Contract Extension -- Betfair and CryptoLogic Inc. have agreed to a contract extension for poker software through CryptoLogic's licensing subsidiary, WagerLogic Limited, until June 2006, with an option to extend to January 2007. CryptoLogic's share price rose 105p (12 percent) today following the announcement, closing at 980p.
GC's New DO -- The U.K. Gambling Commission has named Phillip Brear its director operations. Currently deputy chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, Brear will oversee the licensing, compliance, intelligence and enforcement functions of the commission. He will begin his work with the commission in November.
New Ways to Have FUN -- FUN Technologies today announced that it will produce a new skill games site for Virgin Games. The new site, "Virgin Skill," will feature games from FUN's SkillJam Technologies subsidiary. FUN also announced the signing of a deal with London-based goods and services Web site Last Minute Network Limited in which SkillJam's skill-gaming platform will be integrated into Last Minute's Web site.
What's in Your e-Wallet? -- Mobile gaming services company Probability Games Corporation (PGC) has launched a product that enables customers to anonymously deposit money into an e-wallet at select terminals in the United Kingdom. The "Cashish" e-wallet holds up to £90 and is linked directly to mobile phones. Cashish is now the method of payment for all the mobile gambling and lottery services that PGC manages and/or operates.
Lotto -- Software development company CTXM Ltd. has released a new game called "Lotto," which features a lottery drawing every 60 seconds. (Players can alternately opt for an independent draw.) It also offers over 160 bet types, an insurance option and a jackpot prize. Lotto will be released to CTXM licensees in coming weeks.
Get on the BoS -- Online sports book BETonSPORTS (BoS) has announced the schedule for its luxury buses hitting college and pro football games across the United States throughout the 2005-06 season. The buses are accompanied by the BETonSPORTS Girls handing out promotional items. The tour began Saturday in Durham, N.C. and will end Feb. 3 at the Super Bowl in Detroit.
New and Improved -- VIP.com has re-launched its casino site, supplied and powered by RealTime Gaming. Customers can now choose from 50 games with no download necessary and receive free access to all the VIP products, including a sports book, a race book and Texas Hold'em poker.
Quoteworthy -- "It behooves the Treasury to be mindful of the fact that we can't force companies to come here. If the [tax] rate is set at a level that deters companies from coming here then the Gambling Act 2005 will be frustrated. The expectation of the government [is that] operators will want to come here and provide the British punter with an opportunity to gamble on the internet. But if operators did not relocate, punters would not be able to gamble on a site that is approved by the British regulator. It is up to the Treasury and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to set the public policy but the consequences need to be understood."
- U.K. Gambling Commission Chairman Peter Dean in an interview with Financial Times commenting on the pending tax rate increase for online gambling operators.