After many prospective attendees expressed concern, the annual Bodog.com Marketing Conference scheduled for 23-25 July at Wynn Las Vegas has been postponed. This follows the arrest of David Carruthers, chief executive of BetonSports, by the US authorities and the consequent uncertainty surrounding possible further action against online gambling operators. Bodog has promised it will announce a bigger and better conference outside the US in the near future and that conference registration and sponsorship fees will be refunded. The party at Tao at the Venetian on 25 July will go on as planned.

Mr Carruthers faces a lengthy spell behind bars before getting to trial as bail is likely to be refused. As a UK citizen where online gambling is not against the law, successful extradition proceedings to get him back to the States could not be guaranteed. So far courts in the United States have only attempted to bring cases against online sports betting, which can be argued to fall under the 1961 Wire Act. Over the last months Mr Carruthers has been pushing for the regulation of online gambling in the US and BetonSports has been marketing its telephone sports betting service there, both of which may well have had something to do with his present situation.

In London PartyGaming reported a 49% rise in revenue for the second quarter, ahead of the market forecast. The Group is vigorously pursuing players from outside the US, particularly in Europe and South America. Over the last three months the company has seen a 28% rise in daily poker revenue to US$2.7 million and online casino gaming has brought in around US$800,000 each day, up from US$100,000. PartyGaming revenue in the second quarter was US$319.3 million.

Trading on BetonSports’ shares has been suspended and the company’s website says ‘In light of court papers filed in the United States, the company has temporarily suspended this facility pending its ability to assess its full position…’ Wholly owned Easybets, founded in 1974 and operating from Costa Rica and the UK, continues to offer a sports betting and gaming service. It is estimated that BetonSports will lose around £4 million (US$7.4 million) every day it is not operating. (E-07.21.06)

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