Bit from the US -- On June 9, the Nevada state legislature passed a bill permitting off-site pari-mutuel account wagering. Bill SB3, authored by Sen. Dean Rhoades, could repair Nevada's suffering race betting industry by enabling bettors to wager from a telephone or the Internet from inside or outside of the state. Eleven other U.S. states already allow account wagering.
New Stuff -- Bingo.com said yesterday that it is launching a new version of its Web site, www.bingo.com. The new site has been redesigned to make it easier to use and increase brand strength and includes new colors, fonts and graphics. "With the launch of our new Web site we are demonstrating our commitment to our subscribers and shareholders that Bingo.com continues to be the most popular bingo destination on the Internet," said Tarrnie Williams, CEO of Bingo.com.
UK News -- The Isle of Man, one of the strictest online gambling jurisdictions, is "shell shocked" at MGM Mirage's decision to shut down its online casino, which was based out of the island. NewMediaZero today quoted Derek Cannon, an IOM gaming inspector, as saying the pullout was a "complete surprise" and a "great disappointment." It doesn't help matters that Rank Interactive, which operates the Hard Rock Casino gaming Web site from IOM, is thinking of leaving as well. "At the moment we're assessing what the future might be," said Ed Andrewes, commercial director for Rank. "It is difficult, as MGM found, to drive customer registrations if you're not running it from a sports book."
Bit from Down Under -- Tabcorp Holdings Ltd. today firmed up its merger terms with Jupiters Ltd. If the merger fails on Tabcorp's fault, Tabcorp will pay AU$7.5 million to Jupiters. If it fails because of Jupiters' fault, it will pay Tabcorp AU$12.2 million. The sale of Jupiters' online betting Web site, Centerbet, is expected to be completed in late July. Currently the short list of potential buyers for Centrebet are conducting due diligence on the Internet gaming business.