World Cup 2010

Thousands arrested in Asia football gambling raids

17 July 2010

PARIS (Reuters) – More than 5,000 people have been arrested in a swoop on illegal gambling on World Cup football across Asia and police have seized nearly $10 million (6.5 million pounds), Interpol said on Friday.

The global police cooperation agency said raids on nearly 800 illegal gambling dens between June 11 and July 11 targeted illicit betting linked to organised crime in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and China.

“As well as having clear connections to organised crime gangs, illegal soccer gambling is also linked with corruption, money laundering and prostitution,” said Jean-Michel Louboutin, executive director of police services.

The coordinated police operation, codenamed SOGA III, was not about match-fixing, a spokeswoman for Interpol said.

Illegal gambling dens, including some in Hong Kong and casino haven Macau — both former colonial enclaves which are now parts of China — had taken more than $155 million in bets.

Police also seized cars, bank cards, computers and mobile phones during the raids, which were coordinated by Interpol’s headquarters in Lyon and its Bangkok liaison office.

“The results we have seen are impressive, not only in the number of arrests and seizures made across the region in just one month, but in terms of the police cooperation which made this possible,” Louboutin said.

The three SOGA operations carried out so far have led to nearly 7,000 arrests, the seizure of over $26 million in cash and the closure of illegal gambling dens that handled more than $2 billion worth of bets.

In Hong Kong, police said they arrested 235 men and women aged between 16 and 79 after searching 139 locations in the latest operation. They seized betting slips valued at HK$361 million and 77 computers.

One swoop saw police smash a vast cross-border bookmaking syndicate that had taken in around $1 billion in illegal bets.

During that operation, mounted in cooperation with police in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, 83 people were arrested in Hong Kong and 29 in China, police said.

Chinese state media said earlier this month police had smashed an online betting network, with the alleged ringleader accused of dealings worth 100 billion yuan (9.6 million pounds) .

It was not immediately clear if that operation was linked to the one announced by Interpol on Friday.

HUGE GAMBLING MARKET

Gambling is highly restricted in most of China, ensuring brisk trade for Macau in the country’s south, which has overtaken Las Vegas as the world’s largest gambling market.

Malaysia has backtracked on the approval of a sports betting licence following public anger in the mostly Muslim nation.

In Britain’s liberalised market, punters can bet on sports matches as well as play casino games such as roulette and blackjack online.

France legalised certain kinds of online gambling in June, not including casino games however, just in time for wagers on the World Cup.

Websites in the country took 80 million euros (67.5 million pounds) in bets in the first month they were open.

Companies such as PartyGaming and Austria’s bwin are awaiting the result of attempts by congressmen in the United States to overturn the ban on online gaming there.

(Reporting by Victoria Bryan; editing by Philippa Fletcher)

Paul the Oracle Octopus has officially retired from the World Cup match-predicting

Jul 16th, 2010

by Casino Guru.

2 comments

14 July, By Brooks Peck

International icon and unofficial king of Spain, Paul the Oracle Octopus has officially retired from the World Cup match-predicting racket and may now be used to cash in. According to CNN, the Sea Life aquarium where Paul resides is entertaining offers for Paul’s promotional services and PR people are drooling over his potential to make millions.

PR guru Max Clifford, best known for generating tabloid headlines such as “Freddie Starr ate my hamster,” believes Paul, who was born in England, has ended his soothsaying days at exactly the right time. “Obviously his 100 percent record is remarkable but the minute he gets it wrong it all disappears,” Clifford told CNN.

Now Paul could star in light-hearted commercials. “If you get it right, and remember Paul has had worldwide success … you’re talking about an earning potential of £2 or £3 million (up to $4.5 million), maybe more. It’s got to bring a smile to everybody’s face. You’ve got the world’s first multimillion-pound octopus here.

Up to $4.5 million for the endorsement of an octopus that ate a clam out of a box labeled with the flag of a match-winning team eight consecutive times? It’s ridiculous, but when you consider the money paid to humans who have done far less than that to endorse a wide range of horrible products, it starts to make sense.

The only problem with Paul? He’s just six months shy of the average three-year lifespan for an octopus. Then again, that’s probably a generous assessment of how long people will remember him anyway.

Another expert agreed, saying there was no limit to the ways in which Paul could be marketed. “Obviously he has a short shelf life but there are many options,” said Allyson Stewart-Allen, director of London-based International Marketing Partners.

“A good use for him would be in adverts featuring two competing brands, such as Coke or Pepsi. Which does Paul prefer?” said Stewart-Allen.

“The gaming industry would be the logical use for Paul, or marketing a service that compares the market. Or he could just be an icon, marketing a company like Octopus Travel, for instance.

So keep an eye out for Paul the octopus billboards, TV ads and Happy Meal toys over the coming months. Followed by the most expensive octopus dish ever.

Photo: Getty Images

Spain to win world cup says octopus oracle

And the big winner for World Cup is… Paul the Octopus?

Jul 12th, 2010

by Casino Guru.

2 comments

12 July 2010, bossip

In the end, it’s Spain hoisting the 2010 FIFA World Cup trophy. It’s the first World Cup championship for Spain, the pre-tournament favorite, which defeated Netherlands 1-0 in the World Cup final. Spain is the eighth country to win the World Cup, and the first first-time winner since France won in 1998. Andrés Iniesta scored the eventual game-winner in the final minutes of extra time. Spain capitalized on the man advantage, after Netherlands defender John Heitinga was sent off. The win came after a rough game, that featured plenty of yellow cards, but no scoring during regulation.

Spain is now the first country to win the World Cup after losing its first contest. La Furia Roja fell to Switzerland in a shocking upset to open the tournament before regaining form.

Since that loss, Spain — the Group H winner — has won six consecutive matches, including an arresting 1-0 win against Germany in the semifinal to reach the World Cup final. FIFA already recognized Spain’s impressive run by placing three Spanish players on the shortlist for Golden Ball award nominees, more than any other team. Note: The game got off to a curious start when Jimmy Jump, a man notorious for his sporting event invasions, attempted to place a hat on the World Cup trophy.

Shakira – Official Video for World Cup South Africa 2010

Jun 11th, 2010

by Casino Guru.

5 comments

The 2010 World Cup opening ceremony in South Africa kicks off today at 8 pm (2 pm EST) in Johannesburg.

Shakira is expected to perform the World Cup’s theme song Waka Waka with the backup band Freshlyground (see video below). American performers Alicia Keys and the Black Eyed Peas are also expected to take the stage. Smaller, local acts will perform from 4 pm until 8 pm.

http://bubble-cast.com