Attheraces and Competition -- England's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on Monday declared that 49 of the country's racecourses broke competition laws when they bounded together to negotiate a better broadcasting deal with the attheraces consortium three years ago. Vincent Smith, the OFT's director of competition, said, "We need to make it clear when collective selling may breach competition law. It is important that sporting bodies and others carefully assess whether collective selling agreements may restrict competition before they enter into them." The 49 racetracks will not incur a fine, but the ruling will complicate their efforts to negotiate new broadcasting deals.
Beton Float? -- Rumors speculate that Costa Rica-based online bookmaker BetonSports.com may try to capitalize on relaxed gaming laws in the United Kingdom by floating on the London Stock Exchange. The company unsuccessfully tried to float in London in 2000.
British Deregulation -- The Financial Times reported that "an influential cross-party committee of MPs and peers" is worried that deregulation could worsen gambling problems. It will therefore argue against some of the new provisions of the draft gambling bill. One of the group's main concerns is a provision that would allow casinos with more that 40 gaming tables to install an unlimited number of slot machines. The committee will also suggest that large casinos be restricted to regeneration zones. The group's arguments are likely to frustrate large U.S. companies like MGM Mirage and Isle of Capri, who have already invested much time and money into finding ideal locations for future casinos. Of course, the British government could ignore the group's recommendations, but it might then lose its support for the bill, which could delay passage beyond 2006, the government's target date. . . . The Parliamentary committee assigned to scrutinize the draft gambling bill and listen to evidence from relevant organizations and companies as well as the public will deliver its suggestions to Parliament in a written report this week.
Suns for Sale -- The Arizona Republic reports that Casino Fortune, the I-gaming company owned by John Wallis, has sent a letter of intent to Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo expressing his desire to buy the team. According to the newspapers' sources, Colangelo isn't taking the offer seriously, but Casino Fortune's spokesperson, Kevin Mercuri, insists the company's interest is legitimate. "Right now, this is about who has the wherewithal to buy an NBA team," Mercuri said. "We've been thinking about it for a long time, longer than you might think. It was part of our business plan long ago, and in light of that, we never engaged in sports betting so there is no conflict of interest."
Chartwell in Europe -- Chartwell Games Corp, a subsidiary of Canada-based online gaming software and content provider Chartwell Technology, has expanded into Europe by opening an office in London, from where it will continue to seek new clients. The company has also named Aideen Shortt as Chartwell Games' commercial director. Short recently served as marketing director for Skybet and has also held positions with Flutter.com and Coral Eurobet.
Quova's Acquisition -- Quova, Inc., which provides and develops web geography services and technologies, has acquired InfoSplit, a New York-based competitor. Quova will incorporate InfoSplit's product offerings and proprietary NetLocator technology into its own suite of solutions. The company has also welcomed InfoSplit president and CEO Cyril Houri to its management team.