Healthy FY '06 for Betsson -- Scandinavia-focused operator Betsson on Wednesday released its fourth quarter and full year financials. The company reported quarterly group revenue rose 100 percent to $19.3 million, while profits before tax rose $4.9 million; annual group revenue, meanwhile, rose 93 percent to $55.4 million, while pre-tax profits for the year totaled $8.1 million, compared with $25.7 million in 2005. The company said prospects for 2007 were promising and added that it would continue to monitor closely legal issues concerning I-gaming throughout the European Union.
Coming Soon -- The Poker Channel, a U.K.-based, poker-specific television station, said it will launch the channel into Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, France and Germany from March 1. "Scandinavia, France and Germany represent the most sought after, but hard to reach, countries for our sponsors," said Poker Channel CEO Crispin Nieboer. "Our commercial partners are delighted that we can offer a low cost, focused and legal way to access all these high growth markets simultaneously."
UK MP Encourages 'Beleaguered' Industry -- The Daily Telegraph reports that MP Gordon Brown will address online gambling-related issues during the March 21 budget "to encourage the beleaguered online gambling industry to be licensed and regulated by the U.K. government." The paper says some operators have expressed concern about the proposed tax scheme and would not relocate to the United Kingdom "if they had to pay a tax on gross wins as high street casinos do."
Launched -- Online Casino Reviewer has launched Betsage.com, an eCOGRA-approved sportsbook and casino portal.
New Face -- Malaysia-based casino group Genting Bhd may sell its 54.8 percent share in subsidiary Asiatic Development Bhd, as it plans to focus fully on the global gaming sector. Business Times quotes unnamed "industry sources" as saying the group was exploring how the Asiatic sale "could help it re-brand itself as a global gaming group."
Complying -- Third party payment company e-Gold, which is tangibly backed by the precious metal, has introduced technology to prevent U.S. players from using its financial facilities in online gambling transactions. In a move to comply with the U.S. Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, the company has added a software option for all merchant accounts that will enable gaming companies block U.S. account holder payments.