Direct Effect -- Internet gaming software developer Playtech reported a 2.9 percent jump in its share value today after winning a contract with gambling operator ukbetting. The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, but Reuters quoted Playtech's CEO Avigur Zmora as indicating the deal was "sizable."
No Americans Allowed -- Recently, online gaming company BetFair announced that its online poker room PokerChamps.com will no longer take play from customers located within the U.S. As a consequence, U.S. based customers lose their ability to qualify for the opening event of the Asian Poker Tour through the site's online qualifiers. BetFair spokesman Oliver Brown insists this decision is not in reaction to recent developments concerning BetonSports and the U.S. Department of Justice. "It has been the long-standing position of BetFair not to accept U.S. players, said Brown. "PokerChamps, now that it is owned by BetFair, has had to come into line with this business decision."
IGT Mobile -- Nevada's Gaming Control Board has given Reno-based slot manufacturer International Game Technology (IGT) the penultimate go-ahead in its effort to become a licensed operator of mobile gambling systems for use on the premises of licensed casinos within the state. Nevada's State Gaming Commission (SGC) will have final say concerning IGT's licensure on Aug. 24. IGT is slated to become the second state-licensed mobile gambling operator, behind Cantor Gaming, approved by the SGC last May. Using prototypes that range in size from handheld devices to 10-by-12 inch laptops, IGT plans to offer poker and blackjack games, horse race betting, slots, and keno.
Glu Mobile -- Mobile entertainment developer Glu Mobile announced today the launch of its no-stakes World Series of Poker Texas Hold'em game, designed for play over North American wireless carriers. Players will compete against each other live, with tables seating up to eight participants. The game will also feature digital incarnations of poker professionals, including Chris "Jesus" Ferguson and Scott Fischman.
Suit Dropped -- Los Angeles-based television production company BlueMoon Entertainment withdrew its lawsuit against Bodog Entertainment Group on Monday, citing Bodog's offshore status and lack of U.S. assets, both of which make it very unlikely that BlueMoon could collect any potential judgment in the U.S. The suit, filed in April in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleged that Bodog and its CEO Calvin Ayre were in breach of contract, breach of confidence, and misappropriation of ideas in relation to Bodog's self-produced reality TV show Calvin Ayre's Wild Card Poker, which debuted April 15 on Fox Sports Net (FSN). BlueMoon claimed that it had proposed a similar show to Bodog, though after several meetings, the project failed to move forward. BlueMoon also dropped the case against FSN.
Stock Report -- London I-gaming stocks stayed fairly level today, but a few companies took a shallow dive. Neteller took a smaller hit than it has in recent days, losing only 9p to close at 393p; Fireone dropped 7.50p to 227.50p and 888 went down 5.25p to 151.50p.