Friday, Jan. 23
iTV USA -- The Wall Street Journal reports that several cable operators in the United States., including Cablevision Systems, Charter Communications and others, have begun taking steps toward delivering interactive television services to their subscribers. The movement to provide iTV services was prompted by the taking over of DirecTV by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp in December.
CryptoLogic -- WagerLogic, Toronto-based CryptoLogic's, software development group, has developed two new products. Millionaires Club, its new single-line, three-reel progressive slot machine, offers a potential jackpot of over $1 million in three currencies, euros, American dollars, and British pounds sterling. Millionaires Club includes a video slot bonus round, in which players can participate at no risk if the Millionaires Club symbol appears on the third reel after a spin. The other new product, Bonus Pack 3, includes Multi-Currency Progressive Blackjack, two slot games-- Top Hat Magic and Star Catcher-- and Caribbean Stud Poker. Players at all Crypto-powered casinos can enter the progressive jackpot by placing a side-bet for each hand. The player wins the jackpot if he receives four aces in one hand. Players of the slot games can accumulate bonus points that are redeemable for cash whenever they match three symbols in a single line. Last week CrypotLogic revealed that it had reached an agreement to develop an online poker room for Betfair.
Draft Bill Scrutiny -- Bill Haygarth of the Association of British Bookmakers recently told members of British Parliament that the draft Gambling Bill introduces increased regulation and cost that would harm the interactive gambling industry because it creates a single set of rules for both traditional and online gaming. Though the rules may work well for land-based casinos, he argued, they could cause online operators to move off-shore. "Licenses would be needed for everything from large scale operators to backroom telephone betting businesses," Haygarth told the joint committee in charge of scrutinizing the bill. "That could lead to betting companies moving off-shore, but if the government gets it right it could mean 3,000-plus jobs." Andrew Tottenham, chair of the Interactive Gambling, Gaming and Betting Association, also spoke to the committee, saying that proper governance would bring high-skill jobs to Britain. "We're optimistic that companies will come to the UK, but jobs that would be brought here would be high-tech, high-skilled jobs," Tottenham said. He added that the bill needs tighter regulation of gaming sites' random number generators.
Rugby Betting Scandal -- The Sydney Morning Herald shook the rugby world by reporting that one referee may be barred from any future international matches due to alleged concerns that a gambling syndicate may have tried to influence his calls during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The Herald says that in the last few weeks, senior rugby officials have reviewed some of the 2003 World Cup games, and found that in one game there were at least 10 questionable calls by a referee. One international referee, Paddy O'Brien, said there was no mention of any betting scam at the International Rugby Board (IRB) seminar in Aukland this week. "It's a slur on all the referees because it doesn't name any particular game in which there was supposed to have been something suspicious," he said. "I find it disturbing that such a serious allegation can be made with nothing substantial to back it up." New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller said he was unaware of any suspicion. "It's complete news to us," he said. "We know nothing more than what has been published in Sydney. If there has been an issue, and we don't know that, then any inquiries should be directed to the IRB."
Super Bowl Stats -- Christiansen Capital Advisors, a management consulting and market research firm specializing in the gaming and entertainment industries, estimates that between $375 and 400 million will be wagered on the Super Bowl next week via online sports books. Last year $325 million was wagered on the game. . . . The official Web site of the Super Bowl says that the 10 most watched programs in television history are all Super Bowls, with last year's game at the top of the list with more than 130 million viewers. . . . BetOnSports.com says that the average bet by one its clients on a Super Bowl is $111, while it is only $55 for playoff games. BetOnSports expects to receive 150,000 calls from customers on game day, and will therefore have over 2,500 staff members on shift to run the call center and Web site.
Thursday, Jan. 22
Tab War -- The board of Tabcorp, Victoria's state-run gambling company, is scheduled to meet on Jan. 29 to discuss the possibility of outbidding Queensland-based UNiTAB's offer of $4.50 per share for a takeover of NSW's Tab Ltd.. The Australian Financial Review speculates that Tabcorp should be able to raise its previous bid of $4.20 per share. The AFR speculates that if Tabcorp is not able to outbid UNiTAB, then it may target another company for takeover. Perth's Burswood Casino and New Zealand's Sky City are possibilities.
MOU -- The Guardian reports that yet another sports body may soon sign a memorandum of understanding with betting exchange Betfair. The Union of European Football Associations (Uefa) could become the next sports regulatory body to gain access to certain of the exchange's punter records in cases of illegal gambling.
Isle of Man -- After having experienced a short interval of success as a center for online gambling, the Isle is now trying to attract another new technology--computer games. IncaGold, a company that makes iTV and mobile games, became the first company to migrate to the Isle, leaving its former home in Switzerland. IncaGold's CEO, Richard Holmes, plans to help the Island attract more games companies. Craine told New Media Zero that this time the Isle would have more success in keeping a high-tech sector. "The market never really opened up in the way they thought it would. Computer games will be completely different," he said.
Albatross Wagering -- Scientists, ornithologists, and punters can log on to Ladbrokes.com to track the path of 18 albatrosses as they migrate from small islands off the coast of Australia to southern Africa as part of a science project called the Ladbrokes.com Big Bird Race. Environmental scientists from the Tasmanian state government and the Conservation Foundation will conduct research on the birds' journey, and of course, punters can wager on the winner. Ladbrokes considers the birds' voyage similar to the Grand Nationals; after all, the birds must endure long distances and overcome many hurdles, and their performance should be heavily affected by their origin (stables), the scientists (trainers) who have fostered them, and their parentage (bloodstock). Ladbrokes hopes the contest will benefit the endangered albatrosses, which are coming ever closer to extinction due to long-line fishing.
Quoteworthy -- "We're looking at the possibility of a more official partnership with GTECH. Endemol already has a relationship with GTECH and it'd be a good technology partner for Endemol's wider strategy to develop as a content company, with us providing the interactive skills."-- Jason George, CEO of Endemol, discussing his company's possible desire to partner with GTECH in order to expand internationally and launch interactive gambling products. UK TV production company Endemol is best know for its reality TV shows like Big Brother. The company already works with GTECH to supply several TV lottery productions.
Punter Dispute Settled -- Ladbrokes has paid disgruntled punter Fiaz Khalide the £16,500 to which he believed he was entitled. Khalide had placed a £200 each-way double by phone with Ladbrokes but was disconnected before the operator could authorize the bet. Khalide never called back to confirm that it was placed. The combination turned out to be a winner, but the second bet was never placed by Ladbrokes. So Khalide turned for help to the Independent Betting Arbitration Service, who ruled that Khalide should only be paid for the first bet, even though Ladbrokes acted in violation of its own rules, which state that a bet will stand if the instructions are clear and the bet is acceptable. The company said yesterday that it had not broken any rules and felt the IBAS' ruling justified its case, but as a gesture of goodwill it chose to pay Khalide the amount he would have won.
Camelot Attacks -- The Financial Times reports that Camelot, the operator of the U.K. National Lottery, is arguing against the government's plans to offer separate licenses for various aspects of the lottery. Camelot's chairman, Michael Grade, says that the plans, which were drafted in July, would lead to less money going to good causes.
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Ruling Delayed -- A court in the Netherlands was expected to give its judgment on the primary proceedings in the case of DeLotto vs. Ladbrokes today, but instead declared that it needed six more weeks to evaluate the case before rendering a decision. The ruling is now expected on March 3.
ABB admits Tote -- At its annual meeting on Monday, the Association of British Bookmakers passed a resolution allowing the Tote to join them as an associate member, marking the first time the Tote has joined any trade organization within the gambling industry. Some members of the ABB's council had voiced opposition to the Tote's membership, pointing out that the Tote may meet a conflict of interests after it is sold to a racing trust, of which the British Horseracing Board is a part. So as ABB council-member and William Hill chief executive David Harding explained, "We will assess from the council meeting agenda exactly when the Tote should be involved in discussions and when it should be excluded."
Punter Dispute -- A punter named Fiaz Khalide is threatening to take Ladbrokes to court after receiving only a portion of the winnings he believes he deserves from a horseracing bet. Khalide placed a double bet by telephone but was disconnected from the service before the operator was able to confirm his bet. There was a three-day interval between the two bets, and Khalide did not call Ladbrokes during that time to verify that his bets had been accepted. Ladbrokes has retained a recording of the call, and just before the connection is lost the operator says, "I will just get that authorized Sir, please bear with me." According to Ladbrokes policy, a bet will be placed if the instructions are clear and the bet acceptable. The Independent Betting Arbitration Service argues that Ladbrokes broke its rules, but also declared Khalide should only receive credit for a single on the first winner.
New Skill Games -- CYOP Systems International, the company that designed its own Internet pay-for-play skill games platform called CrediPlay, has added a suite of pool and snooker games to its gaming network at www.skillarcade.com. CYOP also plans to add 4 more new games this month: Word Frenzy, Word Find, Mini Golf, and Skill Poker.
Sponsorship Deal -- Online Poker Site UlitmateBet.com is the title sponsor of the 2004 Guineas Festival races in Newmarket, England, where the UltimateBet.com Guineas 1000, 2000, and Jockey Club Stakes will be held May 1-2. UltimateBet.com, a private company that was founded in 2000 and is regulated by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada, paid US$1 million for the sponsorship. UltimateBet.com's chairman Arthur Thomas said, "Our sponsorship of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket is an exciting opportunity that opens many doors. As a leader in the horse racing world, this event attracts people who expect a high level of professionalism and class, and they clearly deliver. And we believe that people, no matter their skill level, want to experience this same level of professionalism and class when playing poker."
Tuesday, Jan. 20
Media Rights -- As part of a fifth group vying for the broadcasting rights to the major Sydney racing clubs, well known advertising and radio executive John Singleton will deliver a proposition to ThoroughVision, the company that holds all the racing media rights of Victoria Racing, the Australian Jockey Club, and the Sydney Turf Club. Singleton's group will be the last to present its case after the four other groups-- Perrin Legal, Telstra Media, tenten Digital, and Sky Channel-- presented last Wednesday. Sky Channel owns all the rights, but the contract with the NSW clubs will expire March 4 and the Victoria contracts will expire a year later. ThoroughVision is expected to meet with representatives of the racing clubs soon after the presentation and to reach a decision immediately thereafter… UNiTAB Managing Director Dick McIlwain said that on Thursday he would issue his UNiTAB's bidder's statement for Tab Ltd., the company that owns Sky Channel.
Gambling in Iraq -- The Boston Globe reports that gambling, most notably horse racing, has been making a comeback in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in April. According to the Globe, "One undeniable appeal is gambling, which was banned during Hussein's rule but has become an aboveboard pastime and a source of income for some of the thousands of men who lost their jobs in the economic and political dislocations of recent months."
Child Mobile Protection -- Joan Keating, the head of communications for Vodafone Ireland and chairperson of the Irish Cellular Industry Association, told ElectricNews.Net that mobile phone operators in Ireland have begun the process of establishing a child-protection code for phones with mobile Internet access. Keating said the code would be similar to the one announced last week by mobile operators in the United Kingdom, but it would take at least a year before the code is finalized.
Stats -- A recent report shows that Rhode Island is ranked first among all U.S. states in per-capita spending on gambling. The report shows that in 2002 Rhode Islanders spent $1,115.33 per each person in the state on lottery-sponsored gambling, such as scratch tickets and Keno. Most of the money went toward video lottery terminals in Lincoln Park and Newport Grand. Delaware ranked second in gambling spending per capita with $842 per person, and South Dakota was third with $828 per person.
Stronach -- Belinda Stronach officially announced her bid for the leadership of the Conservative party in Canada. Stronach, 37, also resigned as president and CEO of Magna International Inc. today. Upon making her announcement, Stronach unveiled a platform that included cutting taxes, building a strong economy, reducing the size of government and creating a more integrated U.S.-Canada border.
Dispute Ending -- YouBet and TVG Network have asked for a two-week extension to formalize an agreement between them that would settle their legal battle. TVG filed suit against YouBet in September, alleging that Youbet had provided false and misleading proxy information to its shareholders to swing a vote that would amend Youbet's charter. TVG also alleged that Youbet's attempt to change the charter breached an agreement that would give TVG the right to control a majority of Youbet's board.
Monday, Jan. 19
Cricket's Memorandum -- Betfair on Saturday signed its fourth memorandum of understanding with a sports body. The Anti-Corruption and Security Unit of the International Cricket Council has become the latest organization seeking to eradicate corruption within the sport by signing the agreement that would allow it to access punter information in cases of suspicious betting. Since it signed its first memorandum with the U.K. Jockey Club in June, Betfair has entered into similar agreements with the Association of Tennis Professionals, the Darts Regulation Authority and now the International Cricket Council.
Cockroach Betting -- Seven thousand punters are expected to attend the 23rd annual Cockroach Races Jan. 26 in Brisbane, Australia, where contestants can enter their thoroughbred roaches in as many as 14 different race events. Many in attendance will have reared and trained their own roaches, but those who did not have the time to trap and train can buy a competitor at the event. The same cockroach can be entered into any of the 14 races for a $5 fee, assuming the owner can catch it.
Beefing Security -- Following the recommendations of its Security Review Group, the U.K. Jockey Club is creating four new staff positions to battle corruption in racing. The club is accepting applications for a head of intelligence that would report directly to Director of Security Paul Scotney, for a betting analyst that would monitor all betting markets and for two other intelligence-related positions. The betting analyst opening will be posted in the Racing Post, while the three other openings will be posted in the Police Review and at www.policeoracle.com. All four openings will also be posted on the Jockey Club's Web site.
Right to Wager -- The Trident Entertainment Group, which operates King Neptune's Casino, Trident Lounge Casino, Vegas USA Casino, and Trident Poker, recently donated $1,000 to the National Council on Child Abuse and Family Violence (NCCAFV). The group asked its casino players to nominate a charity to be entered in a drawing for the donation. NCCAFV was chosen Dec. 28.
RaceTrackCasino -- www.racetrackcasino.com launched Jan. 1 using Playtech software. The new site offers 60 casino games, 3D graphics, surround sound, live chat features, game play and transaction history and multi-player and private tables. The GamingPromo Affiliate Program will promote the casino.