More Mafia Allegations --Beleaguered online gambling site BetonSports has been linked to a second New York organized crime family. Last week BoS was outed for sharing offices and phone lines in Costa Rica with a now-defunct sports betting company called Safe Deposit Sports (SDS), which U.S. prosecutors allege is part of a multi-million-dollar illegal gambling ring controlled by one of the five main organized crime families in New York, the Bonnano family. State prosecutors in Florida have now linked BoS to a Web site called Bestlinesports.com that employed associates of New York's most famous and most powerful crime family, the Gambino family, to collect debts. Bestlinesports.com was one of a number of sites "belonging to or controlled by" BoS and affiliated people and companies, according to the indictment filed by the US attorney's office in Missouri.
Warne put on Warning -- Australia's Sunday Herald Sun reported Hampshire cricketer Shane Warne is under investigation by gaming authorities regarding his promotion of online casino PokerCricket.com. Fear that children can gamble on the Web site prompted the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation's (VCGR) investigation. Anti-gambling lobbyists, looking to corroborate the investigation, have accused Warne of using his iconic status to 'milk vulnerable people' for cash. PokerCricket.com stipulates in its terms and conditions that it does not assume responsibility or liability for any misrepresentations regarding a user's age. Concerns have also surfaced about underage users needing only a credit card to access the casino. VCGR executive commissioner Peter Cohen said, "If there is something (illegal) we will take action."
Gamebookers Sponsorship -- Online sports betting and casino operator Gamebookers publicized today its sponsorship of Premier French League team FC Nantes, with the deal set to run through the next three seasons. According to the contract, the club's home and away jerseys, as well as various displays in and around the stadium, will feature Gamebookers' logo. Notably, the deal is the first between a sports betting company and a French Premier League team. Financial details of the contract have not been released. Gamebookers was last week acquired by PartyGaming Plc.
Gala Sponsorship -- Today, UK-based Gala Bingo announced its sponsorship of TV personality Sharon Osbourne's latest talk show venture, Mrs. Osbourne Presents. The contract, reportedly worth £2 million, sees Gala Bingo branding appear on 40 episodes of the show, including branded trailers and online tie-ins.
Stock Report -- I-gaming stocks in London today were, for the most part, unremarkable with one exception. Payment processor Neteller ended the day down 26p to 416.50.