Earlier in January, the Dutch Minister of Justice announced a plan to introduce a UIGEA-style online gambling ban requesting banks and other financial institutions in the Netherlands to block transactions to and from online gambling sites.

With the Malaysian investment group raising its stake from 5% to 6.1%, Rank has made inquiries about Guoco's plans for a potential takeover offer.

During the fourth quarter revenues rose 101% to $32.7m, exceeding company's expectations, with the Board extremely confident about 2008 forecasts.

NETeller announced today that its subsidiary NT Services Building Corp sold its principal property in Calgary to Leben Investment Corporation for a total consideration of C$33.5 million.

Though mobile phones only account for 1 per cent of total gambling revenues, usage has increased 29% per year according to a report by Global Betting and Gaming Consultants.

The Racing Post revealed today that Vincent Caldwell's new company Racing2Day has been granted a betting license by the Oregon Racing Commission and will launch a pari-mutuel betting website catering to small punters in time for the Kentucky Derby in June.

Vegas Poker 247 had served as a skin site for Absolute Poker, which also provided operational and back-office support, since its inception.

New York police authorities arrested 26 members of the Gambino organized crime family for running a highly sophisticated illegal gambling enterprise in Queens County and elsewhere that booked nearly $10 million in wagers on US sports over a two-year period. The illegal gambling ring relied on modern technology, including tollfree telephone numbers and four websites in Costa Rica, namely betallsports.com, betoffshore.net, betmsg.com and betwsi.com, which served as computerized wire rooms through which the enterprise conducted much of its illegal gambling activity.

The Guardian reports that the Antigua-based betting and gaming operator is keen to establish a foothold in the European betting market, but it must first pass the 'fit and proper' operator test as defined by the UK Gambling Commission.

The giant US casino operator approached Gala Coral about a possible merger of Harrah's London Clubs International and Gala Casinos.

Ladbrokes, the world's biggest bookmaker, bought Eastwood, the largest bookmaker in Northern Ireland, at an estimated 135 million pounds. The purchase will increase EBITDA by 11 million pounds in the first year and increase Ladbrokes presence in the region to 70 shops, up from 16.

Interactive Systems Worldwide Inc. stated turnover was $3.8 million in January 2008. The amount represents the biggest turnover in company history surpassing the past high of $3.1 million in October 2007 and a 260% increase over the same period in 2007.

Gamebuilders Inc., a subsidiary of Asianlogic, will license bespoke online casino software to PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation). The agreement will enable Philweb, PAGCOR's service provider, to run the casino platform provided by Playtech.

Skybet revenues increased 20% to 24 million pounds for the second half of 2007. An increase in internet betting and consolidation of 365 Media Group were chiefly responsible for the improvement according to Chief Executive Jeremy Darroch.

Durham based bookmaker Pagebet signed a deal with Advantage Capital to expand its reach. The resources will be used to increase the number of shops and upgrade the telephone and internet divisions.

Boylesports, Ireland's largest independent bookmaker, joins other gambling leaders, William Hill, 888, Ladbrokes, Bwin and Stan James, using Ethoca's anti-fraud network.

"This acquisition will play an important role in our European and Asian retail strategy, as we create single platforms to enable private clients to trade a range of OTC products that replicate listed equivalents such as exchange traded futures and foreign exchange. The acquisition will augment our already significant offerings in retail foreign exchange, CFDs, and spread trading," said Kevin Davis, CEO of the leading futures and options broker, announcing the acquisition of the binary betting specialist.

The online gambling developer said in a pre-close update that trading in the fourth quarter of 2007 exceeded expectations, with monthly revenues reaching a record level.

Andy Stewart is reportedly considering a bid to float the state-owned bookmaker, with the UK Government retaining a significant stake.

The online poker and betting group announced in a pre-close trading update that its financial performance in the fourth quarter to-date has been in line with management’s expectations and the company remains confident about the prospects for the current year.