Interested in I-Gaming -- Certain U.S.-based companies with non-gaming interests may be poised to enter the gaming market should efforts by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and other lawmakers come to fruition. Frank's proposed legislation establishes a licensing and regulating regime in the United States that would open up the market not only to foreign operators, but, for the first time, domestic companies could legally set up Internet casinos. MGM Mirage Senior Vice President Alan Feldman told the San Francisco Chronicle that his company would jump right into the industry, and they wouldn't be the only ones. Corporations that currently run land-based casinos in Las Vegas and elsewhere will likely be among the first to jump into the new industry, casino officials said, but they won't be the only ones. He said besides the other major Las Vegas casino corporations, media companies such as Sony, Apple,
Universal, Columbia, Time Warner and even Disney would likely get on board. "I know Disney has certain beliefs about its core brand structure that could prevent it," Feldman said. "But they could always create a sub-brand, as they do with their movie company Touchstone Pictures (which produces R-rated movies)."
Swedish Intelligence -- In an effort to promote responsible gaming, Swedish, state-run gaming operator Svenska Spel has enlisted the help of Sweden's ICU Intelligence, a company that has designed a system that detects when an online gambler is in danger of becoming a problem gambler. The voluntary system monitors bets placed by customers using their personal Svenska Spel betting cards.
Can't Smoke There? Play Here -- William Hill today launched a widespread advertising campaign to capitalize from the smoking ban instituted today in England. The company hired London-based agency Initiative to create the campaign aimed at nicking a large portion of the gaming population from the traditional casino and bingo hall operators. The campaign includes ads in tabloid press titles, including The Sun, Star, Mirror, News of the World and Daily Record; more than 2000 48-sheet poster sites around the country; and 200 ad vans to be positioned near to conventional bingo halls. All of the ads play heavily on the use of the iconic "no-smoking" sign.
Veteran Appointment -- BEToptions, a developer of integrated software and wagering systems for the gaming industry, has appointed 25-year gaming industry veteran David Grouse to the position of manager of European operations. Grouse served as the UK Racing Post's first head of marketing in the 80s, but more recently he was Victor Chandler International's marketing director for two years. He has also held senior positions and consultancies with Sportingbet, Paddy Power, IMG, Virgin Media, Pinnacle Sports, Stan James and Bet365.
Poor Results Despite Best Efforts -- Despite growth in turnover of £1.7 million, online sports book Ubet2win Plc has posted heavy pre-tax losses of £925,000 for the year ended Dec. 31, 2006 amid continuing difficulties with its racecourse business and customer acquisition costs. "It is most disappointing to be reporting such heavy losses during what is still very much a time of development for the company," Ubet2win Chairman Gerry French said in a prepared statement to the market. He continued, saying a wide ranging review of the company's business would be undertaken.
Trading Update -- William Hill said today that it has been trading in line with management expectations and that the company expects to report first-half earnings before interest and tax that will be slightly greater than those of the same period a year ago. The company is due to announce results for the 26 weeks ended June 26 on Aug. 2.
Party 'Confident' in Results -- PartyGaming PLC said today that it expects Q2 earnings to match its forecasts, adding that it remains confident on its prospects for full-year earnings. PartyGaming closed on the London Stock Exchange today at 32.50, up 1.75p from Friday's closing.