Ethoca Partners with 888 -- Internet data management group Ethoca has agreed to supply 888 with its data sharing services. "Leading global Internet gambling entertainment companies like 888 see working with Ethoca as an opportunity to grow their business--while managing fraud more effectively," said Ethoca chief executive Andre Edelbrock.
Interims from Arena -- Arena Leisure this morning released interim results, which show a 15 percent jump in turnover to £25.3 million, compared to £21.9 million during H1 2006. Pre-tax profits were up slightly to £2.3 million, from £2.2 million in the previous half-year period. "The first half of 2007 proved a very challenging operating environment, particularly in terms of the prolonged adverse weather conditions experienced throughout May and June, which resulted in profits significantly below our expectations," said Arena chairman Raymond Mould.
Q2 KPIs from Playtech -- Following last week's first-half results from Playtech, the company has released KPIs for its second quarter. Commenting on the results, Playtech chief executive Mor Weizer said: "During the first half of 2007, Playtech gained a leading position with its poker offering and is now the world's largest independent poker network. Such a position, alongside the company's market will continue to attract new licensees in the second half of 2007."
WorldSpreads Floats -- Irish spread-betting group WorldSpreads has made its debut on AIM, having generated £5.77 million at 47p per share. WorldSpreads chief executive Conor Foley said this morning that the company's AIM flotation will help it grow into a "substantial" spread-betting business. "For the year to March 2007, an operating profit of £357,000 was scored on £4.4 million in sales," reports GrowthCompany.co.uk. "Given the share price success of peer London Capital Group, WorldSpreads should receive a warm reception from here on in."
Submitting to Standards -- eCOGRA, the I-gaming industry watchdog, said it has received requests from "a significant number of big-name applicants" to undergo the procedure to secure accreditation from the group, after changing its policy earlier this year to serve a wider range of operators. "There is no reduction in the inspection and monitoring levels, or the standards required to satisfy our independent directors before an organization is certified," said eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge. "However, the policy now in force opens up our services to a wider range of online gambling operators who want to achieve third-party verification that the players are protected, the games are fair and the practices are implemented."
Inspired's Asian Roll-Out Continues -- As IGN reported in April, Inspired Gaming, in conjunction with Silver Heritage, will deploy 250 of its server-based gaming terminals across the Asia-Pacific region. "We are excited to keep the momentum in our expansion into Asia through this roll-out," said Inspired managing director Anne de Kerckhove.
PSI Spelinvest Reshuffles Management -- PSI Spelinvest AB (Spelinvest), the Swedish I-gaming investment group, on Monday announced it will reshuffle its management, following the company's disappointing float on Sweden's First North Index in June. Caroline Carlsson has been appointed CEO of PSI Holdings, the Malta-based company that has assumed operational control of the business from parent company Spelinvest. Current Spelinvest CEO Per Ericsson will step down in August, the company said. Spelinvest is actively recruiting a new chief executive, it said, and has appointed current CFO Anders Rabbe to serve as interim CEO.
GigaMedia Appoints New CEO -- Taiwan-based software provider GigaMedia has appointed its former CFO, Thomas Hui, president and CEO. Hui will continue to serve as CFO on an interim basis until the company finds a permanent replacement, it said.
Stock Watch -- On the LSE, 888 was up 1p to 116, PartyGaming was up 0.25p to 28.75 and Ladbrokes was down 13.50p to 396.75.