Greece has launched the tender that will see the operation of the Hellenic Lotteries handed over for 12 years. The license covers all Hellenic Lotteries and the period for firms to express an interest expires at 1700 local time on 29November. After this, they can participate in the tender’s second stage after which they’ll have to submit a cash offer. The release states that Greece is looking for “experienced gaming operators, which may participate alone or through consortia.” Costas Mitropoulos, CEO of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund, added: “We are pleased to launch this tender. As the first to address the international market, it is a significant step forward in our privatisation programme. The Lottery business in Greece presents important growth opportunities and we believe experienced operators will find it attractive.”
The next announcement is expected in around two weeks with Greece choosing to wait until 2012 to let the sale go through. It remains to be seen if the decision is a wise one with the country’s economy lurching between crises.
Casino Gran Madrid became Spain’s first online casino business when its virtual doors opened earlier. The Playtech-powered site allows residents in Madrid to play roulette, Black Jack and slots ahead of the rest of the country. The autonomous region offers a much more favourable tax rate with only 10% stipulated on gross profits. The only bad news is that those with a Mac have to wait and that online poker will only be allowed under the upcoming Spanish Gaming Law. Talk about being beaten by one of your own!
Gaming industry software provider OpenBet has hit treble 20 after signing a deal with Matchroom Sport. OpenBet will develop a range of casino and slot games using the Professional Darts Corporation and World Snooker brands. Chairman of Matchroom, Barry Hearn, said: “OpenBet was the obvious partner for us. Their reputation for delivering innovative products is second to none and they have unrivalled relationships with the majority of operators in the UK.”
We can only assume OpenBet will be aiming the products at “lads” that enjoy uniform chanting at weighty men throwing pointy things at a board. Not forgetting the oft missed demographic of middle-aged women that find portly sports’ stars attractive. Whoever said the glamour of sport ended when David Ginola stepped out of the limelight!
