Launches and sign-ups 18 June 2014
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (12 June to 18 June 2014)
Amaya to acquire PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker for $4.9bn
The deal sees Canadian gaming supplier become world’s biggest publicly-listed gaming company and paves way for possible US return for PokerStars
Amaya Gaming Group has confirmed it is set to acquire the Rational Group in a deal worth $4.9bn which will see the Canadian gaming supplier become the world’s largest publicly-listed online gaming company.
The agreement includes the purchase of both the PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker brands, paving the way for a possible return to the US market for PokerStars.
Amaya will acquire 100% of the shares of Oldford Group, the holding company of the Rational Group, with shareholders led by founder and CEO Mark Scheinberg disposing of their shares to a subsidiary of Amaya.
“This is a transformative acquisition for Amaya, strengthening our core B2B operations with a consumer online powerhouse that creates a scalable global platform,” David Baazov, CEO of Amaya, said.
GTECH plots IGT acquisition
GTECH is eyeing up a potential acquisition of International Game Technology (IGT) with the two firms in “preliminary and exploratory talks”.
The lottery operator and supplier made the announcement on Monday, following weekend reports the company was plotting a bid, and said it had hired advisers to help assist the company in the potential acquisition.
“This transaction could potentially involve the use of a mix of cash and equity as consideration,” GTECH said in a statement.
“However, the Company does not anticipate that a capital increase for cash will be required [and] there can be no assurance that any binding agreement or transaction will result from these discussions,” the statement added.
Ladbrokes launches “stage two” exchange product
Ladbrokes has launched what it has called “stage two” of its Ladbrokes Exchange, an update enabling customers to directly compare its prices with those on its fixed-odds platform.
A new ‘red box’ feature, launched yesterday, displays the current fixed-odds price of a particular market alongside the odds available on the betting exchange, allowing customers to see which product gives them the best price.
Fixed-odds bets can be placed using the feature without having to log out of the exchange as part of an update Ladbrokes said would offer customers a “massively enhanced experience”.
William Hill launches World Cup micro-site
William Hill has launched a World Cup-focused betting and stats website that will break down how each region of the UK is betting on individual games of the tournament.
‘Bet Nation’ was unveiled last week and also features blogs, videos, sweepstake kits, an interactive wallchart and latest betting offers.
Each game will feature the latest odds which link to the operator’s main dot.com site and shows the updated stats and info graphics for how each UK region is betting on a particular match.
Betfair integrates Colossus Bets platform
Betfair has become the second operator to integrate Colossus Bets’ flagship pools betting platform after launching its new Betfair Pools product.
The Colossus platform has been integrated within a new ‘Pools Betting’ tab, added to the homepage of both the Betfair sportsbook and exchange sites, enabling Betfair customers to enter World Cup pools markets throughout the tournament.
As well as the flagship £10m Colossus pool, various other pools with prizes ranging from £30,000 to £2m are being ran each day, with Colossus having pledged around £100m in prize money for the tournament.
Matchbook completes first diversification into casino
Betting exchange operator Matchbook has marked its first diversification away from sports betting with the launch of its first casino games.
Matchbook CEO Mark Brosnan first revealed plans to diversify into casino when speaking to eGaming Review in April, and now the games have been released to coincide with the start of the World Cup.
The games use a split screen capability that allows customers to play on both the new in-house casino offering and check sports betting markets simultaneously.
Paddy Power Social signs Joey Barton for World Cup push
Paddy Power has signed-up controversial footballer Joey Barton to lead its social sportsbook’s marketing push, allowing customers to bet head-to-head with the Queens Park Rangers midfielder during this summer’s World Cup.
As part of the deal, Barton will place a bet on Paddy Power Social for each game of the month-long tournament which customers can then copy or ‘Bet Against Barton’.
He will also be participating in the Facebook app’s Terrace Talk section which enables players to follow, copy bets, laugh at bets, leave comments and swap tips.
Camelot diversifies into digital management services
Camelot is to offer online and mobile lottery management services to lottery operators as part of a response to a “rapidly evolving marketplace”.
The group’s Camelot Global Services will partner with lotteries to provide marketing, operational and technology services “ dubbed iLottery Channel Management – designed to help maximise revenues.
“We realise the huge potential in the iLottery market and recognise that lotteries must implement this channel to grow participation, remain engaging to players; to help them deal with increasing competition and to maximise revenues for beneficiaries,” Alex Kovach, MD of Camelot Global, said.
BetVictor banks on mobile World Cup with app overhaul
BetVictor has overhauled its mobile app as it looks to capitalise on a mobile-led World Cup with the firm predicting 80% of all bets on the tournament will be placed via mobile devices.
The bookmaker released the fourth version of its iOS sportsbook application yesterday having completely redesigned it to closely resemble its mobile-optimised website and include a host of new features.
The in-play betting screen has been upgraded with real-time game clocks, while text commentary has also been added along with in-game animations.
Sportech acquires raffle platform supplier Bump
Sportech has continued the expansion of US business after acquiring Canadian online raffle platform supplier Bump Worldwide for an undisclosed fee.
Bump currently has license agreements in place with the charitable foundations of 12 professional sports teams in the NHL, NBA, NFL, MLS and NASCAR, including the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bulls and the Vancouver Canucks.
Sportech said the technology and sales processes used by Bump were aligned with those it provided for its racing, off-track betting and casino customers, and that it would leverage its digital experience to help bolster Bump’s product range.