A Bit from the Riviera -- Boss Media, a supplier of Internet casino software, quietly announced today that it will develop an online casino for the Societe des Bains de Mer, a land-based casino in Monte Carlo. The site will be operated out of Monte Carlo.
New Stuff -- Poker.com Inc. announced Thursday the future rollout of skill-based games. The company says it has entered into a letter of intent to purchase "a provisional patent application and all the assets in relation to a skill-based system of online gaming." The system, owned by Blue Diamond International Capital Inc. of Switzerland, includes what's described as skill-based blackjack and skill-based poker. According to Poker.com, the patent for the games covers a system of determining the skill level in a tournament setting for several card games in relation to the core games, "Skill Poker: and "Skill Blackjack," It has also acquired the domain names "SkillPoker.com," "SkillBlackjack.com," "SkillOmaha.com," "SkillHoldem.com" and "SkillStud.com." If the deal goes through, Poker.com will pay US$50,000 and issue 3 million common shares to Blue Diamond as well as the greater of US$3,500 per month or 4 percent of the network maintenance fees earned by the company from operating games using the provisional patent technology until 2099. Poker.com retained Prof. I. Nelson Rose of Whittier Law School for advice on the general legality of the system. "Certain jurisdictions in the U.S and Canada look upon the wagering of skill-based games as not contravening gambling laws," said newly appointed president Mark Glusing. "Management considers the Skill Poker system as one of these skill-based games." . . . CryptoLogic's affiliate network, PartnerLogic, announced today that it is offering a new package encapsulating all of the "Inter-" gaming products: InterCasino, InterBingo and InterCasino Poker. The combination of games creates a one-stop shop for visitors to the PartnerLogic network.
Mad As Hell -- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is not going to stand for the National Football League's rejection of the city of Las Vegas as an advertiser during the Super Bowl. Last week the NFL said it wouldn't run an ad for the city during the game, even though the spot wouldn't contain information about gambling. Goodman said Thursday that he's considering legal action against the league. He told USA Today, "I'm going to sue them... How about an antitrust violation for restraint of trade? Am I rattling a saber? I've got an attorney who hasn't slept in three days. Let me get them in a court here in Las Vegas, OK?"