UK Tidbit -- U.K. Customs and Excise is developing a new department to combat Internet-related legal problems, specifically the practice of offshore online wagering sites that advertise in the United Kingdom. It is illegal for offshore sites to advertise there. Jurek Pieliechaty, the new division's betting and gaming manager, said Customs has already dealt with a number of sites and is looking to impose more severe punishments for those who break the law.
Tidbit from Down Under -- Australian betting and gaming company eBet's U.S. wagering partner, Penn National Gaming, said today it has purchased land-based Hollywood Casino Corp. for US$780 million. Hollywood Casino will merge with a Penn subsidiary to form the seventh largest public gaming company in the United States.
Makin' Deals -- With an intended strategy of concentrating on its track-based gaming business, Wembley announced yesterday that it is selling its Wembley London property business to Quintain Estates and Development.
Nigel Potter, chief executive, said the company would invest the money from the sale in its U.S. and U.K. gambling operations.