PartyGammon -- Online gaming giant PartyGaming has launched an all backgammon site called PartyGammon, which currently undergoing beta testing. In addition to 24-hour backgammon action and tournaments, PartyGammon.com offers 24-hour online support facilities, a backgammon school, a glossary and interactive tutorials.
Boss Poker Clients -- Swedish gaming software company Boss Media has completed agreements with two gaming companies, for a total of 12 additions to the Boss partner-based poker network this year. The first company, Austrian-based sports betting company Bet-at-home.com, has approximately 400,000 registered players who are offered betting opportunities in nine different languages. The second company, White Label, already operates a number of Internet casinos, and Boss Media's poker solution will be cross-marketed primarily to the company's existing player base. Bet-At-Home and White Label will go live with Boss Media's gaming products during the third quarter.
5,000 e-mails -- The Poker Players Alliance and PocketFives.com "Write Your Congressman Day" on June 12 saw 5,000 emails sent to U.S. congressmen from online poker players around the U.S. asking legislation instead of prohibition. "The best thing people can do is let their congressmen know they do not support banning online poker," said Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance. "The genie is out of the bottle. Internet poker is an industry. Let's regulate and tax it the same way we do casinos in Las Vegas."
Webcam Poker -- Online poker site PharaohsPokerPalace.com has committed to making Webcam Internet poker a reality. The company says that when it initially introduces Webcams at gambling sites, it will make them completely optional at all tables, allowing players an opportunity to become acquainted with the concept. After the introductory period, however, a subset of tables will be designated as Webcam only and all players at these tables will be required to have a Webcam on them in order to play, creating a level playing field for those wanting to see and be seen.
Gamebookers joins Microgaming -- Online betting company Gamebookers has joined the Microgaming poker network and is soft launching its new poker product this week. Gamebookers will promote its new poker offering heavily once it has fully tested the technology and infrastructure.
The Grinder -- Online poker website Absolute Poker announced today that it has added Michael Mizrachi, aka 'The Grinder,' to its lineup of leading poker professionals. Mizrachi, 25, is currently ranked the number one poker player in the world according to CardPlayer.com. Absolute Poker also recently announced the launch of a game aptly named The Grinder, in which players will get to play against Mizrachi for $10/25 table. Absolute Poker will be announcing other online Grinder tournaments, and Mizrachi will be making a number of appearances at events and live tournaments on Absolute Poker's behalf.
Welcome Aboard -- Spread-betting group Sporting Index has announced the appointment of two new board members to its leisure-sector board. Nick Irens, who recently stepped down as a non-executive director of the betting exchange Betfair, is to become Sporting Index's chairman, while entrepreneur Chris Akers will become a non-executive. The appointments come as the group prepares to expand its business overseas and looks at possible marketing partnerships, acquisitions or joint ventures in a number of territories.