites.

The Gibraltar-based firm said it was in talks with US authorities over possible retrospective prosecution.

It said talks were continuing but it was too early to predict the outcome.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 10:41 AM BST

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April 30th, 2007

888 turns acquisitive to offset US blow

Bill aims to overturn US ban on internet gambling

More from The Times Online:

The first step towards a possible repeal of America’s internet gambling ban was taken yesterday when the Democrat chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services introduced a Bill to exempt properly licensed operators.Congressman Barney Frank, who recently described the ban as one of the “stupidest laws” ever passed, launched the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act 2007 to establish a regulatory framework for the licensing of operators to accept bets and wagers.Mr Frank said: “The existing legislation is an inappropriate interference on the personal freedom of Americans and this interference should be undone.”Mr Frank drafted the Bill with UC Group, a British internet payment services provider, and Baker Tilly, the accountancy firm. Kobus Paulsen, chief executive of UC Group, said that last year’s ban had driven internet gambling underground, leaving consumers unprotected. “It is clear that prohibition in the US isn’t working for anyone,” he said.Internet gambling in the United States was effectively banned last October when President Bush signed legislation outlawing financial transactions involving online gambling. The law, which made it illegal for banks and credit-card companies to make payments to online gambling sites, prompted London-listed operators including PartyGaming, Sportingbet and 888 Holdings to sell or close their US-facing operations.Under Mr Frank’s proposals, licences would be granted only to operators with the ability to prevent underage and compulsive gambling as well as money-laundering and fraud. There would be an opt-out clause for individual states and Indian tribes as well as for professional sports leagues and college associations.Analysts said Mr Frank’s proposals had been well constructed to give the Bill an outside chance of succeeding, although most were agreed it could prove a tortuous process.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 8:41 AM BST

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April 23rd, 2007

Aborted bid talks hit 888 shares

Another story from the BBC:

Shares in the online gaming firm 888 Holdings have fallen sharply after talks about a possible takeover by the bookmakers Ladbrokes fizzled out.

Ladbrokes said last November that it had approached the Gibraltar-based firm about a possible deal.

But in a statement, Ladbrokes now says the two parties have "amicably agreed to discontinue talks".

888 has been in talks with various parties since the US enacted a law effectively banning online gaming.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 2:41 PM BST

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