Price Check In -- Gaming software developer Global Gaming Technologies (GGT) today launched a new type of betting platform that enables gamblers to compare prices on different betting exchanges. The proprietary platform offers live feeds from various betting exchanges, such as Betfair and Betdaq, enabling bettors to shop for the best prices.
Seeking Closure . . . and Money -- Empire Online released a statement Friday saying that it is close to settling its legal dispute with online poker giant Party Gaming, but did not go into detail about the amount. Today various media sources have approximated the settlement at $200 million in Empire's favor--$300 million shy of Empire's initial asking amount.
Quoteworthy I: Point -- "It's those people who don't stand in line at the 7-Eleven. A whole new group of folks would be buying tickets."
- Sen. John Cullerton, D-Ill., commenting to the Boston Globe on his bill authorizing the state lottery's expansion to the Internet. The law, he says, would bring in an additional $150 million a year, with most of that increase coming from Internet-savvy, higher-income people.
Quoteworthy II: Counterpoint -- "It's fairly radical and I don't want to go down that road. I'm not looking to push gambling down the throats of anyone in this state."
- Massachusetts State Treasurer Timothy Cahill, who oversees the state lottery and has no plans to pursue the Internet option, commenting for the same article.
Seven Priciples -- The World Lottery Association (WLA) adopted seven responsible gaming principles at the General Assembly held Feb. 4 in Mexico. The principles will apply to 140 government-controlled member lotteries from around the world and are meant to complement responsible gaming principles and practices already in place in member jurisdictions. They address areas of player protection, collaboration with other stakeholders, research, promotion, informed player choice, monitoring and reporting. WLA members will discuss implementation and accreditation plans for the principles at a meeting in Halifax in May 2006.
This Week in Scandal -- Online betting exchange Betfair has agreed to supply information to Belgian authorities relating to a Belgian Football League match-fixing scandal. They reportedly have evidence, including a list of suspicious gamblers that may include the names of some footballers, showing that matches involving Sint-Truiden were rigged. The football association said it is prepared to pass the names of those involved onto the judiciary.