Betfair's Crusade -- Betfair's lobbying efforts in Australia continued this week with a meeting between company execs--cofounder Ed Wray and Director of Corporate and Business Affairs Andrew Twaits--and racing industry leaders in Launceston and Hobart. The company, which will launch an exchange through its joint venture with Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd. if a license is obtained, has offered to pay the Tasmanian government 20 percent of its gross revenue on all Australian racing. It would also pay the state government 15 percent of gross revenue on all Australian sports betting. Twaits hasn't ruled out seeking a license in other states, even if one is granted in Tasmania.
A New Poker Show -- FullTiltPoker.net announced a new poker-centered TV show that aims to teach viewers the subtleties of the game in addition to airing poker events from around the world. The 30-minute show, "FullTiltPoker.net Presents: Learn from the Pros," will premier Tuesday, Sept. 27 on Fox Sports, and new episodes will air every Sunday. It will be hosted by Best Damn Sports Show Period's Chris Rose and poker pro Howard Lederer. The 26-week series will explain the nuances of poker, and as it progresses, pros will offer more sophisticated lessons as well as tricks for winning big pots.
Wheel Fits into Blue Square -- British online bookmaker Blue Square has announced the appointment of digital agency Wheel to run its online marketing campaign. Through a deal reportedly valued at over £1 million, Wheel will take responsibility for the promotion of Blue Square's online assets, including Mecca Bingo and Hard Rock Casino. The digital agency will manage affiliate programs, develop extensive online media campaigns and broker a range of online strategic partnerships in parallel with the development of an overall online marketing strategy.
Problem Gambling Crisis -- A class action lawsuit making its way through the Nova Scotia courts argues that video lottery terminal operators in the region aren't doing enough to keep problem gamblers from accessing their games. The suit is centered on a former Cape Breton coal miner who lost $500,000 to slot machines over three years. Attorney Dick Murtha explained that although Nova Scotia legislation says casino operators must make attempts to identify gambling addicts and bar them from the premises, Paul Burrell's case makes it clear the law is not working. Burrell's banking records show that he gambled away a $200,000 worker's compensation settlement, family savings of $80,000 and roughly $200,000 from his re-mortgaged house and personal loans.
Quoteworthy -- "We believe the process required to implement a total ban on Internet gaming in the U.S. will prove too difficult and that on a two- to three-year view there will be a move to legalize online gambling.
"In our view, this would be a negative development for the existing online gaming companies as it would open the way for U.S. casino and gaming companies, as well as online service providers to enter a market with low barriers to entry."
- Excerpts from the conclusion of a two-page Merrill Lynch report published today that discusses what the WTO ruling could mean for the legal status quo surrounding online gambling in the United States.