Suing France -- bwin's co-CEO's Manfred Bodner and Norbert Teufelberger on Thursday confirmed their intent to sue France at the European Court of Justice, following their detention in Monaco last weekend. The two were arrested on Sept. 15 for allegedly violating French laws that prevent online gaming and advertisements from companies other than state lottery Francaise des Jeux and bookmaker Paris Mutuel Urbain. "We were totally in line with EU law," Bodner said at a press conference on Thursday.
Still Trying -- Congressional leaders are trying to forge a compromise that would allow them to push through anti-Internet gambling legislation, aides to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn, said on Thursday. "I'm confident that Frist is intent on trying to make something happen," one aide said. "They are working hard." Frist already failed at one attempt to get the measure attached to the Department of Defense authorization bill. However, lawmakers have been trying to break a logjam stalling the legislation by attaching it to any one of a number of must-pass spending bills before the end of the year, aides said. But, they have yet to agree on a final deal. Congress is scheduled to recess at the end of next week so members can campaign for the November elections. They are expected to return afterward to wrap up unfinished business.
Fantastic Brand -- Interactive games developer Gextech today announced plans to extend the range of its virtual fixed-odds sports betting products under the single brand name Fantastic Sports. Two sub-brands, Fantastic League and Fantastic Races will cover a range of popular sports featuring 3-D video rendering linked with the company's patented Smart Stitch technology. Gextech is also gearing to launch its debut Fantastic League virtual football product into the public domain, having secured an Interactive TV distribution deal with UK-based broadcaster BSkyB. The game will additionally be delivered via the Internet and into betting shops throughout the UK.
Anger Management -- North American sports book BetUS.com has made pop star Justin Timberlake an offer he can't refuse. The "SexyBack" singer is in hot water thanks to pictures showing his girlfriend, actress Cameron Diaz, trying her best to restrain her man from going head-to-head with paparazzi. This is reportedly the second incident of this nature involving the couple. BetUS is offering to bankroll anger management classes for Timberlake in return for an appearance at the bookmaker's upcoming Super Bowl party. "We at BetUS would like nothing more than to help Justin Timberlake cope with his anger," stated Christopher Bennett of BetUS. "He's at a high point of his career and it would be a huge mistake to let an anger problem sidetrack things."