NETeller Lawsuits Imminent

An effort to gather the necessary resources for a class action lawsuit against third party payment processor is now gaining steam, and not just from US citizens.

One powerful website whose members abroad readily used NETeller and still do to this day, has expressed concern over what they see as a "monumental debacle" on NETeller's part with their current active customers outside the States.

Requesting anonymity, this website's Executive Vice President told Gambling911.com Tuesday evening:

"We are hearing more and more from non-US customers who are very unhappy with NETELLER and are considering legal action (including possible criminal and regulatory charges) against NETELLER, primarily due to the practice of charging customers a 1.9% “fee” to convert their prior US Dollar accounts to Euro accounts.

"In addition, these customers are also being forced to take the risk of currency fluctuations. I have now heard from several of our users (again, all outside of the US) who had US Dollar accounts with NETELLER; now, when they try to withdraw their funds from NETELLER, they are being charged 1.9% of their balance AND are taking the risk that the Euro is stronger than the US Dollar."

Meanwhile, customers of NETeller are beginning to rally.
"The article you wrote (appearing on Gambling911.com) "Does Youteller = Netller" was awesome," said one gambler affected by the NETeller debacle. "I also joined the Yahoo group that you linked to in the article. I have gone around and posted my intentions (to take legal action against NETeller and its Directors) in some forums with my Yahoo e-mail address and have received several responses from individuals who are interested in pursuing this lawsuit.

"The interest is about 15 individuals and deposits totaling 60-75K. Of course it has only been a couple of days. I also am waiting to hear form a guy with (over $100,000 in NETeller) on deposit.

This individual's goal is to get 50 people willing to move with $250,000 to $500,000 to start.

"I think once the complaint was filed all hell would break loose and the class could then open up and balloon to who knows how many members. I think I can do this easily."

Members of the newly created NETeller Sucks Yahoo News Group have been discussing the prospect of lawsuits.

"I agree 100% with your post. I am not accepting "US Gov't" excuse
because it's bull****," said one member. "When they say that they "hold your money in trust" that means our money is just that IN TRUST and safe. It doesn't mean they decide when they get to give it back to you or do what they want with it. It's time to take action and if something is not done before the end of March I will pursue my own personal lawsuit. My
lawyer who sent them a letter told me to call him if I decide that I
want to sue. I will be making that call as a last resort if nothing is
done."

NETeller.com executives have been sent a series of questions from Gambling911.com (as per their request) and we are yet to receive answers despite resending these questions three times.

Gambling911

China Cracks Down on I-Gaming

China has launched a three-month crackdown on Internet gambling, aiming to "purify the cyber environment," according to a statement prepared jointly by several government departments.

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Zhejiang are key places to be supervised, it said, calling on local government departments to strictly monitor online gaming operators who are not allowed to exchange "virtual money" with real currencies or properties.

China's police busted a total of 347,000 gambling cases involving 1.099 million people in 2006 and seized 3.56 billion yuan ($445 million), up from 2005, according to official statistics.

Gambling restriction became a high priority in January 2005 after a senior government official lost over $30,000 in public funds during more than 15 trips to a North Korean casino.

Meanwhile, last week, PartyGaming also announced that it would stop accepting any new real money accounts from French citizens. In September, Bwin co-chief executives Manfred Bodner and Norbert Teufelberger were arrested by the French gaming police and the company was forced to cancel its sponsorship contract with Monaco football club.

French politicians also passed a delinquency law this month with an amendment that would prevent the transfer of funds from French players to online gaming sites.

iGamingNews

Fat British Women Win Big Breast Survey

British women have been basking in the warm glow of a boob survey that revealed that they have the biggest breasts in Europe.

According to the survey, a whopping 57% of Britain’s women sport D cups, putting them ahead in the international breast race, with Denmark second on 50 per cent, then Holland with 36 per cent.

Smallest were the Italians where 68 per cent had a size B.

However.

Take the time to read “Read between the cleavage - Fat Women Means Fat Breasts” for one man’s opinion on exactly why British women got the honors…

US Department of Justice delays Neteller case

The case against Neteller founders John Lefebvre and Steven Lawrence has been delayed for a month after the US Department of Justice failed to issue an indictment earlier this week, while the company has announced Canadian and UK job losses in a restructuring plan.

Though a date was set for 14 February for Lawrence and Lefebvre’s preliminary hearing, and the clerk of the federal courthouse at Pearl St New York confirmed the defendant’s names were on the schedule, a judge has yet to be assigned.

Yusill Scribner, spokesperson for the District Attorney Southern District of New York, told eGaming Review that by the close of business on 14 February the government had either to have returned an indictment, set a date for a preliminary hearing, or ask for more time to do so, and that a delay of at least 30 days was anticipated.

A deadline for an indictment to be filed has now been extended until 16 March.
Neteller said today that as a result of its withdrawal from the US market, it is to restructure its US and UK offices reducing the number of staff from over 1,000 at its peak in 2006, to 425 across Europe, America and Asia-Pacific.

A statement said Neteller has: “substantially completed the necessary reorganisation and restructuring of its operations to reduce its headcount and align related costs with anticipated revenues of its worldwide business.”

It has focused its restructuring on the Calgary head office, where around 220 jobs are to be lost from all levels. In the UK, Neteller is to move its Gatwick base to Cambridge, with around 30 redundancies by the end of March.

Ron Martin, group president and chief executive said: “The events of the past months have led to challenging times for the group and the board has taken these measures to ensure the group has a sustainable business going forward.

“We would like to thank all of our employees who have contributed to the growth of the Neteller business over the past few years, and for those who have left or will be leaving the group, we wish you well for the future.”

Trading in Neteller’s shares on the Aim market continues to be suspended.

e Gaming Review

Britney's Mane Up For Auction?

The owners of the salon where Britney shaved her head on Friday might auction it off for charity.

The co-owner of Esther's Hair Cutting Studio in Tarzana, California didn’t elaborate on a timetable for any auction or which charity might be the beneficiary of Spears' mane.

According to Tognozzi, Spears said she was tired of her hair extensions and wanted to make like Sinead O’Connor.

Spears topped off the image makeover moments later by stopping at a the Body and Soul tattoo parlor in nearby Sherman Oaks to be inked with a black, white and pink cross on her lower hip and red and pink lips on her wrist.

By the way, did any else notice Britney’s odd shaped ears?? Maybe she should’ve thought of that before grabbing the shears….

Source

NETeller Customers Have Money Withdrawn From Their Accounts

The NETeller headache continues, and once again it’s the customers who’re getting the short end of the stick.

"It looks like someone went into my NETeller account and is transferring money. Someone transferred $10 to a casino. It worked. Then he tried to transfer $1000 to another casino and it was declined because I had less than $1000 left. Then he tried $500 and it worked because I had $522 left at that point.

"Then he tried $300, $200, $100, and it did not work. I went into my account to see what was going on. Then half an hour later I got another e-mail from Neteller telling me that I had transferred $20. The guy had tried $50, $40 and it got declined, until he tried $20. I know of one other person to which this happened today."

This was a posted message appearing on the MajorWager.com website and unfortunately it appears to be a problem that will continue for many sickened NETeller customers whose funds are supposedly being held in escrow accounts.

The breach in security is just another example of a company that has shown complete and utter disregard to the gambling public in North America but unfortunately this is a problem that could affect those living outside the US who continue to utilize NETeller. For this reason, Gambling911.com, MajorWager.com and other online gambling information news websites have urged its readers to avoid using the third payment processor.

NETeller's two co-founders were indicted and released on $5 mil bond, respectively, last month. Neither men were still involved in the company outside of holding shares at the time of their arrests. The company itself has not been indicted, though they claim to be aiding the US Department of Justice in its investigation, which is likely to lead to more arrests related to a highly involved bookmaking/agent/betting network.

One poster on the MajorWager.com website offered this opinion:
"This is so sad. This is just what the Department of Justice wants. Once they get the collapse going, they will have some shmucks believing that what they( DOJ) are doing is actually a good and righteous act. I'm not defending NETeller's current passe attitude to it's u.s customers but it is definitely a mortally wounded animal.

What ticks me off is i absolutely loved this company. Every single transaction i used with them over the last 6 years ( and there were close to a 1000 of them) was done swiftly, and competently and the features of Instacash (essentially good faith short term credit) was incredibly helpful."

A solution to the NETeller breach in security was offered by one MajorWager participant. This is in fact valuable information that has proved to be effective.

1. Change your NT password.

2. Have NT change your secure ID. Keep track of who you use it with, if you can still use NT.

3. If you can't use your account, and have your checking account info on file, have NT remove it from your account.

4. If you have any issues, you can e-mail NT at VIP@neteller.com
The phone number you can call is 1-877-288-4545

5. I would change the password to your e-mail account as well.

"Whatever you do, don't yell at the NETeller representative that answers the phone," this individual advised. "Remember they are only an employee and they can't give you your money."

Source: Gambling911.com

10 ways to love your single self on Valentine's

Love is all around us - and don't you just know it on Valentine's Day, but what if you're single? Why should you be bullied by the Relationship Police and their cheesy cards, overpriced roses and Bryan Adams records? It is possible to feel Significant, without having an Other; try our knockout tips for how to love yourself on 14 February

1. Enjoy a special breakfast - prepare smoked salmon and scrambled eggs instead of the usual Rice Krispies (or, if time's a problem, take a salmon and cream cheese bagel to the office). The first meal sets the tone for the whole day - an exceptional day calls for an exceptional meal.

2. Splurge on a session with a personal trainer: exercise is always good for the self-confidence as it releases all that wonderful serotonin into your system and a personal trainer can tailor a programme specific to your individual fitness needs.

3. Reinvent yourself at the hairdressers. Try a new style: a change is as good as a rest, they say, but it's also as good as a large injection of self-assurance, even just a cut and blow-dry will boost your self confidence and leave you feeling great. Looking like a new person will help you feel like a new person.

4. Indulge yourself with a treatment at a spa. It doesn't have to be a major, all-day session; just a quick foot massage, or a basic manicure. It's the fact you're being pampered that counts, not the extent of that pampering. You'll feel like a million dollars without having to spend it.

5. Go somewhere an ex-boyfriend always refused to go (for example, the ballet, a club, a restaurant or cultural activity ). Relish the fact that your freedom allows you to do it.

6. Book a table for one in a local restaurant and then watch all the couples sitting with nothing to say to each other. It might go against the grain to sit alone, but achieving it will be a powerful statement (to yourself as much as anyone else). Remind yourself that you're an independent woman who feels confident in herself. A tip for making it easier is to take a book or magazine to read. Also, choose the right sort of restaurant; too formal won't be appropriate; somewhere low-key.

7. Volunteer to help a local charity. Doing something worthwhile with your time will make you feel worthwhile about yourself. (Don't feel guilty that this sounds selfish - it's a widely acknowledged fact that charity work often helps the person giving the aid as well as the one receiving it.) Volunteering will soon put into perspective a holiday that emphasises corny greeting cards and overpriced restaurant meals and flowers.

8. See a film at the cinema in the afternoon. The matinee showing will be quiet, so you'll be able to stretch out and enjoy a whole 'couples' seat to yourself. There's something undeniably cosy about cinemas - the warmth, the darkness? Go on, spoil yourself.

9. Do something for the first time. Ballroom dancing, parachute jumping or making your own pasta - anything, as long as you've never done it before. Self-worth is like fitness: the more you stretch yourself, the better you feel.

10. Instead of a Valentine's card, post yourself a card listing three ways you must show your love of Yours Truly by this time next year (eg a weekend away somewhere, or a course of evening classes).

Source

India The New Vegas?

Macau has overtaken the Las Vegas Strip as the largest gaming market in the world in 2006.

The 39 casinos and slot halls located on the iconic stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South pulled in US$6.69 billion in gaming revenue last year, a 10.9% increase over 2005, data released over the weekend by the Nevada Gaming Control Board show.

Gaming revenue from Macau's 24 casinos surged 23% to US$6.87 billion during the year, according to figures published last month by the DICJ, the territory's gaming inspector.

Slot machines accounted for 51% of total gaming win on the Las Vegas Strip. Macau by contrast relied on VIP baccarat, the favored game of mainland high-rollers, for 65% of its revenue.

Meanwhile, India has gotten into the internet gaming sector in a big way, but not via online casinos that take bets. Rather, the focus has been on internet gaming portals such as www.gaminghungama.com which are kiddie friendly we suppose.

The opportunity that the gaming companies see is huge- with the number of internet users having increased from 5.5 mn in 2000 to 40 mn in 2006 and this growth expected to continue, the gaming companies see an opportunity that they can't afford to miss, according to the Economic Times of India.

India has played a major role in the online poker sector as well with two of PartyPoker.com's founders originating from the country.

The growth in online poker and casinos is likely to take place in conjunction with general gaming portals that offer everything from multi-player role playing games to Bollywood Squares.

Though frowned upon, there is nothing that states online gambling in India is illegal for the player. PartyPoker, in fact, has a tax paying base in the country with over 900 employees.

India is also one of the fastest growing demographics for the Gambling911.com website. On Sunday, 2% of Gambling911.com's traffic originated from India. Most countries outside the US make up a half a percentage of overall traffic, though combined it's around 20% with Great Britain, Canada and Australia combined now accounting for close to 30% of overall traffic.

Gambling911.com

NETELLER Working to Return Funds to US Customers

NETeller has issued an update on its US business and criminal charges against two of its founders.

According to a statement, the group’s legal advisers had met with representatives of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (USAO).

The Group said it had pledged to cooperate with the USAO, and also indicated it was prepared to begin a prompt document production and discuss a potential mechanism for arranging an orderly repayment of funds to US customers.

“The return of funds to our US customers is a top priority for NETELLER,” explained Ron Martin, NETELLER Group President and CEO. The group also claimed that to its knowledge, no criminal action or proceeding has been brought against them, its current officers or directors by the USAO.

So it remains to be seen if, and when, NETeller customers will see their money again.

iGaming Business

What do you want to do before you die?

That's what a small team from Canada are on a quest to achieve with their list of '100 things to do before you die' and the resulting reality show called The Buried Life.

Their list includes:

Give a Stranger $100
Ride a bull
Make the front page of a newspaper
Tell a judge: "You want the truth?' "You can't handle the truth"

Without the TV crew in tow - the concept proves that anything you wish for is possible.

What would you put on your list?

The Buried Life
Via

YouTeller "false" claims

It seems I’ve been blowing new-kid-on-the-block payment processor, YouTeller’s horn a bit prematurely.

eGaming Review reports that it seems YouTeller is falsely claiming to be certified by the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA).

YouTeller claims on its website to be a trademark of a company called Seed Capital Ltd, and gives an address in east London. A link on the company’s contacts page then diverts to the FSA register of Small E-Money Issuers where a company called Seed Capital Ltd is indeed listed.

However, a search on the FSA website reveals the company behind Seed Capital Ltd to be Oxford Technology Management, a company based in Oxford. When contacted by eGaming Review, a spokesperson at Oxford Technology Management said the company had never heard of YouTeller.

YouTeller also gives a registration number for Companies House in the UK on its website. A search under the number given comes up with the same east London address as the YouTeller website. The only director registered is one Florian Schweitzer with an address given in Austria.

This Seed Capital Ltd was registered at Companies House in October 2006. The other Seed Capital Ltd, from Oxford, registered its name at Companies House in July of last year. Schweitzer is not registered personally with the FSA.

A spokesperson for the FSA said the matter had been passed on to the relevant department for investigation.

Neither YouTeller or Schweitzer was available for comment.

There is Life Without NETeller

Another payment mechanism is seeing the light after the demise of NETeller.
YouTeller is a "private e-wallet" which promises to fill in the void left behind by the likes of NETeller.com.

The third party payment processor promises that customers can send money for free, receive money for free and deposit/withdraw funds from your bank account using a credit card.

"Wait till you see the back end software when it launches...looks hauntingly familiar...as do the people behind the scenes," a source told
Gambling911.com. "Looks like we will survive without NETeller after all."

The company opens in March and claims to be certified by the British Financial Services Authority.

Meanwhile, Pokernews.com reports that NETeller halted all peer to peer transfers for U.S. customers, effectively ending any type of functionality for American customers of the 'e-Wallet' service. This is the latest in a series of swift changes made without warning by the company.

Another New Deposit Method Sees the Light

New payment methods for online gamblers are climbing out of the woodwork, following the gaping void left by NETeller, Citadel etc.

One of the latest deposit/withdrawal methods is MyWebATM. The site links your online poker account to your personal bank account and simplifies withdrawals by mailing users an ATM card. The MyWebATM card can be used by any ATM which supports CIRRUS, which is accepted at virtually any ATM in the country.

Upon signing up, the service requires users to provide a very detailed set of information, including name, social security number, date of birth, address, home phone, email address, and driver's license number.

Fees have been a concern with newer eWallets such as epassporte, and MyWebATM also has its fair share of charges for its users. They include:

Schedule of fees

Monthly service fee: $3.95
ATM transaction, domestic: $2.50
Declined ATM transaction, domestic: $2.50
ATM transaction, international: $3.95
Declined ATM transaction, international: $3.95
POS transaction, domestic: $1.75
Declined POS transaction, domestic: $0.00
POS transaction, international: $1.75
Declined POS transaction, international: $0.00
Card-to-card transfer: $5.00
Card-to-ACH transfer: $4.00
PIN change: $0.00
Account inquiry: $1.00
Replacement card: $9.95
Currency conversion: 2%
Funding from credit card: $0.32 + 3.70%
Funding from bank account: $2.82

The card limitations are as follows:

Card Activity Limitations {Daily/Monthly}

ATM withdrawal (up to 5 transactions / day): $500/ $9700
ATM deposit (up to 10 transactions / day): $2700/ $9700
POS debit (up to 25 transactions / day): $1500/ $9700
POS refund (up to 10 transactions / day): $2700/ $9700
Card-to-card transfer, debit: $2700
Card-to-card transfer, credit: $2700
Funding, per account: $300/ $1000
Funding, per card: $300/ $1000

I guess it depends how badly you want to play online with ADM. Hopefully withdrawals are fast and easy, which should ease the pain of those charges and limitations a bit.


Source

More Gaming Bosses in the Line of Fire?

The US Department of Justice has denied rumors that enforcers are about to target another online gambling executive for arrest.

Responding to a press enquiry, a Department of Justice spokesperson said: 'Nothing would be made public until an individual or company was charged.”

According to sources in Washington DC, the US authorities are on the verge of unsealing another set of indictments against a high-profile US-facing betting and gaming operator. However, there is currently no inclination as to who the operator or operators might be.

iGaming Business