Quoteworthy -- "Betting through the Internet, the telephone or digital TV are not currently allowed in Greece. Therefore, there is today an extensive illegal market that develops through these channels, and our goal is to go after it. In the short term, we will achieve this objective through strategic advertising as well as by inducing the Hellenic Republic to take measures against illegal gaming. In the medium term, we will introduce new attractive games, while in the long term, we will ensure our presence in the market of electronic gaming, once these become legal."
--Basile Neiadas, managing director of Greek gaming company OPAP. The Greek government is preparing to reduce its shareholding in OPAP from 51 percent to 34 percent.
Poker TV -- Pokerzone, a new station dedicated to the game of poker, debuted today on channel 226 of the Sky Digital television network in the United Kingdom. The station's programming will feature exclusive tournaments, poker-themed classic movies (such as "The Man with the Golden Arm") and inside-track documentaries that explore the history of poker and interactive gaming. The channel's launch kicked off with exclusive coverage of the Monte Carlo Millions tournament sponsored by The Prima Poker Network, followed by a new live new interactive participation show called "Poker Night Live," which televises live Internet poker tournaments. Greg "The Axeman" Winters and "Dr." Tom Sambrook provide analysis of the online action.
Skill Gaming -- SkillJam Technologies, a subsidiary of FUN Technologies, has entered into an agreement with Skyworks Technologies to develop, host and manage a private-label, pay-for-play skill-gaming platform for Skyworks' newly launched consumer gaming site Rcade.com. Skyworks provides entertainment content for Web sites, online games, wireless devices, kiosks, videogame consoles and CD-ROMs. The company's interactive content enables its clients to deliver brand messages to large, targeted audiences. It has created sponsored games for BMW, ESPN, Ford, Fox Sports, GlaxoSmithKline, Mattel, Microsoft, MTV, Yahoo! and others. SkillJam and Skyworks will co-create new pay-to-play versions of selected game titles from Skyworks' existing library.
Working Together -- Gambling Federation has signed an agreement to implement customized online poker software from Tribeca Tables on some of its websites. Commodore Casino will be the first site to use the software.