Farewell to Oxley -- One of I-gaming's staunchest opponents in the U.S. House has decided to call it quits when his term runs out next year. Rep. Michael Oxley, R-Ohio, says he will not run for reelection in '06. Oxley has played a key role in moving House legislation prohibiting the funding of online gambling-related transactions. The latest version passed in the full House in 2003.
3D Poker -- The self-proclaimed world's first 3D Internet poker site, Vegas007.com, went live today. Vegas007 purchased the platform, which enables players to design their own animated characters, from 3D Internet Games of Norrköping, Sweden. "3D is the next obvious step in Internet poker," Vegas007's Lars Feely, MD explained. "We are excited to be paving the way!" The new site also offers blackjack.
Boylecasino -- I-gaming software provider Chartwell announced this week that it will provide Flash-based casino and soft games software for Irish bookmaker Boylesports' new online casino offering, Boylecasino.com. Established in 1989, Boylesports has over 90 land-based betting offices throughout Ireland.
Badugi -- The Tribeca Tables Poker Network on Monday unveiled a new game called "Badugi Poker." Badugi (pronounced Bu-doo-gee) is a game of skill that originated in South Korea and has been a pastime for decades in U.S. Korean communities. The object of game is to get the lowest hand of four cards of different ranks and different suits. World famous poker player Mike Caro said, "The first time I played Badugi, my pulse was racing, and that's unusual for me. This poker game is aggravating, exciting, exasperating and exhilarating."
Ski Challenge -- Austrian skill games provider Greentube is set to release a new version of its popular "Ski Challenge" action game. With 800,000 downloads, last year's version of the game was a huge success. The next version will feature new tracks and more 3D graphics.