Aussies Gamble a Lot -- Australians are spending $1.7 billion more a year on gambling than they were four years ago, according to a survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ABS reported total net takings from gambling in the year 2004-05 at $15.5 billion, up from $13.8 billion in 2000-01. According to the survey, the preferred form of gambling in the country is poker machines. Other major sources were off-course TAB takings, casino gambling and lottery-style games. Online gambling accounted for $114.3 million in takings from a gross turnover of $1.4 billion.
Bodog No-Go -- Online gambling and entertainment giant Bodog has for the second time cancelled the Bodog.com Marketing Conference, and it looks like it's for good this time. Originally scheduled for July in Las Vegas, the show was postponed to December and moved to the Bahamas after ex-BetonSports CEO David Carruthers was arrested in Dallas. In a letter to conference subscribers on Tuesday, Bodog CEO Calvin Ayre cited the uncertainty created by the U.S. Department of Justice's recent actions as the reason for the cancellation. "With all the attention our industry has garnered in recent months by certain officials within the U.S. government, a number of speakers and attendees have communicated their apprehension about participating in an industry event of such magnitude," Ayre stated. "It is in light of these concerns, and with the best interest of all delegates in mind, that our decision to not proceed with the conference was made. In an effort to bring together the elite of the online gambling industry, Bodog will continue hosting world-class WSOP-style Bodog-parties at various main events."
Win Some, Lose Some -- European bookmaker betbull plc announced on Tuesday the appointment of two new directors to the board. Simon Fielder, 36, a partner at international law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, has been appointed as a non-executive director. He is a corporate securities lawyer specializing in advising on mergers and acquisitions as well as equity financings, specifically in the gaming sector. David De Marco, 45, director of Primebet International Limited, has been appointed group finance director. De Marco is a CPA by profession, with expertise in retail, gaming and regulatory matters. Betbull also announced that Lorne Abony and Andrew Rivkin, both of Fun Technology, stepped down as non-executive directors.
Rugby Online -- St. Helens Rugby League Club is partnering with online games provider Inside Gaming Limited to launch the sport's first club-branded gaming Web site. The Web site, saintsgaming.com, is a free or pay-to-play site featuring poker, bingo and casino games. A launch poker tournament begins on Thursday, giving fans the chance to play against the Saints players. The tournament ends on Sept. 28, and the winner will be crowned the Saints Poker Champion.
Stock Watch -- Sportingbet continues to show its resilience under a cloud of legal battles in the United States. Shares gained 4.50p in London today, closing at 181.50. bwin, embroiled in its own legal controversy, dropped 4.46 euros to 16.82. And payment processor, Neteller, not straying from its erratic pattern of late, dropped 29p to 323. Other movers included 888, which fell 7.75p to 137.25 and William Hill, which gained 7p to 630.50.