Opposition to the Opposition -- Paul Lennon released a statement today indicating that the state government will not support the Opposition party's requests for a parliamentary investigation into Tasmania's agreement with Betfair. "The liberals have made it very clear that they oppose Betfair, and they oppose increased stake money for the racing industry and at least 150 new jobs for Tasmania," Lennon said. "The time for talking is over. It is now time for action in order for Tasmania to capitalize on this opportunity. The legislative question is simple: Do the Liberals support a boost to the racing industry’s stakes and 150 new jobs or not? The state government will not support any moves that put these advances in jeopardy." An inquiry, if granted, could take up to eight months and delay the $1.5 million funding Betfair has earmarked for the Inter dominion meet in the spring.
GP in Jail -- GoldenPalace.com, known for its unorthodox advertising methods, added another attention-grabbing event to the long list of promotional stunts by sponsoring the Angola Prison Rodeo on Oct. 30. The Kahnawake-based online casino tattooed rodeo animals with its Web address at the 40-year-old event, and held a "last-man-sitting" poker game in the middle of the rodeo ring in which four inmates sat at a makeshift poker table and a bull was released into the ring. The winner (the last inmate to run from the table) watched a bull knock a fellow player eight feet in the air and then sat motionless for several seconds while the bull stared him down. The bull lost interest, and the inmate won $1,000. "This was one of the most original events that we've ever sponsored," said GoldenPalace.com CEO Richard Rowe.
Multiple Deals for Unitab -- Unitab managing director Dick McIlwan a says his company will take part in more mergers before he retires as chief executive, which is set to happen within one to two years. Unitab is in negotiations to consolidate with Tabcorp and is also looking at Victoria's Tattersall's and New Zealand-based casino operator Sky City. The group is expected to secure wagering licenses in Victoria when Tattersall's and Tabcorp's rights expire in 2012.
Crackdown in Czech Republic -- The CTK Czech News Agency reports that the Finance Minister has asked the Supreme State Attorney's Office to investigate betting operators not licensed in the Czech Republic to determine whether they are breaking the law. Spokesman Marek Zeman said this applies to European betting agencies Coral Eurobet, Sportingbet, Betsson, bet365, gamebookers.com, Worldbet.com, Pinnaclesports, EXPEKT.com and Pointbet.com.