Making Deals -- Interactive Systems Worldwide Inc.'s subsidiary, Global Interactive Gaming Ltd. , announced a deal today with ukbetting in which ISWI's SportXction gaming software will be incorporated into an in-run mobile gaming product. ukbetting already has deals in place with U.K.-based mobile operators to offer its betting Web sites via WAP-enabled mobile phones. ISWI President Bernard Albanese said the agreement opens up a third horizon for his company. "Concluding this deal means our in-run wagering software will be available over three digital platforms: the Internet, interactive digital TV, and now mobile telephones," he said. "We had always regarded such diversification of our distribution channels as a key strategic objective and everyone at the company is pleased to have achieved this ahead of schedule, within nine months of ISWI purchasing (Global Interactive Gaming)."
Legal Stuff -- Sixteen people were arrested on illegal soccer bookmaking charges this weekend in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post reported today. Police told the newspaper that the arrests appeared to be in connection with an organized crime syndicate and that the group had been under police watch for the last three months. Police seized HK$100,000 in cash, nine computers and HK$7.2 million worth of betting slips.
Quote Worthy -- "I personally feel that although we've seen some success in some parts of the world, Internet gaming is not going to work well until the U.S. is part of the market. We'll continue to stay abreast of what's going on ... I think (legalization is) going to take a while. How long? I don't know, but a while." - Tom Baker, chief executive of casino supplier IGT, as quoted today in the Las Vegas Sun.