PMU Can Offer Sports Betting in 2010 Says Chief

FRANCE – Once France opens up its gaming market next year, the local horse racing monopoly Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) might just partake in the action by introducing sports betting.

This was disclosed by PMU COO Xavier Hurstel adding that major sports such as football and betting on next year’s World Cup can be offered to customers.

Speaking to iGamingFrance, Hurstel stated:

“The market is opening, a new offer is being developed and we are studying how PMU will be able to offer a broader product range to its customers. We are currently evaluating all those opportunities.”

The PMU official also added that the company was moving ahead in that direction by taking a stake in race data supplier Genycourses and that PMU would be adhering to whatever guidelines will be put in place once the gambling market opens up in 2010.

Hurstel added:

“There will be general rules for advertising in racing venues which I believe will put us on an equal footing with the other operators.”

Local Village Chief Raided, Arrested for Illegal Numbers Game

TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL – A local official was arrested by authorities in Central Philippines for engaging in illegal gambling activities that netted him PHP5 million or about $106,383 in profit.

Police raided the house of one Manolo Blanco last May 15 and confiscated illegal gambling paraphernalia used for conducting the illegal numbers game called “massiao”. He was reportedly a financier of the game.

Blanco was a barangay captain (akin to a village chief) of Mansasa, Tagbiliran City in the province of Bohol. Also, confiscated was millions of pesos in money police believed to be proceeds from his illegal numbers activity.

As reported by Cebu Daily News, Blanco’s arrest can also lead to the transfer or relief of the Tagbilaran police chief, one Supt. Julius Cesar Gornes, because it was unlikely that the police chief did not know of Blanco’s involvement in the illegal gambling activity under his jurisdiction.

The raid on the local village chief’s home was conducted by members of the Regional Intelligence Division who were armed with a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Sylva Paderanga.

888’s Dragonfish in South African Deal

GIBRALTAR – Online gaming operator 888 Holdings recently announced that its B2B unit, Dragonfish, has signed a strategic agreement with South Africa-based Phumela Gold Enterprises (PGE), a pari-mutuel horseracing and tote betting company.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dragonfish will be providing PGE with a comprehensive sportsbook and after regulations in online gambling are clearer in the African nation, it will also supply PGE’s casino, poker and bingo games.

The agreement will also allow 888 to distribute horseracing pools and live racing streaming from tracks of which PGE has exclusive distribution rights. The pools and live streaming will be made available to all 888 licensees and on the 888.com websites.

Dragonfish will also be servicing PGE with e-payments service and back-end software that will allow the South African firm to integrate into 888’s shared wallet, cashier, and support systems.

According to PGE CEO Rian Du Plessis:

“As a recognised world leader in harnessing the latest technology to globalise horseracing, we are very happy to sign with a partner that can provide us with market-leading technology to expand our offering worldwide. Working with Dragonfish going forward will help us to diversify our online offering and build on our current success.”

In response, Dragonfish Managing Director Gabi Campos said:

“Horseracing is the largest secotr in worldwide sports betting and we are delighted to work with a global leader in this area. Phumela has a huge user-base in South Africa and this deal will ensure that it has the best tools available with which to provide its customers with a cutting-edge online gaming offering.”

AsianLogic Proposing to De-List from AIM

HONG KONG – Less than two years after listing on London’s AIM stock market, Asian-focused gaming firm AsianLogic Limited might de-list should shareholders approve a forwarded proposal.

Alongside its posting of its annual report and notice of annual general meeting, AsianLogic’s boardmembers also issued a proposal to de-list from AIM as the best manner to “prioritize shareholder value”.

The company, whose assets include online casinos and poker rooms and runs the Asian Poker Tour, has cited several factors in coming up with the proposal to de-list including low trading volumes of its ordinary shares, a lack of liquidity owing to a tightly-held register of shareholders, the unlikeliness to raise money through issuance of new shares owing to current market conditions, limited investor appreciation of and attractiveness to the Company and its businesses, expense of maintaining an AIM quotation, and the current economic conditions.

If shareholders approve the move, the company will become “private” again five days after the de-listing proposal has been accepted by at least 75% of votes cast by shareholders.

According to AsianLogic Executive Vice Chairman Thomas Hall:

“The Board has unanimously decided to recommend delisting to the shareholders as we feel that the current economic environment means there is little benefit to AsianLogic and its shareholders in remaining listed. The delisting will reduce costs and management time associated with a listing on AIM and will enable AsianLogic to focus its operations to better service our shareholders, business partners and customers alike.”

AsianLogic is scheduled to have its annual general meeting in Hong Kong on June 26 but has also called for an extraordinary annual general meeting on the same date most likely to discuss and vote on the proposal to de-list from AIM.

Recently, AsianLogic announced its 2008 figures which saw the firm post an $11.9 million pre-tax loss despite increases in its online casino and poker businesses. The firm cited the losses to increased operational expenses and costs incurred as the company moved from wholesale betting to a deposit-based business model.

Bodog Launches in Asia

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Earlier this week, Asian gaming provider Haydock Sports Limited launched the Asian version of popular gaming site Bodog.

Debuting as Bodog88.com, the Asian-focused gaming site offers sports betting along with an online casino powered by Entertasia Company Limited.

Last April, Haydock signed an MOA with Bodog for an exclusive license agreement that will allow Philippine-registered Haydock Sports to promote the Bodog brand.

According to Bodog88 Managing Director Ian Dunning:

“It’s has been a pleasure to work with Entertasia and the Macom Group in general. The transition from 9Play.com into Bodog88.com was smooth and easy. Their professionalism is one of the rarest in the industry and I am fully confident in long-term win-win co-operation.”

The Bodog88 site is available in English and Chinese language and its casino also features live dealers in its live casino games. Haydock Sports has also revealed that they had big plans for Bodog in Asia.

Dunning explained:

“The Bodog brand is known around the world for entertainment and a truly unique online experience. The Bodog culture is very different from anything currently offered in the Asian market today so we feel we have a competitive advantage as a lifestyle brand.”

Entertasia CEO Jason Chan also commented on the launch of Bodog88:

“We are proud to be able to work with such an energetic group and we look forward to working with them globally in phase two after the success in Asia.”