No Dessert -- The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) released its judgment Wednesday on a case brought against Irish bookmaker Paddy Power. An advertisement for the company, which parodied Leonardo DaVinci's Last Supper painting, putting Jesus and the 12 disciples in a casino, had offended the sensibilities of some Christians and the ASA ruled the ad was in breach of its taste and decency clause. Though the advertising campaign has ended, the ASA ordered Paddy Power not to repeat it.
No Limits -- IGN publisher River City Group on Wednesday announced plans for its forthcoming Global Interactive Gaming Summit & Expo (GIGSE). The eighth annual conference will be held May 16-18, 2006 at Montreal's Palais des Congres. The theme of "No Limits" addresses the industry's vast potential for growth and acceptance. Exhibit hall hours have been extended this year and the show will close with the third annual GIGSE charity event with Gordon House, facilitator of both U.K.-based GamAid and GamStop programs, as the recipient of the generous donations to the silent auction and all donations associated with the charity event, as yet to be determined. The company has also set up an event Weblog, aptly named "BLOGSE."
RiverBelle on Fox -- To kick off its free-play online poker site, RiverBelle.info, River Belle casino and poker room is sponsoring the telecast of the poker tournament, Monte Carlo Millions 2005 on Fox Sports Network (FSN), beginning Jan.14. RiverBelle.info, a free site, offers an environment for learning and sharpening poker skills.
Victor's Skills -- Skill games network GameAccount has signed a multi-year contract with Gibraltar-based independent bookmaker and gaming group Victor Chandler International to provide VCI customers access to its network of players from over 130 countries.
Lennon's Family -- Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon is defending his appearance in the Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd. (PBL) magazine Australian Women's Weekly, due out late January. He said there is no relationship between the feature article on his family and the Betfair deal, despite the fact the PBL owns half of Betfair Australia. "I'm not in control of these things," Lennon said. "It was organized through my media office and they came and did an interview."
Pulled Out -- Internet bingo solutions provider Parlay Entertainment Inc. announced today that its licensee, St. Minver Limited, pulled out of its relationship Jan. 6 with the online bingo site owned by Gala Group Ltd. Parlay President and CEO Scott White said the decision was not that of Parlay. "This is not a matter in which Parlay has had any involvement," White said. "It is not anticipated to have a detrimental impact on Parlay and we are continuing to monitor this situation with our licensee." Galabingo.co.uk, has been temporarily shut down while the company revamps the site and will return in February.