Poker News – Jean-François Vilotte, president of France’s gambling regulator ARJEL, announced late last week that he will be leaving his post in January to join a firm in the private sector. Vilotte has headed up the ARJEL since 2009 and has played an integral role in the establishment of France’s Internet gambling regulation. When the country’s regulated iGaming market launched in 2010, the ARJEL contacted unlicensed operators and forced them to cease offering services to French customers, eventually blocking access to the unregulated sites. He has since been in charge of overseeing the French market, ensuring the safety and…

Inquirer – The group of Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada may be able to finalize in the next few days a property deal with local partners, thus addressing the foreign equity limit on land where a $2-billion gaming and entertainment complex will rise. Privately held local firm First Paramount Holdings 888 Inc., one of the local partners, expects to finalize the agreement this week. The firm is likewise evaluating the possibility of investing in Okada’s local gaming operations on top of the property deal at Pagcor Entertainment City. “I really believe in the project of Mr. Okada,” said Alice Eduardo,…

The Guardian – Queensland has lifted the limit on the value of notes poker machines can accept in a move that the premier, Campbell Newman, says will have little impact on problem gamblers. For the past 12 years, electronic gaming machines in the state’s pubs, clubs and casinos were restricted to accepting nothing larger than $20 notes. Queensland’s attorney general, Jarrod Bleijie, has approved a change to allow $50 and $100 notes. The move, lobbied by major casino owner Echo Entertainment, was condemned by charities and counselling services, which claim it will affect problem gamblers. Newman told reporters the change…

Online gaming platform iSoftBet has announced the addition of a Beverly Hills 90210 slot machine it its portfolio of branded games. Based on the 1990’s hit television series, the slot machine offers players 243 different ways to win and features a Transformer symbol that it said would boost players’ winning chances. The new slot machine also boasts a host of audio and graphics. “iSoftBet’s branded content has always been popular with players, and we are sure Beverly Hills 90210 will be no different,” iSoftBet’s sales manager, Luci Apostolou, said. “Players will be transported right back to 1990s California for a…

iGaming Business – Pool and sportsbetting operator Sportech has signed an agreement with the Southern California Off Track Wagering horseracing governing body for a licence to allow it to operate in up to 10 retail venues in California. Under the licence, Sportech will also be able to offer customers the ability to bet on horseracing in a high-end sports bar and restaurant facility. The deal will enable Sportech to expand its Connecticut-based sportsbetting business to California, a US state in which there are currently just 36 locations where punters can place a horseracing bet. Sportech will open the first new…

iGaming Business – Three local councils have joined a list of authorities that have announced their support for an initiative to encourage the Government to restrict fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in the UK. According to a statement from the ‘Stop the FOBTs’ campaign, Fareham Council, Brighton and Hove City Council and Preston Council have all voted in favour of restricting FOBTs. The addition of the three new councils comes shortly after Liverpool City Council and Hackney Council passed similar motions proposals last month, with the former calling for an outright ban on FOBTs. Although the number of FOBTs per…