PacNet Launches China-facing Welfare Lottery Site
PacificNet's China subsidiary, Guangdong Poly, has been authorized by the China Welfare Lottery Center to launch a new Web site for the sale and promotion of legal welfare lottery in China. Lot888.com gives Guangdong Poly -- a leading operator approved by China's Welfare Lottery Center to develop and operate real-time electronic paperless lottery services in China -- approximately 7 percent commission on the sale of its lottery gaming products.
In other PacNet news, the company Dec. 10, 2007 signed an agreement to acquire Octavian International Ltd, a U.K.-based gaming technology and solutions provider. PacificNet has signed an agreement this week on the sale, which is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2008.
Global Climate Changed for Online Gambling
The United States in mid-December agreed to compensate the European Union, Japan and Canada for closing its borders to Internet gambling.
The parties have been in negotiations over the United States' decision in May to withdraw gambling services from its commitments to the General Agreement on Trade in Services. Under GATS, WTO members may modify their commitments, but in doing so must compensate other members affected by the change.
The agreement involves warehousing services, technical testing services, research and development services and postal services relating to outbound international letters, said Gretchen Hamel, spokesperson for the U.S. Trade Representative.
The value of the agreement is being kept under wraps, but it is thought to be far less than the $100 billion the European Union was reportedly seeking.
Online Lottery for Mexico
The Mexican National Lottery (Pronósticos Deportivos), U.S-based wireless company, Digital Orchid, and Mexican cell phone company Telcel have created the first mobile lottery game system for Mexico called Melate Móvil. Draws will be held twice a week and players can participate through the purchase of a pre-paid card.
GTech Invests in Asia
Lottomatica subsidiary GTech has spent $20 million to acquire a 50 percent stake in Chinese lottery provider Tabcorp International Hong Kong Ltd. The holding will be revolved into a separate entity named CLS-GTech Co. Ltd. which will be used to expand nationwide Keno system for lotteries throughout China, according to the company.
ESI to Oversee Integrity of Korean Lottery
ESI Integrity Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ESI Entertainment Systems Inc., has announced an agreement with Intralot to supply its Integrity Independent Control System (ICIS) to the Korean Lottery. Under the terms of the agreement, valued at approximately $625,000 over six years, ICIS will continuously monitor the lottery's wagering transactions, providing an independent, real-time audit of the wagers and prize calculations, while ESI will supply product release updates and 24/7 technical support to the Korean Lottery.