Busy Week in China -- China LotSynergy Holdings (CLS) and International Game Technology (IGT) have announced a subscription and technical cooperation agreement, which sees IGT invest approximately $103 million in CLS. Via the agreement, IGT will gain access to the Chinese lottery market, while CLS will be able to source gaming technology to support the expansion of its business in the country. "This strategic alliance will be highly beneficial to both parties," said CLS Chairperson Ivy Lau. "We believe that IGT is the right strategic partner for us given its superior manufacturing capabilities and game and systems technology."
Done Deal -- Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) on April 25 announced an agreement with Probability to supply high-speed SMS and WAP billing solutions. Probability has also engaged MIG's sister company, 4th Screen Advertising, to develop and execute its mobile advertising strategy and build its customer base in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.
SkyBet Revenues Jump -- SkyBet, the sports-betting arm of the British Sky Broadcasting Group, reports revenues have increased 26 percent to £34 million ($67.6 million) for the nine months ended March 31, 2007. The company also said business deriving from its January 2007 acquisition of 365 Media Group is in line with expectations.
Where Are They Now -- Colin Child, former finance director of Stanley Leisure, has been appointed finance director of Hogg Robinson Group, the U.K.-based holdings company.
Appointed -- PartyGaming has appointed Tim Bristow as its independent non-executive director. Bristow, former CEO of the Gibraltar-based telecommunications provider Gibtelcom, replaces Lars Berg, who has stepped down from the board to pursue "other business interests."
OPAP's at it Again -- Greek news source Reporter on Wednesday said that the country's sports-betting monopolist, OPAP, has announced plans to file a lawsuit against the Greek Football Federation (EPO), challenging the federation's attempts to offer fixed-odds betting. OPAP has also said it will suspend payments to EPO from Propo and Propogoal totaling an estimated 700,000 euros ($952,248) per year.
Polish Haze -- The Polish News Bulletin of the British and American Embassies on Thursday reported on the ambiguous status of Internet gambling in the country. The latest version of the amendment to the Games and Betting Act reportedly stipulates that I-gaming should be banned. "Decisions concerning legal regulations have to be made by the Treasury," said Slawomir Lopalewski, a board member for Poland's national lottery operator Totalizator Sportowy (TS). "However, (TS) would like to have the possibility to operate on the Internet." On April 24, IGN reported that Polish government was working to draft new gambling legislation, which may include provisions regarding Internet gambling. With regard to the legislation, Tomasz Piotrowski, Country Manager, Betsson, Poland, said: “Lately the news depends on which newspaper you read. They all have different sources, coming from the political parties. Some say that the gambling bill will not be changed at all; however, this will be against the European law, especially after the Placanica case."
McCreevy Backs Unibet -- The Times reports on the Unibet cycling team's ongoing clash with French gaming law--by extension, Tour de France organizer Amaury Sport Organization. The paper says that the European Commission is heading for a "fresh showdown" with France over its effort to "shield state-owned gambling monopolies from online competition." It also carries an excerpt from a letter written by Europe's Internal Market Commissioner, Charlie McCreevy, to the Malta-based operator. "The consistency of the French approach is highly questionable, given that other teams sponsored by gaming operators in France, such as the Française des Jeux, are permitted to participate," he wrote. "Given that the main sponsor of the event is in fact a gaming operator, the PMU, all this is in breach of internal market rules."
Stock Watch -- In late afternoon trading today on the LSE, PartyGaming is up 2.50p to 46.25, Ladbrokes is up 6p to 415.75 and Sportingbet is up 2.25p to 62.75.