Quoteworthy -- "We don't want to see them banned, but we want a level playing field. If people are using exchanges to conduct a business, they should be subject to the same licensing system that we are, and if they are layers, they should be subject to the same tax. We are going to continue to lobby the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to implement an equitable tax regime."
--David Harding, CEO of British bookmaker William Hill, discussing his company's attitude toward betting exchanges at a recent seminar organized by Global Betting and Gaming Consultants in London. Betfair spokesperson Antonia Sharpe was also on hand to argue against Harding's claims. Sharpe stated, "Licensing a section of the betting exchange customer base adds nothing to the three aims of regulation, which are protecting the vulnerable, keeping crime out and ensuring fairness to the punter. Amending the Gambling Bill as the traditional bookmakers wish will actively work against the aims of the bill, by encouraging people to seek out alternative platforms on which to bet, outside the regulatory framework. This will fundamentally undermine the legislation, and kill the award-winning exchange model in the UK." Also in attendance was Tristram Ricketts, the British Horseracing Board's secretary-general, who stated, "We are not going to continue to rail against them. We think they are worthwhile and thoroughly welcome new kids on the block."
New iGGBA Member -- iGGBA (interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association), a European industry body that represents companies involved in the operation or provision of interactive gambling platforms, announced that it has welcomed Malta-licensed bingo and lotteries operator Euro Gaming Ltd. as its 52nd member.
Tote Sale -- British Tote officials have stated that they expect the sale of the Tote to the Racing Trust to be complete by the end of 2005. According to Tote chairman Peter Jones, the last remaining step is for the European Commission to approve the deal. The Racing Trust, which is composed of five different elements of racing--racecourses, owners, the British Horseracing Board, the Jockey Club and the BHB Industry Committee--who will be joined by three independents and a Tote staff trustee. The hope is that the Tote will be able to run an independent business that is free from political pressure from individual racing factions. The trust will pay a price that is 50 percent of the Tote's fair market value, a sum that will be determined by Rothschilds and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
French Lotto Stats -- French lottery operator La Francaise des Jeux experienced a 9.8 percent increase in turnover to 8.55 billion euros in the year 2004 as compared to the previous year. The growth in turnover is primarily due to the company's partnership in the Euro Millions multinational lottery draw. Scratch card revenues grew by 2.3 percent during the year, while revenues from the company's other lotteries, such as Kino and Rapido, rose by 1.9 percent. La Francaise des Jeux paid a total of 5.16 billion euros in winnings and donated 2.3 billion euros to the French government.
Gizmondo -- RAM Investment Group, an AIM-listed firm, has formed a joint venture with Tiger Telematics, a company that has developed a mobile gambling console called "Gizmondo." Under the terms of the agreement, a new company called Tiger Gambling Ltd. will be created. Tiger Telematics will own 75 percent of it while RAM will own the other 25 percent. Profits will be shared on a 50-50 basis. Edward Adams, a spokesperson for Tiger Gambling, stated that the company is already in discussions with gaming companies for partnership and licensing deals.