Daily Nambling Notes - July 16, 2001

New Stuff -- GrandBanksCasino.com said Monday that in response to credit card transaction problems for I-gaming companies, it is changing its software and moving to a new operating jurisdiction. The casino site will now use Playtech software and will be based in Curacao. Clarence Evans, the manager of Grand Banks Casino, said his company wanted to base itself in a jurisdiction that is "associated with European Union member nations." He added, "We wanted to be in a jurisdiction with a world-class telecommunications infrastructure and a globally respected interactive casino licensing policy." Grand Banks isn't alone in its defection. Last year, InterContinental Casinos and Sunny Group ended relationships with their suppliers, Boss Media and Microgaming respectively and switched to Playtech. ... InterCasino recently awarded a payout of $244,055 on one of its progressive slot machines, Rags to Riches. On Tuesday the casino said it has paid out $2,816,029.01 in jackpots this year.

Names and Faces -- Tabcorp Holdings Ltd. is appointing Matthew Slatter as its chief executive. Slatter was previously the CFO of AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd.

Tidbit from the UK -- Just shy of its two-year anniversary, a popular U.K.-based person-to-person betting site shut down operations late last week. Betting exchange Play121.com posted a message on its home page informing customers that "Play 121 has now ceased trading." The site instructed registered users that amounts outstanding on future plays would be credited to their account and that anyone who wanted to request a withdrawal of funds should make a request through the site. A brief outgoing message that was placed on the company's administration line said that there was a backlog of requests and that customers should expect a delay in getting their requests fulfilled.