Irish P2P Policy -- Irish racing officials met last week to discuss how they should address betting exchanges. They have scheduled their next meeting for Sept. 5 and hope to finalize their policy at that time. Said Denis Egan, chief executive of the Turf Club, "There are a few big issues that still have to be discussed including a memorandum and what staff we will need. All this will be agreed at the Sept. 5 meeting and after that we will be in a position to go ahead." The officials have until recently maintained that there is not enough betting on Irish racing to warrant the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Betfair, but last month's return of Irish racing to digital television should bring more wagers.
Risk Managment -- iGlobalMedia, the owner and operator of PartyPoker.com, StarluckCasino.com and PartyBingo.com, has implemented the Accurate NXG operational risk management solution from risk management experts Accurate Software. The solution will enable iGlobalMedia to reconcile larger volumes of customer deposits and withdrawals against its global gaming systems, while providing a complete audit trail of all transactions. It will also speed up processing times, identify anomalies more quickly, and reduce exposure to operational risk.
New and Improved -- Gaming Corporation, which owns the online casino portal at www.casino.co.uk, has launched a new and improved version of the site with assistance from Eyeconomy Limited, the online media planning and buying agency that Gaming Corp acquired in May. Gaming Corp. says its new site provides greater usability, additional content and increased revenue opportunities through new supplier partnerships. The company has also reached an agreement with paid placement search engine Overture to power a new Top 5 Casinos and Web search tool. It recently changed to a cost-per-click revenue model that enables performance-based advertising campaigns. A campaign management tool enables advertisers to optimize their campaigns and to monitor their activity rate.
WPT in Aruba -- UltimateBet.com will host a World Poker Tour event in Aruba for the third year in a row Sept. 26 - Oct. 1. The 2004 UltimateBet.com Poker Classic boasts a guaranteed minimum prize pool of $4 million and a first-place prize of $1 million. The event will be featured as part of the World Poker Tour's third season. Buy-in is $6,200, but players can win a spot at the table as well as an Aruba prize package with airfare and hotel accommodations for two by qualifying in online tournaments at UltimateBet.com.
Running of the Bulls -- GoldenPalace.com is helping Ray Sabbatini, a 36-year old man from Wisconsin who was last year stricken with multiple sclerosis, to realize his dreams by sending him to the Running of the Bulls in Pamploma, Spain this week. The online casino is also helping to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by pledging $10 for every runner who wears a Golden Palace shirt. Former NBA superstar and bad-boy Dennis Rodman will also travel to Pamploma and participate in the running while sporting GoldenPalace.com apparel.
BetonSports P2P -- The entire board of New South Wales-based Tab Ltd. resigned Monday as Tabcorp appointed its own personnel to fill each slot. Tabcorp has also instated its own new managing team to control Tab, with the head of Tabcorp's wagering business, Michael Piggot, taking over Warren Wilson's former position as managing director. Tabcorp directors Michael Robinson and Tony Hodgson, managing director Matthew Slatter and senior executives Peter Caillard and David Elmslie have all taken seats on Tab's board. Tabcorp has already initiated a four- to six-week operational review of Tab to plan the structure of the new juggernaut company, which will become the fifth largest gambling firm in the world, and complete integration should be completed in about two years. Tabcorp now controls 57 percent of Tab shares, but needs to acquire 90 percent.
All Currencies and Languages -- Interactive Systems Worldwide Inc. has announced the launch of a new multi-language and multi-currency version of the SportXction play-by-play sports betting product. The new version of SportXction supports all currencies and languages and will be available on interactive TV, mobile phone, Internet and kiosk terminals. According to ISWI, rolling out a new language only requires a translation effort and no further technology effort. With the appropriate translation tables, any language and currency can be supported. The initial launch of the new version will target the Greek speaking market, and the Turkish-version is slated for release very soon. ISWI also plans to launch in other European markets as well as in Asia, Australalasia, Africa and South America.