Lasseters Profits -- The recently released profit report from Australian online casino Lasseters estimates that the company saw a 25.6 percent increase in profits over the last year; the improvement was due mainly to "significant cost savings." The company's net profit was A$402,604 for the year, compared to a profit of $320,485 for the year ending June 30, 2003.
Project Fairdice -- The newly created Project Fairdice has debuted software designed to prevent online casino operators from rigging games. The system is an alternative to casinos working with audit companies, of which the group says players are leery. Spokesman Douglas Reay said the new software will "deal a bitter blow to conmen and criminals in the gambling industry and clear the way for the honest online casinos who give their players a fair chance."
Fireswirl in Europe -- Fireswirl Technologies, an online poker software developer, announced plans this week to expand its business and offer its products to U.K. and European clients. The Canadian company is hoping to reach sales of $20 million by the end of 2005.
John Ashcroft: You Got Served – Casino City reported today that U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and U.S. Attorney David Dugas were summoned by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana as part of the media firm's case against the Department of Justice. Casino City filed papers this month seeking a declaratory judgment regarding the department's crackdown on the advertising of Internet Gambling services.