Launches and sign-ups 26 October 2016
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (20 October 2016 to 26 October 2016)
Tabcorp and Tatts Group agree £7bn merger
Deal between Australian giants will enable enlarged firm to compete more effectively against foreign rivals
Tabcorp and Tatts Group will combine to create a new Australian AU$11.3bn (£7.1bn) gambling powerhouse, with the deal driven by the desire to compete more effectively with digitally-focused foreign bookmakers.
The merger is expected to complete in mid-2017, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, with current Tabcorp chief executive, David Attenborough, set to take the reins as CEO and managing director.
The combined firm, which is expected to deliver at least $130m (£81.2m) per annum in synergies and business improvements, will have a market cap of approximately $8.6bn (£5.4bn), revenue of more than $5bn (£3.1bn) and EBITDA of over $1bn (£0.6bn).
Existing Tabcorp shareholders will own approximately 42% of the combined company and Tatts shareholder 58%.
Betfair starts casino push with first TV gaming ad in two years
Betfair has started a new wide-ranging promotional push of its online gaming products, backed by the operators’ first gaming ad on TV in two years.
The new ad, which aired for the first time over the weekend, is based on the creative concept unveiled by the operator in August, in partnership with ad agency Lucky Generals.
The 30-second clip features the same song â Higher Ground by TNGHT â and voice over, this time focusing on the anticipation of casino games rather than sports.
“It’s the spin of the wheel, the turn of the card, the press of the button. Experience the ease of it all with Betfair casino. Join now for your free £10 bonus,” the voice-over says.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Sun Bets bolsters racing presence with All-Weather Championships deal
Sun Bets has ramped up its brand presence in British horseracing after signing a deal with Arena Racing Company (ARC) to become a new category sponsor for the 2016-17 All-Weather Championships.
The Tabcorp-powered operator will sponsor the Mile division of the championships, adding to the UK betting brand’s first racing sponsorship at Doncaster Racecourse. It will also sponsor the Northern Stayers Series, which starts at Uttoxeter on Friday
“As a new online betting operator we are delighted to be working with ARC and investing in sponsorship within British racing through the All-Weather Championships,” Sun Bets’ head of PR, Tim Reynolds, said.
Mecca enters new vertical with first instant win games
Mecca has ventured into the online instant win vertical for the first time with the launch of 10 new games supplied by IWG.
The new portfolio, including popular games like Slingo and Cashbuster, are available on a new tab on the Mecca site.
“This is an exciting new development for Mecca’s players,” said Colin Cole-Johnson, the director of digital and cross channel services at Rank Group.
“Scratchcards have been around for years, but they haven’t really changed and IWG’s online instant win content is far more immersive and engaging.
Fortuna sharpens football focus with Czech FA partnership
Fortuna has signed a wide-ranging deal with the Czech football association (FAÄR) to become the title sponsor of the country’s top football leagues and cup competitions.
The six-year deal takes effect immediately for the lower leagues, while the top flight will be known as the Fortuna Liga for the 2018-19 season when the contract with the existing sponsor expires.
The league was sponsored from May 2014 to January 2016 by Fortuna rival Synot.
Paddy Power expands games content with Inspired choice
Paddy Power has struck a deal with Inspired Gaming to roll-out the supplier’s portfolio of HTML5 content and omni-channel slots.
The new suite of games is now available to Paddys’ customers following the integration of Inspired’s Virgo remote gaming server (RGS) into Paddy Power’s platform.
“Inspired’s content is enduringly popular with Paddy Power customers, so it’s fantastic news that we’ll be receiving more top quality games via the RGS,” said Mike Phelan, head of Paddy Power Games.
Tempobet scores Arsenal FC partnership deal
Tempobet has struck a deal with Arsenal FC to become one of the team’s regional betting partners as the Curacao-licensed operator looks to expand into Oceania.
The three-year agreement will see Tempobet increase its exposure in the English Premier League, including branding exposure at all Premier League fixtures played at Emirates Stadium.
“We’re delighted to have signed a deal with Arsenal, which is one of the most successful clubs in English football and have huge and engaged fan base around the world,” Tempobet’s managing director, Mark Clayton, said.
Betway strikes All-Weather Championships sponsorship
Authorised Betting Partner (ABP) Betway has struck a multi-year deal with Arena Racing Company (ARC) to become a sponsor of the All-Weather Championships.
The operator, which signed up as an ABP last week, will sponsor the sprint, middle distance and marathon categories of the 2016-17 championships.
Broadcast live on ITV4 and At The Races, the event runs from 27 October through to the £1m Finals Day at Lingfield Park on Good Friday.
Playtech partners Warner Bros. for Batman slots launch
Playtech has partnered with the consumer products arm of Warner Bros. to launch the first two of six slot games based on DC Comics’ 1960’s Batman Classic TV Series.
The two slots titles â Batman & The Joker Jewels and Batman & Catwoman Cash â are now live and sees players help the Dark Knight take on iconic villains with footage and catchphrases from the popular original TV show.
The Batman series is the first in a collaboration between Playtech and Warner Bros./DC that will see the London-listed provider unveil other superhero-themed games featuring names like Superman and the Green Lantern.
Kambi partners Novomatic for government lotteries play
Kambi and Novomatic have struck a deal which will see the two suppliers join forces to target state-owned lotteries.
According to a memorandum of understanding signed by the firms, Novomatic Lottery Solutions (NLS) will integrate Kambi’s sports betting service to provide a more complete offer to government-owned entities.
This service, which will be debuted at the World Lottery Summit in Singapore next month, will be co-branded and marketed as ‘NLS Sports Betting – Powered by Kambi’.
Kambi CEO Kristian Nylen said he was excited by the opportunities the combination could bring.