Launches and sign-ups extra 21 October 2016

Playtech has moved to bolster its omni-channel solutions for bingo retail operators after acquiring software and hardware provider ECM Systems in a £15m deal.

ECM Systems supplies its services to a number of UK retail bingo operators including Gala Leisure and Mecca Bingo.

Its systems provide facilities for main stage bingo, cash bingo, wide area linked gaming operations and front-of-house reporting, as well as software for a range of handheld tablets known as Electronic Bingo Terminals (EBT).

“ECM has a leading position within the bingo hall sector, including its extensive range of handheld devices that enable players to enjoy a digital experience within a familiar retail environment,” Mor Weizer, chief executive of Playtech, said.

“This is a significant step in strengthening and expanding our Playtech ONE offering within the bingo sector and we look forward to working with Allen and the whole ECM team.”

Unibet Group has signed a cooperation agreement with FIFA subsidiary Early Warning System GmbH (EWS) as it looks to improve safeguarding the integrity of sports and betting.

Under the agreement, Unibet will exchange information with EWS and cooperate on its efforts to improve prevention measures and education in the field of sports betting integrity.

“Matchfixing is a threat to football, to our industry, and to our company,” Eric Konings, sports betting integrity officer at Unibet, said.

“It is our firm belief that cooperation between all relevant stakeholders is the key to eradicating this problem, and therefore, we are happy to team up with FIFA in this battle.”

African operator NairaBET has become the first Optima client to integrate Colossus Bets‘ sports pools network after the two suppliers entered a distribution partnership.

The collaboration sees Colossus Bets’ product portfolio available to Optima’s client base for web, mobile and retail as part of a standard integration on the OPTIMA Multi Channel Gaming suite.

“Through Optima, our pools are already live with a premier African betting brand in NairaBET and we look forward to growing with them the stable of partner operators offering risk free, sports jackpots of 10-20-30 million pounds to their clients,” Bernard Marantelli, CEO and founder of Colossus Bets, said.

Jacob Curciel, CEO and founder of Optima, added: “We believe that the formula of lotto-sized sports jackpots with cash-out throughout is a great addition to what we can provide to our operator clients. Our arrangement with Colossus Bets is consistent with our goal of offering the most innovative products and solutions in the e-gaming sector.”

Mr Green has exclusively integrated Lightning Box Games’ latest slot title, Astro Cat, for a two-week period before its general release.

The Asian-themed, 5-reel, 1296 ways slot uses the supplier’s patented Reelfecta super reel to give players 16 chances to win on the middle reel, as well as a Mega Spin where all 16 positions are Wild.

“Astro Cat is an awesome game, which is why we wanted to bring it to our players first,” Andrew Crosby, head of casino at Mr Green, said. “We are always looking for new and exciting titles to boost our portfolio, and this is a great addition.”

Peter Causley, Lightning Box managing director and co-founder, added: “Astro Cat is a really great game that has enjoyed phenomenal success in land-based casinos, particularly in the US.”

Paf has signed a multi-year deal to integrate Play’n GO’s mobile and desktop product portfolio for the first time.

The Åland-based operator will offer its customers titles such as Gemix, Grim Muerto and Eye of the Kraken created by the Swedish slot supplier.

“Play’n GO is well known across the industry for producing some of the best titles around and we’re thrilled to give our players the chance to share in the fun and excitement,” Kim Johansson, Paf’s director of games, said.

Johan Törnqvist, Play’n GO’s chief executive officer added: “As a Scandinavian company at heart, we feel strongly that our suite of premium titles with industry leading performance will be music to the ears of Paf´s customers.”

Habanero has released its latest HTML5 title, Jugglenaut, a 50 line, 5×3-reel game set in a dark circus environment.

The Jugglenaut character is ringmaster and circus act rolled into one, throwing knives, axes and chainsaws into the air. The longer he juggles, the more the player is rewarded.

“The game is one of our most attractive high resolution games to date,” Habanero’s head of sales, Daniel Long, said. “As we expand into new markets it is important to provide our operating partners with content that has universal appeal, and we’re confident Jugglenaut will be an absolute blast.”

Supplier Kiron Interactive has signed an agreement to distribute its virtual games with Armenia’s Digitain.

The multi-channel deal signed at EiG 2016, which spans retail and online, will see Kiron’s suite of virtual games integrated on Digitain’s new platform and distributed to their customers across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

“Kiron’s virtual games are very popular, and we’re very pleased to be able to offer them to clients as a complementary product to our sportsbook and casino,” Suren Khachatryan, CEO of Digitain, said. “The partnership gives us another string to our bow and provides our operator partners with new and engaging content as they look to acquire and retain customers.”

Steven Spartinos, co-CEO of Kiron, added: “It is exciting that Digitain will be introducing us to their clients in countries where we’ve not previously had a presence.”

Quickspin has released its latest title, Dragon Shrine, a five-reel 40-line slot that breathes fire into the game through free spins, with a double stack feature that fills the left and right reels with gold dragons.

A stack of dragons in reel one unleashes the Dragon Stack Re-spin feature, during which all Dragon and Wild symbols are locked in place and three re-spins initiated.

Any additional Dragon or Wild symbols that drop during the re-spin are also locked in place for the duration of the feature.

“Dragon Shrine is another great addition to our portfolio of slots games, and is a modern take on a classic theme,” Quickspin CEO Daniel Lindberg, said. “The team has done a great job with this game, and we believe players will be thrilled at the chance to tame the dragon and unlock free spins.”