Gaming Today – The American Gaming Association’s (AGA) President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement addressing rapidly increasing concern that a federal ban of online gaming could limit the right of Americans to participate in fantasy sports: “Federal prohibition of online gaming is a threat to millions of poker players – and possibly tens of millions of fantasy sports participants. Effectively regulating online gaming is the best approach to protecting state and individual rights. Federal prohibition will create a black market for online games, strengthen the hand of criminals and lead to countless unintended consequences, including the possible…

iGaming Business – Online affiliate and sportsbetting service Freebets.com has announced the launch of its first application as part of an effort to enhance its presence in the mobile sector. Designed in conjunction with digital design and build agency Degree53, the new app allows users to compare bets by value, minimum deposit, minimum odds or rollover requirement. In addition, the app also lists free bets by popularity, ending date and in alphabetical order, as well as offering analysis and comparison of all free bet offers. Users can also access updated news and tips from sports specialists. The app currently lists…

iGaming Business – The Spanish football league, the Liga de Fútbol Profesional (LFP), has announced that it has set up a new anti-corruption unit in an effort to combat match-fixing and illegal betting. Manuel Quintanar is set to lead the anti-corruption unit after being appointed director general. Quintanar has called for stronger sentences to be handed out to those involved with illegal betting and match-fixing and said that the new unit would help to uncover such activities in the country. Last year, LFP president Javier Tebas announced that at least eight matches in Spain’s top two football divisions could be…

iGaming Business – North American NBA basketball team the Sacramento Kings has become the first major professional sports franchise to announce that it is to accept the Bitcoin virtual currency. The team confirmed that purchases made using Bitcoin would be processed through virtual currency payment processor BitPay. Customers can use the virtual currency to purchase official team merchandise and tickets in the Kings Team Store. Vivek Ranadivé, the Kings’ majority team owner, acquired the franchise earlier this year and implemented a new business philosophy called ‘NBA 3.0’. The new strategy focuses on investments in technology, globalisation and community partnerships, with…

iGaming Business – UK bookmaker Ladbrokes has appointed advertising agency BBH London as its advertising partner with the aim of developing a new marketing strategy. The contract awarding follows a pitch progress instigated by Ladbrokes as it looks to develop its brand in both the retail and digital markets. The appointment will cover advertising across all platforms. The announcement comes shortly after Ladbrokes confirmed its advertising contract had been put up for review following the ending of an agreement with creative agency Sapient Nitro, as reported by iGaming Business. The new appointment will signal the end of a current campaign…

Poker News – On Monday, Jan. 13, John Brennan reported on NorthJersey.com that online poker site 888.com, one of the online gaming operators licencesed in New Jersey, offered New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks $88,800 to legally change his name to 888.com. The offer comes less than a week after the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NHL’s New Jersey Devils announced a groundbreaking partnership with partypoker.com. “We’re excited that 888.com is up and running in New Jersey,” said 888 Holdings CEO Brian Mattingley. “As we consider 888 to be the premier gaming site in the Garden State, we thought it…