Wireless -- Gaming system provider Chartwell Technology Inc. today announced the first version release of its wireless gaming suite for Java-enabled mobile phones. The system, which uses the same secure back-office system that's provided through its Internet software, can be fully integrated into operators' existing banking and player databases and gaming systems. Licensees can customize the suite's animated graphics to their own brand and design preferences. The initial five games--baccarat, multi-hand blackjack, casino war, slots and video poker--can be played for fun or for money.
Affiliate Program -- The new BlackJack.com Casino Affiliate Program gives webmasters a choice between a 35 percent flat commission or a $50 cost-per-acquisition payment program from the moment they enroll. Consumers that an affiliate refers to the site belong to the affiliate for life, and the BlackJack.com online tracking system lets affiliates view comprehensive statistics on the activities of its players, deposits, and revenues. Blackjack.com also gives affiliates free marketing support and guarantees on-time, monthly payments.
TAB Merger -- The Australian Financial Review reported yesterday that several major shareholders in the proposed Tab Ltd and UNiTAB Ltd merger don't want Warren Wilson to become managing director of the new company. According to the AFR, Colonial First State-- which holds about 10 percent of UNiTAB's shares and about 10 percent of Tab's shares--along with Perpetual Trustees and other companies with smaller holdings--would like to hold a special shareholders' meeting to drop Wilson. Colonial's senior portfolio manager, Simon Shields, told the AFR, "Professional investors want Dick McIlwain to run the merged business because of his superior track record."
McIlwain, who is currently managing director for UNiTAB but will step down for $3.04 million when the merger is complete, responded, "We have put a deal out to our shareholders and naturally we support the deal and part of the package is that Warren becomes the managing director of the company. That is the position that all of the directors on UNiTAB support, including myself. We didn't put it out there lightly. This deal needs to go through. It is a good deal, and it is a good deal regardless of who manages it." TAB's chairman Graham Kelly has also spoken in defense of the companies' decision to give the reigns to Warren and has said that the "media-driven egos" of some fund managers puts the country's governance standards at risk.
Dealing -- The Nottingham Evening Post reports that George Akins has sold his betting shop empire to Coral Eurobet for about £14m. Located throughout Notts and South and West Yorkshire, the betting shops have a turnover of about £25 million. George Akins has kept a shop in Keyworth and one in Mansfield.
Validation -- Camelot, the operator of the U.K. National Lottery, has commissioned Albany Software to supply its Albany Verify products for validating online bank accounts details. The validation tools will help Camelot reduce both the number of incorrect account captures and the amount of time needed for processing online transactions.
Ladbrokes -- Ladbrokes has become the first program sponsor of live racing on digital channel attheraces. The sponsorship must be carried out under the Ladbrokespoker.com brand, however, because of Independent Television Commission broadcast rules that bar bookmakers from sponsoring sports TV programs that include racing results. Ladbrokespoker.com is able to sponsor attheraces because it is classified as a gaming product instead of a betting Web site.