Gambling Commission want information sharing talks
The Gambling Commission is to meet with representatives from the betting industry in the hope of securing the open sharing of information relating to the betting habits of punters who place large and suspicious bets. Tom Kelly, chairman of the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) said that provisions made in the 2005 Gambling Act were sufficient to protect sport from cheating, but added that he hoped some middle ground would be reached.
Tote sale 'collapsed'
Plans to sell the British state-owned Tote bookmaker have collapsed according to reports in the UK's Mail on Sunday newspaper. Unnamed sources quoted in the paper said that the sales process had been "kicked into the long grass" by the government, which was not prepared to discuss future sale strategies.
Blackpool Easter attracts 250,000 people
A quarter of a million people were reported to have travelled to Blackpool over the Easter weekend according to the Town Council's tourism department. Tourism director Jane Seddon said that a combination of great weather and recent publicity had all played a part in attracting the visitors, which she hoped would mark the start of a busy summer for 2007.
Aspers commissions NECA staff training
Aspers Casino in Newcastle has commissioned the North East Council on Addictions (NECA) to train staff and management in recognising indicators of problem gambling. The training modules, ranging from the reasons why people gamble to identifying the signs of problem gambling, as well as the related problems and social implications, is being developed specifically for Aspers.
Mecca signs agreement with WagerWorks
Mecca Bingo has signed an agreement with WagerWorks to integrate its online Orbis Fixed Odds Games Framework with WagerWorks premium casino brands. WagerWorks president, Paul Mathews, said that the integration would begin with its Cleopatra, Monopoly, Cluedo and Wheel of Fortune Hollywood Edition games. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Hill's Harding nets L4 million
David Harding, chief executive of bookmaker William Hill, has netted L1 million in pay and bonuses for 2006, as well as gaining a profit of L2.85 million on share options. Tom Singer, who left the UK-based gaming company last November, received L1.07 million while netting L1.63 million from his share options.
Warne escapes illegal gambling punishment
Australian bowler Shane Warne has escaped punishment for promoting illegal gambling after management took down his Pokercricket.com website. The Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation said that gambling was a strictly regulated business in the state and they expected all people to comply with legislation, "whether they were high profile or not".
888 takeover talks cooled
Ladbrokes' long anticipated takeover of online gaming firm 888 has cooled considerably according to latest reports, with further rumours circulating that the UK bookmaker is being lined up for a private equity bid. Investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort labelled 888's current share price as 'overvalued' in light of the news, while Ladbrokes' shares increased 2.9 per cent amid the speculation.
Betfair's Grand National ad labelled 'sickening
Pressure group Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe (FAACE) has condemned Betfair's latest Grand National ad as 'relishing the prospect of horses dying' in the name of entertainment and gambling. FAACE chairman Tony Moore went on to call the ad – which depicts a jockey falling from his horse alongside the slogan 'Long shots are only long shots until the favourites fall' – "absolutely sickening".
Seven per cent of centenarians play video games
According to the second annual 'Evercare 100 @ 100' survey, seven per cent of this year's US centenarians play video games. The study, which aims to give an insight into the age group's habits and practices, also showed that six per cent had been on the Internet, while four per cent said they had listened to music on an iPod.
Japanese arcade robbery nets 3 million yen
Three masked men made off with over 3 million yen after robbing an amusement arcade in Fukuoka, Japan at the weekend. The raiders brandished knives according to reports and forced staff to open safe and change machines, before locking them in the storeroom.
Georgica making good progress in Rileys sale
Leisure group Georgica said that it was making 'good progress' in its search for a buyer for its Rileys chain of snooker clubs and Tenpin bowling centre brands. Chairman Don Hanson said that despite a drop in sales at Rileys, discussions were underway concerning a number of potential deals.
Smoking ban uncovers nightclub stink
Nightclub operator Luminar said that it was currently trialling scented air conditioning in its Welsh venues, to mask the smell of body odour previously covered by cigarette smoke. An industry operator quoted in the UK’s Sunday Telegraph newspaper said that the recent smoking ban had uncovered ‘all sorts of smells’ they hadn’t thought about.
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