More Relief for Sporting Options Customers -- U.K.-based betting exchange IBetX wants to attract customers of the now defunct Sporting Options by offering former Sporting Options who open IBetX accounts £1,500 in credit or 25 percent of their outstanding balance with Sporting Options, whichever is lowest. Last week Betfair announced that it was offering a similar deal that should compensate 5,000 of Sporting Options' 5,300 clients.
Crypto Version 6 -- CryptoLogic's new Version 6 software platform features two new games--"Super Slideshow" and "Fruit Fight"-- that are similar to the fruit machines found in British soft gaming venues like pubs and restaurants. Other new games included in the software upgrade are "Casino Solitaire," "Casino War," "Super Fun 21" and "Bonus Video Poker." Another new addition is an improved games menu that enables players to view an in-game preview of games before loading them. The platform is already running at InterCasino, Littlewoodswoods Casino and William Hill Casino, with more sites to follow.
GP Buys Holy Sandwich -- GoldenPalace.com's latest acquisition is a 10-year-old toasted cheese sandwich that bears the image of the Virgin Mary. The sandwich made headlines in papers all over the world last week when its owner put it up for auction on ebay. The former owner claims the sandwich is lucky, noting over the span of the 10 years in which she owned the sandwich she won over $70,000 at casinos. Also, though the sandwich has remained preserved in nothing more than a plastic bag, it shows no signs of mold whatsoever. GoldenPalace plans to use the sandwich, for which it paid $28,000, to raise money for charity. Meanwhile, the company has announced the first stop on its Charity Shootout Tour-- featuring the ball from football star David Beckham's missed Euro 2004 penalty shot--will be at Aston Villa on Dec. 4 during halftime of their game against Liverpool. Proceeds will benefit NSPCC.
BetandWin's Objective -- Austrian betting company BetandWin.com has stated in its recent financial report that it is planning to expand its business in Spain and Greece. The company is already utilizing online marketing techniques in Spain and will soon put print ads in daily newspapers and try to develop a TV presence in the form of special advertising formats. BetandWin's plan for Greece is to mix offline advertising with sponsorship activities to broaden its customer base.
4njbets.com -- The state of New Jersey's account wagering system is up and running at 4njbets.com. New Jersey residents over the age of 18 can bet on races at any of the state's four horse racing tracks as well as races included in the site's simulcasting network. A phone wagering system is also in place.