Nambling Notes - Jan. 30, 2000

New Stuff -- Software supplier Boss Media's highly successful gaming portal, the Casino.com Network, recently debuted a "Play for Fun" section that offers several Shockwave-based casino games such as blackjack, roulette, and slots. Boss is also offering Web masters of gaming-related sites customized, deluxe versions of the browser-based games. Additionally, programmers that have developed casino games of their own are urged to submit them to Johnny B. Slick, the "Fun" section host. Approved games will be promoted in the "Fun" section and made accessible to Casino.com's many visitors.

Virtual Gaming Enterprises, Inc. announced last week the grand opening of "Vegas Book," a full Service off-shore gaming operation featuring a sportsbook that handles both toll-free phone wagers and an Internet casino.

Go Cash Inc., a division of Go Call Inc., debuted two new sportsbooks in time for the Super Bowl. The sites, CharitiesSportsBook.com and BetsOnTheNet.com, are accepting bets as low as $1 and ran a special Super Bowl promotion. Both sites have been beta-tested since October 1999.

Redundantly, redundantly named online casino operator GIC Global Intertainment has added Web design, hosting and broadcasting to its lineup of services. Following the successful conclusion of its first contract for these services, the company plans an aggressive pursuit more web design, hosting and broadcasting clients. The company's online sportsbook, Cyberbetz.com, planned a prominent advertising campaign in Atlanta for Super Bowl betting. Additionally, as part of a membership drive, the sportsbook gave away two tickets to the Super Bowl. The company is also sponsoring the "NFL Pro Bowl Tribute to Walter Payton," Golf Tournament at the Golf Club Course in Hawaii, which will be televised on national sports network stations.

Wheelin' &' Dealin' -- The New York Racing and Wagering Board has cleared the way for Monticello Raceway and NYRA to send their signals to satellite race betting provider Television Games Network, but made clear that its approval does not include the issue of TVG taking bets from New York state residents. Board chairman Michael Hoblock said that issue would require further study to determine its legality. The Blood-Horse called the action the first step in what shapes up as a "bitter battle" between NYRA and New York OTBs.

Poker.com, Inc. has entered into an agreement to buy traffic from Cashsurfers, Inc. The deal calls for Poker.com to get over 6 million ad impressions a month on Cashsurfers Cash Navigator. Cashsurfers has a growing membership base of over 120,000 users and is bringing on new users at a rate of 7,000 a day. The two companies have also agreed to further marketing deals to promote both of their growing membership bases.

The Australian subsidiary of Online Gaming Systems (OGS) has signed an Internet casino licensing agreement with an unnamed Asian operator. Agreement terms include an up-front licensing fee for at least $170,000, with further details about the agreement to be released later.

Earlier in the week, OGS announced that its master licensing agreement with Total Entertainment, Inc. has yielded its first Internet casino sale. OGS withheld the name of the licensee, referring to it as "a Southeast Asia-based, privately held, Internet gaming concern."

A Tidbit from the U.S. -- Wall Street Journal reported last week that GOP presidential candidate George W. Bush has refused to join rival John McCain in pledging to impose a permanent ban on Internet taxes. According to WSJ, Bush instead supports a three to five-year extension of the Internet tax moratorium.

New Faces -- The Casino.com Network has added video poker expert Dan Paymar to its "dream team" of gaming authorities that offer Internet visitors game tips and gambling advice. Paymar is the author of "Video Poker - Optimum Play"--the video poker player's "bible"--and editor /publisher of the "Video Poker Times" newsletter since 1994.

Prominent Omaha attorney David S. Wintroub has been named the new president and CEO of Global Entertainment Holdings/Equities Inc. Additionally, Wintroub and long-time Interactive Gaming & Wagering NV Senior Developer, Scott Van Kirk, have been nominated to the Board of Directors. The resignation of former President and CEO, Steven M. Abboud, was tendered and accepted on January 17, 2000. Abboud will remain a financial consultant to the company.

Television Games Network announced Thursday that Brad Higbee has been named vice president for market development for the network. Higbee, who will handle the company's designated "western region," will join David Carrico, recently tabbed as VP of market development for the "western region," in organizing initiatives concerning the expansion of TVG's account wagering services as well as coordinating activities with TVG partner race tracks and state regulators. Higbee, a former vice chairman of the Oregon Racing Commission, is based in Portland, Oregon. According to a release issued by TVG, Higbee will work closely with regulators, lawmakers and racing industry members throughout the west to maximize the benefits of TVG to the industry nationally and on the state level.

A Tidbit from Australia -- Most of us thought the going was as ugly as it could get in Queensland last summer when Treasurer David Hamill was accused of playing favorites in granting Gocorp the first license in that state to operate an online casino. We were wrong. The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Premier Peter Beattie has again come under fire, this time for standing by former Parliament Deputy Speaker Bill D'Arcy (one of the politicians named in the Go Corp scandal), who has recently been committed for trial on child sex charges. D'Arcy cited his poor health as the reason behind his resignation a few weeks ago. Under Queensland law, D'Arcy could not be named publicly until his committal. The Labor Party opposition, however, contends that Beattie knew all along that D'Arcy was being investigated. According to Ian Petersen, director of the City Country Alliance, "The Labor Government knew for months who he was. They protected him simply to retain the balance of power and shovel through legislation."

The Praise Section -- Reaching out to people in need is what it's all about for online sports book operator NASA International. The Costa Rica-based company is matching 100 percent of customer donations, up to $10,000 per player, to help the Venezuela Flood Relief. They are dividing the money between the International Red Cross and International United Way.

Investors' Corner -- Poker.com, Inc. has submitted a registration statement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company anticipates a response letter from the SEC within 60 days and will amend its filing to satisfy any action items required in its comments.