German Challenge -- German soccer club Werder Bremen has reportedly filed a complaint with Germany's constitutional court in an effort to overturn a ban that prevents the team from donning apparel branded with its bwin sponsorship logo. bwin, the Austria-based Net betting company, is currently embroiled in a legal battle over a ban imposed by three German federal states on commercial betting, as Germany's regions fight to maintain their monopoly of the market. In July 2006, the government in the northern city state of Bremen banned the promotion of commercial betting firms. "Until we have new regulations, Werder Bremen should be allowed to promote private betting firms," the club said on its Web site, adding that it had filed the complaint on Oct. 13. On Monday, bwin.com said it planned to cut its budget for German soccer sponsorship next year, due to the uncertain German regulatory environment.
Happy Days for PokerStars -- Online poker site PokerStars.com appears to be benefiting from continuing to take play from the United States. PokerStars, which, according to some reports, is now the world's largest poker site, broke its own week-old record prize pool for a weekly event. A total of 6,413 players signed on for this week's Sunday Million at the PokerStars site, generating a $1.2 million prize pool. Nine hundred would finish in the money, with the top nine receiving five-figure prizes; the first prize winner raked in an estimated $183,000.
New from Crypto -- I-gaming provider CryptoLogic announced today the unveiling of its tournament leader board software, which gives licensees opportunities to create events and offers players new chances to win. Licensees of CryptoLogic subsidiary WagerLogic Ltd., launched the leader board Oct. 21 in connection with their Autumn Windfall promotion, the company said in a prepared statement.
New from True -- Online backgammon games developer TrueMoneygames announced today the launch of a new backgammon server (TMG.com) that will offer, among other perks, an enhanced software product for skill game enthusiasts. Players can choose to play "Single" games, one match against an opponent for an agreed stake; "Matches," a series of games up to an agreed number; "Sit & Go," quick-fire knock-out tournaments; or backgammon "Chouette," where players are paired randomly with each other.
Macau Rising -- Yogonet.com reported today that Macau could soon seize the title "Gambling Capital of the World" from its long-time holder, Las Vegas, after recently published statistics revealed its gaming income rose by 39 percent last month. According to figures, Macau's gaming revenue totaled $578 million in September, an increase undoubtedly spurred by the opening of the $1.2 billion Wynn Macau Casino Hotel. September also saw a 20 percent increase in visitor arrivals. For the first eight months of 2006, Macau ($4.25 billion) and Las Vegas ($4.39 billion) were close gaming revenue competitors. Deutsche Bank analyst Karen Tang said that the new statistics suggest Macau, like Las Vegas, is a market where supply drives demand. "Every year that there is a big casino opening in Las Vegas, tourists, visitors, and gaming revenues go up," she said. "The same thing is now happening in Macau."