Tidbit from Korea -- The Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism is banning PC rooms, and Internet cafes in the country may be banned from allowing their customers to use computers for gambling or betting. The Korea Times reported today that the ministry's proposals will be discussed in June by the National Assembly
Names and Faces -- The Interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association recently elected its 2003 leadership council. The members are Nick Harding, RAL Interactive Ltd. ; Roger Withers, Arena Leisure plc; Steve Toneguzzo, Global Gaming Services; John Cargnello, TST Technical Systems Testing; Andrew Tottenham, ROK; John Gilmour, Rank.com; Malcolm Fraser, Ritz Interactive; Lloyd Nathan, MGM Mirage Online.
New Stuff -- Gamble Goddess announced last week that it is re-launching its gaming portal to mark the celebration of International Women's Day on March 8. The portal is located at www.thegamblegoddess.com. Brittany Baerg was hired as the site's sales and affiliate manager.
Making Deals -- Boss Media recently sold an online gambling license to Quadri Holding N.V. , which operates BugsysClub.com. Peter Bertilsson, CEO of Boss Media, said the site will "become an interesting partner because of their extensive experience in online poker and in marketing this product." Quadri is owned by private investors. ... CYOP Systems International Inc. is teaming up with Waistech International Inc. to launch CYOP's online skill-based games in China. Waistech is a provider of Internet services in China, and its premier service is China E Online, which operates in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. According to companies, players will be able to use prepaid phone cards to make payments for online gaming. Patrick Smyth, the president and CEO of CYOP, said China is an undervalued region that is experiencing growth in online access. "Out of the key world trading blocks, China is the largest one with the fastest growing number of Internet users," he said. "China's strong economy, entrance into the WTO and a large population, inclined to spend its disposable income on leisure goods and services, makes it a natural objective for our growth. In terms of sheer e-commerce market volume, China is the cornerstone of the Asian market." ... VirtGame Corp. said today that it has inked another deal to provide its sports betting software to a land-based operator. The San Diego-based company will be licensing sports wagering software and maintenance service to CIRI Lakeside Gaming Investors LLC, which is also known as Casino MonteLago. VirtGame recently announced a similar agreement with Herbst Gaming.