888 - 435 -- The Oct. 13 enactment of Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGE) has gauged several major I-gaming operators. The latest victim, Random Logic, 888's Israel-based research and development arm, dismissed 29 employees, one report indicated today. Random Logic, which operates in Tel Aviv, currently employs 435 people; the layoffs reduce its workforce by roughly 7 percent. 888 is also expected to make personnel cuts at its Antigua-based operation, most of them call center and technical support staff. So far, employees falling victim to personnel cuts have been those working directly with the U.S. market. Downsizing is also rumored to begin in the company's Gibraltar-based headquarters. As labor laws in Gibraltar mandate a 60-day advance notice of dismissal, the company has not decided the final number of cutbacks. "In light of the change in legislation in the U.S. and the cessation of the company's activity in that country, and after reviewing current expenses, 888 is making general structural and workforce changes," 888 said in a statement.
Bidder -- Greek gaming company Intralot is preparing to vie for Britain's new National Lottery license, which is up for renewal in 2009. According to London-based paper Telegraph, "senior industry sources" said the company will launch its license bid within the coming months. "Intralot is keen to come to the U.K. to be able to operate the lottery as part of its expansion plan," the newspaper quoted one senior unnamed source as saying. "A Greek team has been working on the bid for some time now and they are about to show their hand." The National Lottery Commission (NLC) later confirmed that it had been in discussions with Intralot, but that, as of yesterday, a formal bid had not been made. "There is no formal register now, and they are not required to give a statement of intent," a NLC spokesman said. "[The NLC] will not know until the 26th of January." So far, only two companies, Camelot, the lottery's current operator, and Sugal & Damani, an India-based lottery operator, have made clear their intentions to compete for the license, which spans 2009 to 2019.
Grounded -- According to Philippine paper Sun Star Malta, $300,000 worth of computer equipment was seized by the National Bureau of Investigation, after it locked down a multinational casino operating in Angeles City, Pampanga on Oct. 17. NBI operatives, in conjunction with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) seized casino tables, dealer's chairs and fixtures, television sets, casino playing cards, computers positioned at each table with webcams, and network servers used to send live feeds of casino games to the Internet. PAGCOR chairman Ephrain Genuino said the online casino, whose owners have yet to be identified, is unlicensed. The casino was operating out of an airline hangar, as Transglobal Pacific Airways Inc. On the grounds that the site was susceptible to fraud, Judge Omar Viola of the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 57 issued the Oct. 17 warrant to raid the premises of Transglobal.
Celtic Poker -- Scotland-based Softwire Group announced that it has joined with well known Scottish football club Celtic to launch an online poker room on the Tribeca Tables poker network. A portion of the revenues generated from the site will be invested back into Celtic Football Club in an effort to help fund new training facilities and youth programs, SoftWire said in a statement.
Fighting Back -- According to Yogonet.com, online casino, sports book and poker operator bwin is demanding compensation for damages, after its sponsorship of German football club Werder Bremen was revoked. Yogonet was not clear as to what entity was behind the revocation, and IGN is inquiring with bwin regarding the report.
Meet the New Boss -- Online casino 32Red announced Monday that its latest acquisition, online betting site BetDirect, will switch to Microgaming's software platform to power its poker and casino products. BetDirect is the twentieth operation to join the Microgaming portfolio in 2006. Its previous software supplier, Sweden-based Boss Media is one of many I-gaming companies to withdraw from the U.S. Market following the passage of the U.S. federal I-gaming prohibition bill in September.
Globalization -- Online gambling and entertainment company Bodog released its marketing strategy today, saying it plans to continue its current growth by expanding their entertainment product channels into Europe, Asia and other markets around the globe. Bodog's television division, which produces "Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker," is in full operation, with offices in Europe and Asia. "We couldn't be better positioned to roll out all of our existing entertainment channels into Europe, Asia and other international markets," said Calvin Ayre, founder of Bodog.com.