Youbet 'Resolves' Its Part in US Federal Probe
Youbet.com has resolved its part in a federal investigation into illegal activity allegedly undertaken by customers of the company's former International Racing Group subsidiary. View the full story.
UK Government to Auction Tote
After rejecting a purchase offer for the Tote from a consortium of racing interests as too low, the British government now plans to auction the state-owned bookmaker. The government will appoint advisers to handle the sale. In the meantime, Ian Good will continue to serve as chairman of the Tote until a new one is appointed to supervise the sale. Half the net proceeds of the sale will be given to the racing industry. The Tote operates on-course betting and a chain of 450 betting shops.
Fallon Loses Final Appeal on French Ban
Six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon lost his final appeal to lift a ban placed on him by France Galop for failing two drug tests for banned substances. "The ban has been confirmed," said Herve Naggar, Fallon's agent in France. "We had official confirmation [. . .] I do not know the exact dates. It's a very long time. Of course I am disappointed but we knew it would be very hard to change the ban."
Stanleybet Takes Two-Thirds Stake in Star Typ z.o.o.
Stanleybet subsidiary Stanley International Betting Ltd. has taken a two-thirds stake in Star Typ z.o.o. (STS), a Polish sports betting operator. STS owns and operates a network of 450 betting shops. Stanley International looks to increase that number within the next three years, it said.
Sportech to Launch 'New Football Pools' Brand in Summer 2008
Sportech will fully re-launch its Littlewoods and Vernons brands as The New Football Pools this summer, with branding and repositioning to be handled by Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest. The move falls in line with the group's long-term objective of refocusing its core football pools business.
Sportingbet Launches Canadian Sportsbook
Sportingbet, which announced its departure from the North American market on the eve of the enactment of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in October 2006, has quietly renewed its online sports betting offering in the region. The new sports book targets Canada-based bettors only.
888 Goes Live with Sportsbook
888 has gone live with its Blue Square-powered online sportsbook at 888sport.com, targeting the British, German, Spanish, Swedish, Danish and Austrian markets with localized and English-language services.
IAS Ltd. Seeking Buyer for Sluggish Canbet.com Venture
International All Sports Ltd. is seeking a suitable buyer for its failing Canbet.com venture, which caused an 11 percent decline in half-yearly operating revenues to AUD$23 million. Canbet.com included operational losses of $4.3 million in the period, 20 percent higher than the year-ago period. The company blamed issues with Canbet's software functionality, inexperience in product risk management and an immature client database for the division's failure.