Skill Affiliates -- CYOP Systems International Inc., a developer of online games of skill, has reached a licensing agreement with Peak Entertainment, which currently possesses multiple gaming licenses in Curacao and owns and operates five online casinos and a player-to-player poker room. CYOP's online transaction platform CrediPlay, which charges a network maintenance fee on each skill game played over the net, will now appear on two of Peak's Web sites, www.4gambling.com and www.casinonews.org, as part of an affiliate program. CYOP, whose software is not affected by North American restrictions on credit cards since it provides services on games of skill rather than chance, says that it is following a strategy of targeting North American Internet consumers who have difficulty using their credit cards for online gambling activities. CYOP's president, Patrick Smyth, said, "Because we are not coded as online gambling, we have the opportunity to fill the void being left by online casinos in North America."
Horse Investigation -- Another horse and its trainer came under scrutiny yesterday at Redcar in the United Kingdom after Uhoomagoo, which was easy to back but drifted out on the betting exchanges, made a poor finish. Jockey Club spokesman Owen Byrne said, "Betfair and the security department of the Jockey Club were aware of the betting patterns on this race, and the stewards of the course were duly told." Track officials investigated the matter but concluded that the race was not thrown. According to Byrne, "They found no breach of the running and riding rules, however the matter could be reopened if any further information becomes available."
Breeders Cup Betting Record -- Youbet.com Inc., the largest provider of horse racing betting and content in the United States, announced record handle for last Saturday's Breeders Cup. Youbet's handle was 56 percent greater than last year's value and 46 percent greater than its handle for this year's Kentucky Derby.
Quoteworthy -- "I suppose anything is possible, but I believe that our guys, the athletes in tennis, are amongst the cleanest in sport anywhere. But we are doing everything we can to collect all the information possible."
- Association of Tennis Professionals chief Mark Miles, responding to allegations that appeared in newspapers two weeks ago claiming that certain players were involved in betting and match-fixing schemes.