Exceeding Expectations -- In the two weeks since its re-launch, charity lottery PlayMonday has, already, come close to meeting its year-end sales goals. The company has increased the goal from 75,000 to 125,000 units in accordance with the success of its product--the £10 million ($20 million) Monday Superdraw. In light of this success, the company hopes to continue to spread word of its operation to increase ticket sales.
Monopolized -- Polish lottery operator Totalizator Sportowy (TS) is likely to form a monopoly over gaming operations in Poland based on a new plan by the Polish Finance Ministry to allow the mostly unrestricted operation of slot machines throughout the nation under the control of TS. The move comes as part of an effort by the ministry to raise funds for a stadium being built for the 2012 UEFA Tournament that will give TS ownership of the facility in exchange for a 3 percent return on all gaming earnings.
Big Fat Greek Merger -- Greek horse-betting organization ODIE is reportedly in talks with state lottery operator OPAP about cooperation on a number of projects, including an new racecourse in northern Greece. Although such an alliance has been considered before, high debts on the part of ODIE have scuttled any sort of merger. Analysts from Eurobank believe that an alliance could lead to "exciting synergies," but that it would also require significant investment.
Snubbed Again -- The Unibet cycling team was left out of the field of the 2007 Vuelta a España, marking the third major event that the team has been excluded from this year following the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France. The beleaguered Unibet squad joins teams from Relax-GAM and Paco Mancebo, both of which were excluded due to their connection to blood-doping allegations.
Buying In -- Everest Poker will bolster the field of the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event by sending ten players, nine amateurs and one sponsored pro, to the famed tournament. The players, who won their seats via online play at Everest, will receive the $10,000 buy-in for the tournament as well as additional cash for transportation, room and board.
Helping Out -- Ethoca, an Internet data management company, has expanded its service to assist gamblers in "self-excluding" from casino sites. Ethoca hopes that its service can assist both the Interactive Gaming Council and gamers themselves in promoting responsible gambling practices.
Stock Watch -- On the LSE PartyGaming was down .50p to 38.50, Playtech was up 1.5p to 382.25 and Cryptologic was down .03p to 12.45.