Handhelds in Nevada -- On Thursday the Nevada Gaming Commission passed regulations making its state the first in the U.S. to approve the use of handheld devices for gambling in any public area licensed casinos, such as in restaurants and poolside. The rules apply to a range of games, including bingo, poker, blackjack and horse race betting, but use in hotel rooms and other places that cannot be supervised is prohibited. The certification and integration process will take several months, said Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander.
Case Finalized -- AtTheRaces' High Court action against the Association of British Bookmakers, which began in August 2004, collapsed Wednesday when ATR abandoned its claim for rebates totaling £51 million in return for the payment of just £1 million.
Mobile Stats -- London-based analyst Telecoms & Media has published predictions for the future of mobile phone content. The firm envisages that the global market fuelled largely by music, games, gambling and adult entertainment will be worth US$42.8 billion by 2010. Of that number, mobile gambling comprises $7.6billion
War Futures Props -- Online betting exchangeTradesports is offering wagers on when a joint US/Israel attack on Iran will occur using statistical odds developed by professional security groups. "Everyday Americans are watching this crisis unfold and want the world to know how they feel," said Alex Czajkowski, marketing director of Sportsbook.com in defense the betting exchange. "When people have the opportunity to wager on these types of events, they are also able to express their views on the matter; what they want to happen, what they think will happen. Everybody bets and everybody should be grateful that we live in a free country where we can express our opinions, either verbally or with the click of a mouse by betting on controversial topics."
Absolute Casino -- Internet gaming software developer and poker network Excapsa, which floated on the AIM a little over a month ago, is looking to buy an online casino software developer to add to its core platform of poker games. "Today we're a pure poker play," said Chief Executive, Jim Ryan. "So the opportunity for us is to bring casino-style games into the equation and games of skill." Excapsa will also soon launch wireless poker games over mobile phones.