James Packer’s land casino giant makes moves on the UK market


Friday September 16,2011 : AUSSIE ONLINE GAMBLING INVASION?
 
James Packer's land casino giant makes moves on the UK market
 
The South Australian land gambling giant owned by the Packer family, Crown Casino, appears to be heading toward the United Kingdom with online gambling operator ambitions, judging by trade mark filings at http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/tm/t-os/t-tmj/journals/6900/domestic/2581087.html and approaches to Brit companies with which it may come into trade mark conflict.
 
The filing applies for trade mark protection in three business areas, the one principally of interest to InfoPowa readers possibly being Class 41, which declares:
 
"Gambling and casino services including the provision of gaming and casino services over a global computer network; amusement services; entertainment services, including cinemas, theatres, night clubs, casinos; provision of entertainment and recreation facilities, providing facilities for and arranging and conducting conferences, congresses and seminars, presentation of live performances and health club services; provision of education and training relating to the aforesaid services; publication services relating to the aforesaid services; organisation of, and provision of entertainment and educational information relating to, the aforesaid services over a global computer network."
 
Objections to the application are open until 12 October.
 
The parent company for the casino division, Crown Limited, is no stranger to the online gambling industry, having entered into a 50 percent joint venture with online betting exchange Betfair in 2004 titled Betfair Australasia (see previous InfoPowa reports).
 
The Australian company also has land gambling interests in the UK.