National Lottery via Text -- Camelot, operator of the UK's National Lottery, has chosen mobile phone company O2 as its technology partner for text-based mobile lottery games. The new mobile lottery will integrate the same O2 cross network technology platform that is used by Pop Idol and Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Users of all of the mobile networks in the UK will be able to purchase National Lottery tickets by sending text messages to Camelot's interactive service. Assuming the National Lottery Commission approves the venture, Camelot plans to launch the service later this year.
Legal Suit -- Racing UK has filed legal documents asking British courts to order Satellite Information Services (SIS) to stop supplying racing data and audio coverage of Racing UK races. Racing UK currently has an exclusive deal with South Africa-based Phumela to exploit the media rights of Racing UK's racecourse partners in foreign lands. But Phumela has had difficulty selling racing data to international users because SIS has been broadcasting audio commentaries and information about runners, riders, starting prices, and more to customers in the international market. Racing UK's chairman Simon Bazalgette told the Racing Post, "This situation has destabilized the international market because SIS has misrepresented what they can offer overseas customers, who can't work out what is going on. They are being told one thing by us, on the basis that we have exclusive rights to exploit our racing internationally, but another by SIS. The result is that overseas betting operators are not signing up." Racing UK therefore filed for an injunction to bar SIS from exploiting on-course data and audio commentary that is derived from Racing UK's partner racecourses. Racing UK and Phumela also seek damages and legal costs from SIS.
Betting Analyst -- Following a six-month investigation into the effect of betting exchanges on Irish racing, the Irish Turf Club has created a new betting analyst position, which will liaise between the Club's security department and offshore bookmakers and exchanges. The Club's investigation found that without legislation to ban exchanges, the best way to uphold racing's integrity is to gain access to betting information. Ideally, the analyst will relay any suspicious betting information it obtains from the exchanges and bookies to Turf Club officials prior to the races in question. The Club plans to place ads for the position within the next two weeks. Betfair's manager of Irish operations, Graham Ross, stated, "It is a step in the right direction, but without signing a memorandum of understanding with ourselves, the Turf Club is going to find it very hard to get the level of information required to put a complete solution in place." He added, "We were surprised to see in the Racing Post today that the Turf Club had gone so far down the road in terms of putting together a solution without coming back to us for more details on how the MoU actually functions in the UK." The Turf Club, which currently receives no funding from betting exchanges, has also asked Horse Racing Ireland to pursue commercial negotiations with the exchanges in order to cover the increased costs incurred by the Turf Club now that it has taken an active role in combating corruption.
Hill TV -- William Hill announced that on October 6th its new television channel will launch free-to-view on channel 425 of the Sky digital network. The channel will initially focus on greyhound racing in an effort to capitalize on the strong fan base that has grown as a result of Sky's coverage of the sport in recent years. At first the channel will broadcast live greyhound racing Tuesday through Saturday nights, but it hopes to provide live racing seven days a week within a matter of months. William Hill is already in discussions to bring other live sporting events to the channel.
Betcorp Investigation -- In Australia, the Northern Territory Licensing Commission is now investigating the status of Betcorp and will determine within a week whether its Darwin-based subsidiary Sportsbet will be able to retain its license. Within the last month, three of Betcorp's four directors resigned from the company, prompting it to cease trading on the Australian Stock Exchange. The problem is that Betcorp is now believed to be under the control of BetWWTS.com founder Bill Scott, who is also now believed to be Betcorp's largest shareholder. Scott is a convicted racketeer and fugitive of the U.S., and the Licensing Commission issued Sportsbet's license last January only under the stipulation that Scott be prevented from becoming the largest shareholder or from controlling the company.
PrimaPoker Adds WWTS -- BetWWTS.com has announced that its forthcoming poker product, BetHoldEm.com, will become part of the PrimaPoker.com network. The site is scheduled to launch later this month.
WPT Online -- World Poker Tour Enterprises, Inc. has entered into an agreement with software developer WagerWorks Inc. to offer a WPT-branded, international, real-money poker room. The site will not take bets from players located in jurisdictions such as the U.S. where online gaming is prohibited. WPT Enterprises recently expanded distribution of the World Poker Tour television series into Canada, the U.K., Australia, Sweden, the Philippines and South Korea, and is negotiating for distribution in other nations.