Crypto Poker -- WagerLogic, the subsidiary of software developer CryptoLogic, has released a new version of Internet poker that is now available at williamhillpoker.com, intercasinopoker.com, littlewoodspoker.com, caribbeansunpoker.com, ukbetting.com and pokerplex.com. Betfair is slated to implement the new poker software this spring. The new version boasts free roll tournament options, increased game speed, easier-to-use screens, new improved chat functions and enhanced gaming logs. It also features no-limit and pot-limit variations of popular poker games as well as multi-table tournaments.
Sports Betting in Estonia -- The Estonian Olympic Committee has launched Spordiennustus, an Internet-based betting system that supports wagering on 30 to 100 sport events per day. As with all other Estonian betting systems, 5 percent of Spordiennustus' income will be forwarded to the state, but nearly all of the rest will be used to directly fund national sports. Though still in its testing phase, the company already lists English Premiere and First Soccer League games, UEFA Cup and Champions League games, NHL games, Estonian championship matches and more. Russian soccer and the European Soccer Championship 2004 as well as the Olympic Games in Athens should be listed soon. By the time the testing phase ends on April 20th, 16 various combinations of bets should be featured. Spordiennustus is the only gaming network to allow betting on sports. The Olympic Committee has contemplated expanding into Latvia and Lithuania and plans to work with sports bars and pubs to offer Internet access so that customers can bet while having a beer and chatting with friends.
Boss and Svenska Spel -- Software developer Boss Media is working closely with Swedish gaming and lottery company Svenska Spel to develop three new scratch card games in flash format--- Dubbel-Triss, Tia med Stjärnvinst, Skrap-Labyrinten-- as well as a gaming engine that creates options for new types of games at www.svenskaspel.se. Swedish citizens over the age of 18 can apply for a free gaming card that is necessary to play the new games. Boss, also a Swedish company, has supplied gaming products to Svenska on two different occasions before now. Boss designed the Internet casino at www.casinocosmopol.se in 2001 and launched Svenska Spel's lottery games on line in October 2003.
TAB War -- UNiTAB has dropped some of the conditions on its bid for Tab Ltd., stating that its bid no longer needs the approval of the NSW racing industry or regulatory officials and no longer requires amendments to Queensland's legislation. Most analysts say, however, that dropping the conditions will not have much affect on its bid since the removal of the conditions seems to be a natural result of the NSW government's recent decision to allow the company to continue bidding. There is still anticipation that the company could raise its $2 billion bid sometime next week.