Intralot Australia was awarded a ten-year license in 2007 to run a live, state-wide bingo game with tickets sold at retailers. Numbers were due to be drawn on television at eight o’clock in the evening on Sundays but the game was moved to Melbourne radio station 3AW last weekend after no commercial television network could be found to show the programme.

“The Victorian Commission On Gambling Regulation determined Intralot breached its licence for failing to broadcast the drawing of ‘TV Bingo’ and has recommended that the Government take disciplinary action,” said Tony Robinson, Gaming Minister for Victoria.

“By failing to broadcast the ‘TV Bingo’ draw on television, Intralot is conducting a public lottery that is different to that authorised by the licence.”

Intralot is also set to receive a letter of censure for failing to comply with the conditions of its licence while Robinson revealed that the licence conditions would be amended to prevent ongoing contraventions by removing the obligation to televise the game.

“This is the first time in Victoria the Government has ever fined a lottery licence holder,’ said Robinson.

‘We regard this as a significant breach of the licence condition.’

This is the latest problem for Intralot since its entry into the Victorian market last year. Retailers have complained of lost revenues through faulty technology, complicated games and poor marketing while the government is set to receive $265 million in tax this financial year from lottery games, which is $8.5 million less than under previous operator Tattersall’s.

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The deal will see Virtue Fusion supply a networked bingo and games package for Paddy Power’s online bingo room at PaddyPowerBingo.com, which was previously part of a bingo network powered by Parlay Entertainment.

“Having a company such as Paddy Power with such fun and accessible brand values is a perfect match to showcase the community aspects that the Virtue Fusion platform delivers,” said Bob McCulloch, Chief Executive Officer for Virtue Fusion.

“In the world of online bingo, both network and stand-alone solutions are proven business models. However, as the industry matures there seems to be pressure to offer regular large and exciting prizes to players and this is made possible only through linking sites. Virtue Fusion is unique in that it offers large games to all its customers as well as facilitating smaller community-style games.”

“Liquidity is key in parimutuel games such as bingo,” said Christopher Coyne, Head Of E-Gaming for Paddy Power.

“We’re now joining the largest bingo network available and, through this move to Virtue Fusion, we are able to offer our customers better product and mini games not to mention more compelling bingo prizes.”

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Eric Roozendaal, Treasurer for Australia’s most populous state, revealed that the Government would retain the New South Wales Lotteries’ brands and intellectual property as valuable assets for the community at the expiration of any licence.

“Issuing a licence for the operation of New South Wales Lotteries means public funds can better be directed to priorities such as health, transport and education,” said Roozendaal.

“These funds will come from the proceeds of issuing the licence and the continuing receipt of duties.

“As a strong and resilient business, New South Wales Lotteries is a compelling investment opportunity. We are encouraged by the high degree of interest from prospective buyers of the licence.”

While the final terms of any transaction have yet to be determined, the Government revealed that it intends to issue an exclusive licence of approximately 30 years providing for the distribution of key lottery products in New South Wales with the exception of keno.

Roozendaal said that lottery distribution models used in other jurisdictions had been considered and revealed that the next step would be to solicit feedback from prospective licensees, key stakeholders and the public on the proposed changes. He stated that formal preparations had already begun with the state expected to begin its tender process over the second half of the year.

“We believe a sole-distributor model has proven to be the most efficient distribution model for lotteries and is, therefore, in the best interests of the community,” said Roozendaal.

“The views of key stakeholders, including employees and New South Wales Lotteries agents would continue to be an important consideration. The fair and equitable treatment of these stakeholders has been central to our deliberations and we intend to ensure their needs are considered.”

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A Spanish joint venture company formed between Betbull Holding SE and Bwin Interactive Entertainment, Betbull Bwin Espana SA revealed that in-running and fixed-odds soccer wagering is being offered from four kiosks located in directors’ boxes at the 80,000-seat stadium.

This is the first time that betting has been offered from inside a Spanish soccer ground with Bwin revealing that the initial trial could be extended throughout the ‘Bernabeu’ for next season if it proves successful.

London-based Betbull Holding announced that its investment in one of Europe’s largest soccer stadiums would provide ‘significant contributions to group profits in the future’.

“We are pleased with the development of the fully licensed market and actively await the opportunity to apply for licences in further Spanish regions as and when available,” said Simon Bold, Director for London-based Betbull Holding.

Betbull Bwin Espana SA was granted a sportsbetting license from the Madrid autonomous region in October before opening its first W1nners retail outlet in a Madrid shopping centre in February. Bwin also has a lucrative shirt sponsorship deal with Real Madrid until 2010 and revealed that Betbull Bwin Espana SA could soon have up to 120 betting outlets under the W1nners brand.

Real Madrid’s intense city rivals, Atletico De Madrid, launched its own official gambling website last month in partnership with Finnish gambling monopoly Alands Penningautomatforening (PAF) at Apuestasrojiblancas.com.

Last month, London-based Probability launched a feature-rich slot game based on the classic film Grease after signing a three-year licensing deal with Viacom’s Paramount Mobile Entertainment.

This latest contract will see Probability develop and distribute mobile slot games under a non-exclusive licence to its over 400,000 clients based on some of television’s most popular brands including The X Factor, The Price Is Right, Play Your Cards Right, Blankety Blank, Sale Of The Century and Hole In The Wall.

“We are delighted to have been able to secure the rights to these fantastic television brands from FremantleMedia Enterprises,” said Charles Cohen, Chief Executive Officer for Probability.

“Slots are our most popular and profitable product segment and I am confident that games based upon these brands will add significantly to our offering. The brands themselves are instantly recognisable and inspire loyalty and affection from the public. We’re looking forward to realising them as a fantastic mobile gambling experience.”

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