Nambling Notes - Aug. 22, 2005

New Products -- Interactive Systems Worldwide Inc., operator of the SportXction play-by-play sports wagering system, says its U.K. subsidiary, GIG, is in advanced negotiations with several leading international bookmakers and expects to announce agreements in the near future. The company is developing a Java-based mobile product that it plans to launch in late 2005 or early 2006 and a fixed-odds/pari-mutuel hybrid racing product designed to provide the advantages of fixed-odds wagering while satisfying U.S. pari-mutuel regulations. It is also developing a product that will enable punters watching live televised poker or live Internet-streamed poker to wager on the games; propositions will include who will win a hand and whether specific cards will appear.

Consolidation -- Swedish-owned online gaming operator Unibet Group Plc (UNIB.ST), which has over 400,000 customers primarily in the Nordic region, has entered into a deal to acquire Global Leisure Partners Ltd.--the parent company of I-gaming operator MrBookmaker.com--for £75.9 million, payable through £22.25 million up front, £22.25 million in loan notes, and 2.4 million new issued shares. For the first six months of 2005, MrBookmaker reported £29 million in turnover, £6.2 million in gross winnings and £3.3 million in profit. MrBookmaker's focus is primarily on the French and Belgian markets.

Mobile Aspinalls -- Phantom Fiber and Aspinalls.com have signed a deal through which the former will develop a mobile casino for the latter. The site, AspinallsMobile.com, will offer casino games and banking for Java-enable mobile phones.

PoserFish -- A Costa Rica-based online peer-to-peer betting network called PoserFish.com went live last week. Site features include "Karma Ratings" through which members can leave feedback ratings for other punters and private bets that can only be viewed by chosen members.

Welcome Aboard -- Neteller Plc has appointed Andrew Gilchrist, a former investment banker with Canaccord Capital Limited, to serve as the company's vice president of corporate development and communications. Gilchrist will manage Neteller's investor relations program and assist in corporate development initiatives.