Launches and sign-ups 22 March 2017
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (16 March 2017 to 22 March 2017)
Telegraph makes real-money gaming play with new Predictor game
New format designed to “bridge the gap” between sports betting and traditional fantasy sports products
Telegraph Media Group has launched a new real-money and free-to-play betting game to sit alongside its traditional fantasy football product.
The Telegraph Predictor game, live at telegraph.co.uk/predictor, offers contests on 19 sports, including football, horseracing, UFC, golf and darts, across a range of formats such as Last Man Standing, Tipping and Daily Fantasy.
The games aim to “bridge the gap” between sportsbook and DFS, with a Pick 7 contest available on horseracing at Clonmel on Tuesday, alongside a fantasy tournament on the WGC Dell Matchplay golf.
Real-money and free play contests are available on the platform, which is provided by North London white label supplier i-pools.
Fortuna strengthens Romania presence with €47m acquisition
Fortuna is closing in on the acquisition of four Romanian gambling companies for a total consideration of €47m, the Czech operator has confirmed.
The Prague-based firm said last Wednesday it was finalising a deal for Bet Active Concept, Bet Zone, Public Slots and Slot Arena from Fortbet Holdings Limited – the majority shareholder of Fortuna.
The €47m consideration will be funded through Fortuna cash and bank loans, with €15m deferred for up to two years.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Sportech invests in UK launch for stateside Pick6 partner
Sportech has invested £100,000 in 123gaming, a UK company which offers Pick6 contests on US horseracing.
London-listed Sportech, which plans to refocus its attention on the US after selling the Football Pools, already offers Pick6 through its tote platform and provides back-end wagering services and technology to 123gaming.
“Based on our experience distributing the 123racing wager in the USA, Sportech continues to be bullish on the appeal of the 123gaming platform in the US gaming marketplace and the opportunity for expansion in the UK,” said Andrew Gaughan, president of Sportech Racing/Digital.
Dafabet kicks-off Africa push with Kenya launch
Dafabet has made its debut in the regulated Kenyan market, the first stage of a longer-term plan to launch into other countries across the African continent.
The brand, which is operated by Asian Betting and Gaming Enterprise, launched in Kenya last week, and in doing so joined the likes of Betway and local operator SportPesa in the growing market.
Dafabet’s director of retail and regional operations, Louis Watts, described Kenya as a vibrant market and one which would act as a launch pad into other African countries.
Lottoland applies for German lottery licence
Lottoland has filed an application with “several” German states to run its own lottery in the country, the operator announced last week.
The firm said it would offer the first privately-run major lottery in Germany, in direct competition with the state-run product.
If approved Lottoland said it will offer a game similar to the German lottery classic ‘Lotto 6aus49’ or the European multi-state lottery, Euro jackpot.
Playtech unveils “next generation” VIP-focused live casino
Playtech has launched a new live casino experience with seven premium tables designed to attract high-value customers.
The new Grand Royale room, which went live at the end of February, contains five blackjack tables, one baccarat table and one roulette table.
“Grand Royale is a high-end experience that delivers the look and feel of true VIP standards offering Playtech licensees and their players superior features, functionality and personalisation and segmentation,” Playtech said.
Bwin to sponsor Grand Slam of Darts
Bwin is making a return to darts sponsorship after signing a deal to become title sponsor of the Grand Slam of Darts.
The GVC Holdings-owned brand penned a two-year agreement with the Professional Darts Association (PDC), having previously sponsored the World Cup of Darts in 2014 and 2015.
The deal sees bwin replace Singha Beer as Grand Slam title sponsor – bwin stablemate partypoker sponsored the event in 2008 and 2009, while William Hill had been an earlier sponsor of the cross-code championship.
GVC seals Italy-facing slots deal with Yggdrasil
GVC’s Italy-facing bwin.it and Gioco Digitale brands have partnered with Yggdrasil Gaming to integrate the supplier’s video slots content.
The agreement will see the brand initially launch 11 HTML5 games, with bwin.it set to release titles including Dark Joker Rizes, Vikings Go Wild and Nirvana in Q2.
Commenting on the deal, CPO of GVC Holdings, Liron Snir, said: “Our mission is to offer our players the widest possible range of quality games.
Ladbrokes Aus extends rugby league sponsorship portfolio
Ladbrokes Australia has become the new shirt sponsor of rugby league side Newcastle Knights, the operator’s second partnership in the sport in recent weeks.
The deal will see the Ladbrokes logo adorn the back of the team’s jersey for the remainder of the 2017 season, in addition to featuring on the goal post and corner post pads at home games.
The Knights is the first New South Wales-based club Ladbrokes has signed with as the team kicks off its 30th anniversary campaign.