OPAP is never far from the gambling news pages so to hear that they just caught the train d’online gambling news once again should be no surprise.
The latest release concerns the contract to be the Greek gambling monopoly’s new IT supplier as the current deal with their fellow Greeks at Intralot expires in July 2012.
According to Reuters only GTECH and Intralot now remain on the shortlist after OPAP explained that US company Scientific Games have now been excluded from the picture after earlier expressing an interest.
It comes as OPAP is facing a barrage of criticism over their position in any Cypriot online gaming market where it’s believed they would have an unfair advantage.
OPAP aims to have decided on their new technology provider by the end of July and it will be a surprise if they stray away from Intralot who signed a contract two years ago for €54million ($77million).
Reports in Cypriot publication Phileleftheros are also suggesting that the competition commission have given the green light to MPs to approve a bill that bans most types of online gambling.
The report was picked up the Reuters newswire, and the bill, if passed, will mean that sports betting and lotteries will be permitted for those aged 18 and over. Poker, roulette, and slot machines will not be allowed though.
In other news, Skillstar.com, a gaming website offered by BetClic Everest, has announced the launch of a TV web show.
Casinos Online report that a company spokesperson said, “We’re inventing a new generation of online games & TV gameshows, the connected TV games. We intend to export the concept in Europe in 2012 & in the US in 2013.”
It will give players the chance to play from home live on a TV gameshow through a webcam.
