Names and Faces -- Australian gaming company Centrebet has appointed Mats Johnson as general manager. Johnson will focus on new marketing opportunities in Asia and Europe.
News from Asia -- The South China Morning Post is reporting that 3,000 people recently protested the government's plan to make soccer betting legal in the SAR. The protesters included religious leaders who fear the plan will entice children to bet. The government, however, believes that soccer betting will increase money brought in from taxes and discourage illegal gambling.
Bit from the UK -- Camelot said today that it has signed a letter of intent with La Francaise de Jeux, the operator of the French lottery, as well as Loterias y Apuestas del Estado, the Spanish lottery operator. Camelot, the operator of the United Kingdom's National Lottery, is planning a pan-European lottery called Euromillions that will launch in 2004.
Deadline for Excellence -- The Responsible Gaming Council said today that its deadline for submissions for its 2003 Excellence in Achievement Awards is Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. EST. The awards recognize the achievements of people who work in problem gambling in the following areas: community service, gambling industry programs, public policy, research, youth initiatives and international initiatives.