Content Patrol -- Members of the Internet Society of China's (ISC) Internet News Service Work Committee, to which more than 100 of China's biggest Internet content and service providers belong, met over the weekend and agreed to exercise self-regulation to stop illegal activity on the Internet, such as gambling and pornography. The ISC, which was formed to promote a healthy cyber atmosphere, promised that a tough and arduous campaign will ensue against Internet gambling and porn in China. "Just like American Internet companies are constantly saying that they know they need to help stymie online porn to protect children, so the Chinese Internet providers are also taking a good corporate social responsibility stance on these issues," said Danny Levinson, managing partner at China-based BDL Media. "Self-regulation is the key; few businesses anywhere in the world want government intervention."
Mobile Showcase -- State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), which regulates games of chance in the Philippines, invited foreign and local I-gaming content providers to showcase their mobile phone and the Internet games at the first Asia Gaming and Entertainment Leisure Expo at the World Trade Center this week. Some of the companies in attendance included Manila-based IT solutions company DFNN Group of Companies, which offers an online sportsbetting service but has not yet offered mobile phone-based games and Inter-Active Entertainment, which runs betting exchange EXchangebet.
UK Tax Announcement -- The UK Treasury will announce the changes to its gaming tax regime in three weeks. Chancellor Gordon Brown, MP will make his Budget Report speech to the House of Commons Mar. 22.
Whose Streaker? -- A man wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the name of an online gambling Web site infiltrated the closing ceremonies of the 20th Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy Sunday evening. He rushed the stage and yelled 'Passion lives in Torino,' while the president of the organizing committee Valentino Castellani was making his closing remarks. The man was hauled off by security shortly thereafter. There is no confirmation yet as to what online gambling website the man represented, but only GoldenPalace has a reputation for crashing such events. On Friday, a male streaker wearing only a rubber chicken at his crotch, ran out from the stands during the bronze medal curling match. GoldenPalace.com was tattooed on his chest.
Betfair's Pal -- Betting exchange Betfair announced today that it has struck a deal with payment processing provider PayPal that will enable Betfair users living in the UK and the other European Union countries to pay in and withdraw funds from their Betfair account in real time.
RGA Mobile Division -- The Remote Gambling Association is putting together a new group to examine issues specifically related to mobile gambling. Dates for the meetings have not been set.
Mass Marketing -- UK Irish online and casino betting operator Paddy Power worked with CD replication specialist Brandedmedia recently to produce a gaming promotional CD insert which appeared in The Times on Feb.25. The CD enabled customers to download the Paddy Power software.