Launches and sign-ups 16 April 2014
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (10 April to 16 April 2014)
Oxford-based games provider Realistic Games has bolstered its product portfolio to 20 games with the launch of two new online slots titles.
Five-reel 6 Appeal and three-reel Jackpot Cherries will be available on mobile and desktop and follows the recent launch of Riverboat Gambler and Snapshot.
“In a congested market it is more important than ever to provide new and genuinely innovative games to operators and their customers, who are looking for something different,” Realistic Games’ commercial director, Andy Harris, said.
“Many of our games are among the top-performers on whatever device they’re played on, and we’re confident 6 Appeal and Jackpot Cherries will be no different,” he added.
Realistic has partnerships with a number of leading online operators including bet365, BetVictor, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Stan James, Boylesports, and William Hill.
Ladbrokes confirms dual-brand Australia strategy
Ladbrokes has confirmed the AU$22m (£12.4m) acquisition of Australian online bookmaker Eskander’s Betstar and that it will continue to operate both brands in the market.
The UK-listed firm completed the acquisition of its second Australian operator last week having fought-off a number of rival bids from the likes of Unibet and BetEasy.
Betstar management wrote to its customers overnight to inform them of the buyout and that the brand would “live on”.
The brand will however be migrated to the Ladbrokes Australia technology platform, with a new website and mobile site launched in the near future.
Bwin.party backing product launches to boost growth
Bwin.party CEO Norbert Teufelberger said new several new sportsbook product launches and improvements to its mobile casino would help reposition the business for the long term following its second quarter of sequential growth.
The operator revealed today that while all verticals had grown sequentially, although revenues were down 8% year-on-year as its shift from “volume to value” continued to impact the business.
Product enhancements and launches have been planned across all four of the operator’s verticals and Teufelberger said the developments were in a “good place”.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Playtech merges online and retail accounts
Software supplier Playtech has introduced an “industry first” multi-channel customer account enabling punters to place bets online, in-shop and via mobile through a single account.
UK-facing operator Coral is the first to incorporate the online-to-retail betting system, which has seen Playtech’s IMS back office system synchronised with retail operations, through its “Coral Connect” programme.
eGaming Review last month reported on the Coral Connect card which acts as a single wallet enabling customers to deposit or withdraw funds both online and in store.
BetVictor launches online TV channel
BetVictor has launched BetVictor TV, an online broadcast channel designed to increase the reach of its advertising campaigns.
BetVictor TV has been used to stream coverage of sporting events such as snooker’s 2014 Welsh Open and last month’s Cheltenham Festival, while online video tips, betting advice and BetVictor’s television ads have also aired.
“BV TV is already producing firm results with increased site visits alongside strong social media integration,” Michael Carlton, CEO at BetVictor, said.
Unibet launches poker and casino mobile apps
Stockholm-listed operator Unibet has expanded its mobile portfolio today with the launch of two native real-money gaming apps, eGaming Review understands.
Unibet Poker and SpinCity, developed by software firm Relax Gaming, both went live last week after receiving approval from the relevant app stores.
The operator’s new slots app, SpinCity, also debuted on both iOS and Android featuring blackjack, roulette and four Quickspin-developed slots titles such as Big Bad Wolf.
Ladbrokes completes Sportium.es migration
Ladbrokes has completed the migration of its Spanish operations to the Sportium platform and has shut down its previous brand LBApuestas.
Sportium.es “ a joint venture with Spanish operator Cirsa “ was launched in December on Playtech’s Geneity platform and will be Ladbrokes’ sole online brand in the European country.
Ladbrokes’ previous site LBApuestas.es was taken down on 31 March and all player accounts have now been transferred to the Sportium platform.
32Red signs Rangers FC shirt deal
32Red has signed a deal to become the main sponsor of Scottish football club Rangers as the casino operator continues to ramp up its UK marketing efforts.
The three-year deal will see the 32Red logo emblazoned on Rangers’ shirts, as well as provide visibility at Rangers’ Ibrox stadium and across its digital and media platforms, from the start of the 2014-15 season.
eGaming Review understands the deal was negotiated to include a number of performance conditions as the operator looks to tap into the historic football club’s large fan base and increase its reach in Scotland.
Software supplier Comtrade Gaming has announced the launch of a new player engagement tool iCore Engage targeted primarily to large egaming operators.
Key features of the new product allow for instant response to gaming activity through promotions, greater cross-sell between products and different channels, and greater personalisation and optimisation of web and mobile portals.
“We have a highly advanced technology in the area of bonusing and loyalty programs for the gaming industry,” Ales Gornjec, general manager at Comtrade Gaming, said.
“That being so, we decided to design a product, namely iCore Engage, which allows a non-intrusive integration of key iCore benefits on the operator’s existing platform and player data without changing the overall system,” he added.