Remembering -- Today the world is remembering those lost and honoring those who sacrificed themselves to save others five years ago during the terrorist attacks in the United States. While, the tragedy undoubtedly has affected many in the I-gaming industry on a personal level, it should not go unforgotten that Cantor Fitzgerald, parent company to British spread betting group Cantor Index and the later formed Cantor Gaming group, lost around 700 people in the World Trade Center attacks. Consider what their families have been through and it certainly puts the setbacks of late to the industry in perspective.
Bidding -- The Observer reported Sunday that gaming group Gala Coral (GC) is making preparations to buy the Tote, the government-owned British bookmaker. GC's move reportedly has the potential to ignite a bidding war among venture capital and non-U.K.-based gaming firms. A domestic racing industry consortium has first crack at the Tote, but sources linked to the consortium reported that it would have a difficult time matching the government's new £400 million asking price. Sources linked with GC reported it is preparing a bid that could climb as high as £540 million. If GC wins the bid for the Tote, it would rival William Hill and Ladbrokes as the country's largest bookmaker, with 1,900 shops. The bid deadline is later this month.
Not Bidding -- Online gambling company PartyGaming has ended speculation concerning its possible acquisition of the Victor Chandler Group. CEO Mitch Garber made the announcement via an unequivocal conference call with reporters. "PartyGaming Plc has no interest in acquiring Victor Chandler’s Gibraltar-based betting empire," he said. Garber also dismissed rumors hinting at the potential acquisition of e-gaming solutions provider World Gaming.
New Pres, New Direction -- Web payment service provider Neteller has appointed industry veteran David Gagie as its new president of financial services. Gagie will assist in the development of a financial services business as part of the company’s diversified market strategy, as Neteller plans to move into more mainstream banking markets.
Global WPT -- World Poker Tour Enterprises (WPTE) announced today that is has reached agreements with two Southeast Asia-based broadcast groups--Macau's Macau Cable and Singapore's MediaCorp--to air its televised "World Poker Tour" TV series. Macau Cable will air season one, while MediaCorp will air season two. In its continued effort to expand internationally, WPTE also announced the sale of its "Professional Poker Tour" (PPT) program to Canada's City TV. The PPT series is currently airing on the U.S.-based Travel Channel and will run in Spain on the Fox network.
Stock Watch -- The online gambling industry has been rocked by the news of another company embroiled in a legal battle in the United States, and I-gaming stocks in London continue to fall. Sportingbet, which suspended shares last week when non-executive chairman Peter Dicks was arrested in New York and charged with illegal Internet gambling, dropped 95p to 144 on its first day of trading. Leisure and Gaming fell 10p to 38 and Neteller shed 25p to 345. On the bright side, however, Stanley Leisure, the highly sought after British casino group, was up 20.50 to 875.50.