West – Italians are the second in the world for money lost in gambling in relation to the per capita income: $400 each per year. Preceded only by the Australians with $795. Who, it must be said, on average earn far more than Italians. This is the result of analysis from the President of the Association “Centro Sociale Papa Giovanni XXIII” and explained in a video. Starting from the amount bet by Italian citizens in 2013 (€84.7 billion) and subtracting what returned into their pockets in the form of winnings (€67.6 billion), it has been found the total loss: €17.1…

iGaming Business – Mobile entertainment content provider PlayPhone has teamed up with TIM Brasil, the Brazilian subsidiary of telecommunications firm TIM, to launch its PlayPhone Games Store in the country. With the addition of TIM to existing partners, PlayPhone said that its social games store and global gaming network will now reach more than one billion mobile customers. The PlayPhone Games Store enables customers of the firm’s carrier partners to download and play a range of games with people around the world via a single application. With secure direct carrier billing, PlayPhone Games is personalised to each player’s gaming habits,…

iGaming Business – Online casino and bingo operator Gamesys it is to withdraw its real-money Bingo and Slots Friendzy application from social network Facebook after less than two years in operation. As reported by iGaming Business, Bingo and Slots Friendzy was the first real-money gambling app to launch on Facebook in August 2012. However, in a communication addressed to its players, Gamesys confirmed that the app would be shut down almost immediately and urged players to withdraw positive funds from their accounts. Gamesys, whose subsidiary Jackpotjoy operated the app, did not give any reason for the withdrawal while there have…

IB Times – For the first time, Britain will consider illegal enterprises, including drugs and prostitution, in its economic measurements, the Office of National Statistics announced Friday. The statistics office estimates that paying for illegal drugs and sex adds about £10 billion, or $16.7 billion, a year to the UK economy. That’s about 0.7 percent of Britain’s GDP. Officials say approximately £5.3 billion is attributed to prostitution and £4.4 billion pertains to the import, manufacture and consumption of illegal drugs like heroin and crack cocaine. Because some of these activities, such as prostitution, are legal in other European Union member…

Poker News – After a series of tweets were issued by poker professionals during the start of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, a potentially serious security situation at the Rio All-Suite Las Vegas Hotel and Casino has come to light. During the last 24 hours, no less than three poker pros took to Twitter alleging that personal property – including laptops and large sums of money – were stolen from their hotel rooms overnight. The first player to sound the alarm was Finnish pro Lauri Pesonen, who issued the following tweet at 8:52 p.m. local time Tuesday…

iGaming Business – UK bookmaker Betfred is to review its £5 million (€6.1 million/$8.4 million) ad account with the BJL advertising and PR agency after an internal realignment of the brand. According to the Campaignlive.co.uk website, the bookmaker has begun a tender and has hired agency intelligence provider Creativebrief to manage the process. BJL, which has worked with the bookmaker since 2011, has been asked to repitch as part of the review. Chemistry meetings are due to be held in early June and pitches will take place in July. A winner is expected to be announced around July 7. The…

Gaming Intelligence – The UK Gambling Commission has notified the European Commission (EC) of its amended Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice for gambling operators. The notification was received by the EC yesterday (May 28th), starting a standstill period which expires on August 29th. The notification relates to amendments to the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice that reflect changes in legislation effected by the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, which extends the 2005 Gambling Act’s jurisdiction over remote gambling. FULL STORY (SUBSCRIPTION)

Las Vegas Sun – With the 2014 World Series of Poker returning this week to the Rio, Las Vegas will be flush with poker fever. For those looking to try their luck at the tables just like their favorite poker professionals, there is Bravo Poker. The app helps users track and find live poker tables and tournaments at casinos throughout Las Vegas. The app features a live stream from the casinos so users can get up-to-date information about tables, and it shows which games are being played. It also lists casino deals and promotions to help users get the most…