New Stuff -- Internet bookmaker bet365 said the launch of its new betting Web site and betting software will begin this week with the release of a new system made specifically with U.S. players in mind. The company states the new U.S.-style system presents North American with a "more familiar U.S.-style," meaning that customers will be able to view al the main lines on a game in a single betting coupon. In addition, people who bet on football will be able to bet on the first team to score and the last team to score, the time of the first score and the first scoring play. The new system is at www.365betusa.com.
Makin' Deals -- Fixed-odds and tote betting site betinternet.com plc and Nine Lives Gaming are teaming up to develop a cash-wagering interface for euroofftrack.com, betinternet's totalizator business. The new system will
enable players to place tote bets through euroofftrack.com on American and Irish pools, thereby enabling betinternet account holders to bet on the tote without having to open an account with euroofftrack.com.
Names and Faces -- As of Jan. 1, Phil Satre, the president and CEO of Harrah's Entertainment, will resign his position. Satre is to be replaced by Gary Loveman, the Las Vegas-based company's current CFO. Loveman, a former professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, will have his current position taken over by Tim Wilmott, a Harrah's executive who runs the company's eastern division. ... eBay, which acquired e-cash service provider PayPal in July, is making some changes to its management staff. Matt Bannick, former head of eBay's international business, has been appointed as senior vice president of global online payments. Bannick will work closely with PayPal CEO Peter Thiel as eBay integrates the PayPal platform and phases out the Billpoint payment service. Bill Cobb, who had overseen global marketing, will take Bannick's former position as
senior vice president, international.
UK Bit -- The attheraces horseracing TV channel reported increased viewer numbers for July. The channel, which is owned by Arena
Leisure, BSkyB and Channel 4, captured an audience of 326,753 in July, a 10 percent increase from June's audience figures. The channel has yet to launch its interactive betting service.