Launches and sign-ups 29/02/12
A round-up of the egaming industry's launches and sign-ups from the last seven days (23 February to 29 February 2012).
Exclusive: iPoker licensees demand answers over proposed network split
bet365, Paddy Power, Titan Poker, William Hill and Poker 770 will be on ringfenced network accounting for 70% of cash game liquidity.
Several operators with poker offerings on the 46-skin iPoker network will demand showdown talks with the Playtech-owned business over its plans to ring-fence cash tables from a select group of skins.
Multiple sources have confirmed to eGaming Review that bet365, Paddy Power, Titan Poker, William Hill and Poker 770 will be on the ring-fenced network, known anecdotally as ‘iPoker 2’.
Under the new framework, which could come into force as soon as next month, exclusive cash tables would be created on those skins included in the higher-tier of the network, between whom liquidity would be pooled. Bet365 and Paddy Power already have exclusive tables at low levels, but the new format is expected to extend across all cash tables on the relevant skins. iPoker is the world’s largest poker network and the third largest brand behind PokerStars and PartyPoker with average 24-hour peak liquidity of more than 7,000 online players, according to Poker Scout.
According to representatives from more than one of the operators excluded from iPoker 2, those set to be included could ultimately account for as much as 70% of cash game liquidity across the network. “Cash liquidity is roughly 65-35 in favour of the skins set to be on iPoker 2 but if Poker770 join then that goes above 70%,” said one representative, who asked not to be named.
Bally buys Chili’s iGaming platform
US slots and casino management company Bally Technologies has agreed a deal to acquire Chiligaming’s B2B ‘igaming platform’ for an undisclosed amount.
The platform, which signed up the Golden Nugget casino as its first customer earlier this month, will allow land-based casinos to customise their online operations using a cloud-based system offering ‘best-of-breed’ products from a variety of providers.
A number of Chili employees will continue to work on the platform, joining Bally’s newly launched interactive arm and provide the Las Vegas-based company with knowledge and expertise developed during its interactions with software providers in the company’s seven years as an operator.
PokerStars Zoom launches on test site
Zoom, the fast-paced poker game from PokerStars, has gone live on the Isle of Man-based operator’s test site.
Any player holding an account with the operator can try out the game for play-money ahead of the planned launch of a real-money version, possibly as soon as next month.
The variant features a “fast fold” option, much like Full Tilt’s ‘Rush Poker’ game, allowing players to play more hands over any given time period. The game is currently only available to test in a ring game format, and it is unclear whether or not the initial launch will feature sit ‘n’ goes or tournaments.
15 Marketing launches “flexible” UK-focused bingo network
15 Marketing, the company behind Oh My Bingo and Bingo Happy, has launched a new “flexible” UK-only bingo network that will contain up to six brands including two of its own.
Lights Camera Bingo, that has been live for more than six months and promoted via a £500,000 television advertising campaign last year, and Show Reel Bingo, are the first two sites on the new 15 Network.
Show Reel Bingo was launched today and offers players a first in the bingo space after 15 Marketing secured a deal with film subscription service Love Film. If players deposit £10 the site offers a 200% bonus plus two free cinema tickets worth more than the initial deposit.
PKR launches Italian site
PKR has launched an Italian poker room, following the legalisation of cash poker in the country last July.
Italian players will be able to play cash games, Sit’n’Go’s and free-play practice tables, with native versions of multi-table tournaments including the PKR Open and daily freerolls. Players who previously held accounts on PKR.com will be able to transfer their username, PKR Points balance and Club PKR loyalty level to the Italian site, while still being able to receive a first deposit bonus.
Popcap in Facebook casino launch
Social gaming studio Popcap Games has launched Lucky Gem Casino, a Facebook slots app with rooms themed on a number of its brands including Bejewelled.
Popcap’s ‘Bejeweled Blitz’ puzzle game attracts more than 10m monthly active users, while other games including Zuma Blitz (2.7m MAU) will also receive branded slots on Lucky Gem.
Comtrade launches Facebook blackjack
Slovenian solutions provider Comtrade has launched its free-to-play Facebook Blackjack solution with British casino PalacesLive.
The game, which features social elements such as sharing and inviting friends, runs off Comtrade’s remote gaming server and igaming platform.
Inspired enters Latam via Caliente partnership
Inspired Gaming Group has signed an agreement with Mexican operator Caliente, which will see its virtual sports products go live in 13 countries across the region.
Casino sportsbooks in markets such as Mexico, Panama and Venezuela will launch Inspired’s range of virtual sports including horse racing, greyhound racing, football and motor racing, with the product designed to be adapted to mobile or online platforms.
Atlantis launches tribal egaming network
Nevada-based egaming company Atlantis Internet Group has launched a “legal intranet gaming” network, with tribal casinos in Louisiana and California the first two venues to join.
Partouche poised to relaunch poker site
Groupe Partouche will relaunch its online poker site following a 16.7% year-on-year decline in first-trimester interactive turnover, the operator revealed in its results for the four months ended 31 January.
Betgenius signs Sportsbet deal
Sports data software supplier Betgenius has agreed a deal to supply Australian bookmaker Sportsbet with its Connextra adserving product.
Perform in South American football rights deal
Live streaming provider Perform Group has almost doubled its portfolio of South American football matches after signing a deal with rights agency Full Play Group.
888 has signed a deal with Ryanair to launch a gambling offering on the Irish airline’s Ryanair.com site. Players will be able to win a host of prizes, including flight vouchers on slots, poker and sports betting products. This follows Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary’s announcement that the company would introduce gambling on the company’s website in 2006, and on planes in 2007.
Former Danish monopoly Danske Spil has launched an affiliate programme for its online and retail divisions using Income Access affiliate marketing software. Danske Spil’s online campaign manager Kristian Baekgaard commented: “Although we’ve long been the most prominent gaming provider in Denmark, through our affiliate programme we will strengthen gaming possibilities for Danish players who want to play games for money online.”
Betgenius has been granted membership by the World Lotteries Association, the trade body for state-owned lottery associations. It follows the company receiving associate supplier membership of the European Lotteries and Toto Association in January this year.
IGT has announced the launch of its new Fire Opals slot. One of the company’s most popular land-based games, it allows players to win from a stake of just 50 cents using MultiWay Xtra wagering, and is available in 15 languages and 31 currencies.
Scientific Games subsidiary Global Draw has extended its gaming machines supplier deal with Jenningsbet to 2015. The companies have been working together for 12 years, with Jenningsbet MD Greg Knight describing the partnership as “pivotal” to Jenningsbet’s continuing growth.
Microgaming has signed a licensing agreement with Pedigree Group Ltd, owners of the football magazine Shoot to develop a slot game based on the brand.