Blackjack.com’s wild orchid brand is getting a lot of attention down under! The competition to find models to represent the site is really hotting up in Australia with entrants vying with each other for votes through the newspapers.  All good for the Blackjack.com brand then.

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2009/01/14/23451_local-news.html

A fitting culmination for the outright theft of 141 gambling domain names yesterday when the Kentucky court of Appeal ruled that the seizure by the state was illegal as the names are not gaming devices.

Among the sites targeted by Kentucky were PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker, Bodog, Microgaming and Slotocash.

I rather liked the comment by Judge Michelle Keller:

“It stretches credulity to conclude that a series of numbers, or Internet addresses, can be said to constitute a ‘machine or any mechanical or other device…designed and manufactured primarily for use in connection with gambling.”

“We are thus convinced that the trial court clearly erred in concluding that the domain names can be construed to be gambling devices subject to forfeiture.”

From the PPA:

“This is a tremendous victory for Internet freedom and the rights of Kentucky residents who enjoy playing online poker,” said John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, in response to the decision. “We are pleased that the appeals court has forcefully reversed Judge Wingate’s earlier ruling and confirmed many of the arguments that have been raised in opposition to the seizure effort.”

Tags: Gambling Domains, Kentucky Domain Name Seizure

Next week sees the busiest networking week of the year in London with two huge shows – IGE (formerly ICE) and CAP Euro.

IGE stands for International Gaming Expo and has been around for yonks in it’s previous version – ICE (International Casino Expo).  Always a great time to catch up with old friends, and best of all its FREE!  Some of the other conference organisers could take a lesson or two from that.  ICE is also rather nicely linked to ATEI which is the Amusement Trades Expo – think anything from fruit machines to penn pushers to Sega racing games.  Even the hardened gamign exec has to drop by some of the exhibits in ATE and try the machines – where else can you play the latest and greatest games without paying a penny!?!?

ICE is not only concerned with online gaming, in fact the bulk of the business and floor space is to do with on-the ground stuff – tables, roullete wheels etc. There is, however, an online section as well and this has grown over the years.

In their words: “The new International Gaming Expo show brings together the ICE and ICEi exhibitions, as well as the low-stake gaming element of ATEI, to offer a world-class gaming show under one roof.

This all encompassing exhibition will deliver a dedicated global gaming marketplace for visitors and exhibitors alike, enhancing the value of these three important days in the gaming calendar.”

More abut IGE here their website here.

Following on from ICE is CAP Euro. CAP is Casino Affiliate Programs – a trade organisation for sites that refer business to online gaming sites and make money from the referrals.  Click the banner to the right of this story and find out how this works (dont forget to spend loads so I get my share ).  Cap is always good fun – a nice crowd and again most people have known one another for years so its kind like a get-together of old friends.

In their own words :

”

This is the big one, folks. We go all-out for our annual London conferences, which includes the prestigious, second-annual CAP Awards Ceremony. Those of you who attended last year know that the CAP Awards is a blowout gala, a huge celebration of all the people who make the CAP affiliate marketing community the best in the world. It’s quickly becoming the premier event in the industry, and one that any serious gaming affiliate can’t afford to miss!

So, prepare yourself for three days of CAP’s legendary networking parties, teamed with a daytime bill of internationally acclaimed conference speakers and quality exhibition rooms. As always, our exclusive Affiliate Series of Poker tournament (ASOP) will be revving into action with affiliates fighting it out in front of their peers for a champion’s recognition and the chance to win CAP’s coveted ASOP bracelet.”

Moe about CAP Euro here.

See you all in London!!!

Tags: Cap Euro, CAP/CAP Euro, Gaming Show, ICE/IGE