Nambling Notes - Jan. 22, 2004

22 January 2004

Tab War -- The board of Tabcorp, Victoria's state-run gambling company, is scheduled to meet on Jan. 29 to discuss the possibility of outbidding Queensland-based UNiTAB's offer of $4.50 per share for a takeover of NSW's Tab Ltd.. The Australian Financial Review speculates that Tabcorp should be able to raise its previous bid of $4.20 per share. The AFR speculates that if Tabcorp is not able to outbid UNiTAB, then it may target another company for takeover. Perth's Burswood Casino and New Zealand's Sky City are possibilities.

MOU -- The Guardian reports that yet another sports body may soon sign a memorandum of understanding with betting exchange Betfair. The Union of European Football Associations (Uefa) could become the next sports regulatory body to gain access to certain of the exchange's punter records in cases of illegal gambling.

Isle of Man -- After having experienced a short interval of success as a center for online gambling, the Isle is now trying to attract another new technology--computer games. IncaGold, a company that makes iTV and mobile games, became the first company to migrate to the Isle, leaving its former home in Switzerland. IncaGold's CEO, Richard Holmes, plans to help the Island attract more games companies. Craine told New Media Zero that this time the Isle would have more success in keeping a high-tech sector. "The market never really opened up in the way they thought it would. Computer games will be completely different," he said.

Albatross Wagering -- Scientists, ornithologists, and punters can log on to Ladbrokes.com to track the path of 18 albatrosses as they migrate from small islands off the coast of Australia to southern Africa as part of a science project called the Ladbrokes.com Big Bird Race. Environmental scientists from the Tasmanian state government and the Conservation Foundation will conduct research on the birds' journey, and of course, punters can wager on the winner. Ladbrokes considers the birds' voyage similar to the Grand Nationals; after all, the birds must endure long distances and overcome many hurdles, and their performance should be heavily affected by their origin (stables), the scientists (trainers) who have fostered them, and their parentage (bloodstock). Ladbrokes hopes the contest will benefit the endangered albatrosses, which are coming ever closer to extinction due to long-line fishing.

Quoteworthy -- "We're looking at the possibility of a more official partnership with GTECH. Endemol already has a relationship with GTECH and it'd be a good technology partner for Endemol's wider strategy to develop as a content company, with us providing the interactive skills."-- Jason George, CEO of Endemol, discussing his company's possible desire to partner with GTECH in order to expand internationally and launch interactive gambling products. UK TV production company Endemol is best know for its reality TV shows like Big Brother. The company already works with GTECH to supply several TV lottery productions.

Punter Dispute Settled -- Ladbrokes has paid disgruntled punter Fiaz Khalide the £16,500 to which he believed he was entitled. Khalide had placed a £200 each-way double by phone with Ladbrokes but was disconnected before the operator could authorize the bet. Khalide never called back to confirm that it was placed. The combination turned out to be a winner, but the second bet was never placed by Ladbrokes. So Khalide turned for help to the Independent Betting Arbitration Service, who ruled that Khalide should only be paid for the first bet, even though Ladbrokes acted in violation of its own rules, which state that a bet will stand if the instructions are clear and the bet is acceptable. The company said yesterday that it had not broken any rules and felt the IBAS' ruling justified its case, but as a gesture of goodwill it chose to pay Khalide the amount he would have won.

Camelot Attacks -- The Financial Times reports that Camelot, the operator of the U.K. National Lottery, is arguing against the government's plans to offer separate licenses for various aspects of the lottery. Camelot's chairman, Michael Grade, says that the plans, which were drafted in July, would lead to less money going to good causes.