21.11.2006
NEWS: FUN Technologies has launched its Scrabble Cubes product as a cash game on its WorldWinner site. WorldWinner has also started a multi-pronged marketing campaign encompassing print and television advertising. The 3D word game will also be available on FUN’s partner sites, which include MSN and AOL games
NEWSPAPERS AND WIRES: The Eye on Gambling website reports that Costa Rican-based operators are worried about indictments and arrests following last week’s events in New York. Meanwhile, the PokerVerdict site reports that PokerStars and Aston Martin Racing have teamed up to give away James Bond’s car, an Aston Martin DBS, to one lucky player in a series of tournaments beginning in December.
CITY: Neteller shares continue to benefit as rumours surrounding the possible interest of Irish billionaire Dermot Desmond help push the stock up a further 4% or 6p to 151p. Media Corp is down 10% or 0.5p in early trade.
22.11.2006
NEWS: Munich-based consultancy MECN has published a report describing the Spanish gambling market as a “key region for future growth”. In it, it says the Spanish market as a whole is expected to grow to around €39bn by 2010, with the online gambling market worth around €4.5bn by then. Canbet will not be taking US sports or casino bets anymore, customers have until 30 November to place their final wagers and clear their accounts.
NEWSPAPERS AND WIRES: The Guardian reports that City analysts have been “cutting their recommendations on Ladbrokes” following the company’s disappointing update last week. JP Morgan however was optimistic about the bookmaker, highlighting increased revenues from its FOBTs and the potential acquisition of 888. City AM today reports on the old news that Interactive Gaming Holdings’ (IGH) John Heaton, and former Tote chief executive is the “fourth contender in the race to buy the state-owned bookmaker”. The paper says that IGH may buy Tote’s 540 land-based shops, beating an industry consortium. The Bangkok Post runs a story of police raiding a TV production company which doubled up as an online baccarat den. They seized 16 computers and other equipment, as well as arresting nine.
CITY: Ladbrokes is up a further 3.5p to 396.25p in early trade on the back of yesterday’s Overweight recommendation from analysts at JP Morgan. Sportingbet is down slightly by 1.25p to 44.5p and 888 is also down 1.25p to 129p.
23.11.2006
NEWS: Excapsa refugee Devilfish Poker is rumoured to be up for sale. According to sources, the owner of the site, Dave Ulliott, is willing to accept offers for the site which is thought to have up to 3,000 players.
NEWSPAPERS AND WIRES: Gambling 911 reports on Paddy Power’s latest wheeze, giving odds on how many contestants will turn up to next year’s World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Last year attracted over 8,000 players but the Irish bookmaker priced up between 4000 and 4499 as the favourite for next year at 9/2. The Independent reports that Talarius, which owns 200 slot machine outlets and the Cyberslotz website, is to be taken over by Macquarie bank and Australian lottery operator Tattersall’s for £137m. This is Tattersall’s first European purchase.
CITY: Betbrokers is down over 4% or 0.5p to 11.25p in early trade while Betex is also down, off by 2% or 0.75p to 37p. Neteller continues to rise, up 2.25p to 149.5p.
24.11.2006
NEWS: Victor Chandler has announced that it has become the first ever major international bookmaker to receive a betting and gaming licence in Argentina. The site will launch later this month. VCapuestas will feature traditional sports betting plus VC’s other product lines of poker, casino and games.
Meanwhile, payment processing firm Moneybookers has denied the company is up for sale. Reports suggested the operation, owned by German retail tycoon Otto Beisheim, was being touted to buyers with a price tag of £100m (US$191m). However, a spokesperson for financial advisory firm Longacre Partners, did confirm they were conducting a “strategic review” for the company but said there was “nothing definite” about what they would recommend.
Television networks, sports clubs and betting companies in Germany have joined forces to inform German viewers about what they see as a contradictory strategy adopted by the national gambling monopoly Oddset.
NEWSPAPERS AND WIRES: The Racing Post reports that sweepstake operator 123racing.com will begin a real-money service as of next month. The site has been running on a free-to-play since March and the company is looking for partners in the US “who are compliant and able to take bets from US citizens”.
The Independent reports on Ladbrokes’ expansion into Europe saying: “When it comes to betting, the concept of a European single market goes out of the window.” The newspaper analyses the six legal challenges currently set in motion by Ladbrokes, and the role of the EU in disputes regarding state monopolies.
According to Reuters, 888 is on the verge of signing deals to supply gambling products to some of Europe’s largest mobile phone operators.
CITY: Ladbrokes continues the trend for the week, off by 2.25p in early trade to 390.25p. Sportingbet is also off by 0.75p to 47p while PartyGaming is down by 0.25p to 27p. In comparison, Neteller continues to show some life, up 1.75p to 150.75p.
GamCare reacts to Panorama programme
Player protection group GamCare has responded to press reports in this morning’s newspapers in the UK regarding the problem of online gambling addiction. The report in the Daily Telegraph comes ahead of a broadcast on Sunday night of a Panorama investigation into online gaming.
According to the report, the programme will suggest the UK government has underestimated the numbers of online gamblers. Figures to be aired in the programme will suggest that an “average of 5.8 million Britons visited online gambling sites from April to September”.
German public made aware of online betting issues
The objective of the campaign is to raise the awareness levels of the German public and politicians about online betting. The move comes ahead of a meeting of the leaders of the 16 German provinces on December 3, where gambling legislation is expected to be discussed.
The campaign will use different media and can be seen at football grounds, where advertising hoardings bearing the slogans “kein Monopol” (no monopoly) and “freies wetten” (freedom to bet) have been appearing.
Manfred Bodner, co-chief executive of Bwin, said: “This is a common initiative instigated by all the parties that are being damaged by political manoeuvres.”
Bodner added that similar campaigns will be launched across Europe via the European Betting Association, the European industry’s trade body.
Events have conspired against private operators in Germany in 2006, with Bwin being the highest profile casualty of Oddset’s aim of not wanting to let it operate on German soil.
Desmond pays out 10% for payments firm
It is thought Desmond bought the stake via a purchase of contracts for difference (CFDs) to avoid having to publicly announce the purchase. Any company is bound to make a statement to the London Stock Exchange should anyone purchase more than 3% of the company.
Victor Chandler first to Argentina
Victor Chandler has announced that it has become the first ever major international bookmaker to receive a betting and gaming licence in Argentina.
The VCapuestas site will launch later this month and features traditional sports betting plus VC’s other product lines of poker, casino and games.
Moneybookers denies it is for sale
Reports suggested the operation, owned by German retail tycoon Otto Beisheim, was being touted to buyers with a price tag of £100m (US$191m).
A spokesperson for Moneybookers acknowledged there were rumours, but said he could not comment.
However, a spokesperson for financial advisory firm Longacre Partners, did confirm they were conducting a “strategic review” for the company but said there was “nothing definite” about what they would recommend.
WPT goes with Cecure Mobile
Mobile gaming solutions provider Cecure Gaming launched the World Poker Tour (WPT) multi-player mobile poker platform this week.
The platform will provide Texas Hold’em to mobile users registered with the World Poker Tour and follows the launch of WPT’s heads-up real-money mobile poker game that was launched in August this year. Players will be able to play for real money against up to five opponents at a time.
Steve Lipscomb, chief executive of WPT, said: “We are excited about the prospects of the real money mobile gaming market. We look forward to delivering exciting gaming to our fans in the UK and creating a profitable business in the global market.”
WPT plans to extend its web-based products through partnerships with providers such as Cecure. The two companies also plan to eventually launch a full suite of multi-player poker games for mobile phone users.
News in brief
Mobile technology and solutions provider Vegas Wireless Entertainment (VWE) has signed a content distribution agreement with WirelessStudios. The company already distributes directly to operators in Canada, Italy and the UK. It has third part agreements in Europe and Asia. VWE is to launch two games initially including ‘You’re The King’ roulette.
Fun Technologies has launched cash competitions for its ‘Scrabble Cubes’ game through its WorldWinner site. To coincide with this, WorldWinner has undertaken a multi-pronged marketing campaign including adverts in newspapers, magazines, and on Television. Scrabble Cubes will be available through partner sites including AOL and MSN games.
Kiwi Casino has launched four new games including Dolphins Paradise, the first online pachinko game, and a version of European Roulette. Online pachinko is aimed at the Japanese market and players win money for each ball in the catcher, which triggers a slot. There are two new slot games in this latest offering.
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