Trending Up -- I-gaming stocks on the London Stock Market continued their good run today, despite the ominous legal situation in the United States. 888 gained 12.5p to close at 161; Fireone Group closed at 203.5p, up 21p; Ladbrokes put on 6.25p to close at 391.5; Neteller gained 6p to close at 411; FTSE 100 PartyGaming added 3.25 to close at 109, while the FTSE finished 25.9p higher at 5877.1. Sportingbet gained 15p to close at 235 and William Hill gained 11.5p to close at 604.5.
I-Gaming - the Savior -- Dejected and faced with losing his crown, Nepal's King Gyanendra has apparently taken solace in online gambling. In the wake of a nationwide revolt, Gyanendra has been forced to hand over power to a multi-party government, and Indian newspaper the Jana Aastha Weekly reports that the 60-year-old monarch is suffering from depression, fluctuating blood pressure and insomnia. To take his mind off his problems, the paper reports, Gyanendra has been playing online poker and blackjack (funding his accounts with international credit cards) until almost three o'clock in the morning.
I-Gaming - the Demon -- Greg Hogan, the Pennsylvania college student who was arrested in December 2005 for robbing a bank to pay for his online gambling habit, pleaded guilty this month and now faces up to three years in prison. Hogan, 22, said in an interview Tuesday with the ABC program "Good Morning America" that if he has the option of being out of jail, he would like to take an active roll in spreading awareness of gambling addiction. Hogan's sentencing is set for Aug. 17 in Pennsylvania.
Dream Team -- Online gambling and entertainment company Bodog.com has assembled its celebrity dream team for the World Series of Poker. Comedian Brad Garrett, celebrity DJ DJ AM, actors Mekhi Phifer (ER, 8 Mile), Matthew Lillard (Scooby Doo), Roger Cross (24), Paul Johansson (One Tree Hill), Dax Shepard (starring in the upcoming film "Idiocracy" with Luke Wilson), Victoria Pratt (ABC's upcoming series "Day Break") and Bodog Music artist Bishop Brigante will be led by Bodog-sponsored poker pros David Williams, Josh Arieh and Evelyn Ng. The WSOP Main Event begins Friday and ends on Aug. 10.
Jumping to MGS -- Online poker and casino software provider Microgaming announced today that online betting exchange BetOnBet has left BetandWin in favor of the Microgaming Poker Network. BetonBet said a main reason for the move is the competitive conflict created by the acquisition of Ongame by BetandWin in March. BetOnBet launched in August 2003, with its poker offering following in November 2004. The transition is expected to be smooth, causing little or no disruption to players.