Czech the Line -- Czechs gambled an estimated 124 million euro ($167.9 million) through Austria-based bwin, Czech Business Daily quotes one survey as saying. The paper said bwin is "confident Czech Internet gambling law will remain subordinate to the European Courts' line on the issue." In an interview with the Daily, bwin legal representative Jindoch Rajchl observed: "We (bwin) only have licenses in the countries where it's possible to get one. In the Czech Republic, the problem is with the Ministry of Finance. They (the ministry) tell us our business is illegal as we don't have a license, but at the same time they say they'll never permit online betting." The paper carries a separate piece on I-gaming, which states that the ministry's "line toward online betting is that while the current betting law doesn't prohibit online gambling, at the same time it doesn't permit it."
I-Lottery Bids Taken -- Three India-based lottery companies submitted bids to Bhutan's Finance Ministry on Thursday to operate the country's online lottery. Bhutan daily Kuensel reports the three companies were among four short-listed to participate in the bid. The Finance Ministry reportedly asked the three companies for single- and multi-party bids, giving the ministry the choice of awarding the contract to one or multiple parties. The ministry is expected to make its final decision within four weeks, the paper said. J Dahmija of Best & Co. lottery agency, one of the bidders, told Kuensel that, if the company was awarded the contract, it would have the online lottery running in "about a month." The paper did not name the remaining bidders.
Early Dividend -- CryptoLogic said it will pay its $0.12 quarterly dividend on May 30, two weeks earlier than announced, due to a proposed reorganization, which might see a change in holding company. The company added that the dividend-payment date was changed to allow for payment of the dividend under the NASDAQ-listed CryptoLogic Inc., the existent holding company. Shareholders will vote on the establishment of a new, Europe-based holding company at a special general meeting on May 24, it said.
Appointed -- William Hill has appointed Ian Spearling as executive director. Spearling will be responsible for the company's international ventures in Spain and Italy.
Attention Aggregators -- BrightShare, the online and mobile I-casino affiliate network, will offer a mobile program for content aggregators via Wild Jack Mobile Casino's (WJMC) no-stakes blackjack game. "Our Play4Fun blackjack offering is an innovative business model," said BrightShare program manager Lloyd Apter. "Aggregators looking to expand their reach can sign up for this program with … no financial commitment, but, in the same light, can realize revenue growth."
Privatizing? -- The Schwarzenegger administration reportedly believes that the Governor's plan to privatize the California lottery could be successful. Under a 1984 lottery-authorizing proposition, the proposal may be able to circumvent a statewide ballot. However, a formal legal opinion issued by the Legislative Counsel's Office--a nonpartisan organization--suggests the state constitution, in this instance, protects civil-service workers from being displaced by private employees. The Daily Democrat reported Saturday that Sen. Dean Florez, D-Calif., who chairs the committee that oversees the lottery, has announced a May 22 hearing of the Senate Government Committee to examine the Schwarzenegger proposal.
Seeing Green -- The Times reports that 888 paid its former chief executive, John Anderson, more than $3 million for loss of office, taking his total pay package last year to almost $6 million.
Stock Watch -- On the LSE, PartyGaming and 888 reported no change, remaining even at 46p and 125p, respectively. Meanwhile, Ladbrokes was down 3.25p to 428.75 and CryptoLogic was down 7.50p to 1,218.