News in brief: Lottomatica; Moneybookers; 32Red; LNG; 188BET...
Lottomatica Group's third-quarter revenues rose 12% from the same period last year, but the company saw a net loss of 13.2m...
Lottomatica Group‘s third-quarter revenues rose 12% from the same period last year, but the company saw a net loss of 13.2m, according to its results announced today. Revenue increased from 493.5m in Q3 2009 to 552.2m in Q3 2010, with net loss attributable to the parent company. “As part of the group’s strategy to balance its debt portfolio, from time to time, the group enters into hedge contracts”¦ in accordance with accepted accounting practices these hedging contracts resulted in a year-to-date unrealized foreign exchange loss of 55.4m,” a statement read. The board also approved a refinancing plan within the first quarter of next year as well as the sale of a 12.5% stake in its Scratch and Win lottery game, as part of its strategy to reduce debt.
Payments provider Moneybookers is rebranding to Skrill. Moneybookers’ head of marketing and PR Juian Artope told eGR: “We felt we needed a new name to better characterise the business, as well as differentiate ourselves in a crowded marketplace and that name is Skrill. It’s short, easy-to-use and translates well internationally. Customers and merchants alike have all told us how much they like it during our extensive research and consultation phase.” Moneybookers worked on the rebranding with agency The Brand Union, which has worked with the likes of Audi, Vodafone, Barclays, the Premier League and Unilever. The group plans to migrate the Moneybookers.com consumer-facing brand to Skrill by the end of 2011.
32Red has launched the first real-money Blackjack application, registered with the Apple store. The App is available for free download at the iTunes App Store from today.
Following the sale of Leisure & Gaming‘s subsidiary Betshop Group to Honeymead Services on 27 October, finnCap has resigned as LNG’s nominated adviser with immediate effect.
188BET has partnered with Top Up TV to offer British football fans three months of free ESPN if they register and bet £50 with 188BET. The promotion was launched by 188BET ambassador Terry Venables and ESPN football presenter Ray Stubbs (pictured).