Mobile Lotto -- Finnish digital gaming solutions provider EGET (European Game & Entertainment Technology Ltd) has added new instant, traditional and scheduled lotto games to its line of online mobile lottery products. The new Java-based games enable operators to include progressive jackpots in the win tables as well as include double payoff rounds and Joker games.
Tasmania -- The Inter Church Gambling Taskforce in Tasmania has publicly opposed the potential licensing of betting exchange Betfair. Stuart Foster, a spokesman for the taskforce, said the group is "most concerned about the potential for yet another form of gambling in Australia that will further exacerbate levels of problem gambling, that are already far too high." Foster added, "We are also amazed that while regulators around the country are looking at legislation, regulation and programs to reduce the impacts of problem gambling, we have the Tasmanian government seeking to increase the number of people with gambling problems by increasing gambling opportunities." The Greens Party, meanwhile, has stated that the Lennon government should fund a study into the effects of poker machines and the potential effects of increased gambling through Betfair before granting the company a license.
eCOGRA Approval -- eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) has announced the addition of two more Microgaming-powered online casinos--MapleCasino.com and ThunderLuck.com-- to its list of approved gaming sites. The two additions brings the number of eCOGRA-approved casinos to 53. eCOGRA also announced that 22 additional online casinos have achieved the necessary service and probity levels to offer eCOGRA-regulated foreign language and multi-currency facilities.
Welcome Aboard -- Horse Racing Ireland has appointed Alexis Murphy, a senior manager with Goodbody Corporate Finance, to take over the CEO position for Tote Ireland. Before working in corporate finance, Murphy was founder and managing director of IBS Ltd., an Internet startup that developed a betting marketplace software platform and other betting software for the betting industry. . . . Swedish gaming software developer Boss Media has appointed Eric Matsgård to fill the position left by resigning senior vice president Krister Bergström, who is leaving the company to start his own business. Bergström will continue to serve as a consultant in strategic development projects for Boss.
Wrong Bet Fred -- Victor Chandler is the winner of a £1 million wager placed between two bookmaking icons--himself and Fred Done of Betfred. Done, a dedicated Manchester United fan, offered an open £1 million bet in August that Manchester would finish higher than Chelsea in the Premiership, and Chandler was the only one to accept the bet. Chelsea is up by 14 points with six games remaining, meaning that Chandler can't lose. Done strolled into the Victor Chandler betting shop in London Park's Lane on Monday to pay up.