Rumors: Fresh or Rank? -- The Times reports that London-listed Rank Group had held informal talks with Harrah's Entertainment, the U.S. owner of London Clubs International. Analysts, the paper says, believe that the recent casino-duty rise makes the chances of consolidation "more likely." Neither company has commented on the rumors.
Playtech Double-Deals -- Playtech has agreed to supply I-gaming operator Mansion with casino-games portfolio. Playtech also announced that it would supply Inside Gaming with its casino, poker, bingo and mobile solutions.
PacNet Receives Philippine Licensure -- Asia-focused I-gaming group PacificNet said Wednesday that its PacGames subsidiary had been granted an Internet gaming license by the First Cagayan and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority of the Philippines. "We are delighted to receive approval on our Internet gaming license application," said PacNet CEO Tony Tong.
OPAP's IT Tender Dissolved -- OPAP, the Greek gaming monopolist, has canceled its IT tender. Intralot, Scientific Games and Gtech were in the running for the contract, announced in May 2007. Thomson Financial Services reported Friday that the company would call on Intralot--its existing IT provider--to extend its support agreement an additional six months, should the tender process be dissolved.
Harvard Picks the Winners -- Results from the recent Harvard-bwin study on online gambling found that female I-sports bettors win more often than men. Bloomberg reports that, according to the study, women wager higher stakes with more intensity than men--that is, women risked an average of 15 euros ($20.17) per wager and bet 15 percent more often than men across a defined time period. Men, who comprised roughly 92 percent of the study's population, wagered an average of 11 euros per bet.
Stock Watch -- On the LSE, PartyGaming was down 0.50p to 33.75, Rank, bolstered by the Harrah's rumors, was up 5.25p to 190.25 and 888 for a second straight day remained even at 115p.