Calvin Ayre's latest online gambling industry venture - his Bodog brand franchising initiative - has opened a central press office in London, UK.

Former Everest Gaming European PR chief Ed Pownall has been appointed to head the team, bringing to the position his wide experience with Everest, Blue Square, Skybet and JackpotJoy online gambling companies over the past decade.

"London is the business centre of the gaming industry and so it makes sense to position our global press office there. Equally this way we can now look to provide the media with one point of contact for all inquiries about the Bodog brand," said Ayre this week.

The online and land gambling group William Hill plc is to take further measures to extend its banking covenants, specifically the issue of GBP 300 million in corporate bonds.

With an issue date of 12 November 2009, the income from the bonds will serve to extend the bookmakers’ existing banking facilities due to expire in 2011 by five years, and raise its coverage to GBP 838 million.

The bond issue follows a GBP 350 million share issue in April this year (see previous InfoPowa reports) which was used to restructure GBP 1.2 billion of debt due to mature in March 2010.

The online and interactive gambling component in January 2010's International Gaming Expo, ICEi in London appears to be attracting a solid response from online gambling companies.

Organisers Clarion Gaming report that the event already has already seen no fewer than 44 companies from 20 jurisdictions confirming show debuts at ICEi.

The newcomers will join a wide range of blue chip brands in remote gaming at Earls Court, taking the latest ICEi roster to 101 exhibitors, compared to 99 exhibitors in 2009.