M-Commerce -- Norwegian-based virtual bank Contopronto, is reporting to have received the first-ever European e-money license, facilitation payments and money transfers to any bank, credit card, business or individual through mobile phones from Europe. In addition to handling payments for the like of McDonald's and Peppe's Pizza, the system has been adopted for online gambling. It will soon be made available in taxis in 25 cities in Norway, and the company is in discussions with Norwegian and U.K. airlines about using the system for the sale and delivery of flight tickets. The license was issued by the Norwegian Royal Ministry of Finance. Contopronto reports to have 10,000 active users in its home territory.
Racing Down Under -- The Australian reports that former Billabong chief executive Matthew Perrin is heading a group that's bidding to purchase the television rights for horse racing in New South Wales and Victoria. The current rights holder, Sky Channel, is in the midst of a battle in which Unitab and Tabcorp, are competing to acquire its parent company, Tab Ltd. Sky Channel holds the rights to broadcast racing in Victoria and New South Wales and helps generate two thirds of Tab Ltd.'s annual wagering business. Future TV rights, however, will be negotiate by Thorough Vision, and Sky Channel is not expected to retain them. The existing agreement expires in March. The Australian reports that U.K.-based Ten/Ten Digital, the owner of the attheraces.com Web site, is believed to be mounting a separate bid for the TV rights.
Racing Up Over -- Thoroughbred Times reports Saturday that a U.S. District Court judge on Dec. 30 "dismissed part of a lawsuit filed by ODS Technologies, the subsidiary of Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. that does business as Television Games Network, in its legal battle with the Maryland Jockey Club and its majority owner, Magna Entertainment Corp." Several counts in ODS's counter suit that allege the Maryland Jockey Club and Magna unfairly interfered with ODS's business have been dismissed. Baltimore Business Journal reports that ODS was left with one count of breach of contract against the Maryland Jockey Club and a similar count against the Laurel Racing Association. ODS's counter claim is in response to a joint suit filed by Maryland Jockey Club and Laurel Racing Association, who claim that TVG failed to fulfill a contract obligation requiring the network to generate a quarterly rolling average gross handle of $230 million.
The Scruples of Charlie Hustle -- Numerous U.S. publications are reporting that the highly anticipated book in which all-time Major League Baseball hits leader Pete Rose admits he bet on baseball also includes an admission that Rose was offered $2 million to promote an Internet gambling site. Rose was said to have turned down the offer only because he knew it would hurt his chances of being reinstated to baseball.
Makin' Deals -- Will the second time be a charm for Gambling.com? The popular gambling portal was to be acquired last year by Interactive Gaming Holdings, but the deal fell through in December. IGN learned today that a new deal been struck. A group of unnamed independent investors will take over ownership of the company, and the management and staff will remain intact. . . . Leading P2P betting provider Betfair announced today the signing of a sponsorship deal with North American Sports Network through its agency, Brand-Links. Betfair customers will be offered free trial subscriptions to the network as well as additional Web site promotions during its exclusive road to the Super Bowl coverage.