Playtech on AIM -- Playtech Ltd., which designs and develops gaming software for such gaming giants as GoldenPalace.com and Empire Online Ltd., confirmed today its plans to go public this year. The software company will sell $300 million of shares in London in an initial public offering valuing the company at about $950 million. The shares will probably trade on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market within the month according to an unnamed spokesman for the company. Playtech has 37 licensees which operate 89 online casinos, 16 online poker rooms and 14 bingo sites.
Farewell -- Dick McIlwain CEO of Australian totalisator UNITAB revealed yesterday his intentions to step down in October after 17 years at the helm of the Queensland betting agency. Unitab said it was in the advanced stages in the search for an internal successor and an announcement would most likely be made by May. "Seventeen years is a long time and you've got to pick a moment when the transition can be done in an orderly and useful way," McIlwain said. "The company's in a real nice sweet spot at the moment and it's a good time for me to step back and give the new chief executive time to get his feet under the table and settle in without a whole lot of pressure being on him." McIlwain is praised for turning the company around financially.
Gretzkty's Reputation Unscathed -- Hockey phenom Wayne Gretzky will not face criminal charges in connection with the New Jersey gambling ring for which his wife, Janet Jones, and Phoenix Coyotes associate coach Rick Tocchet have been charged. A Burlington County, N.J. judge canceled next week's arraignment hearing of Tocchet, and a new date has not been set. Meanwhile Gretzky and Jones are at the Olympics in Turin, Italy where Gretzky is coaching the U.S. hockey team.
Getting the Boot -- Following yesterday's arrest of Belgian soccer players, Cliff Mardulier and Laurent Fassotte, and trainer Patrick Deman, in connection with last year's Lierse match-fixing scandal, two other players have been booted from the sport today in connection with the same scandal. "During discussions this morning, the players, (Marius) Mitu and (Laurent) Delorge, admitted to me that they had been involved in this match-fixing at Lierse," General Manager Herman Van Holsbeeck said Friday. "We have no confidence in these players and have decided now to terminate their contracts with immediate effect. They will not be back."
Bingo Tidbit -- Online bingo room Blackpool Bingo, part of the Christchurch Casino family, is offering its players the chance to try before they buy, offering up to 45 free games each day with penny prizes.