William Hill: 'EPOS' for Everyone'
William Hill announced this week that it will install electronic point-of-sale (EPOS) terminals in all of it shops by the end of the year. The new systems, which are designed to speed up the payment of winnings, were tested in a select number of shops earlier this year. The group said it plans to convert 50 shops a week until all the shops are equipped with the units; half of its 1,613 shops are already running the devices. The company has completed the acquisition of Stanley Leisure's 561 betting shops and will upgrade those shops' systems as well.
NFL MVP Odds
Sportsbook.com has posted odds for the NFL most valuable player award for the 2005 season, which kicks off in early September. The favorite heading into the season is last year's winner, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, at 4-1. He's followed by five other quarterbacks: the Eagles' Donovan McNabb (10-1), the Falcons' Michael Vick (10-1), the Patriots' Tom Brady (12-1), the Vikings' Dante Culpepper (12-1) and three-time champion Brett Favre of the Packers (15-1). Volatile wide receivers Randy Moss from the Raiders and Terrell Owens from the Eagles, despite their unpredictable on- and off-field antics, are listed at 25-1 and 30-1 respectively. The top-rated player at a position other than quarterback is Chargers running back LaDanian Tomlinson, who is listed at 18-1, and the top defensive player listed is the Ravens' Ray Lewis, well back at 50-1.
PinnacleSports.com Bumps NETeller Deposit Limit up to $50k
Just in time for the start of the NFL season, PinnacleSports.com announced that it is now accepting NETeller deposits of up to $50,000 per transaction. The bookmaker stated that the new limit is a reflection of the trust customers have in the company's financial stability earned through its reputation since 1998 for the quickest payouts online.
Betfair Going Mobile
Zone4Play has announced that it will provide a mobile betting system for Betfair. A partnership between the two companies will deliver a Zone4Play-powered centralized mobile betting platform to Betfair's 350,000 subscribers by the end of 2005.
Heathorns Re-launches
Interactive Gaming Holdings plc this month announced the successful re-launch of Heathorns, the world's oldest established bookmaker. Stephen Little, one of the England's best known independent rails bookmakers, represented Heathorns as it returned to the rails at Newbury Racecourse. It was the first step in Heathorns' plans to reestablish a trackside presence and to improve its profile and visibility. IGH, which recently acquired Heathorns, intends to combine its significant e-gaming marketing experience with Heathorns' established sports betting operation.
Globet.com Signs with Real Betis
Globet.com, an international online sports betting company, will be the main sponsor of top-flight Spanish soccer side Real Betis for the 2005/06 season; it's the second consecutive year the company has been the main sponsor with last season's Spanish Cup winners. Founded in 1995, Globet.com offers match day odds on most European and worldwide soccer leagues as well as numerous in-game betting options. The company has also expanded into the fast-growing online casino and games markets.
Leroy's Resurrection
In an effort to resurrect one of Nevada's most popular bookmaking brands, American Wagering says its pulling out all the stops this football season to bring bettors back to Leroy's Sportsbook. At the top of the list this fall for Leroy's is a handicapping contest organized by legendary bookmaker Jimmy Vaccaro. Leroy's will sponsor the contest at all of its 62 Nevada books and will invite customers to pony up $250 each to predict weekly winners for the college football season from early September to the end of November. The guaranteed prize structure requires 200 entries for Leroy's to break even. Because the contest calls for 100 percent of entry fees to be paid back to winners, total prize money could exceed the guaranteed figure. Each player will make seven weekly selections from a point card offering 32 games. When the smoke clears, the top 30 finishers will collect all the prize money, with 50 percent earmarked for the winner.