Poker Tourney -- Poker School Online, which teaches players the game of poker via Internet lessons, tests, and articles, has announced the dates and locations of the PokerSchoolOnline Live Tour 2004. The tour will feature an invitational tournament each month in some of the top cardrooms around the U.S and in one European cardroom that has yet to be announced. The highest scoring school member at each location will gain entry into the PSO Grand Live Tour Final in January 2005. PSO members can also qualify for the final by playing in the www.pokerschoolonline.com's Big One tournaments next winter, summer, and fall. The top four players in each online Big One tournament will participate in the final along with the invitational winners. The winner of the final wins a $25,000 seat to the World Poker Tour Championship at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
Enhanced -- BetWWTS.com on Friday launched a revamped version of its web site, which now features streamlined navigation, enhanced graphics, and an improved banking system that uses 128-bit SSL digital encryption technology to guarantee customer security and seamless transactions. Customers can now access all of the services offered through BetWWTS.com and its sister properties-- sports wagering, online casino games, exchange bets, and horse racing wagering-- using one account at the BetWWTS.com web site.
Slot Banners -- IgamingMedia, an interactive marketing & media agency for the online gambling industry, has created banners that feature fully functional slot games inside the banner, accompanied by realistic animations and sound effects. Called iSlot iBanners, they deliver streaming, interactive media in a low-bandwidth format. GameDay Sportsbook & Casino has already begun using the new banners.
No Tax -- Last weekend Irish betting company Stanley Racing lowered the prices of its services by making them all tax-free. The move is expected to lower the margins of major rivals like Paddy Power. The tax removal will also be helpful in combating loss of business to untaxed offshore businesses. The company hopes the loss of income will be balanced by attracting more customers.
Casino Simulcasts in the U.S.? -- According to PRNewswire, lottery agents in the U.S. might soon begin transmitting "Bet As You Watch Casino" to satellite television users. Lottery players would be able to buy admission tickets to simulcast broadcasts of live casino table game action, which would be accompanied by casino entertainment and commentators who could assist players with rules and strategies. PRNeswire reports that in June the company that hopes to launch the program obtained a U.S. patent for its microprocessor that will handle the wagers. A patent is still pending for the method to incorporate lottery terminals into the system.