Movement in SA -- South African media are reporting that the country's cabinet last week adopted a draft amendment bill to regulate Internet and mobile gambling. The legislation proposes a licensing system for both players and operators. It does not, however, address taxation.
Logo No-Go? -- The FT reports that the lights could be going out on sponsorship deals between gaming companies and British Premiership clubs. The partnerships are in jeopardy, the publication reports, following the government's announcement Sunday night that it will examine during the first part of 2007 whether shirt sponsorships and similar endorsements are illegal. The popularity of replica shirts among children is driving these efforts. "There are some concerns about the use of sponsorship in sport and football clubs in particular," Sports Minister Richard Caborn explained, "and the Gambling Commission will be consulting on this issue in the New Year with my full support."
Portuguese Popularity -- Betfair's foray into the Portuguese market has been an apparent success. The company reports that its Portuguese customer base has grown by 200 percent since adding a Portuguese-language interface to its betting exchange "a few months ago." This growth rate is expected to continue into 2007.
WPT's Resolve -- WPT Enterprises, Inc. will deploy Digital Resolve's Fraud Analyst(TM) risk-based authentication software to bring its World Poker Tour online gaming platform into compliance with the new U.S. I-gaming prohibition law. The technology is designed to authenticate online users and leverage the analytics and research capabilities of the solution to identify patterns of online fraud.
Quoteworthy -- "I have tried to the best of my ability to represent all citizens equally and emphasize on all issues the higher angels of a country’s nature instead of appealing to its lower instincts."
- Defeated U.S. Rep. James Leach, R-Iowa, as quoted by Quad-City Times, reflecting on his career as his final term in U.S. Congress came to a close. The publication also reports that a bipartisan movement is afoot to have Leach appointed U.N. ambassador.