WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CANTOR GAMING?

5 December 2008

Online casino sites abruptly shut down, but poker still operating

 

Over the weekend some strange happenings were noticed at Cantor Gaming-powered sites, with Cantor Casino.com and Red Lounge Casino.com abruptly closing, but Cantor-Poker.com apparently still operating.

Players at Cantor Casino and Red Lounge received the following notification, which was also posted on the websites, via email:

"Dear Cantor Casino Customer,

"Cantor Gaming Malta One Limited has taken the decision to cease providing services to retail customers. Effective from 1 pm on 28th November 2008, Cantor Casino will cease to accept new customers and will take no further wagers.

"From now on, Cantor’s gaming interests will focus on wholesale markets with the licensing of its proprietary technology, software, content, intellectual property and data to online casino operators and resort-based casino operators, the latter following extensive trials and the authorities’approval of its eDeck™ mobile gaming device in Nevada. As such, a decision has been taken to scale back the retail-oriented gaming businesses in the United Kingdom and focus on core wholesale market operations around the world.

"Any funds that you have on deposit with us remain totally secure and can be redeemed by customers at any time. In order to withdraw your funds, please contact our customer services by e-mail service@cantorcasino.com, and funds will be returned in the course of normal business.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience that this will cause and would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your past business and support over the years.

"If you have any queries about this announcement please contact customer services."

Players subsequently reported prompt payments to Neteller accounts.

There was no mention of Cantor Gaming's white label enterprise, and speculation is that the company may be distancing itself from online gambling as an operator of gambling sites, although it may be remaining in business as a gambling software provider. When InfoPowa went to press we still awaited clarification from Cantor Gaming on this point. The company entered into a games providing deal with Atronic as recently as end October.

The reference to Cantor Gaming's eDeck refers to a handheld wireless device that the company has developed for remote use on land casino properties. After extensive testing, this device was recently approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission, clearing the way for another profitable business stream.

The notification from Cantor Gaming to players, which mentions eDeck, has fuelled speculation that the reason behind the company's departure as an operator is rooted in a desire to avoid provoking US authorities.

Meanwhile Cantor-Poker.com appeared to be functioning normally on the Entraction network. Launching the poker operation in June 2008, Cantor Gaming md Manu Gambhir said: “We have already launched Cantor Casino, giving customers the opportunity to play blackjack, slots and other games, so the launch of a sister poker site was the inevitable next step."

Cantor Gaming took over the gambling software company Kismet Studios and its CEO Manu Gambhir in 2007. The London-based software firm had powered online casinos Harrods Casino, Red Lounge Casino and Private Casino. In April 2008 Pub-casino, a Cantor licensee became part of the group and merged with Cantor Casino. Another associated operation - Toon Casino - closed at the end of July this (2008) year.

Cantor deployed a server-based gaming system, with full back-office infrastructure and an extensive portfolio of games. Its online casinos offered casino games, in single or multi-player format, with state-of-the-art graphics.

Cantor received a bookmaker's permit in the United Kingdom in 2000 with Cantor Index. Cantor Index operates a spread betting business of the same name and a betting exchange called Spreadfair. Additionally, Cantor Index licenses its Financial Fixed Odds betting product to Ladbrokes. In the United States, Cantor Index licenses pari-mutuel wagering content through a joint venture with Scientific Games Racing.

Cantor Gaming is an affiliate of the global financial services provider Cantor Fitzgerald, which is involved in highly secure real-time transaction processing, management and execution.

In early November 2008 the company announced that it had acquired one of world's premier oddsmaking companies Las Vegas Sports Consultants (LVSC).