FORECASTING Although recession woes have plagued the land-based sector, betting via mobile has a strong forecast for next year, according to Juniper Research.
In a new report, the research firm that provides analytical services to the global communications sector found that that total wagers on mobile phones are expected to more than double in 2009 to more than $3.6 billion, whereas user spending on mobile TV and mobile games will be adversely impacted by the global economic downturn.
“Gambling is essentially a recession-proof industry, as while there may be marginal reductions in the level of stakes amongst casual users, the overall appetite for gambling per se will be unaffected," said Windsor Holden, report author, in a prepared statement. “Furthermore, with the growing availability of betting services on-portal, the mobile is an increasingly convenient and user-friendly means of placing a bet.”
SIGNING Gtech Corporation announced on Wednesday a seven-year partnership with South Australia Lotteries.
With renewed partnership, Gtech, a lottery operator with business in more than 50 countries, will provide a new central lottery system and terminals, self-service products and ongoing support services in South Australia.
The company expects to receive approximately $12 million during the seven-year term, which begins in the second quarter of 2010.
“We have a deep appreciation for and are proud of our 24-year partnership with South Australia Lotteries,” said Jaymin B. Patel, Gtech’s president and chief executive. “We are privileged to be given the opportunity to work even more closely with them over the next seven years to energize lottery sales to continue providing vital funds for South Australia’s public hospitals.”
BLOCKED The United States Tennis Association had online gambling Web sites filtered during this year’s U.S. Open in its network access for players, guests and media, Network World reports.
Larry Bonfante, chief information officer of the association, told Network World that they didn’t want to give access to gambling sites because of tennis’ “squeaky clean” image.
According to the association, there were 17,000 blocked visits to gambling sites during the network’s two-week run.
AiG UPDATE Conference organizers Clarion Gaming and Beacon Events have finalized the program for the Asian i-Gaming Congress and Expo.
In its seventh year, the conference brings a laundry list of experts on gaming in the East together on Feb. 24-26 at the Venetian in Macau. Senior executives from a number of I-gaming companies including AsianLogic Ltd., CryptoLogic Asia Pacific and Mahjong Time will be on hand to discuss regional issues.
LAUNCHED Slotland, a slot machine and poker Web site, has launched “MegaSpin.”
The new online instant-play slot machine is a single play line with two sets of three reels. The game joins the site's other 15 slot machine and poker games.
“We don’t have super heroes or comic book characters,” said Ondrej Tuma of Slotland, in a prepared statement. “Our players like classic slot machines, and MegaSpin follows in that tradition.”
For more information click here, and to view the finalized program, click here.
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