Launches and sign-ups 9 December 2015
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (3 December 2015 to 9 December 2015)
William Hill unveils Macau-themed casino
Operator’s new multi-channel product features exclusive slot content from Scientific Games as well as themed table and live casino games
William Hill has launched a new Macau-themed online casino as the operator looks to replicate the success of similar land-based products and its thriving Vegas casino.
‘Macau’, which appears as a separate tab on the operator’s homepage, was soft launched in November and features Asian-themed table and live casino games including roulette, blackjack and baccarat.
The new product has also integrated exclusive slot content from Scientific Games and is now live on desktop, in retail shops and on mobile web, although there are currently no plans for a separate mobile app.
William Hill gaming director, Nick Gabriel, told eGaming Review there was a unique opportunity for an Asian-themed online casino following the success of such games in land-based establishments.
Ladbrokes makes move on German market
Ladbrokes has set its sights on the potentially lucrative German sports betting market after tying up a sponsorship deal with Bundesliga football club Werder Bremen.
The deal sees Ladbrokes replace German operator Tipico as the club’s official betting partner in a move a spokesperson for the firm described as a “first small step” into the market.
The agreement, which will see Ladbrokes branding appear throughout the Werder Bremen stadium, will run until the end of the current season but could be terminated should there be any significant regulatory developments in the country.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
PokerStars receives Danish sportsbook licence
PokerStars has received a temporary sports betting licence from the Danish Gaming Authority and plans to apply for a full five-year permit in due course.
The operator said it would roll-out its sportsbook to players in Denmark “soon” followed by casino gaming later next year.
Stars already has an online casino licence in Denmark which it will use to continue offering poker then casino games when they launch.
Betfair signs British Racing deal as Coral heads to Ireland
Betfair has become the first operator to take advantage of the controversial Authorised Betting Partner (ABP) model after agreeing a three-year agreement with British Racing (BR).
The operator will contribute a percentage of racing revenues from its exchange and sportsbook based on a new rate card developed by BR, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the Racecourse Association and the Horsemen’s Group.
The rate card, which is due to be published later today, forms part of the new Members Agreement which the BR said was designed to represent a fair contribution from bookmakers, but has been challenged by a number of operators including William Hill and Ladbrokes.
BetVictor rolls out Chelsea FC slots game
BetVictor has launched a slots game based on Chelsea Football Club as part of the operator’s plan to offer an increased amount of exclusive gaming content.
The game, which has been developed by Realistic Games, features some of the club’s top players and a soundtrack aimed at recreating the atmosphere at its Stamford Bridge ground.
The slots game strengthens ties between BetVictor and Chelsea after the operator signed a deal to become the club’s global betting partner earlier this year.
888 launches Christmas-themed bingo skin
888 is the first major operator to embrace the festive season following the launch of its new Christmas-themed bingo skin, Jingle Bingo.
The operator’s head of B2C Itai Pazner said the firm would market Jingle Bingo in the run up to Christmas with email campaigns and via affiliates and other channels, with the site to remain live after the festive season has passed.
Powered by its Dragonfish platform, Jingle Bingo offers three types of bingo game – 75 ball, 90 ball or High 5 – and more than 20 online scratch cards and Christmas-themed games and prizes.
188BET converts Super League sponsorship deal
188BET has sealed a deal to become the official sponsor of rugby league club Wigan Warriors as the Asian operator continues to ramp-up its visibility in the UK market.
The deal, which will last for the duration of the 2016 season, will include a number of branding opportunities and see the 188BET logo emblazoned on the front of the Wigan Warriors’ shirts.
188BET takes on the Wigan Warriors deal from previous sponsors Coral and comes as the Manila-headquartered firm looks to gain a foothold in the UK market.
A customer at Mobilbet.com has won the egaming operator’s progressive MegaFortune Jackpot worth over 1.3m.
The Norwegian customer won the mobile-focused operator’s jackpot prize on his tablet from just a 1.2 bet.
“A new house and a vacation in California will be the family’s Christmas presents this year”, the lucky winner said.
“We are very excited that Mobilbet has created another millionaire out there,” Daniel Bradtke, co-founder and CMO at Mobilbet, added.