More of the Same… -- PayPal can't catch any breaks. Four weeks removed from its $200,000 settlement with the state of New York, and with a legal battle on the horizon in Eastern Missouri, the third-party e-cash transaction processor was focused on sealing its merger with online auction eBay when it hit yet another bump in the road. First USA Bank, America's third-largest credit card company, is suing PayPal for violating First USA's patents on a "Cardless Payment System." The federal suit, filed Sept. 6 in Delaware, is just the latest in a series of woes since the merger was announced July 7. Within hours of the announcement, stockholders in California and Delaware filed suit against the company, alleging that its officers were taking advantage of stockholders. Then in August, New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer sued the company for facilitating sports betting transactions between offshore sports books and customers based in New York. That case was settled Aug. 21. (ala the $200,000 fine), but a sealed case in Missouri, presumably alleging similar activity, is pending. In February, days before its IPO, PayPal was sued by CertCo Inc., also for infringing on a patent. Shareholders are scheduled to vote on the PayPal/eBay merger Oct. 3. ... Ten cyber cafe owners in Kota Kinabalu were arrested this week after authorities discovered the cafes' computers were being used to gamble online. Prosecuted offenders of the House Gambling Act 1953 (Amended 2001) could be subject to restricted residence. ... Two weeks into the 2002 NFL football campaign, sports betting's busiest season is in full swing. And from the get go, bookmakers have been augmenting traditional betting options with a healthy share of alternative propositions. Today, WWTS in Antigua announced odds on how many games it will take Dallas Cowboy halfback Emmitt Smith to eclipse the all-time rushing mark of 16,726 yards, set by the late Walter Payton. Week 8 is the favorite at 10/13 odds. Intertops, meanwhile, can always be counted on to supply its blend of unique wagers. The Antigua-based Internet bookmaker today announced a lengthy lineup of trivial bets on an assortment of events, including odds on the 2002 Miss America pageant and the Primetime Emmy awards. Those with a taste for some parlay action can lay action on Hollywood sweethearts Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston both winning awards. The site also has ongoing propositions on various reality TV shows.
Makin' Deals -- Quova, Inc., a leading provider and developer of Web geography services and technologies, announced today that it has inked a deal with I-gaming software provider Grand Virtual of Boston, Mass. Quova will provide to Grand Virtual its GeoPoint geolocation and IP mapping tools, which are based on technology aimed at assuring regulatory and jurisdictional compliance and enhancing fraud detection. Grand Virtual has incorporated GeoPoint into its gaming software platform and will use Quova geolocation technology to enhance its filtering capabilities and block players from certain jurisdictions, including the United States. Founded in 1997, Grand Virtual has never taken bets from U.S.-based players. The partnership marks the second major deal made by Quova in a week's time. Last week the California-based company signed a similar deal with Vegas giant MGM Mirage. It additionally licenses its technology to Rank Group, WagerWorks, Access Gaming Systems, BETDAQ, Tattersall's and Zabadoo.com. ... Gaming Corporation plc has become gaming software developer Boss Media's latest licensee. The two companies have entered into an agreement through which Gaming Corp will operate an online casino using Boss Media's casino software. The new casino will be promoted through Boss Media's Casino.com Web site.