Quoteworthy -- "We want a single racing channel, though how long and what form it takes is not for us to say or influence, and we believe the betting exchanges should be paying more money to racing. Any agreement between Racing UK and Betfair is fine by us. The truth is that we told Betfair we would not allow them to use the fact they might be contributing to racing by supporting a racing channel as an excuse for not paying more to racing through the data license. We've no intention of either stopping or supporting a commercial deal between Racing UK and Betfair."
- Martin Broughton, newly-appointed chairman of the British Horseracing Board, providing the Racing Post with a response to allegations from Racecourse Holdings Trust Chairman David James that the BHB spoiled a potential sponsorship deal between Betfair and television network Racing UK that would have allowed the channel to remain free to air. Meanwhile, Betfair says that its decision not to proceed with the deal was based on market research.
Spanish News -- Expansion reports that several Spanish gaming and leisure companies and associations are calling for legislation to govern the country's unregulated Internet gambling industry because they believe it is making it difficult for traditional gaming companies to expand. Some of the companies also want to clarify regulatory differences between Spain's autonomous regions because they often compete with each other to entice companies to relocate by lowering tax levels.
Redesigns -- Betmaker.com, a Costa Rica-based sports book founded in 1996, has redesigned its Web site to "create an accurate representation of what the business stands for in terms of entertainment value and professionalism in customer service" and to improve the way the site is viewed by its affiliates. The redesign has so far only been viewed by staff and a handful of beta-testers, but Betmaker.com says it has received much positive feedback. . . . InterCasino has enlisted the services of graphic design agency Nowwashyourhands to replace all of its euro currency sites in Spain, France, Italy and Germany with a redesigned site that more closely resembles InterCasino's U.S. and U.K. sites. The site has been recreated with a more contemporary approach to appeal to the different attitudes and tastes of European players and avoids the immersion of lights that signify typical Las Vegas-style casinos.
NCH Reactions -- Two weeks have passed since National Children's Home (NCH) published its report claiming that underage gamblers can easily open and then gamble with several British online gambling sites, and the industry is still reacting:
Michael Smeaton, a remote gambling specialist for Gamcare, will soon speak to Britain's Home Office and the ISP Association about ways to impose a code of conduct for online gambling advertising on the Internet to prevent minors from viewing the ads while surfing mainstream sites.
Gambling minister Tessa Jowell has expressed her disapproval of the NCH study and has indicated that after the new Gambling Bill becomes law, the newly created
Gambling Commission will conduct spot checks on gaming sites and then fine or revoke the licenses of those that have not implemented sufficient age verification processes. The Interactive Gaming Council, meanwhile, said that the problem of minors gambling online is universal and not limited solely to Britain and stated that it is eager to do its part in solving the problem.
IWC media, an independent London-based media company is searching for teenage gamblers from Hull to make a documentary film about teenagers who gamble online, use fruit machines or play the National Lottery. Jamie Balment, a company spokesman, said, "Teenage gambling is a growing problem in the U.K. and a very prescient issue after the recent National Children's Home online gambling inquiry. The proposed relaxation of the current gambling laws by the government later this year is also causing concern."
Making Deals -- eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) and Casino City have signed a joint collaborative agreement that includes the introduction of features that will identify eCOGRA-certified online casinos on Casino City's online directory of I-gaming sites.