UK Gambling Bill -- The U.K. Gambling Bill appears to be in serious jeopardy. It will run out of time unless it receives immediate opposition support, and various news agencies are reporting that Tory leader Michael Howard may refuse to back it to undermine Labour before next month's election. In doing so, Howard could also portray himself as one who is attempting to prevent a gambling epidemic. Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to call an election and dissolve Parliament as early as tomorrow.
The Evening Standard reports that next month's election in the United Kingdom should yield more than £10 million for bookmakers. William Hill spokesperson Graham Sharpe says his company has already accepted bets of £50,000 and £20,000 for Labour and two bets of £10,000 for Conservatives.
New Looks -- Curacao-licensed VIPCasino.com has upgraded its Web site by launching Version 6 of CryptoLogic's casino gaming software and by creating a fresh new look. VIPCasino says the look was inspired by a desire to focus more on the gaming element and to reflect the company's core values. . . . Australia-based Lasseters Online Casino (lasseters.com.au) is celebrating its six years online by introducing a new look and feel to its site. Highlights of the redesign include new slots, improved navigation and expanded player promotions.
Welcome Aboard -- Fun Technologies (formerly CES Software), a provider of person-to-person skill gaming and betting exchange networks, has appointed Geoffrey Rotstein as a director. Rotstein is currently CFO of publicly traded Cyberplex Inc., where he is responsible for developing and implementing financial controls, budgets and management policies. He also serves as a director for Cyberplex as well as for Chrysalis Capital Corporation.
Poker Beat -- Travel Channel has announced that it has picked up the World Poker Tour for a fourth season, which will air in 2006. The third season of World Poker Tour began March 2 and airs every Wednesday night in the United States. The World Poker Tour is the highest rated show ever on Travel Channel and is now seen in over 60 countries. . . . U.S. television network GSN has announced that in December 2005 it will produce the first annual awards show to celebrate the very best casino players, casino entertainers and casino-related television programs and movies. The GSN Casino Awards will be broadcast live from Las Vegas and feature dozens of award categories, including best professional poker player, best celebrity poker player, best professional blackjack player, best celebrity blackjack player, best casino-related move, best casino-related TV scenes and more. . . . Poker Pro Magazine, a new 80-page bimonthly publication, will premiere in major bookstore outlooks and in 90 airport newsstands in the United States and Canada in July. The new magazine will target beginning to intermediate players of all ages and provide a diverse offering of features and columns ranging from tutorials and instruction from the game's biggest players to poker-related lifestyle articles and coverage of the game's biggest tournaments.
Financial Info -- IGamingNews.com has updated the financial section of its Web site to feature a list of over 70 publicly traded companies in the I-gaming sector, including gambling operators, technology providers for Internet, mobile and interactive TV systems, payment processors, portal operators, content providers and more. The improved section is easy to navigate and offers current news and profiles for each company as well as links to each company's homepage and stock quotes, and all information is regularly monitored and updated. The financial section can be accessed by clicking "financial" in the top menu at www.IGamingNews.com.