Nambling Notes - Jan. 29, 2003

News from Asia -- The Hong Kong Standard is reporting today that the SAR's Secretary for Home Affairs, Patrick Ho, would like to include counseling for problem gamblers in the government's plan to make soccer betting legal. "We are hopeful that if the proposed legislation (for soccer betting) is approved by Legco by the end of this legislative year, we will have in place proper measures to help pathological gamblers," Ho said.

Bit from the UK -- GamCare, a gambling addiction support organization in the United Kingdom, said today that the National Lottery's new Internet lottery game will help raise awareness about online gambling. Paul Bellringer, the director of GamCare, said that while the Camelot-run lottery does not lead to much gambling addiction, having the lottery online will influence people's attitudes about Internet gambling. "There is a healthy skepticism about putting credit card details online, however," Bellringer said.

New Stuff -- Gaming software developer IQ-Ludorum plc said today that SportingOdds.com, a subsidiary of Sportingbet plc, has launched. The site is powered by IQ-Ludorum's IQ-Casino turnkey software package. It will be offered in English, Turkish and German. Gary Hall, the leader of Sportingbet's casino and gaming division, said the company hopes to deliver to its sports betting customers a top-notch casino gaming experience. "In our estimation, IQ-Casino delivers the personalized gaming experience we've envisioned, in tandem with CRM features offering significant competitive advantages to maximize the potential revenue and subsequent return for our public stakeholders."