60 Minutes -- CBS's "60 Minutes" on Sunday examined the growth of the online gambling industry and prohibitory legislation in the United States. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., who is spearheading a movement to ban Internet gambling, told correspondent Leslie Stahl, "It's so easy to do. It's so easy for kids to do. It's so addictive. And it has frequently been demonstrated that there's a lot of graft and corruption in this. We may not be able to stop it all, but if we can stop the major part of it that's coming from offshore, I think we will have done something very, very good." On the other side of the debate Sportingbet CEO Nigel Payne said that regulating online gaming in the United States is the safest way to ensure responsible gaming. "America is one of the largest gambling markets in the world with developed gaming in lotteries, casinos, horse racing, dog racing and sports," Payne said. "The right thing to do--the responsible thing to do--is to regulate it and embrace proper social parameters through regulatory control."
To Africa and Beyond -- A few months removed from its July listing on the Australian Stock Exchange, gaming and lottery operator Tattersall's is looking to expand into South Africa and other countries. Chairman David Jones explained, "Let me assure you that we will pursue any appropriate opportunity in Australia or overseas. . . . The listing helps us do that--indeed that was one of the main reasons for the listing." Chief Executive Duncan Fischer said negotiations have begun for licenses in the South African province of Kwa Zulu Natal, as well as licenses in the Northwest Province.
The World vs. Betfair - Part 792 -- Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon is maintaining his support of online betting exchange Betfair getting licensed in Australia despite pressure from the opposition. Australian Racing Board (ARB) CEO Andrew Harding said that upon examination of a bill to legalize betting exchanges, former Victorian government solicitor-general Douglas Graham found more than 25 drafting flaws, suggesting that if passed, betting exchanges could attract criminal activity both in Tasmania and elsewhere. Lennon has dismissed the claim, saying the opposition is wasting his time. The ARB will present the evidence to the Upper House this week.
M-Gaming Forecast -- A Visiongain study predicts that mobile gaming is the future of gambling. The group says the mobile gambling market will generate $4.26 billion in revenues in 2008. "As regulatory, technical and other challenges are gradually resolved, gambling operators are expected to begin actively marketing mobile gambling to their customers, starting in the middle of 2006," the report's author, Jean-Pierre Aubertin, explained. "Initial trials of mobile gambling sites have confirmed the channel as viable sources of income for gambling site operators such as William Hill and Ladbrokes."
Betting on the Pros -- "Poker777.com" reports Irish gaming and betting company Paddypower is marrying poker and sports betting through its new poker betting offering at Paddypower.com. The new feature enables players to bet on the winners of future poker tournaments. Punters can bet on pros as well as amateurs.