Officials with leading betting exchange Betfair and the U.K.-based Rugby Football League announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding that will result in greater cooperation between the two groups. The agreement allows the RFL to request information identifying individuals behind any activity that has given rise to strong suspicion of corruption.
Two Way TV Inks Deal with Zone4Play
Interactive TV and mobile specialist Two Way TV inked a deal with I-gaming technology supplier Zone4Play that will result in the launch of two-fixed odds iTV services available in England in 2005. The services will be available to customers of Telewest Broadband digital cable platforms and are slated for launch in the first quarter of the year. The new interactive channels, "the Winner Channel" and "the Roulette Channel," will offer a customer-loyalty program and a variety of "special events."
Canbet Merges with IAS
Shareholders of Internet sports betting operation Canbet this month voted to merge with bookmaker International All Sports as part of a share-swap agreement between the two Australian brands. The merged group will operate under the IAS banner, with Canbet becoming a subsidiary of IAS. Under the plan, IAS will offer one share for every 25 Canbet shares held. Canbet and IAS said the merged group would have greater scale, be more competitive and offer a wider range of wagering and gambling products. The new operation will be in a good position to take advantage of increasing interest from punters to bet on sports outside of horseracing and the growth in popularity of betting exchanges, company officials said. IAS has applied in the Northern Territory for a license to operate a betting exchange.
PlayerOnly.com Rolls Out 2005 Calendar
Billed as the world's "sexiest" sports book, PlayersOnly.com rolled out its 2005 calendar this month as an early Christmas present to some of its most loyal customers. PlayersOnly has carved a niche for itself by offering galleries of photographs of models throughout its sports book, casino and poker rooms. The exclusive 2005 PlayersOnly Calendar features nine provocatively dressed women over 13 months, posing at the beach, on the court and on the playing field.
Sportsbook.com Propels Bull Rider to Top Finish
Just days after a sponsorship deal was announced between Sportsbook.com and champion bull rider Dustin Elliott, the Oregon native took home top honors at the prestigious National Finals Rodeo this past weekend in Las Vegas. Due to strong rides in the final rounds of the NFR, Elliott became the 2004 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Champion. With his strong finish, Elliott was also the top money winner on the PRCA circuit, having won nearly $200,000 in prize money.
Paddy Power Launches Mobile Games
Irish bookmaking company Paddy Power has introduced a new suite of mobile games powered by Speirtech's mobile gaming platform. The initial product offering consists of High-Low and Virtual Horse Racing and is available to users with WAP-enabled and Java-enabled devices. The unique technology enables the user to begin play on a mobile phone and switch mid-game to a PDA.