Weekly news round-up 26 June 2015
This weekâs news in brief includes Gala Coral mobile updates and Ladbrokes Australia launching a new multi-million dollar mobile pools product
Speculation continues to swirl over a proposed merger between Ladbrokes and Gala Coral, but both firms pushed on with improvements to their mobile product. Coral added new markets and scoreboard features to its iOS sportsbook app while also enhancing the appâs live streaming capabilities. Meanwhile Gala added push messaging to its iOS bingo app. Not to be outdone, Ladbrokes added motion control games in a new update of its casino app which also includes single account functionality across all devices. The update debuts a new range of touch-controlled games that allow users to âtap, swipe and twirlâ as it continues to bolster its mobile gaming portfolio.
Ladbrokes Australia launched a new mobile pools product as the operator continues to use Australia as a testing ground for innovation. Mega Margin will allow users to bet on the outcome of Australian Rugby League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL) games, and includes partial cash-out functionality as well as a potential multi-million dollar pay out. âOur mobile-led platform is perfectly suited to a bet with âon-the-goâ Cash Out decisions and life-changing jackpots for our players and Mega Margin is a great innovation for us,â Paul Cherry, COO of Ladbrokes Australia, said.
Betfred has completed the first phase roll-out of its Sportech-powered multi-channel tote betting platform ahead of a wider digital integration set to take place in Q3. The firm announced in June last year it would outsource its entire UK Tote technology platform to Sportech in a 10-year £9m deal, with plans to âco-mingle poolsâ with international jurisdictions as the operator looks to grow its Totepool business in the US and Asia. The overhaul will also include the integration of Sportechâs G4 framework for online betting, plus its Digital Link mobile, which Betfred said it plans to have ready to test by Q3.
The 2.0 update of Paddy Powerâs PP Messenger app will be a âgame-changerâ according to its product manager, as the firm attempts to stay one step ahead of rivals entering the messenger space. The update, released earlier this month, adds quick buttons to the bottom of the display, allowing users to call up prices and coupons for popular events without having to enter requests manually. âThe buttons have been a real game-changer for us because before even though there was a lot of the functionality available, we had to try and educate the customer in how you get that data,â Ruairà McGowan, product manager for PP Messenger, told eGR Mobile Intelligence.