I-Gaming Sucks -- Bull Rutsey, CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association (a primarily land-based-gaming organization), is claiming that Internet gambling sucks $500 million (US$445 million) a year out of the Canadian economy and takes revenue away from land-based casinos. Addressing more than 600 gambling industry representatives at the association's national conference and tradeshow, Rutsey said Internet gambling was the biggest threat to Canada's gambling industry. "Millions (of dollars) just disappear; the money is sucked right out of the economy," he said. "Internet gaming is a real competitive threat, and law enforcement needs to take steps to deal with the issue. It seems to be a case of benign neglect at this point." He further claimed that Internet gambling revenues are going to organized crime and private companies instead of provincial governments getting their share.
Chasing Kyl -- According to a new poll of 380 registered voters conducted last week by Arizona State University and KAET-TV, Former Arizona Democratic Chairman Jim Pederson is closing in on opponent, Republican Sen. Jon Kyl. Kyl still leads Pederson 42-31 percent, 27 percent remain undecided. A similar October poll showed Kyl leading 50-28 percent.
Glorious Deal -- Cyprus-based Glory Technology, of which Greek betting company OPAP has 20 percent ownership, has reportedly signed a deal to provide IT equipment to Uzbekistan's state lottery company, Olympic Lottery. Glory will provide terminals, software for scratch cards and lottery games, computer systems and services to Olympic, which offers a number of games similar to OPAP. The deal is said to be valued at US$4 million (CYP 1.8 million, AED14.7 million).
Roulabette -- New York-based technology company Kenilworth Systems Corporation, creator of live gaming broadcast system "Roulabette," announced today the receipt of a letter of intent from the Filipino gaming monopoly the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which partially owns and exclusively operates all 14 Filipino land-based casinos. In the LOI, Kenilworth promises to pay PAGCOR a monthly payment, for hosting the broadcasts over a 10-year period in the amount of US$1 million (PHP 51.7 million) for year one; US$2 million (PHP 103.4 million) for years two and three; US$5 million (PHP 258.5 million) for years four through seven and US$10 million (PHP 517 million) for every year there after. The LOI allows PAGCOR to implement the Roulabette system in its casinos while awaiting the formal memorandum of agreement which will be processed by the Philippines Legislature.
Worthy Causes -- Chariot, the company behind the new charity-backed online national lottery game Monday, which pledges to give charities 30 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales, has decided to benefit only larger charities it believes have the infrastructure to manage the expected donations and are disadvantaged by the National Lottery's grants system. It is also excluding all arts, sport and heritage charities because it feels they are well served by three of the four National Lottery distributors. "We have concentrated on those names the man in the street feels get a raw deal from existing lotteries," said Kim Darton, deputy director of charity partners at Chariot. "We are looking only for mainstream charities that people think are the most in need." Smaller charity groups, however, are not pleased. Kevin Curley, CEO of the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service, said the association is hoping the organizers will "rethink these criteria, which discriminate against most local charities."
In-Game in the Money -- U.S. Consulting firm Yankee Group says video games present a promising window of opportunity as a growing advertising medium. The company is predicting the in-game advertising market, in which companies pay to have virtual ads posted on gaming sites, is set for explosive growth, with a 500 percent jump to reach $732 million by 2010.