Launches and sign-ups 26 November 2014
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (20 November to 26 November 2014)
PokerStars readies sportsbook for 2015
World’s largest poker site will also roll out casino to half its player base by end of this year
PokerStars is set to be transformed into a multi-vertical operator after the poker giant confirmed plans to launch a branded sportsbook in 2015 to complement a global roll-out of casino games.
Earlier this year, PokerStars parent company the Rational Group, which was recently acquired by Amaya Gaming, said it was in the process of developing a sportsbook for its Full Tilt brand although refused to clarify whether PokerStars would also offer sports betting.
And today’s admission comes after Amaya Gaming CEO David Baazov last week said Full Tilt’s proprietary sportsbook remained “on track” for a H1 2015 launch.
The roll-out of PokerStars’ online casino is already underway having launched in Spain in October and the operator said it was on track to reach half its global player base by the end of the year.
New US-backed operator to target UK and Nordics
A new casino and sportsbook operator is aiming to take on the industry heavyweights by adopting a “hassle-free, honest and transparent” approach to gaming when it launches next month.
Betspin, which will be launched under the recently incorporated trading company Candid Gaming, is to target the UK, Nordic, Canadian and Australian markets in the coming months following its formation in June.
Led by former Expekt Finland manager and Plus One Dreams director Mikko Hirvonen, Betspin has put together a 14-strong Malta-based team including former Betsson casino head Philip Lam and former ComeOn! head of customer services Geir Mjosund.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Ex-Metro Play MD unveils new egaming brand
Former Metro Play managing director Jamie Walters has revealed plans to launch new online casino and bingo brands powered by 888’s B2B Dragonfish network.
Walters has teamed up with Gamesys’ former head of acquisition James Newman to launch Tau Gaming, which is set to go live with its first casino product before Christmas.
The operator will offer more than 250 casino games from the Dragonfish proprietary portfolio, plus a number of third-party games already integrated into the platform.
666BET plots major product overhaul
666BET has unveiled a redesigned Metro Play site ahead of a major overhaul of both brands next month including the launch of new sports betting products in partnership with BetConstruct.
The online casino underwent a visual overhaul yesterday, in addition to utilising EveryMatrix’s new CMS system, while a new 666Bet.com site is set to launch on 15 December featuring a new sportsbook, mobile offering and payment provider under Metro Play’s Alderney licence.
“There will be some similarities in layout but the two products have a distinct character with Metro Play more of a contemporary site while 666bet is more irreverent and racy,” 666BET CEO, Barry Martin, told eGaming Review.
Unibet strikes exclusive Celtic FC Wi-Fi deal
Unibet has become the official Wi-Fi betting partner for Celtic Football Club after striking a deal with stadia Wi-Fi service provider Sports Revolution.
The two-year deal will see Unibet tailor Celtic-specific pre-live and in-running betting opportunities for fans who are inside the Glasgow ground and have downloaded the Sports Revolution-developed CelticLIVE app.
Unibet will become the only operator available to fans using Celtic’s Wi-Fi, although the club’s official betting partner Ladbrokes, who is understood to have given its blessing to the deal, will retain its in-stadium over-the-counter betting kiosks.
Sportsbet launches ATM card for winnings
Paddy Power’s Australia-facing brand Sportsbet has unveiled a branded ATM card enabling its customers to instantly access their winnings as cash.
Sportsbet customers can now transfer their winnings to their Sportsbet Cash card on all of the bookie’s platforms, including the mobile app, and withdraw at any ATM or use the card via EFTPOS terminals anywhere in Australia.
The move follows in the footsteps of Ladbrokes Australia, which launched a similar product back in March allowing customers to withdraw up to AU$1,000 a day from ATMs.
Betfair strikes Liverpool FC betting partnership
Betfair has struck a deal with Premier League football club Liverpool to replace Paddy Power as its official betting and gaming partner within a number of European countries.
The agreement will see Betfair partner the football club in its licensed markets of the UK, Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Bulgaria and Italy with the operator advertising through Liverpool’s match day programmes and social media channels.
Betfair will offer Liverpool supporters enhanced prices on match day markets and Betfair brand director Mark Ody said partnering with the “iconic” football club would be a “great match” for Betfair.
NYX Gaming plots public offering
NYX Gaming Group has announced plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) on the Toronto Stock Exchange and confirmed the acquisition of the Ongame poker network from Amaya Gaming.
NYX said it had filed its prospectus with the security commissions with each of the provinces and territories of Canada.
NYX said the acquisition of Ongame would complement its casino, bingo and lottery operations in Europe and the US by providing it with “one of the best poker products in the industry”.
Bally shareholders approve Scientific Games takeover
Scientific Games has moved one step closer to completing its US$5.1bn takeover of Bally Technologies after the latter’s shareholders approved the deal at a meeting last week.
More than 99% of the votes represented and cast at the meeting, or around 76% of the total eligible votes, were in favour of the deal, which is expected to complete early next year.
Shareholders also approved the non-binding advisory proposal regarding merger-related compensation, with more than 65% of votes cast in favor of the planned financial structure of the deal.
Jumpman Gaming brings video bingo to UK
Jumpman Gaming has launched a catalogue of video bingo games to UK customers via the 15 Network platform in a move the operator has dubbed a market first.
Already a popular game format in South America, video bingo combines elements of bingo with the fast-paced instant win mechanic, providing opportunities for players to win within a matter of seconds by matching patterns and buying extra ball calls.
And total of 15 games have been released across the 15 Network which are currently available on more than 20 bingo sites.