Indian operator bids for National Lottery
Leading Indian lottery operator Sugal & Damani has joined incumbent Camelot and Australian leisure company Tattersall as an official bidder for the UK's lottery license, beginning in 2009. The Mumbai-based company submitted a preliminary proposal to the National Lottery Commission that is thought to be focusing on its technical expertise.
PartyGaming frontrunner for VC Group purchase
PartyGaming is reported to be the frontrunner to buy sports betting firm Victor Chandler for an estimated £300 million. The Observer newspaper said that the gaming group, which bought online betting firm Gamebookers in August, is one of three potential buyers for the Gibraltar-based betting firm, although the identity of the other firms remained unknown.
Brits bet £2 billion at work
A survey by odds comparison site Betrescue has found that British people gamble away more than £2 billion online while they are at work. Nearly 3 million adults admitted to using work computers for betting online, spending an average of £1,200 per year.
ICE signs with South American exhibition company
ICE organiser Clarion ATE has announced a joint marketing programme with Monografie S.A., the company responsible for South America's SAGSE exhibitions. The agreement will comprise electronic marketing across visitor databases for the respective shows, reciprocal advertising banners and hyperlinks on the ICE and SAGSE websites and an enhanced presence for SAGSE on the show floor of ICE 2007 .
Bell to outline expansion plans
The chief executive of Ladbrokes, Chris Bell, is expected to outline an 'aggressive expansion plan' for Europe when he reports the half-year results this week. The Sunday Times reported that he is keen to target Italy and Turkey, where Ladbrokes is already in consortiums, and examine Spain and Germany.
Southend to recommend Rank casino plans
Officers for Southend's development control committee are recommending proposals by the Rank Gaming Division to incorporate a casino into its Mecca Bingo hall in the town. Technical services director David Watts said that the proposal is 'considered compatible with the leisure facilities offered in the building' and that the extended opening hours would not be detrimental to the amenities of nearby residents.
Brighton bingo in £10K raid
An armed gang has made off with £10,000 after robbing the Gala Bingo Hall in Eastern Road, Brighton. Three masked-men wielding knives and a pistol burst into the club on Wednesday night in front of the 40 customers and proceeded to take the contents of the safe.
Bwin cuts revenue target
Bwin has cut its full-year revenue target by 13 per cent to euros 435 million after a disappointing World Cup and regulatory problems in both the U.S. and Germany. The company formerly known as BetandWin's second-quarter suffered most with a euro18.6 million loss, resulting from attempts to acquire new customers for the World Cup.
Online games have socially redeeming qualities
Researchers at the University of Illinois-Champaign, USA believe that some of the popular online video games might have socially redeeming qualities. Examining the form and function of massively multiplayer online video games (MMOs), they determined that some of the games promote sociability and new worldviews by 'social bridging'.
William Hill release Big Brother figures
Bookmaker William Hill reported record levels of betting for this year's Big Brother series, after taking £6 million on the outcome of the show. Winner Pete Bennett cost Hill over £1 million after being installed as favourite from the outset, and a further £5,300 for falling down the stairs on arrival, which the company had opened a book for.
Neteller denies holding BetonSport payments
Neteller's VP of Corporate Development and Communications Andrew Gilchrist told TheOnlineWire that his company is not holding up payments for BetonSports customers. He said that although the money transfer company had halted payments to BetonSports.com following indictments from the U.S. Department of Justice, it continued to allow transfers from the troubled company to 'facilitate member payouts'.
Greene King given go-ahead for Hardy & Hansons purchase
Hardys & Hansons shareholders have granted approval for pub owner and operator Greene King to acquire the company for £271 million. Greene King will pay £212 million for the Nottingham based group's ordinary share capital and a further £58 million for its issued share capital.
Tabcorp withdraws Unitab bid
Tabcorp Holdings has withdrawn its $1.5 billion hostile offer for Unitab after anti-trust warnings, leaving rival Tattersall's the only bidder for the Australian betting chain. Unitab's board has recommended that shareholders accept Tattersall's bid of Australian$14.25 per share, although Dick McIlwain, the company's chief executive officer, has said that Tabcorp's offer is too low.
Arcade development sparks council legal challenge
Aberdeen council is considering mounting a legal challenge to halt a new Nobles amusement arcade in the city after the Scottish Executive gave it the go-ahead. The Scottish Executive over-ruled the council's previous decision to stop the development, and decided that the arcade would help to 'improve or at least maintain' the city centre.
Manchester 235 director of gaming announced
Tony Reynolds has been named as Manchester 235's director of gaming. Reynolds will assume the position at London Clubs International's new £13 million development after working across the industry at venues such as Detroit's Motor City Casino, Florida's Vegas Express and most recently at LCI's Brighton casino, Rendezvous.
Ex-adviser accuses Wetherspoon of illegal share purchase
Van de Berg & Co has accused JD Wetherspoon of illegally funding the purchase of £700,000 worth of shares according to a report in the Sunday Express. The paper said that Van de Berg & Co, which is suing the pub chain for breach of contract, will tell the high-court that it was required by Wetherspoon to spend 8 per cent of its monthly retainer on shares in the pub chain.
Journalist wins World Strip Poker Championship
Journalist John Young has beaten 200 competitors to win the inaugural Paddy Power World Strip Poker Championships which took place at the Cafe Royal, London. He won the first Golden Fig Leaf trophy and promised to donate the £10,000 prize money to a cancer charity.
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