The WebTV market has always been in the sights of online casino businesses. Not too many have made the push to conquer it, however, because WebTV users are based in the U.S., where there is a strong push for Internet gambling prohibition. That could change soon.
The word from Australia is that Microsoft Australia is gearing to have WebTV operating in that country in time for the Sydney Olympic Games in the summer of 2000. The company began marketing its TVPak client/server software this week to Australian TV operators and ISPs.
Meanwhile, Dutch-owned Philips Electronics announced Wednesday that it would use the software in TV set-top boxes for the local market. A spokesperson from that company said they were hoping to get WebTV running as early as March or April 2000.
WebTV enables Internet content to be delivered through a conventional TV set. Users can send and receive e-mail; surf the Web while watching TV in a picture-in-picture; customize TV listings; and program favorite shows.
The platform's ability to bring online casinos into the living rooms of its customers, however, is limited because of its inability to read Java programs or download large software applications. Some game developers, such as GalaxiWorld Limited, have developed technology to bring casino wagering to WebTV viewers, but the industry as a whole hasn't made an effort to cross existing barriers.
WebTV Heads Down Under
The WebTV market has always been in the sights of online casino businesses. Not too many have made the push to conquer it, however, because WebTV users are based in the U.S., where there is a strong push for Internet gambling prohibition. That could change soon.
The word from Australia is that Microsoft Australia is gearing to have WebTV operating in that country in time for the Sydney Olympic Games in the summer of 2000. The company began marketing its TVPak client/server software this week to Australian TV operators and ISPs.
Meanwhile, Dutch-owned Philips Electronics announced Wednesday that it would use the software in TV set-top boxes for the local market. A spokesperson from that company said they were hoping to get WebTV running as early as March or April 2000.
WebTV enables Internet content to be delivered through a conventional TV set. Users can send and receive e-mail; surf the Web while watching TV in a picture-in-picture; customize TV listings; and program favorite shows.
The platform's ability to bring online casinos into the living rooms of its customers, however, is limited because of its inability to read Java programs or download large software applications. Some game developers, such as GalaxiWorld Limited, have developed technology to bring casino wagering to WebTV viewers, but the industry as a whole hasn't made an effort to cross existing barriers.
WebTV is used by about 1 million consumers in the US. The ultimate goal for Microsoft and Philips is to provide Internet access to Australian households without PCs.
If they're successful, expect a flood of new gaming software aimed specifically for gambling couch potatoes.