Assoprovider -- Italian Internet service providers are fighting the country's new law that prevents their clients from accessing gambling Web sites not authorized by the government. Assoprovider, (Association of Independent Providers), which represents about 200 Italian ISPs, has made an appeal to TAR (Regional Administrative Court) that will be debated in court in the next few weeks and which could result in the suspension of the regulations until the end of the proceedings.
Cantor Getting Closer -- Las Vegas-based Cantor Gaming, a leader in the 2005 legislative effort to allow wireless gambling in Nevada, won a recommendation from the state Gaming Control Board to market its hand-held, mobile gambling devices in the state. If the company receives approval from the Gaming Commission, it will become the state's first licensed manufacturer and distributor of mobile gaming devices. The commission is set to meet on May 18.
More Mobile Happenings -- Gaming software group Mfuse Ltd has signed an agreement with online sports betting and gaming group Interactive Gaming Holdings PLC (IGH) to provide mobile gaming software for IGH's Premier Bet Web site. The partnership will allow Premier Bet's customers to place sports bets directly from their mobile phones. . . . Lottery solutions provider INTRALOT has selected global gaming network Terraplay's "MOVE" solution to enable optimized communication over mobile telecommunication networks to INTRALOT's B-On gaming platform. Terraplay's MOVE system is designed to support all types of multiplayer game in the mobile arena and INTRALOT's B-On platform features multiplayer mobile and PC games of skill, knowledge and chance combined with betting, tournaments and instant tickets.
Bodog and Brother Derek -- Online gambling site Bodog.com announced Wednesday that it has signed an exclusive contract to sponsor Brother Derek, currently favored to win the 132nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Bodog.com's brand will be visible to thousands of spectators during Derby weekend at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The company will be holding onsite events and will present a $25,000 check to Brother Derek's trainer, Dan Hendricks, in support of a charity to be named by Hendricks. Brother Derek was not available for comment. Bodog last week unveiled new and improved hose betting software.
A Problem That's Not a Problem -- Perhaps he was borrowing courage from pro golfer John Daly, who admitted this week to a gambling problem, but former NBA bad boy Charles Barkley revealed his own gambling troubles Wednesday in an interview with ESPN. Barkley said he has lost an estimated $10 million gambling, but he doesn't think it's all that bad. "Do I have a gambling problem?" he said. "Yeah, I do have a gambling problem, but I don't consider it a problem because I can afford to gamble. It's just a stupid habit that I've got to get under control, because it's just not a good thing to be broke after all of these years." He said he is working with his agent to solve the problem, though he has no plans to stop. "I think it's fun, I think it's exciting," he said. "I'm gonna' continue to do it, but I have to get to a point where I don't try to break the casino 'cause you never can."