Networking -- Doyle's Room has joined Microgaming's poker network. On Feb. 19, the online poker site, named after ubiquitous poker pro Doyle Brunson, closed its U.S.-facing operation, citing both regulatory uncertainty in--and Neteller's withdrawal from--the United States as reasons for the move.
Purchased -- M&G Investments, the fund management arm of Prudential, today purchased 1.58 million shares in Sportingbet, raising its holding to 7.28 percent from 6.92 percent. M&G now holds 31.5 million shares in the London-listed operator, which received a "very preliminary" takeover approach from bwin on March 7.
Appointed -- Las Vegas From Home.com (LVFH) has appointed David Shore as its chief financial officer.
Uncertain Future -- Interactive Systems Worldwide Inc. (ISWI) has issued an update on the status of its NASDAQ listing. The New Jersey-based company said it had requested a hearing before the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel, scheduled for May 17, 2007, to vie for its continued listing. ISWI said its securities will remain listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market pending the Panel's decision. On March 27, the company was notified by NASDAQ that its listing would be discontinued.
Overhauling -- U.K. technology firm Betgenius has announced plans to overhaul its odds comparison site, Bestbetting. "This is just the start of the work we have planned on the site over the coming few months," said Betgenius biz development manager Caitlin Hanks.
Coming Soon -- 888 on April 30 will release its preliminary full year results.
Quoteworthy -- "I want to get it undone. I plan to file legislation … I think a reconsideration among my colleagues is beginning. It's not far enough along yet so I wouldn't move the bill but I plan to introduce the bill, and if [the] storm of public unhappiness is great enough, I will try to substantially try to revise that ban."
- Barney Frank, D-Mass., in a piece carried by the AP today, regarding the Congressman's imminent plans to repeal the U.S. Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
Stock Watch -- Shares in bwin were down as much as 5 percent in Vienna this afternoon, after a German Federal Constitutional Court ruled that the Bavarian casino monopoly was legitimate on grounds of public interest. bwin shares closed at 33.34 euros, down 1.51 euros (4.33 percent). Meanwhile, on the LSE, 888 is up 1.50p to 130, PartyGaming is up 1.50p to 58.50 and CryptoLogic is down 16.50p to 1,271.