Nambling Notes | July 30, 2008

LAUNCHED Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., India's leading entertainment network, has done a deal to air the World Poker Tour television series beginning this September.

"Zee Sports and WPTE together create a powerful partnership as the most trusted vehicles to introduce poker to India," Steven Lipscomb, chief executive of World Poker Tour Enterprises Inc., said in a prepared statement.

The episodes, from the World Poker Tour's fourth season, will be broadcast on Zee Sports, a private sports channel. The channel will also promote the series on-air and online through its Web site.

Recent deals by World Poker Tour Enterprises and AsianLogic would suggest there is, perhaps, a second coming in store for poker in the East. Stay tuned for a future Insights article addressing this topic.

ACQUIRED Betgenius, the United Kingdom odds comparison company, has acquired the Internet, mobile and iDTV operations of TurfTrax, which supplies technology to the horseracing industry.

As part of the deal, Ben Clifford, previously head of betting services at TurfTrax Data Racing Ltd., will join Betgenius as head of odds comparison and media services.

The acquisition, financial details of which were not disclosed, allows Betgenius to increase its horseracing content and coverage.

"Turftrax fits well with our strategy of collating betting specific data for the bookmaking industry," Mark Locke, commercial director of Betgenius, said in a prepared statement.

APPOINTED Devilfish Gaming, the online gambling operator, has brought on David Boden as executive chairman.

Mr. Boden, 51, served most recently as managing director of Rank Group's gaming division and succeeds Kevin Leech, who will remain on as a non-executive director.

UH HUH WagerWorks, the I-gaming software development arm of International Game Technology, has released a new slot called Elvis -- A Little More Action.

The 50 payline slot features music created with vintage instruments, microphones, recording techniques and studio gear.