VictorMobile -- Gaming company Victor Chandler has launched a new mobile sports betting service that allows customers to bet on all sports, browse latest prices, and deposit or withdraw funds. VictorMobile's technology, provided by London-based Mfuse, works with nearly all Java-enabled mobile phones. Chandler is supplementing the launch of its mobile system with a £150,000 advertising and public relations campaign.
No Extradition -- A spokesperson for the UK's National Hi-Tech Crime Unit this week reiterated that the three young men arrested in Russia three weeks ago for black-mailing and extorting money from online gambling companies will not be extradited. The men will instead stand trial in Russia for charges related to article 163 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Russia's Interior Ministry recently revealed that the culprits also launched attacks on some British banks.
The Sport of Poker -- Full Tilt Poker is sponsoring PokerinAthens.org, a site that is "passionately dedicated toward bringing poker to the 2004 games." The site is filled with humorous articles (Torch Bearer Loses Torch in Poker Game and Poker Players Submit to Drug Testing) and ads depicting baton twirlers, synchronized swimmers, and others accompanied by the caption "if this qualifies, why not poker." Visitors can also view an open letter to the International Games Sanctioning Committee and earn 100 free chips at Full Tilt Poker by signing the letter's accompanying petition. But with the Olympic Games beginning in just a few days, don't bet on poker being admitted this year.
Welcome Aboard -- ATE Ltd., a provider of business and gaming information, has appointed Roger Withers as company chairman. 62 year-old Withers is a former British Amusement Catering Trade Association president. He has also served in senior positions for Coral, Ladbrokes, Littlewoods Leisure, Tote Direct, Barcrest Inc., Maygay Holdings, Monyaka/Thabong, Bass Leisure, and BLMS.
WirelessStudios -- I-gaming software provider Parlay Entertainment and Cameron Thomson Group, a business development firm for information technology and media and entertainment, have chosen wireless technology provider Phantom Fiber Corporation as the wireless delivery partner for WirelessStudios, a subscription-based service that lets I-Mode users in Italy play casino games for points and promotional awards. Developed by NTT DoCoMo of Japan, the I-mode mobile phone service, has been very successful in Japan and has lately received a big push in Italy from WIND Telecomunicazioni, the country's third largest cellular carrier. With Parlay's help, WirelessStudios plans to expand its gaming services to Internet portal Libero.it so that customers can play WirelessStudio games from mobile devices or the Internet.