Launches and sign-ups 26 April 2017
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (20 April 2017 to 26 April 2017)
Gaming Realms plots US expansion with Slingo licensing deals
Operator to launch its Slingo games portfolio in New Jersey next month with Resorts, Caesars and Pala
Gaming Realms has struck a trio of B2B deals with tier-one US egaming operators to license its Slingo games content in the regulated New Jersey market for the first time.
The company has partnered with Resorts Digital Gaming, Caesars Interactive Entertainment and Pala Interactive to bring its game library to New Jersey via its proprietary Remote Game Server (RGS).
The launch, which is expected to take place next month, comes after Gaming Realms had previously received a transactional waiver from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement in 2016.
Last year, Gaming Realms made its first major push into the regulated US egaming market via a partnership with Pala to launch real-money bingo site PalaBingoUSA.com.
Sky Betting & Gaming unveils major Sky Casino revamp
Sky Betting & Gaming (SB&G) has unveiled a major overhaul of its Playtech-powered Sky Casino brand, featuring an “industry-first” digital live roulette experience.
The live casino-focused brand was revamped in recent weeks across both mobile and desktop, ahead of a new marketing campaign to support the launch, and includes an improved customer experience, product enhancements and improved gameplay.
In addition, the Leeds-based operator has launched a new digital live roulette wheel featuring a light tracker that tracks the ball’s movement, while studio croupiers also have new uniforms to match the new look and feel of the site.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Lottoland takes stake in Australian lottery operator Jumbo Interactive
Lottoland has invested in Australian lottery operator Jumbo Interactive with the firm snapping up more than three million shares for a 7.1% holding, EGR Intel can confirm.
Recent local reports had suggested Lottoland was the mystery Jumbo investor, but today EGR Intel can reveal the firm has acquired 3,117,224, valued at approximately AUS$7.5m (£4.5m).
Speculation surrounding Lottoland’s investment has seen Jumbo shares rise in recent weeks with the AUX-listed firm’s stock up from $1.86 on 13 April to $2.38 yesterday.
Zeal expands into Holland and Norway with Lottovate
Zeal Network’s Lottovate brand is set to expand its reach into the Dutch and Norwegian markets after receiving two new charity lottery licences.
The London-based operator’s Dutch licence will enable the firm to run a nationwide charity lottery for five years, with plans to launch its new “mobile-first” product by Q3 2017.
Its expansion into the Netherlands comes after Lottovate last year received a lottery licence which ran until 31 December 2016, having previously been prevented from obtaining a licence in 2014 by the Dutch regulator.
Lottoland in talks over Melbourne Cup sponsorship
Lottoland has opened negotiations with Victoria Racing Club (VRC) over the sponsorship of the prestigious Melbourne Cup, arguably the most high-profile race in the Australian racing calendar.
The Melbourne Cup is currently sponsored by long-term backer Emirates, but with that deal due to expire later this year, EGR Intel understands the bet-on-lotteries operator is keen on replacing the airline with a five-year deal up for grabs.
A source close to the negotiations informed EGR Intel that Lottoland had held talks with the VRC but that it was still “early days”.
PokerStars extends Spin & Go to Omaha games
PokerStars has expanded its popular Spin & Go format to Omaha games for the first time, as the Amaya-owned brand continues its efforts to overhaul the poker ecosystem.
Spin & Gos are fast-paced, three-player tournaments, where the prize pool is determined randomly, with pay-outs between two and 10,000 times the player’s buy-in.
“Omaha is a highly enjoyable poker variant and was quite high up on our players’ request list to deliver it as a Spin & Go,” said Severin Rasset, director of poker operations and innovation.
Multilotto kicks off international expansion with Irish debut
Multilotto has announced the launch of a new Ireland-facing lottery product, as the operator looks to expand its reach outside its core Nordic markets.
The operator unveiled its multilotto.ie website this week, offering a variation of global international lottery jackpots, including Irish brands Bono Loto and Mega Sena.
Despite a primary focus on the Nordics since its inception in 2012, Multilotto is now aiming to expand internationally after receiving a licence from the Malta Gaming Authority last month.