Betsson (Stockholm: SEK 64 / - SEK 3.25 / - 4.83%)
Betsson, the Sweden-based online operator, has reportedly been "charged for advertising its services in the Icelandic media," reports Iceland Review, a Reykjavik-based English-language magazine.
According to the Review article, Sigurdur G. Gudjónsson, the company's attorney in the country, was summoned for questioning by Icelandic authorities regarding the advertisements.
"They asked me to come in for questioning, but I have only given [Betsson] legal advice, so it is ridiculous that I should be questioned in this case," Mr. Gudjónsson told Fréttabladid, an Icelandic national daily.
Interactive Gaming News has yet to confirm Mr. Gudjónsson's relationship to Betsson, and Betsson has yet to comment on the Fréttabladid article to the English-speaking media.
More on this to come.
Devilfish Gaming (Plus Markets: 11p / no change)
Devilfish Gaming, the online gambling operator, has relaunched on the Entraction Network.
The company's subsidiary, DevilFish Poker Ltd., was previously licensed with the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
Entraction Holding, via its Casablanca Gaming Group subsidiary, operates from Malta and holds licensure with the island nation's regulator, Lotteries and Gaming Authority.
As a member of the Entraction Network, and under Maltese licensure, DevilFish Gaming may now advertise its services to residents of the United Kingdom -- an opportunity previously unavailable to the newly listed company.
In an April 2008 interview with IGN, Paul J. Barnes, chief executive of Devilfish Gaming, said the following when asked about the Kahnawake license -- and the current lack of advertising opportunities it affords:
"It would be a concern if we were doing nothing about it," Mr. Barnes said. "Right now, we are integrating the new Devilfish Gaming system with our suppler, with an estimated launch in May 2008. As such, we are not actively advertising at this time. We will relaunch under an EU license, which will solve the above problem."
More on this to come.
Rank Group (London: 87.75p / - 1.25p / - 1.40%)
Guoco Pty Ltd., the investment arm of Hong Leong Group Malaysia, on Tuesday upped its stake in Rank Group from 10 percent to 11.24 percent, or 43.9 million shares.
Since its September 2007 profit warning, Rank has remained a steady subject of takeover speculation.
In late March, Genting Berhad, the Malaysia-based investment arm of Genting Group, denied rumors that it would make a $959 million offer for the land-based and Internet gambling operator.
The Richardson family, U.K-based private property investors worth an estimated $993.1 million, has also been quietly building a stake in Rank.
For purposes of reference, the Richardson family holds at least 11 percent in Rank, Genting, 11.3 percent, and Guoco, 11.24 percent.
Chris Krafcik is the editor of IGamingNews. He lives in St. Louis, Mo.