Advertising Code Final -- Following an extensive consultation period, the U.K. government has published the advertising code for gambling companies in the United Kingdom. The code, administered jointly by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), includes the introduction of a 9:00 p.m. advertising watershed, before which broadcasters may not run ads on TV or radio. It also requires operators to include in their ads a reference to the new Responsibility in Gambling Trust Web site. Furthermore, in accordance with the new code, the U.K. gambling industry has agreed not to print the logos of betting companies that sponsor Premiership clubs on replica football shirts designed for children.
Sands Online Coming Soon -- The Las Vegas Sands Corporation announced that it will launch its online casino, Sands Online, in early 2008. The Alderney-licensed Web site will target European players and will be powered by technology from Cantor Gaming, an affiliate of financial services company Cantor Fitzgerald. Cantor will provide software featuring Sands brands such as the Pallazo, the Paiza, the Venetian and the Sands. The site will not take bets from U.S. players.
Persistence of Mummery -- Isle of Man-based operator Betluck.co.uk, headed by former Isle of Man head of e-gaming development Bill Mummery, has gone live and will offer sports and prop bets to the Japanese market. "The leisure wagering we shall provide covers all popular sporting events as well as social phenomena in Japan such as the date the Chrysanthemums blossom," Mummery said. "What will be key to our success is that our site fully supports the Japanese language, our products are Japanese and we have strong marketing expertise as well as customer support on the ground. We are looking forward to exciting times ahead."
MC Affiliates -- Online gaming site Maharajah Club today launched a Southeast Asian-focused affiliate recruitment site open to established affiliates, online entrepreneurs and media companies. The MCAffliates is designed to reward active referrals to any one of Maharajah Club's four sites, including MaharajahClub.com, MaharajahClub.net, MaharajahSports.com and MahaCricket.com.
Stock Watch -- On the LSE today, Fun Technologies was down 8p to 161, British Sky Broadcasting was down 5p to 652.50 and William Hill closed down 3.50p at 595.