New Territory -- British betting exchange Betfair is seeking a gambling license in South Africa, according to the group's public affairs consultant, Richard Rumbelow. The group has been considering South Africa for 18 months, Rumbelow said, and they are looking at making a multimillion-rand investment in the country.
New Distribution Channel -- Casino operators in Atlantic City want permission from the state to allow the use mobile handheld gambling devices--ranging in size from a handheld computer to a slate or tablet PC-- inside the casinos. The devices, which can be programmed to play blackjack, poker, roulette and slots, were the topic of debate in the New Jersey legislature today among lawmakers, Atlantic City operators and several gaming technology firms. Nevada last June became the first state to legalize the devices after a bill passed both houses of the Nevada Legislature. The Nevada Gaming Board will meet March 23 to vote on the final regulations for use of the devices inside Nevada casinos.
New Opportunities -- Online gaming, entertainment and philanthropic company Bodog.com is vowing to extend more opportunity to its affiliates, based on a substantial increase already in 2006 in the number of offline and online affiliates looking to partner with the Costa Rica-based company. "As one of the most flexible and financially stable operators in the online gambling industry, we are committed to raising the industry standards for affiliate marketing," says Calvin Ayre, Bodog.com Founder and CEO. "Within the last year, Bodog.com's affiliate program has tripled in size, a trend that is destined to continue. We will keep looking for ways to strengthen and expand our affiliate marketing program, while building on our relationships with our long-term strategic partners."
New Partnership -- Interactive gaming software and technology developer Zone 4 Play Inc. and interactive TV and mobile applications provider Two Way TV Australia Limited, jointly announced on Wednesday the launch of their mobile lottery services, which enable the partnered companies to offer traditional lottery operators a new means of delivering their products. It also enables mobile operators to deliver lottery products to their customers through different technologies such as Java, WAP, HTML and SMS.
New Data -- According to online research firm eMarketer, annual online gambling revenues soared to $US10.9 billion worldwide in 2005, despite the fact that it is considered illegal in many parts of the world. The survey also found that 53 percent of respondents believe online gambling should remain illegal in the United States.