SA Crackdown -- Accompanied by two officials from the Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board, members of the police organized crime unit in Port Elizabeth, South Africa last week raided A venue at Greenacres suspected of housing illegal Internet gambling operations. Authorities seized about 25 computers and other equipment that was allegedly being used for gambling-related activities. A police spokesperson said the police were acting on information received about illegal gambling on the Maxi Net premises. The owner of the premises was not arrested.
Tax Plea -- U.K. Lottery operator Camelot's chairman, Sir Peter Middleton, has reportedly asked the Treasury for a revision of its taxation regime to put it in line with U.K. gambling companies and increase the money it returns to good causes. Bookmakers and betting companies are taxed at 15 percent of gross profits, but Camelot has a standard sales tax of about 12 percent, which Middleton said puts the group at a disadvantage. He said that returns to charity could go up to £50 million a year if the company's tax program was restructured. Despite the difficult conditions, Camelot is amid its longest ever period of growth. Its interim report, released today, states that National Lottery ticket sales rose by more than £55 million in the first six months of the fiscal year. Total sales for the half year ending Sept. 24 increased £55.2 million to £2.4 billion.
Beyond Tasmania -- With Tasmanian Parliament scheduled to begin debating legislation regarding betting exchanges this week, Betfair's director of corporate affairs, Andrew Twaits, feels confident that Australia's mainland states will follow suit. "I'd be very surprised if there weren't other betting exchanges operating in Australia in the next 12 months or so," he said. "You already notice, reading the mainland papers, people are already starting to as, 'Why has our government (and) the racing industry adopted such as tough stance against Betfair."
Well Deserved Charity -- Robert Iler (a.k.a. A.J. Soprano of the HBO series "The Sopranos") got into trouble again, but this time he is being bailed out. The troublemaking actor, who pled guilty in 2002 to taking part in a mugging, was one of 30 people recently busted at the Ace Point Backgammon Club & Chess Studio, an illegal poker room in Manhattan. Iler and the others were eventually let go after having their IDs run for outstanding warrants. His great Manhattan caper inspired the executives at Canada-based online gaming site BetCRIS to offer him a $3,000 account with the company. "The Sopranos is one of my favorite shows, and I'd hate to see them lose Anthony Soprano Jr. because of something like this," said BetCRIS.com CEO Mickey Richardson.
Hiring -- Sportingbet today announced the appointment of David Hobday as its new chief operating officer. Hobday, 36, is currently managing director of Halifax Share Dealing Limited.