Police have shut down a pair of illegal internet gambling websites that are said to have been generating a turnover of $50,000 daily. One man, a recruiting agent, was arrested and several pieces of evidence were taken from his home. It is believed that the administrator of the sites fled the country, but police are hoping they will find enough evidence to track him down.

Antara News Indonesia: Police arrest int`l gambling syndicate agent

Jakarta police have arrested an agent of an international online gambling group operating illegally out of Indonesia. Authorities say he was earning as much as Rp15 billion (almost $2 million) per month from the business.

“As an agent the suspect`s turnover reaches Rp500 million a day. The police are still searching his boss abroad,” said Jakarta Metropolitan Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Boy Rafli Amar.

Boy said police have been investigation the gambling operation for the past month. The suspect was involved in operating two unlicensed gambling sites, offering casino games like roulette, baccarat, and poker, along with limited sports betting facilities.

The suspect admitted to working as an agent for the gambling, receiving a monthly salary of Rp7.5 ($1 million). Police are now examining bank statements and other documents in hopes of tracking down the leader of the operation.

During the raid, police confiscated a laptop, a book of financial records, four mobile phones, bank documents, and Rp495 million ($50,000) in cash. The two gambling websites have since been shut down.

Tempo Interactive: Jakarta Police Crack Down Online Gambling Sites

Jakarta police just cracked down two illegal internet gambling websites operating out of Jakarta, offering several different types of gambling and bringing in a daily turnover of around Rp500 million.

A spokesperson for Jakarta Police Senior Commissioner Boy Rafli Amar said in a press conference on Tuesday that two men were arrested at a house in the Villa Kapuk Mas complex, which police have been watching in a stakeout since early April.

One of the men arrested were an agent for the gambling site, and the other was a player. Evidence taken from the house included a laptop, transaction notes, bank, and Rp495 million.

It is believed that the actual administrators of the websites have fled overseas.

The Jakarta Post: Police bust suspects in online betting

Police in Jakarta announced on Tuesday that they had arrested a man suspected of helping to operate two illegal online gambling sites that were generating daily revenues of Rp 500 million (US$55,500).

City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar said the suspect, who they are calling ‘Benny’, worked as an agent, bringing new customers to gamble at the websites. The sites provided a wide range of online gambling options, including online sports betting, roulette and poker games.

“However, the owner of the sites has apparently managed to escape overseas,” Boy told reporters.

Legislation is being pushed all over the United States in favor of all kinds of gambling in order to raise state revenues. Delaware is one state currently in hot pursuit of the industry, but a recent bid for sports gambling was just rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Bloomberg Business Week: Delaware Sports Gambling Bid Rejected by High Court

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to give Delaware broader authority to sponsor sports gambling, and left intact a ruling that allows multi-game bets on National Football League contests while barring other wagers.

The justices rejected an appeal by Delaware Governor Jack Markell, whose state is 1 of just 4 that can offer sports gambling under a 1992 federal law. The rebuff means Delaware can only offer 1 aspect of its sports-wagering plan — parlay betting on 3 or more NFL games. Markell wanted to offer single-game betting as well as wagering on other sports.

Nevada is the only state that allows widespread sports gambling.

The Assosciated Press: High court turns down Delaware over sports betting

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Delaware appeal which sought to expand its sports betting lottery beyond professional football on Monday. Justices denied Delaware’s petition for judicial review without comment, and left limits on sports betting in Delaware to multi-game, or parlay, bets on NFL games.

The court declared that the state’s new sports betting lottery must be similar to the betting scheme used in a failed 1976 NFL lottery which allowed Delaware to be 1 of only 4 states to receive exemptions from the federal ban.

Despite losing the appeal, Delaware still maintains a competitive gambling advantage over neighboring states by being the only state east of the Rocky Mountains in which wagering on the NFL is legal.

Reuters: Supreme court rejects Delaware sports betting appeal

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Delaware appeal that argued the state should be allowed to offer a new sports betting lottery to generate revenue to help ease its record budget deficit. The justices let stand a 1992 federal ruling by a U.S. appeals court that prohibits Delaware from offering betting on individual games in all major sports, without comment.

The North American professional leagues for baseball, basketball, football and hockey and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) all argued that Delaware’s sports lottery plan violated the 1992 law.

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, prohibits betting on sports. Exceptions were granted to Delaware, Nevada, Montana and Oregon because they previously ran sports betting operations.

Delaware had expected at least an estimated $17 million in revenues from the sports betting plan in the 2010 fiscal year to help close the state’s budget deficit.

Attorneys for the professional sports leagues and the NCAA told the Supreme Court the appeal should be rejected. They said the estimated $17 million in sports gambling revenue represented a trivial percentage of the state’s $3.1 billion budget.

Paddy Power has been pulling all of the stops and stunts when it comes to advertising lately and the stunts seem to be garnering more and more attention. The latest opportunity has presented itself and Paddy Power took it – the company has sponsored the “Sin Bin” a confessional booth in a Catholic Church.

The Telegraph: Paddy Power betting firm sponsors church confession box

Paddy Power has paid £10,000 and sponsored a new confessional booth in Our Lady & St Etheldreda church in the racing town of Newmarket, Suffolk. Jockey Frankie Dettori, who was married in the church, performed the official opening ceremony yesterday.

The Dublin-based bookmaker has 200 offices in Ireland, 100 in Britain and a turnover of £2 billion. The betting company hopes that confessing your sins in a Paddy Power confession box will become a tradition for race-goers.

Sicilian-born Dettori, who is riding the Guineas meeting in Newmarket this weekend, said: “I was married in this church 13 years ago and all five of my children were baptised here.
Fr Michael Griffin, the priest, said: “It was suggested by a parishoner that we should ask Paddy Power for help because of its horse-racing connections. We were very pleased when they generously agreed.”

The Guardian: Church bets on power of sponsorship

St Etheldreda Church in Newmarket decided to turn the sin of gambling at this weekend’s Guineas Festival to its favour. The Catholic Church has taken £10,000 from bookie Paddy Power in return for sponsorship rights to the confession box.

“Our church has felt for a long time that we should have closer ties with the horse racing industry in Newmarket,” said Fr. Griffin. “Through the generosity of Paddy Power this is now starting to happen.”

Generosity indeed, but how difficult will it be for some penitent punters to drop a coin in the “sin box” if they happen to have already lost their shirt on a bet placed with Paddy Power? God only knows.

BBC News: Bookmaker Paddy Power sponsors confessional box

An Irish bookmaker has paid £10,000 for a new confessional box at a Catholic church in Newmarket after he was approached for a donation.

Father Griffin said everyone “liked a flutter” and gambling was only a sin if it left a wife and family without food. The priest said that the person who made the call knew Paddy Power was the name of a betting shop chain but was surprised when Paddy Power himself answered the phone.

Father Griffin said that the church had been trying to raise a total of £65,000 for renovations, which also included a new altar and font. The rest of the money raised has come from legacies.

Yesterday, entry to Ascot was free. Over 19,000 people showed up. It was a record-breaking day for bookmakers, but not in a good way. Many bet shops were experimenting with decimal prices instead of the usual fractional notation. The change confused punters, leaving some bookies barley able to cover expenses despite the impressive turnout.

Guardian: Decimal experiment fails to make its point

UK racing’s experiment with decimal odds only lasted a single day. The five major bookmakers agreed to show their odds as decimals rather than the traditional fractions all reported slumps in business, even though free entry to Ascot brought a huge crowd.

“We’ve had a number of queries today and they’ve all been about how we convert the decimal prices into the odds that are shown on other boards,” one worker said.

“So I’m now £160 up on the day and that just about covers the expenses. Which, considering the number of bets we’ve taken, is remarkable.”

Bookmakers feel that punters were confused by the unfamiliar decimals, and decided to place their wagers with other bookies who were not taking part in the trial.

“The feedback we’re getting from the customers is that they’re struggling to understand what our prices represent,” said Geoff Banks, betting on the rails.

“In the second race, for example, the favourite was 13-8 everywhere. I went 1.75 [a better price, the equivalent of 7-4] and I kept that for six or seven minutes – no particular interest.

“So then I said to my colleague next door, you go 7-4 with the fractionals and see what happens. He took six bets immediately and I took one.”

It is to be hoped that this brief change to decimal odds has not put bettors off.

Mirror: 5 out of 10 for decimal prices

Decimalisation began at Ascot yesterday as British racecourses tried out decimal odds instead traditional fractions.

The move is being heralded by Racing For Change, which is trying to bring racing to a wider audience. Their plan also includes free entry at nine fixtures this week to bring in new clients.

The decimal odds trial didn’t go over well. First-time racegoer Paul Rostron said: “The Tote odds include the stake but the decimalised odds don’t, so it’s quite confusing.”

Times Online: Bets are off as Ascot takes an unlucky punt on decimal odds

Yesterday at Ascot, a handful of course-side bookmakers offered their prices in decimal odds, a model that some believe is the future of betting. Instead, confusion took lead as punters juggled with the two types of odds.

Biike Wharton Slaney was not optimistic. “It’s just a fad. If you don’t know the odds you’re not going to be betting in the first place,” he mused.

Bettor John Denyer, 75, was dumbfounded by his decimal betting slip. “It’s hard for me being an old fellow,” he said. “If this takes over, that’s me out the window.”

Entry to Ascot was free yesterday, and more than 19,000 people showed up. There were a few takers for the new decimal system, but most punters were not happy with the change.

By midday, one bookmaker decided he’d had enough. His takings were 35 per cent down on last year. “The customers are confused,” he said.

Spanish tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, nicknamed “Rafa”, will step out onto the clay today at the 2010 Monte-Carlo Masters, making his debut in the 103rd iteration of this annual event. For the past five years, Nadal has played in this ATP Masters Series tournament, and each of those years, he won first place in the single title. Now he’s at it again, battling against last year’s finalist Novak Djokovic and wild card entry Andy Murray, hoping to break a world tennis record by grabbing his sixth straight Masters title.

Nadal, 23, is entering this year’s Monte-Carlo Masters with a 29-1 career record, and is walking proud with 27 straight wins since he lost to Guillermo Coria in 2003. Today he will be playing his 201st ATP World Tour Masters 1000 match – an astonishing number for a player his age. Nadal stands tall at 6’1”, and is a very imposing figure on the court. His aggressive play style and massive forehand make him a formidable player.

He began playing tennis when he was three years old. Right away his uncle Toni, a former tennis pro, recognized the youngster’s talent for the game; Toni has been coaching him ever since. Nadal won his first championship when he was eight, which made him work even harder at training and practicing. Around this time, Toni began encouraging him to play left-handed (Nadal is naturally right-handed), a move which would give him an advantage on the court. He still uses this strategy today.

As a teen, Nadal was also an adept football player, and was heavily involved in both sports. His father, concerned about the boy’s academic future, forced him to choose just one. Obviously, Nadal chose tennis. The choice paid off, and by the age of 17, Nadal was already ranked among the 50 best tennis players in the world.

His entrance into the pro circuit was met with some criticism – not because of how Nadal played, but because of how he looked. His propensity to wear sleeveless shirts, below-the-knee trousers and a bandana drew endless mocking from the press. One television commenter even joked that he showed up to a game wearing his sister’s clothes. Nadal shrugged the jokes off, and went on to play like a champ.

Nadal’s career exploded in 2005 when he dominated the spring clay court season, winning 25 consecutive matches and establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. This year earned him the ATP Most Improved Player of the Year award. By now Nadal was ranked number 5 in the world, making him the youngest player to make it into the Top 10 since Andrei Medvedev in 1993.

The years since have been a battle against injuries forcing off-court time here and there, but overall his path of progress has been a steep climb towards the top. Now, Nadal is confident that he will claim his 6th straight Monte-Carlo Masters title this year. His primary adversary Roger Federer is not playing this year, giving Nadal a good chance of fulfilling his goal. “I’ve always been a winner”, Nadal says in an official press release. “And will soon be one again!”

Whether players favor Nadal or his competition for this year’s title, now is the time to put money down. Bettors in France across Europe are advised to use Bet365 Sports, while those in the US should check out Bodog, Brobury Sports or BetUS Sportsbook. Each of these trusted online sportsbooks offers their own odds and lines, players may want to shop around to find a system that most benefits them.

A massive online sports betting operation operating illegally out of New York, with ties as far afield as Costa Rica, has been taken down. A two-year investigation culminated last week in 38 arrests cross the US. Those involved are ring charged with money laundering, promoting gambling and conspiracy.

Fox News: Dozens Arrested in Sweep of Alleged $178M Online Gambling Ring

Bookmakers running a pair of online sportsbooks in the US accepted nearly $178 million in bets during the past three years said prosecutors on Wednesday after arresting 38 on corruption charges.

Those arrested are suspected money collectors, agents and bookies from Nevada, Louisiana, Florida, New York and Arizona. The arrests were the culmination of a three-year investigation led by the organized crime division of the New York Police Department.

Among those arrested are three New York City employees: a firefighter, a sanitation worker and a highway repairman. Charges include money laundering, promoting gambling and conspiracy.

The suspects operated two nationwide gambling rings that utilized sports betting websites filtered through Costa Rica. Millions of dollars in cash and property were seized after more than a dozen search warrants were executed five US states. All suspects are currently awaiting arraignment.

United Press International: NYC fireman nabbed in $178M gambling ring

A New York City firefighter is among three city workers being charged with operating an illegal sports-betting ring that made $178 million in three years.

Firefighter Matthew Fopeano and highway repairman Michael Labetti allegedly paid out winnings, collected gambling losses, and solicited new customers. Robert Ackrish, a NYC sanitation worker, allegedly ran a separate sports betting operation that handled $24 million in wagers.

These men are among 38 people being charged with operating two “highly sophisticated illegal sports gambling enterprises” in New York City, Nevada and Costa Rica. The rings took nearly $178 million in wagers over 32 months basketball, football, baseball and hockey events, the district attorney said.

A spokesman for the New York Fire Department says that Fopeano, an 8-year veteran who allegedly made used a marked fire department vehicle for collecting sportsbook monies, was suspended without pay and faces termination.

Boston Herald: 38 indicted in NYC in sports gambling rings

New York prosecutors have indicted 38 people in connection with two illegal sports betting rings that allegedly spanned from Arizona to New York and Costa Rica and made $178 million.

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said that the bookies used websites to collect wagers on professional and college events including basketball, football, baseball and hockey.

Lead by the New York Police Department’s organized crime division, investigators arrested the accused on charges enterprise corruption. Three of the men arrested are New York City employees: a sanitation worker, a firefighter, and a highway repairman.

UK’s largest sports betting company Ladbrokes has forged a deal with France’s largest pay-tv provider Canal+. Together the two will forge an online gambling and sports betting service for French players. The new service will launch later this year, and will attempt to lure Canal+ subscribers to Ladbrokes’ online gaming websites.

Financial Times: Ladbrokes tilts at French gambling market

Ladbrokes has entered France’s newly-regulated gambling market through a joint venture with Canal+, the pay-TV broadcaster. Together they will create a new internet betting and gaming service.

Through the operation, which is supported by an initial €2.25m (£1.97m) of funds from each partner, Ladbrokes will gain access to 12.5m subscribers of Canal+.

The terms of the deal demand that Ladbrokes refrain from operating any other online gambling operations in France until two years after the partnership ends.

Until recently, Ladbrokes was skeptical about the French market because tight regulations and steep tax rates. Operators are required to pay 7.5% tax of turnover on sports betting and horse racing, and 2% tax on poker turnover.

The new service will launch later this year, as long as it gets approved French regulators. France is new to the world of online gambling, and the government is pushing to get the new market up and running before the start of the football World Cup on June 11.

Ladbrokes and Canal+ will face a lot of competition in France’s new online gambling market. Other French groups have signed deals with brands like Betclick, PartyGaming, Paddy Power, and Everest Poker.

Reuters UK: Ladbrokes to launch French JV

The UK’s largest online bookmaker Ladbrokes has signed a joint venture agreement with Groupe CANAL+ to launch an online gambling and sports betting service in France.

The new service is set to launch by the end of the year, so long as the application is approved by French authorities. It will mark Ladbrokes’ first move into the French market in its 124-year history.

“We believe that there is an opportunity to build a good business in France over time as the market and regulation develop,” said Ladbrokes’ John O’Reilly.

Both Ladbrokes and CANAL+ are putting forth an initial €2.25 million to fund the 50:50 venture. Ladbrokes will provide its online gambling knowledge and technology, while CANAL+ will provide access to media, brand, and a large base of subscribers.

Times Online: Ladbrokes takes a punt on French venture

Ladbrokes is making a move on the French gambling market through a joint venture with Canal+, France’s top pay-TV company. Ladbrokes hopes to lure French gamblers to its website and through its new partner’s television channels.

France recently opened up its gambling market, breaking down the old Française des Jeux lottery monopoly.

“We currently have no presence in France,” said a Ladbrokes spokesperson. “It is a very competitive market but it is also a very big market. It will still be highly regulated but it is hoped that it will be further deregulated over time.

Ladbrokes and Canal+ are both putting up an initial €2.25 million (£1.97 million) into the 50:50 joint ventures. The contract also gives Canal+ the option to force Ladbrokes to buy its stake in five years.

Ladbrokes’ online gambling chief John O’Reilly said: “Canal+ is a brand synonymous with sport in France. We believe that there is an opportunity to build a good business in France over time as the market and regulation develop.”

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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak made an announcement last week that he is considering legalizing sports betting in the country, perhaps even in time for the FIFA World Cup that begins on June 11 in South Africa. The announcement has many frustrated, including his own MPs, who feel that Najib is keeping them out of the loop.

AsiaOne News: Legal sports betting in Malaysia soon?

Sports betting in Malaysia may soon be legalized, perhaps even in time for the Fifa World Cup finals in South Africa that begin on June 11.

A local gambling firm called the Berjaya Group is seeking approval to offer sports internet betting activities in the country.

The group received such permission from the Finance Ministry in October 2004, and even paid RM25 million for a 20-year concession. The prime minister, however, shot down the proposal, saying the government would not legalize football betting in Malaysia.

Malaysians are already betting illegally on sports, and authorities are hopeful that legalizing sports betting would reduce the number of illegal bettors.

“It will likely divert money from illegal football betting. In 2006, it was estimated that the legal gaming is valued at RM850 million ($260 million) every day in Malaysia, with illegal gambling estimated at around the same amount.

This gives the total size of estimated daily gambling in Malaysia at around RM1.7 billion ($520 million).
It will also take some of the gaming market share lost to Singapore with the opening of its first casino recently,” said an industry observer.

Free Malaysia Today: MPs to Najib: Explain bid to legalise sports betting

Malasia MPs feel that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has some explaining to do regarding his recent statement that he is “considering” legalizing sports betting in Malaysia.

Pakatan Rakyat leaders have taken him to task over his statement in Hong Kong, with Rasah MP Anthony Loke Siew Fook accusing Najib of being “secretive” about the matter.

“Why is Najib so secretive about this? If it’s indeed true that the government is considering to legalise it, doesn’t he know the social impact it will have on the youth? I challenge him to explain this matter in Parliament,” Rasah MP Anthony Loke Siew Fook said in Parliament last week.

Machang MP Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also questioned the government’s move in considering the matter.

“Is it solely for tax purposes? Don’t they know the social impact behind it? Is this their move to reduce the deficit gap? The ball is now in Najib’s court to answer this,” he said.

The Malay Mail: NGOs shoot down proposal on sports betting

The general consensus among non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Malaysia is that legalizing sports betting could lead to social problems in the long run.

Datuk N. Marimuthu, president of Consumers Associations (Fomca), has expressed concerns that legalizing sports betting could lower people’s morality.

When asked for a comment about the recent announcement that sports betting may soon be legalized in Malaysia, Marimuthu replied: “Some turn to gambling with the hopes of striking gold. But gambling, in whatever form, is never right.”

“Whatever your religion,” he continued, “gambling falls in the same category as womanising.”

Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) secretary general Datuk Dr Maamor Osman also dislikes the idea of legalizing sports betting in Malaysia.

“What’s the use of labeling Malaysia a Muslim country if we do not portray it as such? Speaking from a multi-racial angle, there is no religion that allows its followers to engage in such activity. It is bad for everyone.”

A match-fixing scandal that broke out a few months ago in Germany is still unfolding and has led to the recent arrest of some 46 individuals in Turkey. Among the detained are a number of players and coaches wrapped up in what was an estimated 200 fixed matches in 11 countries.

People’s Daily Online: More than 50 detained on football match-fixing in Turkey

Over 50 people including professional football players, coaches, managers and high-ranking officials, were detained Wednesday on allegations of manipulating football games and match fixing. Police raids were carried out in 8 Turkish provinces.

Detainees were brought to Istanbul for further interrogation. Those in custody are being processed at the Istanbul Financial Crimes Unit. The Turkish Football Association declared that the investigation started with their application to the prosecutor in August 2009.

In its announcement, the federation claimed that 3 different match-fixing dossiers were examined. Match-fixing allegations started in November by organized crime officials in Bochum, Germany. Since then over 200 matches in 11 countries have been investigated including Turkey.

BBC News: Mass arrests in Turkey in football match-fixing probe

Turkish police have arrested 46 people in connection with a Europe-wide football match-fixing scandal which first broke in Germany 4 months ago. The arrests were made in 26 towns and cities across the country. German investigators believe some 200 matches in 11 countries were fixed by players and referees. Estimates indicate that gamblers have made at least €10 million on this.

The charges that suspects might face are unknown, but they are under investigation by the smuggling and organised-crime department of the police.

The German investigation of what is thought to be Europe’s largest match-fixing racket ever has pushed Turkish prosecutors to go after those whom they believe have been rigging league games locally.

NBC Sports: Turkey: 46 people questioned over match-fixing

Turkish police say 46 people were detained for questioning as part of an investigation into alleged match-fixing in football.

Istanbul police chief, Huseyin Capkin, said that suspects were detained in 26 different cities and that operations will continue. Several clubs’ players and officials were detained Wednesday by fraud squads as part of the investigation.

Kamil Dizdar of topflight club Istanbul, Buyuksehir Belediyespor, confirmed that assistant coach Arif Erdem and goalkeeper Kenan Hasagic were being interrogated by investigators.

Lu Jun, one of China’s most beloved referees, was arrested last week along with two other refs under suspicion of match fixing. Depending on the amount of money involved, Lu may face the death penalty for his crimes. Police, however, have not made an official statement about why the arrests were made.

Al Jazeera: China referees arrested over graft

Last week, Chinese police arrested three football referees on suspicion of match-fixing. Among the men detained is Lu Jun, one of China’s leading referees. Lu officiated hundreds matches before retiring in 2005, and earned the nickname the “golden whistle” for his integrity during an earlier match fixing scandal.

Lu’s sentence will depend on the amount of money involved in the betting scandal, but as a public servant, if he is found guilty of taking money, he may face the death penalty.

Wei Di, head of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), said he was “shocked” and “hurt” by the news of Lu’s arrest.

“He is undoubtedly a first-rate referee in terms of working ability, but his morals are a far cry from his ‘golden whistle’ reputation,” he said.

Facing intense pressure from China’s leaders, Wei is cracking down on match-fixing and corruption in Chinese football. He took over for as head of the CFA after his predecessor was arrested as part of an investigation into corruption in the game.

China Daily: Match fixing: 3 referees arrested

Three Chinese soccer referees, including the famous “golden whistle” Lu Jun, have been arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes.

Lu Jun, Zhou Weixin and Huang Junjie have been arrested,” said soccer chief Wei Di. “I was really shocked and hurt when Lu’s name cropped up in the scandal. He is undoubtedly a first-rate referee in terms of working ability, but his morals are a far cry from his ‘golden whistle’ reputation,” Wei said.

Lu was named the “best referee” in the league’s first decade. He was also named “Referee of the Year” twice by the Asian Football Confederation.

“We don’t know what sentences they will get But we can see these referees must have contributed to the problem of match fixing and manipulation,” Wei said, but the punishment for State servants found guilty of accepting bribes of more than 100,000 yuan ($14,705) is a minimum of 10 years up to death, according to Chinese law.

Reuters: China chief ‘hurt’ by match-fixing arrest of ‘golden’ ref

Chinese Football Association (CFA) chief Wei Di was “shocked” and “hurt” by the arrest of World Cup referee Lu Jun last week. Lu was dubbed the “golden whistle” for his integrity during the “black whistles” scandal some eight years ago.

One of three referees arrested, Lu faces punishments that could range from an administrative sanction to the death penalty, depending on the amount of money involved in the scandal.

The others referees detained were retired 45-year-old Guangzhou official Zhou Weixin and Huang Junjie, an active FIFA international referee.

Police have not told CFA chief Wei why the three officials were arrested. Wei took over as chief after his predecessor Nan Yong was arrested during another Chinese football scandal.

Ladbrokes, one of the UK’s largest , reported a 28% fall in profits for 2009 over the previous year. They blame the economic climate which kept punters from betting, and the unusually snowy winter which kept bettors from heading out to the 2,700 betting shops that Ladbrokes operates across the UK.

The Wall Street Journal: Ladbrokes’s Net Tumbles

The UK gambling company Ladbrokes PLC reported a significant drop in 2009 profits amid the economic downturn.

The sportsbook reported last year’s net profit down 63% to £74.4 million from £200.7 million in 2008. Revenue fell 10% to £1.032 billion.

Revenue suffered from winter weather, with snow and ice across the UK keeping customers at home. Another contributing factor was a strange year for the Premier League, which saw fewer draws in matches than usual. Draws are a bookmaker’s secret weapon, as most bettors wager on one team to win.

Chief Executive Officer Chris Bell says they are putting their hopes on the soccer World Cup in South Africa this summer. “Far from me to make the prediction that the World Cup will balance the economy … But it’s a huge tournament.”

Ladbrokes is watching carefully for changes to US gambling laws. “We are prepared,” Bell said.

BBC: Ladbrokes profits hit by recession

UK sportsbook Ladbrokes blames the economy for a 28% fall in profits for 2009. Last year it made £191.3m ($301.5m), down from the £265.6m it made in 2008.

Sales in the UK fell by 28%, as bettors cut back on spending in the recession.

The company says the football World Cup this summer is a good opportunity to increase profits and attract new customers.

Ladbrokes also hopes to increase profits through the upcoming launch of a new spread betting service, which will let punters to bet on stock markets, shares and currencies.

The company’s chairman Peter Erskine admits “2009 was a challenging year for Ladbrokes.”

“We were impacted by the deteriorating economic environment… however, Ladbrokes continues to be a profitable and cash generative business.”

The New York Times: Ladbrokes Profits Slump

Britain’s largest sportsbook Ladbrokes reported a 28% drop in last year’s pretax profits. The figure reflects recent economic conditions and bettor-friendly results hitting margins during the third quarter.

The company, which has operates more than 2,700 betting shops across the UK, said their 2009 pretax profits fell from 265.6 million in 2008 to just 191.3 million pounds.

The figures are still ahead average forecast for pretax profit, which stood at 166 million pounds according to a Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S poll of 19 analysts. Ladbrokes is also facing the loss of CEO Chris Bell who will step down in early summer, and are currently looking for a replacement.

Shares in Ladbrokes closed last week at 151.9 pence, valuing the business at 1.4 billion pounds.

Match fixing and bribing the referees are among the charges laid against two of China’s Super League teams. As a result, the teams are being punished and relegated. Players, officials and a soccer boss are reported to have been involved in the scandal.

BBC News: Two football teams relegated from China’s Super League

China’s Football Association has decided to relegate 2 teams from the Super League to its 2nd division in a corruption scandal. According to official Chinese media, the teams were accused of being involved in match-fixing and gambling. The Chengdu Blades, one of the relegated teams, is owned by Sheffield United.

Sheffield United bought a majority stake in Chengdu Blades in 2006, hoping to develop football in China and unearth new talent. The team was promoted to China’s Super League the following season and became a powerhouse in Chinese football.

Chengdu will be relegated as punishment for alleged match-fixing. The club allegedly bribed an opposing team to lose a crucial game and ensure Chengdu’s elevation to the top flight.

The Team’s chairman, Xu Hongtao, and his deputy have already been detained as part of a widening crackdown on corruption in football. Twenty senior officials and players were allegedly involved, including the former head of China’s Football Association, Nan Yong. Police and tax investigators say players and refs have been bribed to throw games and some players paid up to $15,500 for a place in the national squad.

The Canadian Press: Two top-level Chinese football clubs relegated over match fixing, gambling allegations

Two Chinese Super League clubs have been relegated to the 2nd tier amid a match fixing and gambling scandal that‘s already toppled the head of the country’s soccer association. Guangzhou GPC and the Chengdu Blades were removed from the Chinese Super League after an investigation led officials to believe they were involved in match-fixing.

Charges against those involved in the scandal include match fixing, bribing referees, players paying for places at the national team’s training camp and play time in international competition.

The relegations were the harshest punishment dealt out to clubs to this date. People caught up in the sweeping probe that has netted more than a dozen players and officials, including former soccer boss Nan Yong.

Two new teams will be announced and introduced into the Super League to keep the total number of teams at 16.

The New York Times: Two Top Chinese Clubs Relegated For Matchfixing

Two top-flight Chinese soccer clubs were relegated to the 2nd division after club officials were found guilty of matchfixing and gambling, according to the state media. The Chinese Football Association’s disciplinary committee decided to relegate Guangzhou GPC and the Chengdu Blades.

The president of Chengdu, owned by English Championship side Sheffield United, was arrested last month in an investigation into matchfixing which has seen more than 20 officials arrested or detained, including the CFA’s former chief Nan Yong.

The CFA said 16 teams would still play in this year’s Chinese Super League season, though replacements haven’t been named yet. The season will kick off on the 20th of March, but ongoing police investigations could disrupt those plans.

Canadian gambling law continues to liberalize and as a result, online gambling will be made legal and offered most recently in the Province of Quebec. The lotto and internet poker rooms are the first to be offered. Loto-Quebec will team up with other companies to cover a larger part of Canada.

The Montreal Gazette: Loto-Québec goes online

Loto-Québec will offer Quebecers online poker and sports betting at a site that should be live this year in order control a new, beneficial stream of revenue. Plans received the blessing of the Quebec cabinet, which intends to “cannibalize illegal gambling sites” and see a common electronic platform created for Loto-Québec, B.C. Lottery Corp. and Atlantic Lottery Corp., which covers Canada’s 4 Atlantic Provinces.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by the 3 corporations providing rules governing the new games. Quebec and its partners will need high betting limits to compete with existing online operations. Even with high limits, it’s not sure that the new sites will succeed in luring players from older sites. The number of viable players is a big concern at the moment.

At a media conference in Montreal, the main focus was on legitimacy, regulation and protection that provincially run online gambling would offer consumers. Online games could generate as much as $50 million in new revenue for Quebec in 2012.

CBC News: Loto-Québec to offer online gambling

Quebec’s lottery corporation will launch its first online gambling service this September. Loto-Québec hopes it will add millions of dollars to its coffers by 2013. Allowing Loto-Québec to join the lucrative online market could earn the province $50 million over 3 years, according to Finance Minister Raymond Bachand.

Social costs regarding young adults are particularly grim, suggested Danielle Doyer, the Parti Québécois ’s social services critic. She accused the Liberal government of ignoring the costs in favor of financial gain. Loto-Québec, however, argues that Quebeckers already have access to more than 2,000 online gambling sites that are “illegal and unregulated.”

The site will require players to verify their age, limit their weekly account replenishments and allow players to “self-exclude at all times.”

He also cited a public health study that showed no increase in problematic gamblers in Quebec between 1996 and 2002, suggesting the proportion of the population addicted to gambling always remains the same, regardless of the number of gambling outlets.

The Canadian Press: Quebec loto commission to join B.C. and Atlantic Canada online gambling venture

Quebec’s lottery commission plans to offer online gambling by this fall. On Wednesday, the Quebec government announced that it is allowing Loto-Quebec to set up poker and sports betting sites online. Loto-Quebec will join lottery commissions from British Columbia and Atlantic Canada to provide a common platform for online gamblers.

According to Quebec Finance Minister Raymond Bachand, online gambling is already widespread and government coffers could benefit greatly from the continuously growing market. He says he expects the government to receive around $50 million in dividends from Loto-Quebec’s online venture after just three years.

The lottery commission promised to take steps to limit underage players from taking part.

Joseph LaForte, a 39 year old New Yorker, admitted to the US Disctrict Court last week that in 2005 and 2006 he played a role in an illegal online sports bettingoperation.

LaForte directed players to an internet sportsbook hosted offshore, supplying them with user names and passwords for online sports betting. The website gave LaForte a share of the profits. LaForte now faces a possible prison sentence.New York Man Admits Role in Sports Betting Ring

A man from New York admitted last week that he helped to run an illegal online sports betting website that offered services in several US states, including New Jersey.

Joseph W. LaForte admitted to the crime in U.S. District Court in Trenton last Wednesday.

LaForte, 39, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an illegal online sports betting business. LaForte is already serving time in New York on separate charges, and now faces a sentence of up top five years in prison along with a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced April 6th.

Online sports betting

LaForte’s admission said that between 2005 and 2006, he and several others helped punters to place wagers through an online sportsbook hosted outside the United States, then shared in the profits from the sports betting business.

NY man admits role in sports betting ring

A man from Staten Island, New York, recently pleaded guilty to setting a former employee’s Mercedes-Benz on fire in 2004 out of revenge.

James LaForte Jr., 32, also admitted last Wednesday to offering high-interest loans, then using threats and violence to collect on them. Loan sharking carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Additionally, LaForte’s brother Joseph W. LaForte admitted to a federal court that he had participated in an illegal online sports gambling business in New Jersey, New York, Florida and elsewhere. Joseph LaForte, 39, is currently serving a sentence in New York state prison on unrelated charges.  He admitted to conspiring with others in 2005 and 2006 to helping bettors to place wagers at a foreign internet gambling site. They provided punters with user names and passwords so they could wager on online sports betting, LaForte admitted. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine; sentencing is set for April 6.

Breaking Local News from Staten Island, NY: Staten Island man admits role in sports betting ring

Joseph W. LaForte, a Staten Island native who most recently lived in Huguenot, admitted on Wednesday that he helped operate an illegal online sports betting ring in New Jersey.

Joseph W. LaForte made this admission Wednesday at the U.S. District Court in Trenton.

Thirty-nine year old LaForte pleaded guilty to charges he was accused of, including conspiracy to operate an unlawful online sports betting business. LaForte, currently serving a prison term in New York on unrelated charges, faces up to five years and a fine of $250,000 when he is sentenced on the 6th of April.

In his admission, LaForte revealed that in 2005 and early 2006, he and his associates directed bettors to a particular online sports betting website located outside the United States. LaForte shared in the profits from the online business.