GIGSE Giving -- IGN reported Monday that $56,500 in donations had been raised for the GIGSE Charity Event benefiting Gordon House. Since Monday an additional $21,800 has been donated, bringing the total to $78,300. The donors responsible for the increase are Bodog.com ($10,000), Playtech ($5,000), Cyber World Group ($2000), VegasPartner.com ($1,800), Betfair ($1,750), IGW Software ($1,000), SportsInteraction.com ($1,000), Clarion ATE ($500) and Catania Consulting Group, Inc. ($250). All amounts are in US dollars.
Not Backing Down -- Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Finance and the Economy Dr. Errol Cort says the country's government is determined to garner support from CARICOM, a promoter of free trade among Caribbean nations, in its struggle with the United States over its failure to comply with the WTO ruling regarding free trade. Former Director of Offshore Gaming Ron Maginley suggests, however, that Antigua would be better off aligning itself with the United Kingdom, which has a vested interest in ensuring that the island nation comes out a winner in the dispute over whether the United States can restrict the access of companies in the cross-border supply of gaming. Maginley also recommends the government seek support from other large licensing jurisdictions, including the First Nation territories in Canada, Taipei, the Philippines, Australia and some members of the EU, which the Antigua and Barbuda government has reportedly already called upon.
Name Your Fantasy -- Online bingo site Bingo Fantasy has announced its successful migration to a Playtech bingo software platform and has joined Playtech's bingo network, Bingoland. The owners of Bingo Fantasy, Sea Gate N.V., decided to migrate to Playtech after seeing the success it brought to Bingo Fantasy's sister site, Bingo777.com, which has been with Playtech since 2003.
Vegas Monkey -- Online gambling site Monkey Bet has announced its aspirations to become the first Las Vegas resort to be opened by an online casino. The company has purchased land in the American gambling capitol and expects to open the resort, located at 4600 Paradise Road, in early 2008. Monkey Bet's VP of Business Development also said the brand is looking into possibilities to develop the first national chain of sports bars and sports books in the United Kingdom.