Microgaming,VendTek Systems,Ukash

PartyGaming founder Anurag Dikshit is to sell two thirds of his 28% stake in the company, worth circa £213m based on yesterday’s closing price.

Ladbrokes has become the target of short-sellers, who have taken a combined position in the British bookmaker of 9% following its rights issue last week.

Germany’s online gaming ban is under threat after one of the 16 German states that ratified the treaty underpinning the ban demanded its cancellation at the weekend.

Online payments business Ukash has struck a deal in Canada with VendTek Systems under Vendtek’s brand Now Prepay to make Ukash available 15,000 outlets across Canada by the end of the year. The arrangment follows similar ties recently with Wallet One (W1) in Russia and the CIS, Payzone in the UK and Euronet Worldwide subsidiary epay in Poland.

Microgaming is upping the scare stakes with the launch of four new bingo side games: Halloween-themed Trick or Treat; Monster Mania and the fantasy-themed Goblins Gold and Winning Wizards.

Need to Know: EGR Live and direct. Friday’s Need to Know was dedicated to the ever-fascinating topic of us. And you.

Viewpoint: why marketing via social networks works. Social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter offer uniquely valuable marketing opportunities, says Ed Stevens, managing director of egaming marketing business Jack Media“¦

William Hill Online chief executive Henry Birch is coming to EGR Live, our free two-day event in London next month. Are you?