ONGOING L. Errol Cort, finance minister of Antigua and Barbuda, told reporters that the island nation isn’t any closer to a settlement with the United States on the gaming dispute, The Antigua Sun reported on Thursday.
“We had a series of discussions in an effort to advance the settlement talks,” Mr. Cort said in a press conference on Wednesday. “But, today we have not been able to agree on or finalize those discussions.”
Mark L. Mendel, counsel for Antigua, told the paper that he believed the group was working on another extension for a settlement.
BETS OFF The Age reports that today Lassters’ online casino took its last bets.
According to the paper, Lasseters Corporation said it was no longer taking bets on its three casino Web sites: Lasseters Online, AusVegas and Lasseters Euro. The only division still operating is the online sports betting operation, Lasseters Sportsbook.
Lasseters shares were suspended about a month ago to allow intercession from Lasseters International, the parent company, after the online casino company lost $15.5 million last year alone
In a prepared statement, the company said: "A review of the viability of the online casino operations was made and the board of Lasseters is of the view that the ability of the online casino to turn around is very remote, despite continuous support from the parent company over the last two years.”
DOWNGRADE? Moody’s Investors Service has announced it has placed the Ba2 corporate family rating and senior unsecured debt ratings of Ladbrokes and Ladbrokes Group Finance on review for possible downgrade.
In a prepared statement Moody’s said the rating action reflects the legacy risk that arises from the company's material contingent liabilities from guarantees given to third parties over the lease liabilities of subsidiaries in the disposed hotel division.
However, Moody's said that there is a counter-guarantee given by Hilton Hotels Corporation for any payments made by Ladbrokes under these guarantees.
THINK PINK FreeBingo UK has painted its site pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month by giving its home page a rosy color as well as a redesigned site logo.
Additionally, it has launched a special pink bingo room featuring the site’s first-ever female bingo caller. According to a prepared statement, the aim of the campaign is to raise awareness and remind women to conduct regular examinations.
“Breast Cancer awareness is very important to women of all ages,” said Wayne Howe, manager of FreeBingo UK, in the statement. “As a Web site that has large percentage of female customers, we are very happy to support the campaign.”
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