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

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

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Another story from the BBC:

A casino training school, said to be Scotland’s "first", has launched in Glasgow.

The school offers courses in roulette, blackjack, poker and other other games on full-size tables with experienced casino trainers.

At the end of a 10-week course, trainees will be qualified to start work as a casino croupier.

Funding is available for unemployed people who qualify for Training for Work.

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

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Roulette, blackjack, poker. The world of gambling used to be the preserve of the privileged few but now we can all access it easily from the comfort of our own home.

Online gambling is sweeping the country. Four million of us play each month.

It is making millionaires out of the entrepreneurs who run the companies. Last year the industry made £5.2 billion. But it is also putting more and more of us at risk of serious debt.

The average online gambling debt in Britain is £25,000.

Full story.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 3:12 PM BST

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Another story from the BBC:

The UK’s first gaming academy, to teach trainee gamblers the tricks of the trade, will be officially opened in Lancashire on Wednesday.

Blackpool and The Fylde College has built its own training casino in the resort, earmarked to benefit from the government’s gambling law reforms.

Courses ranging from GCSE to foundation courses for degrees will be available to students aged over 18.

Students will take courses in roulette, blackjack and poker.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 10:41 PM GMT

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Another story from the BBC:

Shares in Partygaming, the firm which owns the Partypoker website, have risen nearly 10% to 128.5 pence after it reported a jump in user numbers.

Partygaming said it expected to beat 2005 profit forecasts thanks to growing numbers of punters and the successful launch of its new blackjack site.

Since they floated in June, Partygaming shares have had a rollercoaster ride.

They launched at 179p, but plunged to 67p in September after warning that new players were spending less money.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 3:41 PM GMT

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More from The Times Online:

A LANDMARK ruling on whether poker is a game of skill or merely luck will decide the future of the growing number of gaming clubs across the country.

If poker is deemed to be one of skill, as are chess and bridge, it can remain available to players in members’ clubs. But if it is seen as one of chance, as are roulette and blackjack, it will legally be played only in licensed casinos. A year-long investigation into Gutshot, a prominent London club, by the Gambling Commission and the Metropolitan Police’s clubs and vice unit, has resulted in two charges relating to breaches of the 1968 Gaming Act, including taking a levy from the stakes or winnings of players.

Derek Kelly, the owner of the Gutshot club, which claims to have 12,000 members, admits hosting poker games since January 2004. But he argues that the tournaments are merely the activities of a private club whose members engage in a game of skill. Highbury Corner magistrates are this week looking at the strict regulations that govern the organisation of poker games in clubs and casinos.

Mr Kelly argues that as a non-profit-making members’ club, Gutshot is simply providing a service to its members and that any money made is returned to the committee, which, in turn, gives it to the members at its discretion. He also believes that poker is a game of skill, where a talented player can overcome the luck element inherent in the majority of card games.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 8:11 AM BST

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Another story from the BBC:

Partygaming will no longer let players of websites owned by rivals like Empire Online and Coral Eurobet gamble at the same tables as its Partypoker clients.

The online firm has launched a new platform just for its nine million customers, adding features including blackjack and gambling on card colours.

And new software will let it separate its players from those entering via "skin sites" such as Empire and Coral.

Empire Online shares fell 30% and those in Partygaming 8% on Monday afternoon.

Posted by casino man in Gambling News at 4:11 PM BST

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