Skills -- MoneyGaming.com, a new high-stakes skill gaming site, says it has acquired 35,000 players since launching early this week (in addition to the 125,000 players who signed up prior to launch). Players have so far participated in over 40,000 games, and 15 percent of the registered players have made real-money deposits. One unique site feature is the ability to raise the stakes against opponents during play, forcing them to either match the stake or resign from the competition. The site also features a poker-style linear lobby applet, the ability to participate in multiple tournaments simultaneously and limits as high as $10,000 per game. MoneyGaming offers nine games of skill from software provider Game Trust's catalogue of 45 titles. . . . Betcorp, owner of online gaming sites BetWWTS.com and CyberSportsBook.com, and U.K.-based skill gaming software provider GameAccount have inked a deal through which the latter will dvelop two skill games sites for the former.
Tas Inquiry -- Kim Booth, the Greens' racing spokesman in Tasmania, alleges that he saw an on-course bookmaker at last weekend's Hobart pacing meeting using the Betfair betting exchange. Tasmania's director of racing has consequently set up a two-week inquiry to determine whether the bookmaker has violated the Racing Regulation Act.
Cassava Watch -- When will Cassava Enterprises float on the London Stock Exchange? While several publications (including IGN) have reported that the company will go public on Sept. 1, The Independent has reported that the IPO road show will not even begin until the end of September. Cassava, which according to Financial Times made $180 million in profits in 2004, has been silent on the matter.
Mobile Bingo -- Nevada-based Internet gaming software developer World Entertainment Corp. (called World Bingo League Co. Inc.) has signed a deal to develop and promote a mobile bingo site for Media5.
Squares -- Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is plugging a new game called "Squares" under the games section of its Web site. Developed by Orbis Technology and Dynamite Idea, the game lets players make a variety of bets on the result of a drawing of six balls from a grid of 36. Players plan multiple bets, including odd or even, position on the grid, combined value, high or low and more.
Sponsors -- Ukbetting has become the primary sponsor of the BackgammonMillion tournament, which will be produced by Backgammon Ltd. and will involve a series of online tournaments. The top finishers will compete in the final in the Bahamas in December against backgammon professionals and celebrities for a share of a US$1 million prize pool. Ukbetting's sponsorship includes the production of TV coverage and a DVD to be released later. . . . PartyPoker.com has signed a deal with GPS Industries, a company that supplies portable handheld and golf cart-mounted wireless and GPS-enabled units to golf courses, whereby GPS Industries will display Party Poker promotions to golfers at 15 of the courses it supplies. Golfers use the GPS units to obtain distance measurements and view graphics of the courses as well as communicate with the pro shops and clubhouses. As part of the 45-day deal, GPS Industries will display promotions offering ball markers, golf tees and a matched $50 deposit to each golfer who opens an account with PartyPoker and deposits $50. The golfers will also be invited to participate in a tournament with a grand prize of $10,000. The promotions should reach an estimated 80,000 golfers during the course of the pilot, and PartyPoker will compensate GPS Industries for every player who signs up through the GPS units. . . . Slotland.com will sponsor a Super Bowl Novice Bowling Tournament at four bowling centers in and around Vancouver in September and October. Each participating bowler will receive a voucher for $200 to spend at Slotland.com, and winning teams in each qualifying match will win $300 and advance to the championship where they'll compete for a Slotland.com sponsorship, a $300 voucher at Slotland.com for each team member and an additional $500. . . . U.K.-based online betting company Totalbet has become an official betting and gaming partner of the Nationwide Football Conference. By paying an undisclosed five-figure sum, the company has become a second-tier sponsor and has gained access to the league's 66 club Web sites, the official conference Web site and various offline advertising opportunities.