Nambling Notes - May 28, 2008

Rank Group (London: 88.75p / +0.50p / + 0.57%)

The Times of London editorializes that Rank Group's rough run of luck in 2007 "is not all gloom."

With Gerry Sutcliffe, the Culture Department's minister for gambling, hinting at measures to allow bingo clubs to reintroduce high-jackpot machines, and investors -- including Guoco Pty Ltd. and Genting Berhad -- continuing to bump up shareholdings, "now is not the time to lose faith."

The paper has a "hold" rating on Rank's shares.

Betsson (Stockholm: SEK 69.25 / + SEK 3.75 / + 5.73%)

Betsson, the online gambling operator, will on Friday open its first land-based betting shop in Sweden, challenging the country's monopoly on gambling thereby.

"EU laws provide support for this endeavour," said Pontus Lindwall, the company's chief executive, in a prepared statement. "There is no longer any reason for us to wait for a political process that is hardly moving forward."

Mr. Lindwall said the company's aim with establishing the shop was to "create more freedom of choice for our players."

"We want to drive development of the gaming market for the benefit of players," he said. "I am confident the monopoly's retail outlets will experience some tough competition going forward."

Svenska Spel and ATG, the race betting operator, are given exclusive rights to operate in Sweden.

Due to disparity between time zones, Interactive Gaming News could not reach representatives with Betsson, Svenska Spel or ATG for comment Wednesday.