The UK’s online gambling market is expected to see a great deal of changes this year. The introduction of a new tax will see profits decline for UK-based companies that have recently moved offshore, analysts to caution investors against putting too much faith in gambling stocks this year.

Ladbrokes, William Hill and Betfair are three companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. Over the course of the past few years, however, all three have moved to offshore locations to avoid paying steep gambling taxes to the government. While the move initially helped to improve their profits, the UK Gambling Commission has found a way to close the loophole by requiring offshore operators to obtain new licenses.

This is likely to have a detrimental effect on these companies and their profits, and the turmoil is likely to travel down into the pockets of investors. With profits expected to wane as a result of the new taxes, investors are have been warned against working with gambling stocks.

Already, prices are beginning to drop, as Ladbrokes has seen a 2p decline and William Hill has dropped by at least 4p. Things aren’t looking good for UK gambling stocks this year, since the year has already gotten off to a bad start.

Operators across Europe are working hard to get into America’s online gambling market. Ever since the Department of Justice announced that the Wire Act would no longer apply to most forms of online gambling, gaming companies have been scrambling to become a part of America’s online gambling world.

Ladbrokes is the latest company to attempt to enter the American gambling market. The UK-based operator recently spent £2 million on a 65% stake in Stadium Technology Group. The company is responsible for the IT departments in some of Las Vegas’ biggest casinos, including Treasure Island and the Golden Nugget.

Working with an American company seems to be safest bet for international operators. By entering the market on their own, they could face isolation and even legal repercussions. Companies like PlayTech and IGT have also gone this route.

This puts Ladbrokes in the perfect position to enter the American online gambling market. Las Vegas is one of the states that is closest to offering online gambling, and Ladbrokes will be in the ideal place at the right time.

Gaming software giant, Microgaming has struck a big software deal with Ladbrokes, and they will now be providing their casinos and poker software to Ladbroke’s Danish and Spanish markets.

Ladbrokes is one of the largest gaming groups in the gambling industry, and offer players a variety of games, as well sports betting services. They have online operations in Gibraltar, and other operations in the United Kingdom.

Andy Clucas, Head of Business Development at Microgaming, commented about the deal, saying “We have had a long and successful relationship with Ladbrokes and are delighted to be entering these two exciting markets with them. Once granted a licence, Ladbrokes will be able to offer the most competitive range of products.”

Ladbrokes Spanish site, as well as Danish site is expected to go live with the new Microgaming software by January 2012, once licensing has been granted for both markets. Microgaming has over hundreds of games under their umbrella, and the sites will have Flash and download games available to Ladbrokes players.

Microgaming is known for their excellent poker software, and Ladbrokes expects that Spanish and Danish players will really enjoy the opportunity to play poker in games and tournaments when the time comes.

Last year over 90 live dealer casinos were introduced making live casinos one of the fastest growing areas of the online gambling industry. Unlike computer simulations in regular online casinos, live casinos have living, breathing dealers in charge of the games. A steamed video link allows players to watch the dealer roll the dice, spin the wheel, or deal the cards and by using an instant messaging chat function, players can interact directly with the dealer or pit boss and other players online.

In keeping with this exciting new trend, Right Casino Media has just introduced a new website, LiveCasinos.co.uk. Right Casino Media based in the UK provides casino reviews and advertising solutions to some of the largest online gambling companies in the UK such as Ladbrokes, William Hill, 888 Casino and Bet365.

The new website will operate as a live casino review site and target players in the UK market. Online gambling experts will contribute their expertise to reviewing the best and worst live casinos, provide information about available games and live dealers, payout rates and live casino bonuses. Currently, LiveCasinos.co.uk. operates twelve live casino sites created to help players find reputable online casino sites that are safe, enjoyable and government regulated.

In the online gambling industry, mergers are becoming an increasingly popular trend. After PartyGaming announced its merger with Bwin, online casino operators have been inspired to team up with others in the industry to produce their own online gaming mega powers.

Now, PlayTech is showing interest in acquiring the 888 Holdings, an online gambling brand that has been entertaining offers for the past couple of years. 888 has seen a difficult time over the last half of the decade, and the company is looking for a little help from a generous company that wants to acquire its assets.

PlayTech, which is currently worth about £1 billion, is looking at purchasing 888 for £200 million. Currently, financial analysts believe that 888 is worth just over £150 million, despite seeing some growth this year.

Unfortunately, 888 has refused the offer from PlayTech. 888 has yet to give a reason why, but we have been led to believe that they are hoping for a bit more money. Ladbrokes has also shown interest in the online gambling operator, but the company’s bids have also been refused.

Gibraltar is a popular destination for online gambling operators, as it presents some of the lowest tax requirements of any country. Large companies like Ladbrokes and William Hill have already made the move from the UK to Gibraltar because of this, but now the country has decided to raise its taxes.

Currently, Gibraltar charges online gambling operators only 1% on their gross profits and the amount is capped at £425,000 per year. This has been a very attractive prospect for many online casino owners, causing many to relocate to this area.

Beginning in January 2011, Gibraltar’s tax regulations will be increased to 10%. While it is a significant jump, this tax requirement is far less than many other countries in Europe. For example, the UK charges well over 20% to its online gambling operators.

Online casino owners also agree. Victor Chandler, owner of Victor Chandler online casino, was quoted as saying that the new taxes are not likely to affect the online gambling industry. Operators in Gibraltar are still paying far less than they would be in other locations, and it is unlikely that many operators will be leaving the country.

Come one, come all! And who wouldn’t for a free 50 Pounds in their online casino gambling account! So what is the exact story and the catch you ask? We’ll it seems that their really isn’t one. That is if you are a new comer to Ladbrokes online casino based out of the UK. In a new TV advert the people behind Ladbrokes are inviting new people to come create a membership and are giving players 50 pounds to play with and do as they please.
 
No strings attached! Of course if you do decide to make a deposit after you have spent the initial 50, Ladbrokes will give you some great bonus attraction. The online casino offers players up to 150 pounds in match up. But the first 50 is absolutely yours free to play with at the online casino. Why is this? Well there is a bit of competition coming from online competitor William Hill and the online casino is just so confident that they will wow you that giving a little free money seems the least that they can do!
 
Players can have a go at many different games offered by the online casino including an array of table games, slot games and so much more. There are many things the players can do at this online casino. The casino is really just as good as the advert says it is. Players can learn to play, play with play money or try their luck at the real thing. One can spend hours and hours and have endless amounts of fun! Once you start you are sure to be one satisfied customer!

A source in Australia reported that a man by the name of “Daniel” was reportedly offering the personal information of 10,000 ladbrokes.com members for the sale and review to the highest bidder. The classified information included some very personal details that are very private and most do not want disclosed about them. The information included the details of their gambling patterns and history, the home addresses , account details and information, birth dates, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.
 
This information that “Daniel” had for sale was apparently leaked to the Media. At first the person claiming to have this information said that he considered contacting Ladbrokes directly to tell them that they had a security leak in their company but then he thought that going to the media was a better idea.
 
He said that he had the information of the 10,000 members to start and could also provide the information of an additional 4.5 million members as well. Ladbrokes immediately began contacting the members of their online casino to apologize for the breach in their privacy and to explain that everything was being done to keep the matter under control.
 
The matter is currently being investigated by the police as well as the commission bureau. This is a serious breach of privacy and this matter is being treated as a major case. In the meantime Ladbrokes customers and members are urged not to worry but will be kept informed on the outcome and the results of this case and are assured that they will do everything they can to protect the privacy of the information.