Strong FY '06 for Ladbrokes -- U.K.-based bookmaker Ladbrokes today released its 2006 financials, reporting earnings ahead of market expectations, saying moreover that talks with operator 888 are continuing. Pretax profit--excluding non-trading items for the year ending in December 2006--totaled £246.5 million ($482.2 million), climbing £14.1 million ($27.5 million) against last year's figure.
Inked -- Sweden-based network operator 24hPoker has signed a letter of intent with I-gaming provider WagerWorks, whereby 24hPoker will offer poker to WagerWorks partners, with WagerWorks to offer its casino solutions to 24hPoker customers. 24hPoker CEO Per Hilderbrand said the company would also be adding Boss Media's poker platform to its infrastructure in March 2007.
Launched -- Wireless casino solutions provider Vegas Wireless Entertainment (VWE) launched its new mobile gambling service, Youretheking.com. The Web site will be operated by Koth Ltd. and feature VWE's PlayPlatform games suite.
Six Months to Right the Ship -- Key Tabcorp shareholders have given CEO Matthew Slatter six months to improve the company's performance, reported The Australian on Tuesday. Slatter reportedly met with institutional shareholders--including Investors Mutual, Maple Brown Abbott, Lazard, 42 Capital and Perennial Value--in Sydney on Tuesday, after the company reported slumping interim financials. The news source quoted an anonymous fund manager who owns shares in the company as saying, "The message was given very clearly by all those investors--people want to see results or that's it."
Invitation Only -- Payment processor YouTeller on Tuesday said that new customers will be able to register only after receiving an invitation from an existing member. "Our servers could not handle the traffic if we open our doors for a public sign up," said Florian Schweitzer, spokesman for London-based technology company Seed Capital Ltd. "YouTeller.com follows the Gmail model; it will be a community-based payment processor," he added. In March, YouTeller will invite 1,000 pre-registered customers; but public account registration is "not planned within the next few months, the company said.
Quoteworthy -- "There will be no Internet gambling conducted by the British Columbia Lottery Coporation. Period. We are absolutely committed to responsible gaming."
John Les, Solicitor-General for British Columbia, as quoted by globeandmail.com today in response to criticism from MLA Guy Gentner regarding the growth of gambling in the province.