It's Almost Over -- Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon is expected to announce Thursday morning that the government will introduce legislation allowing betting exchanges to be licensed in the state. The industry's leading operator, Betfair, has been operating Down Under for three years, but a license would allow the group to advertise and promote its business on Australian turf. The Mercury Herald reports that the announcement will also reveal a boost of at least $1.5 million in prize money for next year's Inter Dominion trotting series--the first major benefit of the Betfair deal. The Australian Financial Review reports, however, that Racing Victoria and Queensland-based Unitab plan to set up similar betting exchanges in retaliation.
On Again -- European airline Ryanair today announced plans to introduce in-flight gambling by spring 2007--despite emphatically denying last month that such a plan was in the works. The company says it will not require a license to offer the tax-free service because it won't come under any national authority. The airline is banking on 25-30 percent of passengers gambling and spending an average of £3 to £5 per passenger, adding a projected £50 million to its bottom line. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary dismissed the suggestion that in-flight gambling might discourage families from flying Ryanair. "We recognize your right to object," O'Leary said, "but good luck, somebody else will have your seat." O'Leary believes in-flight entertainment, including gambling, will be so successful that the company will eventually not even have to charge passengers to fly. "Ultimately," he said, "entertainment will be where the money is."
Charitable Contribution -- All Vegas Partner Lounge online casinos will donate 25 percent of all November casino profits from three of their most popular slot games (High Five, Spring Break and Sun Quest) to the Nebraska AIDS Project for World AIDS Day, which is Dec. 1. The Nebraska AIDS Project drive will run through the end of the November.
Going Mobile -- Coral Eurobet has launched a mobile casino service developed by interactive software and technology company Zone4Play, Inc. The service is available through the Coral Web site, coral.co.uk. Coral Eurobet is offering four games (Fruity Slots, Dice, Dr Hi Lo and Keno), which are compatible with more than 100 handset models available in the United Kingdom. An additional five games will be launched by year's end. . . . Fortuna Gaming Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Fortuna Gaming Limited, has begun offering online and mobile Texas Hold'em through a licensing agreement with its recently acquired licensor, Mobile Gaming Now (MGN).
Here Comes GREGRI -- A new research group called Global Remote and E-Gambling Research Institute (GREGRI) will make its debut next week at the European I-Gaming Congress in Nice. The private, non-profit organization will focus on the historical, economical, mathematical, legal, social and psychological aspects of remote gambling and e-gambling. It will also study the development, execution and evaluation of the regulation of remote gambling and e-gambling as well as ethical gambling marketing and management.
TeenPatti -- Costa Rica-based LoboGaming Corporation is taking on its first licensee and providing both the software and facilities for new gaming site TeenPatti.com, which boasts live chat and 24/7 email support. TeenPatti.com offers the Indian three-card poker game Patta. Lobo will take an undisclosed share of the profits of the venture.