Tidbit from Up North -- The proliferation of online gaming companies in Canada caught the attention of the CanWest News Service this week. The news service on Tuesday ran a story featuring Loto-Quebec, which has developed a CD-ROM lottery game, and CryptoLogic Inc. and Chartwell Technology Inc. , which both create online gambling software. Steven Latham, Chartwell's director of sales and marketing, said Canada seems to have garnered a lot of the business that the United States is missing out on. "I don't know how long the U.S. is going to stand by and watch billions of dollars go offshore," he said.
Names and Faces -- Magna Entertainment Corp. has appointed Roman Doronuik as CEO and John Perrotta as vice president of operations. Doronuik is a previous president and CEO of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. , a television and film production company; Perrotta was formerly the president of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey.
US News -- The deputy commissioner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association said today he and the organization would now be busy talking representatives in Congress about the possible consequences of the Leach Internet gambling bill. Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee stripped the bill of its carve-outs for the horse racing, dog racing, lottery and casino industries. "We'll definitely speak with members of the Horse Caucus and our friends in the leadership in the House and Senate to educate them what it would mean if the bill passes in this form," Greg Avioli said.
New Stuff -- NDS and Rank announced a joint venture today that will see the two companies joining forces to develop a bingo-related interactive television channel, "Fancy a Flutter," that will be available on BskyB's Active menu. The games will cost a minimum of 20 pence each and will have a payout of up to £500,000.