Launches and sign-ups 26 February 2014
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (20 February to 26 February 2014)
Bwin.party’s Sportster begins open-beta testing
Operator’s new social sports betting product in beta phase ahead of full-launch in coming weeks
Bwin.party’s social sports betting product Sportster – Bet and Win was beta launched on Facebook last week ahead of a full-scale launch in the coming weeks.
A holding page for the product appeared last month inviting users to register for the beta testing phase, with the product having been in development since early last year.
The game, developed as part of a collaboration with Ukrainian social gaming studio Nordeus, allows players to bet on both real and virtual football matches involving leading European football teams in order to collect ‘cash winnings’ and tokens.
Users stake a virtual currency on a variety of markets, while tokens are collected after passing certain milestones and used to gain extra currency and to purchase ‘wildcards’ that are used to provide in-bet cash-out bonuses.
WMS sells JackpotParty.com to SkillOnNet
WMS has sold its B2C business JackpotParty.com to egaming software provider SkillOnNet as part of a move to focus solely on its B2B operations.
The fee paid for JackpotParty is currently undisclosed, but it has been confirmed that Cyprus-based SkillOnNet is to acquire all JackpotParty assets from WMS, including its player database.
A new domain – SlotsMagic.com “ has been set up to host all current JackpotParty players which will have access to each game offered by JackpotParty, including those from providers including NexGen and Amaya.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
PokerStars secures Bulgarian licence
Pokerstars is preparing to go live in the ring-fenced Bulgarian market after receiving its remote operating licence from the Bulgarian regulator.
Last month, eGaming Review reported that PokerStars, along with Betfair, had applied to Bulgaria’s State Commission on Gambling (SCG) for an operating licence after the country revamped its taxation model at the start of the year in order to attract foreign investment.
And while Betfair still waits to have its licence rubber-stamped, PokerStars will become the third operator to legally enter the market and only the second since the switch to a 20% tax on gross gaming revenues when it goes live in the coming weeks.
Bodugi to sell B2C business following licence suspension
Bodugi Technology has taken the decision to terminate its entire B2C operation after the UK Gambling Commission suspended its operating licence, eGaming Review can confirm.
The UK regulator suspended the egaming company’s licence last week after receiving complaints customers were unable to withdraw funds and because Bodugi had failed to respond to the Commission’s requests to discuss its concerns.
Speaking with eGR, Bodugi Technology COO and co-founder, Michael Wilson, said the company was now communicating with the regulator regarding the current suspension of its pool betting and fixed-odds licence.
Coral Interactive has announced the launch of Playtech’s HTML5-optimised Mobile Poker platform as the operator increases its focus on the recreational poker player.
The software supplier’s Mobile Hub functionality is compatible with web browsers, native applications and all HTML5 ready devices and features a range of cash tables and speed games.
“We’re delighted to have added poker to our mobile offering giving players the full gaming experience on the move,” Craig Perry, Coral’s head of poker, said.
“As we strive to recruit more and more recreational poker players we see mobile as the ideal tool to engage them,” he added.
Online casino supplier Net Entertainment has announced the launch of its Extend application programming interface (API) framework.
The Swedish-listed firm’s latest product allows operators to customised gaming experiences based on real-time data and can be used to add social features to the game including badges and rewards.
“Our commitment to innovation is reflected in this superb product that provides operators the perfect way to keep ahead in an increasingly competitive market place,” Simon Hammon, chief product officer at Net Entertainment, said.