Interims from bwin -- Austria-based operator bwin has published its interim report, which shows a post-tax profit of 4.3 million euros against a 27.1 million euro loss during the previous-year period. Against figures from H1 2006, gross gaming revenue grew 13 percent to 165 million euros, even after the company in March discontinued its gaming-product offering in Turkey. bwin also reported H1 EBITDA of 30 million euros compared to a 3.8 million euro loss in 2006.
24hDeals -- Its third deal of the week, 24hPoker has inked an agreement with WagerWorks, whereby each company will market the others' poker and casino product offerings, respectively. "This cooperation enables WagerWorks to offer its partners poker on 24hNetwork, instead of operating its own network," said 24hPoker chief executive Peter Åström. "WagerWorks also offers a cutting-edge casino software solution that differentiates much from the casino software we have today," he added.
Crypto Subsidiary Acquires UK Gaming Portal -- CryptoLogic subsidiary Gaming Portals Ltd. (GPL) has acquired gaming portal casino.co.uk and related assets from Media Corporation (MC) for £3 million. Crypto said that the possibility exists for an additional payment of £625,000 to MC, subject to the successful achievement of post-closing performance targets.
Jaxx, Newcastle United Partner Up -- London-based Fluxx AG subsidiary Jaxx UK Ltd. has signed a two-year deal with Newcastle United to become the football club's official betting partner. "The launch of the Jaxx brand in the United Kingdom is all set for the beginning of September, which ties in perfectly with the new Premiership season," said Jaxx managing director Mark Irvine.
Tabcorp's Full-Year Results 'Unacceptable' -- In its preliminary full-year report, Tabcorp chairman Michael Robinson called the company's financial performance "unacceptable," after former CEO Matthew Slatter was sacked and post-tax profits dropped 3.8 percent to A$515.6 million. The company did report however that it paid a final dividend of A$0.47 per share, bringing a total for the year of A$0.94, up 5.6 percent, reflecting what the board said was its confidence that profit growth would return. "Tabcorp has three very strong customer businesses in casinos, wagering and gaming--each leading in the Australian market," said chief executive Elmer Funke Kupper. "We need to run these businesses better and deliver higher returns to our shareholders."
14 and Counting -- The Times carries a brief on the U.K. Gambling Commission, which, on Wednesday, released the names of remote-gambling license applicants under the Gambling Act. "As predicted," it says, "the punitive duty regime announced in the last Budget has put off most Internet casino and poker operators, with just 14 seeking licenses." The paper points out that Bodog, "the controversial operator that continues to defy the U.S. ban on Internet gambling," is seeking a license.
Stock Watch -- On the LSE, Neteller was up 1.50p to 84, Ladbrokes was up 3.50p to 405.50 and Sportingbet was up 2.50p to 43. In Vienna, bwin was 1.65 euros to 19.45 euros, and in Stockholm, Unibet was down SEK 0.50 to SEK 184.50.