Flight of the Albatross -- The Ladbrokes Big Bird Race begins today as 18 tagged Tasmanian shy albatrosses depart from the coast of Australia en route to South Africa as part of their annual migration. The idea for the albatross race was hatched by the Conservation Foundation in an attempt to attract attention to the long-line fishing techniques that kill an estimated 300,000 sea birds each year and the pressing extinction that many species of albatross now face as a result of the fishing methods. Ladbrokes, which is funding the event, is encouraging punters to wager on the birds and has launched an interactive map on its Web site that allows viewers to chart the progress of each bird. Conservative Foundation spokesperson Professor David Bellamy said, "We all hope the runners complete the course safely but the truth is they face a gruesome death from badly executed long-line fishing practices."
Will Beadman Jump on Tab? -- Lonhro jockey Darren Beadman, who last week discovered his name had been used without his permission in one of Tab Ltd.'s anti-betting exchange advertisements, has begun legal proceedings against the company. Appearing in The Australian Financial Review and The Australian last Monday, just two days after Lonhro and Beadman were upset at the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick, Tab's advertisement included the message, "Will Darren Beadman Jump Off Lonhro?" followed by, "Ask for a price with Internet Betting Exchanges." The statements were an obvious allusion to a controversial race in Britain that gained much attention last month because jockey Sean Fox jumped off Ice Horse, prompting spectators to wonder whether the race had been fixed. Beadman feels he has been defamed by the advertisement.
Nevada Kiosks -- Online sports betting kiosks are becoming popular in Nevada, but the state's gaming officials have no intentions of allowing casino games on the machines. American Wagering Inc. operates kiosks in hotels and casinos in parts of rural Nevada where no books exist. Another company, VirtGame Corp., recently received permanent manufacturing and distributing licenses from the Nevada Gaming Commission. VirtGame is testing kiosks in bars and taverns in Clark County that allow users to wager on sporting events. Users must already have an account, however, with the casino with which the bet is placed.
Ritz Poker -- Ritz Club London Online has launched an online poker room powered by software from CryptoLogic's subsidiary WagerLogic. Crypto has supplied Ritz with poker software customized to the Club's own unique branding and featuring Texas Hold'em, Omaha High/Low, and 7-Card Stud. The Ritz Club London Online has already been using WagerLogic's casino software since 2002.
Charity Golf -- Following the iGaming Jurisdiction Showcase on June 1 in London, Lyceum Media, iGaming Business, and PKF Malta will present the first annual iGaming Charity Golf Day the next day. A portion of the proceeds of the event will be donated to the England's registered problem gambling charity, Gamcare.