Kendra Favored to Win Apprentice 3
With only the live final episode of "The Apprentice 3" left to air, oddsmakers at PinnacleSports.com have installed real estate executive Kendra as an overwhelming 1/4 favorite to become Donald Trump's newest employee. When calculating odds on who would be named Trump's next Apprentice, PinnacleSports.com considered each of the final two candidate's performance throughout the duration of the reality series with a special emphasis on the final tasks performed by both and the resulting meeting in the boardroom. PinnacleSports.com will be offering betting options on The Apprentice until the start of the show's finale, which airs tonight.
Betfair Eyeing Office Space in Hobart
Betting exchange Betfair is reportedly shopping for office space in Hobart in anticipation of receiving a betting license this summer in Tasmania. The Australian Broadcasting Company reported that the former home of the Antarctic Adventure in Salamanca Place is one of the sites Betfair has visited.
Sportsbook.com Offers Contender Promotion
Sportsbook.com announced a new promotion this month that will combine reality TV with real boxing. Fans can win tickets to the live finale of NBC reality program "The Contender," which will air live from Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas on May 24. "The success of The Contender has revived the glory days of boxing," Sportsbook.com Marketing Director Alex Czajkowski explained. "It captures the Rocky Balboa spirit of the underdog getting his shot at the belt. The only way fans can still get tickets to the finale is through Sportsbook.com."
Boylesports Profits Soar
Irish bookmaker Boylesports reported in early May that its profits are up by a record-setting 627 percent to €591,732 for the year. The company made just €81,353 in 2003, but the opening of new shops helped to boost profits in the year that ended of June 2004. The family-owned business (founded in 1989) has expanded rapidly in recent years and is aiming to have 100 shops open by the end of next year. Last year it overtook Ladbrokes as Ireland's second-largest betting group in terms of the number of shops in operation (although Ladbrokes was more profitable). There has been speculation that Boylesports will attempt an acquisition, with attention focusing on northern bookmaker Sean Graham. That would leave the company within reach of market leader Paddy Power, which has about 140 outlets.
Ladbrokes Responds to Stanley Acquisition
In an effort to remain England's largest bookmaker, Hilton Group Plc, owner of the Ladbrokes betting shop chain, is considering opening as many as 200 outlets to maintain its lead over William Hill, which announced last week that it is purchasing Stanley Leisure's 600 betting shops for $950 million. Ladbrokes is Hilton's fastest-growing business and helped cushion earnings as the company's lodging unit, which runs all the Hilton hotels outside the United States, lost customers after the 2001 terrorist attacks. Ladbrokes' operating profit rose 28 percent last year, while London-based William Hill's profits rose 16 percent.
MyBookie.com Coming to the Big Screen
MyBookie.com recently announced that it will play a prominent role in the upcoming Warner Brothers film "Lucky You" starring Drew Barrymore. The movie features a college student who hits it big at www.MyBookie.com and turns his sights to Las Vegas, where he tries to beat the odds in a quest for the world championship. Eric Bana, Robert Duvall and Debra Messing also star in the film.
Paddy Power to Offer Skill Games
Irish bookmaker Paddy Power recently launched a live online multiplayer backgammon game that its creator, Game Account, claims is the first game of its kind to be offered by a bookmaker. The technology behind the game enables players to see each other's moves and facilitates a player rating system, online chatting and other functions. Backgammon is featured at Paddy Power's poker site.