B-On -- Greek gaming and lotteries systems supplier Intralot has unveiled its new "B-On" gaming platform and software development tool, which features multiplayer mobile and PC games of skill, knowledge and chance combined with betting, tournaments and instant tickets. The platform also includes community features such as friend lists, matchmaking, chat and instant messaging.
Online Fruit -- William Hill has added new CryptoLogic games to its site at williamhillcasino.com. Among the new offerings are two traditional-style fruit machines called Fruit Fight and Super Sideshow that have £2,000 jackpots. There are also two blackjack variations called Pontoon and Super Fun 21, as well as casino versions of war and 17 new slot machines.
Cantor Fined -- Spread betting firm Cantor Index was recently fined by Britain's Financial Services Authority (FSA) for alleged misconduct and is now appealing the case to the Financial Services & Markets Tribunal. The FSA has not commented on the size of the fine or the reason for the action, but indicated that the appeal is not likely to be heard until next year. In August, Nausicaa Delfas, head of the FSA's financial promotions department, wrote a letter to spread betting companies warning them to stop targeting uninformed punters who do not understand the risks of spread betting. The letter expressed concern that a growing number of people are using services that were once almost exclusive to Londoners who were experienced at betting on market movements. Delfas' letter accused spread betting firms of disguising the fact that bettors could lose more than their original stake if the market does not perform well. It is possible that the recent Cantor Index fines are related to the concerns expressed by the FSA in August, but it has not yet been verified.
Korean Oddsmakers -- Orion Group, a company with a major stake in the Seoul Olympic Sports Promotion Foundation's lottery business, Sports ToTo, says that it plans to hire about 10 oddsmakers in preparation for the introduction of European-style fixed-odds sports betting in South Korea next year.
Making Deals? -- There is much anticipation that Kerry Packer's Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd (PBL) of Australia and Stanley Ho's Melco International Development may announce a joint gaming venture to target the Asian market. Melco issued a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that it was suspending trading "pending the publication of an announcement regarding a major transaction.
VS Supplies BAW -- U.K.-based I-gaming software provider VS Gaming has signed a deal to provide Austrian gambling operator BetandWin with a mobile suite of games. The platform will initially launch with three games developed by VS, with more games--including some developed in-house by BetandWin--to be added to the system later in 2005. Eliot Norris, CEO of VS Gaming, said his company is currently working with three additional operators and hinted that it will probably announce another mobile deal with a major European sports book by the end of 2004.
Quoteworthy -- "The WTO ruling is very interesting, and we will be watching developments closely over the next few months. It could open up a huge market for sites like Boylesports.com. The potential revenues from the U.S. would be very significant, particularly with the large Irish-American population, and we would naturally target it if the opportunity arose."
- Daniel O'Mahony, commercial director of Irish bookmaker Boyle Sports, speculating on what the WTO dispute panel's ruling against the U.S. ban on online gambling could mean for companies like his.