Nambling Notes - March 18, 2008

IGN spoke with Devilfish Gaming Chief Executive Paul Barnes about the company's licensing agreement with Entraction, as well as M&A and its plans to diversify. View the full story.

The Poker Players Alliance this morning held a rally outside the State House in Boston, Mass., to raise awareness of Gov. Deval Patrick's casino expansion bill. The bill contains provisions that would render Internet gambling a felony offense in the state. In a brief interview with IGN, PPA Executive Director John Pappas called the inclusion of these provisions "the height of hypocrisy."

Following last week's news that the former Unibet cycling team had received a one-year license from the International Cycling Union (UCI), manager Jacques Hanegraaf told IGN the following regarding this year's squad, which races as Cycle Collstrop:

"This year, we're managing the team with a much smaller budget and a very short horizon; however, everybody gets the chance to enjoy cycling as it should be enjoyed. I decided not to interfere in any war between the UCI and Amaury Sport Organization anymore. I very much regret of course the fact that Unibet stepped out of cycling, understanding the reasons why . . . this year, I think we will do one Grand Tour, minimum. We will also do a lot of Pro Tour races now -- maybe even more than last year -- but of course I still have a bad feeling about the fact that the system let us down and seems not able to keep itself alive."

CryptoLogic revealed fourth-quarter revenue of $20.4 million and net earnings of $4.3 million, besting November 2007 forecasts of $18.5 million and $3 million, respectively. A comparison of full-yearly metrics, however, shows 2007 revenue of $73.7 and net earnings of $5.5 million, down 29 percent and 79 percent, respectively, against figures from the year-ago period.

Inspired Gaming said it is looking to exit the pub sector after reporting weak trading conditions. The London-listed firm, which supplies more than 80,000 AWP terminals to leisure outlets, will look to focus its "capital allocation and management resources on the faster gaming and leisure sectors."

Sportech reported an 18 percent jump in full-yearly operating profit to £18.3 million -- the result of improved margins from internal restructuring and the relocation of its I-gaming division to Malta, it said. Sportech also confirmed its interest in acquiring the U.K. Tote, following a government decision earlier this month to auction the state-owned bookmaker.

On the London Stock Exchange today, Crypto was up 46.50p (6.44 percent) to 768.00, Sportech was up 3p (3.9 percent) to 80.50 and Rank was up 4.50 (5.3 percent) to 89.00.