Most significantly, profits after tax rose by a massive 106.9 percent to $3.96 million from $1.91 million, helped by the signing of three new license agreements for its CasinoModule software solution alongside two breakthrough deals for its CasinoCafe land-based gaming system.

”This year is off to a strong start for Net Entertainment with continued sales growth and several new license agreements,” said Johan Ohman, President and Chief Executive Officer for Net Entertainment.

“The market for online gaming shows positive development where organic growth was the prime driver for the company during the period.

“We move into the second quarter with an order book comprising 14 casinos that still are to be commissioned, of which three are so-called ‘Tier One’ operators.

“It is my view that the company has good opportunities for continued success as a result of our specialisation within the segment of the online market with the highest growth and strongest profitability.

“The IT project initiated at the end of 2008 aimed at increasing our development, delivery and operational capacity has progressed according to plan and affected the cost base during the first quarter. The project continues during the second quarter and creates a foundation for the continued growth and expansion for the company.”

Abstract from www.igamingbusiness.com

William Hill revealed that Victoria Apuestas opened its first outlet in Madrid in April of 2008 and now trades across 98 locations in the Madrid and Basque regions.

The London-based firm declared that Codere would manage the business while it would continue to provide bookmaking services.

“Achieving relevant scale for the business has always been dependent upon a substantial growth in the number of outlets,” read a statement from William Hill.

“Achieving this scale has proved problematic because of the slow granting of local regulatory consents and the slower than anticipated regulatory changes within other regions. These factors, coupled with the difficult economic situation within Spain, were likely to lead to additional capital requirements and a delay in achieving William Hill’s target return for the venture.

“In these circumstances, William Hill has decided to focus its international sportsbetting strategy on the Internet via William Hill Online.”

Abstract from www.igamingbusiness.com

The solution also uses information from Deutsche Post and Deutsche Telekom and will enable clients to verify the name, address and date of birth of over 65 million German adult consumers.

“We are now able to launch the most extensive German solution in the market thanks to our partnership with SCHUFA,” said Grant Greenwood, Product Director for 192business.

“The 192Business model is to license and integrate best-of-breed data sources into our identification check solutions. Our new German capability can help our customers such as e-commerce merchants and online gaming operators to acquire and welcome customers from new markets.”

SCHUFA agreed a similar deal with British age and identity verification firm GB Group earlier this month and stated that its latest agreement marks an important step towards becoming a truly international concern.

“For SCHUFA, it is vitally important that we extend our reach beyond our own borders and develop a strong platform of international activity,” said Professor Dieter Steinbauer, Chief Operating Officer for SCHUFA and Managing Director of CreditInfo SCHUFA Limited.

192Business revealed that it is constantly adding new technology and datasets in order to replicate the depth and breadth of its UK identification check solutions. In addition to using official data sources, 192Business also offers a range of other checking tools including the ability to authenticate data contained in German passports and identification cards.

By using multiple datasets and technology in order to verify customer identity, 192Business stated that it has become the first firm to offer identification check tools that meet compliance requirements across multiple channels under the Third European Union Money Laundering Directive.

“Germany is a key market for any online business and, in more uncertain economic times, we want to help our clients to be ready to verify and acquire customers from any market,” said Greenwood.

“The latest statistics show that Germany is home to the most online consumers in Europe. By 2011, 43 million Germans will buy online and we want to help our clients to benefit from that market.”

Abstract from www.igamingbusiness.com

The figure was a 14 percent rise on the firm’s results for full-year 2008 and was helped by 25 percent growth year-on-year in income from sportsbetting activities.

Unibet revealed that its income from sportsbetting from the first three months of 2009 hit £15.97 million, which was up from last year’s £11.88 million, while its gross winnings revenue amounted to £36.1 million, a 13 percent rise on 2009’s £31.3 million.

Profits before tax for the first quarter of 2009 amounted to £10.7 million, which was up from £2.9 million in 2008, while those from operations for the first quarter grew by £600,000 year-on-year to £10.9 million.

Unibet also had 26,816 more active customers than a year ago to bring its total to 314,977 while it reported that it had operating cash flow before any movements in working capital of £13.5 million, a rise of £300,000 from twelve months ago.

“Our strong business model and the well-balanced product portfolio have resulted in another strong quarter in terms of gross winnings and operating cash flow,” said Petter Nylander, Chief Executive Officer for Unibet.

“During the quarter, the number of active customers increased by almost eight percent and we have continued our successful geographic expansion. The experience and structure capital that we have gained in our own sportsbook gives us a competitive advantage in many areas and are fundamental in the strength of our brand and our customers’ user experience.”

Abstract from www.igamingbusiness.com

The Amsterdam Affiliate Conference begins tomorrow and runs until Sunday at the Amsterdam Rai convention centre. Tuma will be in attendance to meet online casino affiliates, show off new games and discuss revenue opportunities with Slotland.com and its instant-play three-dimensional sister site WinADay.com.

“I love going to casino affiliate conferences because they’re a great chance to get face to face with some of the affiliates we’ve been partnered with practically since the dawn of the Internet,” said Tuma.

“Since we have a variety of products that convert exceptionally well and retain players for longer than many online casinos have been in business, it’s always a pleasure to talk to new business partners. However, I must say I’m also really looking forward to winning the ASOP.”

Tuma revealed that he will also be talking to affiliates and prospective partners about new markets for Slotland.com while showing off its recently launched Spanish site, Es.Slotland.com.

“A lot of affiliates are looking for ways to break into the growing Spanish market these days,” said Tuma.

“We haven’t promoted it a lot yet so many of them are surprised when I show them our fully developed Spanish site.”

WinADay.com has added three new slot games to its repertoire since it exhibited at CAP Euro Barcelona in September including Slot-O-Matic, a simple one-payline title that has proved very popular. In stark contrast, the 21-payline Vegas Mania is very complex and was released only this month. Tuma revealed that he would be showing off the seven unique games currently offered at WinADay.com alongside the 16 available at Slotland.com and Es.Slotland.com using large touchscreen monitors.

Tuma also announced that he and his associates have arranged a special gift of $100 for any new affiliates that would like to take Slotland.com and WinADay.com’s one-of-a-kind games for a spin.

“This isn’t a deposit bonus,” said Tuma.

“There’s no deposit required to claim it. Affiliates just need to register with Slotland Affiliates. We’ll put $50 in their Slotland.com account and $50 in their WinADay.com account so they can see why our games are so popular with so many players all over the world. Winnings are theirs to keep.”

Abstract from www.igamingbusiness.com