Launches and sign-ups 4 December 2013
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (28 November to 4 December 2013)
Unibet to leave MPN for standalone poker software
Unibet to launch own casual player-focused product as it describes poker networks as “not sustainable”
Swedish-listed operator Unibet is to leave Microgaming’s MPN network to launch a casual-player focused standalone poker product in partnership with Relax Gaming.
The company plans to move to the new product, which features software developed for both the Unibet and Maria brands by Relax Gaming, in Q1 2014 with the operator also investing 1.25m in the Estonia-based supplier.
Head of egaming at Unibet, Daniel Eskola, described the decision as an important step after gross winnings revenue for the vertical in Q3 fell 26% year-on-year.
“The environment in the online poker industry has changed over the years and we have come to the insight that being part of a poker network is not sustainable for Unibet in the long term,” Eskola said.
Ladbrokes launches Spanish brand Sportium
Ladbrokes has soft launched the online offering of its Spanish-facing brand Sportium (Tuesday) for Cirsa customers only, eGaming Review can reveal.
The website has initially launched with just Cirsa customers following issues relating to Ladbrokes’ software migration to Playtech, with a full-scale launch to follow in the coming weeks.
Once the migration is complete, customers from Ladbrokes’ existing online Spanish sportsbook Lbpuestas will be transferred over to Sportium.
Sportium “ a joint venture with Spanish operator Cirsa “ will be headed by director Alberto Eljarrat, who had previously worked at Cirsa.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
New Sky Poker client gets full release
Sky Betting and Gaming has launched its new Sky Poker client following a major overhaul of the product which started earlier this year.
The product emerged from a closed beta test in August, however, a full version of the client which includes a range of new features has now been released.
Richard Milner, head of Sky Poker, told eGaming Review the most important new feature was a new software platform which will allow future developments and enhancements to be rolled out across multiple channels more quickly, with mobile set to be of particular importance in the future.
Ladbrokes Exchange launches on mobile and tablet
Ladbrokes has launched mobile and tablet-optimised versions of its new exchange product one month after the desktop version was introduced.
The new launches come as part of a wider upgrade package including minor bug fixes, with additional features to the exchange expected to be added early next year.
A “major piece of innovation” was removed from the product’s initial launch “ originally scheduled for Q1 2014 “ which enabled Ladbrokes to release the product ahead of schedule.
Gala Bingo partners with UK soap Coronation Street
Gala Bingo has lined up an exclusive partnership with iconic British soap Coronation Street, extending the brand’s partnership with broadcaster ITV.
The partnership will see Gala Bingo release Coronation Street-themed bingo and slots products on 3 December, with additional releases to follow next year.
The games will be available across multiple platforms via the Gala Bingo App and are to be promoted through an advertising campaign featuring actors from the show.
Ladbrokes launches Net Ent casino games
UK bookmaker Ladbrokes has bolstered its casino product with the launch of Net Entertainment’s suite of online casino games.
The operator will initially launch with Net Ent’s portfolio of mobile Touch games, adding to recent moves undertaken by Ladbrokes to improve its mobile offering.
Ladbrokes signed up with previous William Hill collaborator Chelsea App Factory last week to speed up the development of its Mobenga mobile platform, and Andrew Bagguley joined the operator as mobile and devices director just two days later.
Belgian bookie Starbet to launch online with SBTech
Belgian land-based operator Starbet has partnered with sports betting solutions provider SBTech to launch its online and mobile platforms.
SBTech will supply its online sportsbook as well as its html5-powered mobile live betting product, with SBTech marketing director Ron Zluff confirming toeGaming Review that the online product is to launch imminently.
Stef Kraus, managing director at Starbet, said SBTech’s experience in helping land-based operations expand online in regulated markets made the supplier an ideal partner.
BetTech Gaming has partnered with Quickfire, powered by Microgaming, to gain access to casino content and broaden its product offering.
Operators partnered with BetTech will now be able to host various casino games including licensed titles such as The Dark Knight Rises, and Tanzania-based iplay8casino.com will be the first online brand to benefit from the deal.
“Entering this joint venture with Quickfire is another sign of our ambition to partner with the best and we are very pleased to kick it off by launching with iplay8casino,” Mark Bosman, CEO and co-founder of BetTech Gaming, said.
Exchange operator Matchbook has announced a four-month commission free period across all soccer markets, which started on 2 December. New and existing customers will be able to access the offer via Matchbook’s web and mobile platforms.
The offer follows a platform overhaul and re-launch, which included upgrades to its web platform and a completely new iPhone app.
Casino operator ProgressPlay has announced a joint venture with casino entrepreneur Andy Butler to launch Fabulouscasino.com, offering free play and real money gambling.
Fabulouscasino.com will use games, CRM, online payments and back office software provided by ProgressPlay’s Access Anywhere gaming platform.
Isle of Man-based software supplier Microgaming has launched a Christmas-themed Secret Santa slot which triggers a bonus game every five to seven minutes.
“Secret Santa is the perfect game for the festive season; it has a traditional theme impeccably illustrated through hand-painted drawings and a fitting soundtrack,” Mike Hebden, head of casino at Microgaming, said.