Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has a new communications coordinator, and for those of us in the gaming industry the name will definitely ring a bell. The presumptive nominee of the Republican Party has named Michael Abboud as his new communications coordinator. If the surname sounds familiar it’s because Michael Abboud is the nephew of Las Vegas Sands Vice President of Government Relations, Andy Abboud. Andy Abboud is considered one of Sheldon Adelson’s top lieutenants, and the face of the casino magnate’s anti-online gambling movement.  Michael Abboud is also the son of former Nebraska State Senator Chris Abboud. Andy Abboud has…

It appears that a bill which would legalize online gambling in the Netherlands has been gaining support and may very well become law soon, according to numerous reports. Originally introduced two years ago, the bill was finally debated by the Dutch Lower House last week. That debate is set to continue today, June 30th, with a likely vote next week. According to GaminginHolland.com, the bill should pass the Lower House because it has the support of the majority coalition. The bigger question is whether or not it can pass muster in the Senate, as the two coalition parties – the…

Amaya INC governance has met with shareholders at yesterday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), discussing the company’s current position regarding the potential management takeover by former CEO & Chairman David Baazov. Company stakeholders remained tight-lipped regarding discussions, disclosing no information to news sources (media were not allowed at the AGM). The AGM was the first meeting between Amaya governance and investors since Baazov took voluntary leave as Amaya CEO in March, to address ongoing charges by Quebec’s AMF relating to insider trading concerning Amaya’s 2014 acquisition of Rational Group assets PokerStars and Full Tilt. “We’re treating it the way we feel…

Playtech has brokered a deal to acquire Swedish games studio Quickspin. Under the agreement, which comes after Playtech last week revealed that it was able to achieve expected growth levels in the first 53 days of the year, the company will pay a maximum consideration of six times Quickspin’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), subject to a cap of €50 million ($55.9 million). This will comprise an initial payment of €24 million for 100% of the shares of Quickspin on a cash-free and debt-free basis, while the remaining maximum consideration of €26 million will be payable on…

On Thursday morning, the New York Senate Finance Committee quickly passed Senator John Bonacic’s online poker legalization bill, S5302. The bill will now head to the Senate floor for future consideration. Momentum of any kind is certainly welcome. But based on the comments of a key figure in the New York Assembly, as well as the lack of public hearings on the topic, online poker legalization in the Empire State appears to be a long shot. In a column at LegalSportsReport.com, Dustin Gouker reported Assemblyman Gary Pretlow was “pessimistic” when it comes to online poker this session. And Pretlow would…

Last week, I shared with you news that poker public enemy #1 Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson has been lobbying the House Appropriations Committee for language hostile to online poker. Per the Adelson ban plan, since our opponents know their proposed prohibition would be crushed in an open up-or-down vote, this was to be inserted in that committee’s latest budget bill. However, due to the outstanding efforts of poker advocates and lobbyists, anti-poker Reps. Charlie Dent (R-PA) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) quickly conceded defeat and withdrew their measure without even seeking a vote! While it may seem odd that…