Launches and sign-ups 20 January 2016
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (14 January 2016 to 20 January 2016)
BetStars debuts “game-changing” Spin & Bet feature
PokerStars says feature will help distinguish its new sportsbook brand from its rivals
PokerStars has rolled out a “game-changing” product for its new BetStars sportsbook brand as it looks to distinguish itself from the UK market’s power players.
The poker giant said Spin & Bet, inspired by its popular Spin & Go poker game, was a unique product that gives punters the chance to multiply their odds and potential winnings by up to 10 times.
Guy Templer, director of group business development and strategy at BetStars’ parent company Amaya, said Spin & Bet was “the game-changing innovation in sports betting this year”.
“We’re convinced our customers will love the new product as it brings a new and exciting dimension to betting for sports fans around the world.
William Hill builds on “destinations” casino strategy with Mayfair launch
William Hill completed the roll-out of its new Mayfair live casino rooms last week as the operator strengthened what it describes as a “destination-themed” strategy.
The Mayfair rooms, which were unveiled early last week, join William Hill’s existing live casino content based on the popular gambling destinations of Vegas and Macau.
Speaking to eGaming Review, William Hill live casino operations manager Richard Atkinson said Mayfair was the latest piece of the jigsaw in bringing a new experience to its customers.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Partypoker launches dedicated Windows app
Partypoker has strengthened its mobile product offering with the launch of a dedicated Windows app featuring new gesture-based gameplay and portrait orientation.
The app also includes a new quick-play lobby where players select their game criteria and are seated automatically, and offers Omaha games for the first time.
Tom Waters, acting director of games at bwin.party, told eGR the gesture-based controls made it easier to carry out common actions, with placing a bet, calling or folding all being done with a single finger swipe.
Unibet offers customers free site blocking software
Unibet has partnered with anti-gambling software company Betfilter to offer problem gamblers free access to its gambling website blocking product.
The agreement will see Unibet pay the Betfilter licensing cost for customers known to have a gambling problem and will help address the issue of Unibet’s self-excluded gamblers satisfying their addiction through the use of other gambling operators.
Previously, problems gamblers would be advised to download Betfilter’s software, which blocks access to all gambling-related websites, but were required to pay approximately ?49 per year for the privilege.
PokerStars launches Jackpot Poker app on Amazon TV
PokerStars is looking to grow its share of the social poker market after launching its new Jackpot Poker application on Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick.
It comes as part of the push from the poker giant to offer products in additional channels, following the launch of a PokerStars Apple TV app last week.
Players will now be able to use their TVs to play Jackpot Poker, with the app having been optimised for the platform and for use with the Amazon Fire TV controller.
DraftKings targets February UK launch
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator DraftKings plans to be live in the UK market by mid-February, having postponed its hotly-anticipated launch twice already.
The date was confirmed by DraftKings’ newly-appointed CMO Janet Holian, who told the Boston Globe the operator would “probably” be offering contests to players in the UK by the middle of next month.
The Boston-based firm first announced plans to enter the UK market back in August, appointing former bwin.party director of poker Jeffrey Haas to lead its international expansion efforts.
Perform launches in-play pricing marketplace
Perform Group is launching an innovative sportsbook marketplace, offering operators the ability to mix and match their in-play price feeds by selecting from a variety of different suppliers.
The RunningBall Odds Store has already signed up three pricing providers in the shape of William Hill, Sporting Solutions and Austrian supplier Wettbuero, with Perform currently in talks with a number of additional interested parties.
The Odds Store gives operators the flexibility to choose which price feeds to use for particular events on a pay-as-you-go basis – for instance, an operator could opt to take William Hill’s football prices but then choose to use Sporting Solutions for its live NFL, either for the whole season or just a one-off match.
Mondogoal partners with Intralot for Italy DFS launch
Mondogoal has become the first daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator to enter the Italian market after striking a deal with gaming giant Intralot.
The site, Mondogoal.it, will offer real-money contests on Serie A, La Liga, the English Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League, among others.
Mondogoal chief exec Shergul Arshad said he was “eager to take on the new challenge” and after having studied the market for three years believed his firm offered an “exciting and breakthrough” product.
Mr Green strikes casino content deal with Odobo
Mr Green has expanded its gaming portfolio after striking a deal to gain access to Odobo’s Marketplace platform.
The agreement enables Mr Green to offer more than 60 HTML5 Marketplace games with the operator having already gone live with six titles including Extinction, Gourmet Ranch Riches, Epic City and Lucky Pirates, with another 14 due to complete the first wave of launches.
“Odobo offers a wealth of interesting, exclusive and new content,” Bo W?nghammar, Mr Green CEO, said.