Nambling Notes - Jan. 21, 2004

Ruling Delayed -- A court in the Netherlands was expected to give its judgment on the primary proceedings in the case of DeLotto vs. Ladbrokes today, but instead declared that it needed six more weeks to evaluate the case before rendering a decision. The ruling is now expected on March 3.

ABB admits Tote -- At its annual meeting on Monday, the Association of British Bookmakers passed a resolution allowing the Tote to join them as an associate member, marking the first time the Tote has joined any trade organization within the gambling industry. Some members of the ABB's council had voiced opposition to the Tote's membership, pointing out that the Tote may meet a conflict of interests after it is sold to a racing trust, of which the British Horseracing Board is a part. So as ABB council-member and William Hill chief executive David Harding explained, "We will assess from the council meeting agenda exactly when the Tote should be involved in discussions and when it should be excluded."

Punter Dispute -- A punter named Fiaz Khalide is threatening to take Ladbrokes to court after receiving only a portion of the winnings he believes he deserves from a horseracing bet. Khalide placed a double bet by telephone but was disconnected from the service before the operator was able to confirm his bet. There was a three-day interval between the two bets, and Khalide did not call Ladbrokes during that time to verify that his bets had been accepted. Ladbrokes has retained a recording of the call, and just before the connection is lost the operator says, "I will just get that authorized Sir, please bear with me." According to Ladbrokes policy, a bet will be placed if the instructions are clear and the bet acceptable. The Independent Betting Arbitration Service argues that Ladbrokes broke its rules, but also declared Khalide should only receive credit for a single on the first winner.

New Skill Games -- CYOP Systems International, the company that designed its own Internet pay-for-play skill games platform called CrediPlay, has added a suite of pool and snooker games to its gaming network at www.skillarcade.com. CYOP also plans to add 4 more new games this month: Word Frenzy, Word Find, Mini Golf, and Skill Poker.

Sponsorship Deal -- Online Poker Site UlitmateBet.com is the title sponsor of the 2004 Guineas Festival races in Newmarket, England, where the UltimateBet.com Guineas 1000, 2000, and Jockey Club Stakes will be held May 1-2. UltimateBet.com, a private company that was founded in 2000 and is regulated by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada, paid US$1 million for the sponsorship. UltimateBet.com's chairman Arthur Thomas said, "Our sponsorship of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket is an exciting opportunity that opens many doors. As a leader in the horse racing world, this event attracts people who expect a high level of professionalism and class, and they clearly deliver. And we believe that people, no matter their skill level, want to experience this same level of professionalism and class when playing poker."