China Busts -- The Chinese Ministry of Public Security has released another report on its accomplishments since the launch of a nationwide crackdown on gambling in January. So far, Chinese police have reportedly cracked 163,000 gambling cases and apprehended 702,000 suspects while seizing US$281 million and 77,000 computers and video game systems. A total of 1,479 suspects have been sentenced to prison terms, 3,847 have been prosecuted, 5,115 are being re-educated through labor and 105,000 are still under detention. One thousand six hundred seventeen suspects are public officials, 47 of whom are heads of their departments.
Quoteworthy -- "Yes, we are very interested in the Latin American markets from two perspectives. We aim to offer our betting platform to more Latin Americans by giving them access to the site in local languages, with local events and payment options. We are actively looking for partners in Latin America. Using the exchange as a back end, we offer companies the ability to operate a branded sports book (built-in margin . . . lower odds than on the exchange) without assuming any risk. While there are legislative issues across the continent, we can potentially help portals, publishing houses, land-based or online casinos and sports betting companies to offer a wide range of bets and generate revenue without taking risk or making a book. Partners can choose to hold player accounts."
- Jordan Ferguson, director of international sales and business development for British betting exchange Betfair, in response to a question about his company's intentions for the Latin American market (as reported by Yogonet.com).
Lottery License -- One week removed from a successful float on the Australian Stock Exchange, gambling company Tattersall's has filed a registration of interest to renew its lottery license through the Victorian government. The group is the sole operator of lotteries in Victoria, but the state's government is reviewing the structure of the lottery license, which expires in June 2007. The government stated in March 2005 that it could opt to either maintain the single, exclusive license structure or convert to a system that provides three non-exclusive licenses. The new license(s) will likely be awarded in 2006. Tattersall's also operates lotteries in Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, in addition to holding a 10 percent stake in South Africa's national lottery.
TV Sponsorship -- BOSPoker.net, the play-for-fun poker room of Costa Rica-based online betting company BETonSPORTS.com, has signed an agreement to become a sponsor of the upcoming television show "Wayne Allyn Root's WinningEDGE" on Saturday mornings beginning in September on Superstation WGN in the United States. The 30-minute show will feature insights, analysis and entertainment surrounding each weekend's college and professional football games. GWIN, the show's producer, is a publicly traded sports handicapping company.
Welcome Aboard -- German sports betting company Digibet has added Michael Hopfinger to its management board. Hopfinger previously held positions at German lottery company Westdeutsche Lotterie and retail company KarstadtQuelle.