Virtual Games -- World Gaming plc has announced the launch of "Virtual Games." The initial release version contains two instant Flash games: Virtual Derby, which simulates real horseracing and enables players to research jockey, trainer and horse statistics as well as other various conditions, and Super HiLo, a game of chance in which players place several cumulative wagers on the outcome of card combinations. World Gaming will make more additions to the Virtual Games product suite in the first quarter of 2004.
National Lottery Tickets Online -- England's National Lottery Web site now allows players to buy tickets online for its main Lotto game and Daily Play game. After a player opens an account he can purchase up to eight weeks worth of tickets, choosing his own numbers or selecting the Lucky Dip option. Each game costs £1 and the details of each ticket are stored in the user's account. The National Lottery will automatically check the numbers and send an e-mail notification to winning players. Previously, the National Lottery only allowed players to buy bulk subscriptions of no less than 26 weekly draws online.
GTECH in Sri Lanka -- GTECH Holdings Corporation's Sri Lankan subsidiary, GTECH Lanka, has signed a 10-year contract with the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund (MTF) to provide online lotteries management and services in Sri Lanka. GTECH, which was chosen from a group of eight other bidders, plans to launch its lotteries system in mid-2004 and expects to earn over $100 million over the length of the contract. GTECH will deploy its Enterprise Series architecture with IP web-component technology and will at first install about 1,000 Altura terminals in the area.
Memorandum of Understanding -- U.K.-based betting exchange Betfair has signed another Memorandum of Understanding, this time with the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA), the organization responsible for controlling the rules and regulations of professional darts tournaments. Under the terms of the memorandum, Betfair will provide the DRA with certain betting information if either Betfair or the DRA were to suspect suspicious betting or other activity. The memorandum is similar to the other agreements Betfair already has with the UK's Jockey Club and the Association of Tennis Professionals.
Quoteworthy -- "This model of spamming that they have set up will be a money loser. We will drive them into bankruptcy. We have to make it evident that there is no viable business opportunity here."-- Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who along with Microsoft has filed joint lawsuits seeking $20 million against a spam ring that includes Scott Richter, who is allegedly the world's third most prolific spammer.
Quickies -- The Lucky Emperor online casino has redesigned its Web site to offer easier navigation, more information and better graphics with a bit of an oriental style. All of the old games are still available, and players can receive a free $10 sign up bonus. . . . AngelCiti Entertainment says that about 100,000 people have downloaded software from its subsidiary Worldwide Management through its various online casino customers.