Appointed -- Mobile gaming developer Vegas Wireless Entertainment has appointed Ian Williams to its advisory board. Williams, former marketing manager of Victor Chandler International and head of affiliates, partnerships and joint ventures for William Hill, began his career in the gaming industry in 2000.
On Board -- Microgaming has appointed ex-Neteller vice president of sales and marketing Bruce Elliot as its head of business development and marketing, effective today. Elliot spent four years with the payment processor, helping grow it from 75 to over 800 staff. Before joining Neteller, Elliot worked for GE Capital in sales and marketing.
Launched -- The Canadian Affiliate Management Company (CanAffco) has launched with its "initial" focus on the online gaming sector. The company will also offer affiliate recruitment and management services to online merchants. Current clients include gaming sites VegasPoker247, Bingo Heart, Slotland Casino and Galaxi World Casino, among others. "We believe we can raise the status of affiliates to the level of respect, and compensation, they deserve," said CanAffco president Gian Perroni.
Victorious -- Golden Palace has notched another victory in its campaign against trademark infringement, with the World Intellectual Property Organization awarding 19 cybersquatting domains to the online casino in a recent decision. Cybersquatting involves registering or using well known domain names with the intent to re-sell the domains, or to use them to redirect traffic to competitors or pay-per-click ad sites. "Golden Palace found that scores of infringers were profiting, or attempting to profit, from the hard work and dedication invested in building the Golden Palace mark," said Marc J. Randazza, counsel for the online casino. "[The company] has a 100 percent success rate in domain name actions to date," he added.
Forward Looking -- Canada-based software developer Dynasty Gaming on Thursday said it hoped to receive approval from China's Ministry of Culture to, within the next three weeks, launch its play-for-points Internet game. "Securing government approval for our game is the final step before the onset of revenue for our China program," said Dynasty chief executive Albert Barbusci.
In-Flight Gaming? -- The Sunday Times reported that mobile technology "is about to open the way for mobile phone calls on airplanes." The Emirates airline will allow passengers use of their mobiles on some flights to the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, Asia and Australasia "from the middle of the year," the paper said. Discount airline Ryanair, meanwhile, has plans to allow mobiles on all its planes from July 2007. Ryanair may use the mobile system as a platform for in-flight entertainment, "possibly gaming," the paper said. "If you want a quiet flight, use another airline," Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary was quoted as saying. "Ryanair is noisy, full and we are always trying to sell you something."
Stock Watch -- On the LSE today, PartyGaming was up .50p to 41, and Rank Group was up 10.50p to 239.75.