Exchange -- CES Software, an AIM-listed supplier of person-to-person betting exchange software developer has signed an agreement to provide a betting exchange platform to U.K.-based operator Matchedbets.
Retiring -- Australian Communications Minister Daryl Williams, who took the position last fall upon the retirement of Richard Alston, announced last month that he too would retire after the upcoming election. Nick Minchin, Australia's finance minister, is Williams' likely successor.
Acquisition -- British bookmaker ukbetting.com has acquired European online sports book GoldBet.com for £3 million. The acquisition will take place in two parts, with 51 percent of GoldBet.com being acquired by ukbetting.com now for £332,600 and the remaining 49 percent being acquired in March 2006.
Banned -- Ed Giddens, a former British cricketer has been found guilty by an England and Wales Cricket Board disciplinary panel and was subsequently fined £5,000 and banned from the sport for five years. Giddens was found to have bet £7,000 against his own team, Surrey, to lose to Northamptonshire in the National League match in August 2002. Surrey, who retired due to injuries last August, had a career that was surrounded by controversy, being at one time banned for 18 months for drug use and another time no-balled for throwing.
Poker TV -- I-gaming content provider Zone4Play has released Texas Hold'em Poker as a new multi-player interactive TV game channel. The system will launch as a play for fun channel, compatible with all existing iTV platform. Features include tournament management systems, and community enhancement elements.