Abandonment -- The British government has reportedly given up on its plan to sell the Tote at a discounted value to the Racing Trust following the European Commission's investigation into whether such a sale would constitute an abuse of state aid rules. The government nevertheless still wants to deliver on its manifesto commitment to sell the Tote to "racing," but to do so and comply with state aid rules, it needs to sell it at market value. The Commission began investigating the matter in June 2005 following lobbying efforts from private British bookmakers who were considered potential bidders for Tote betting shops.
Extension -- The EU has extended the deadline for Finland to explain its monopoly on gambling from early summer to autumn, following claims of discrepancies in the Finnish and Swedish language versions of the EU request. The European Commission in April sent letters of formal notice to Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Hungary that they must open their markets to private online gambling operators or face legal action, due in part to a complaint filed by Ladbrokes. The countries received the letter because they maintain state-owned gambling monopolies and allow the promotion of gambling services while at the same time prohibit access to their markets by foreign gambling providers, which is said to be a violation of EU law.
Quoteworthy -- "These bills directly contradict the United States' promises about free trade to the rest of the world. Developing nations like Antigua were drawn into the WTO with assurances from the large economies that the WTO dispute resolution process is a two-way street. Today's House Judiciary Committee action makes me really wonder if all the promises were true. They hardly took note of Antigua's objections before voting to approve the bills."
- A spokesperson for the Antigua Offshore Gaming Association, expressing his disappointment in the House Judiciary Committee's vote Thursday to approve Rep. Bob Goodlatte's Internet Gambling Prohibition Act and Rep. James Leach's Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.
Union -- British company vsGroup announced today that its gaming software division, vsGaming, and gaming technology division, vsTechnology, have been incorporated to form Gaming Technology Solutions plc (GTS plc). The new company will serve as a supplier of open end-to-end soft gaming solutions for delivery to IP enabled devices and iTV boxes. VsGaming and vsTechnology are suppliers to Bet and Win AG, SportingBet plc, Bet24, Victor Chandler, Grand Central Sports, Bowmans International, BetWWTS, World Gaming, English Harbour, Silver Dollar, Caribbean Gold Casino and Unibet.
Auction -- For a winning bid of $11,211.11 on eBay, fun loving, stunt-pulling online gambling company GoldenPalace.com has purchased a white ukulele autographed by the world's second wealthiest man, billionaire Warren Buffett, who runs Omaha, Neb.-based insurance and investment company Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The proceeds will benefit Omaha Children's Hospital, which is part of the Children's Miracle Network. Casino spokesman Jeff Kay said GoldenPalace.com will display the ukulele in a traveling museum making its way around the United States and Canada.