Launches and sign-ups 22 May 2013
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (16 May to 22 May 2013)
888 announces Kambi sportsbook deal
Unibet subsidiary replaces Blue Square Bet as 888’s sportsbook provider as the company looks to increase its geographical reach
888 has announced a deal with Kambi Sports Solutions for a fully managed sportsbook solution, designed to allow the operator to “pursue its strategy in regulated markets across the globe”.
Unibet’s B2B subsidiary will provide a fully managed solution that will be integrated onto 888’s back office platform, and will launch with online and mobile variants under the 888sport brand.
888 described the agreement as enabling it to “offer a broader range of betting markets and products”, targeting the UK and other regulated markets like Italy and Spain, where Kambi already has a number of clients.
NJ court cancels Stars deal for Atlantic Club
The New Jersey Superior Court has upheld Atlantic Club owners Colony Capital’s appeal against PokerStars’ injunction blocking the investment group from seeking another buyer for the Atlantic City casino.
Stars’ parent company the Rational Group had hoped to use the venue as a foothold to re-enter the US market, but the Atlantic Club owners moved to cancel the deal on May 1 claiming the deadline for completion had passed.
Rational Group obtained an extension to the deal, only for Judge Raymond Batten, who originally approved the restraining order, to appear to put the final nail in the coffin of the deal and find in favour of Colony Capital on Friday 18 May.
Exclusive: Big Al’s dropped by Betfair
Big Al’s Creative Emporium (BACE) has not been retained by Betfair as its creative agency, eGaming Review has learned.
The London-based agency, which has previously also worked with Paddy Power, is keen to remain involved with the egaming industry despite missing out on the new contract. It has been involved with Betfair for just under two years, after signing up with the operator in June 2011 in a move which saw it cut ties with the Irish operator.
BACE was invited to re-pitch for the creative account and was one of five candidates to respond to a request for information (RFI) from Betfair earlier this year, however a spokesperson for the company confirmed to eGaming Review that it had been unsuccessful.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
WCRS wins Betfair creative account
London-based creative agency WCRS has been selected by Betfair to take control of its combined creative and digital accounts.
The operator last week combined its online and offline media buying, with the contract going to Arena Media, and the two components of WCRS’ combined account were previously the responsibility of Big Al’s Creative Emporium and Karmarama respectively.
Big Al’s was dropped by Betfair after two years, while CampaignLive reports that Karmarama was offered the opportunity to repitch for the digital account but declined. Betfair had issued a request for information (RFI) in March, to which five candidates responded, with four making it through to the pitch stage.
Hills extends Scottish Cup sponsorship
William Hill has signed an extension to its deal to sponsor the Scottish Cup, remaining the competition’s title sponsor until 2016.
The original deal, announced in 2012, was due to expire next year before the operator agreed to prolong the agreement for a further two years, paying a seven-figure fee, ahead of this Sunday’s final between Hibernian and Celtic.
BetVictor to sponsor World Matchplay Darts
BetVictor is set to replace Betfair as the headline sponsor of the World Matchplay Darts championship, the Professional Darts Corporation has confirmed.
The operator becomes the fourth egaming company to put its name to the tournament, which will take place in Blackpool from 20 July this year. Stan James was the headline sponsor for ten years before it was replaced by SkyBet in 2010, with Betfair taking over in 2011.
NYX and Aristocrat agree European slots deal
NYX Gaming Group has inked a deal to distribute a range of Aristocrat’s slot games to its customers in regulated European markets.
The gaming platform provider will initially offer eight titles, including Zorro and Queen of the Nile 2, as part of its Open Gaming System (OGS), which also features content from Sheriff Gaming and NYX’s social gaming division NextGen Gaming USA.
Quickspin moves into LatAm market
Stockholm-based slots developer Quickspin has entered the Latin American market through a deal with Betmotion.
The partnership gives Betmotion access to Quickspin’s full slot portfolio, with its Supernova game (pictured) now live via Microgaming’s QuickFire platform.
William Hill Online has launched a bespoke hybrid skill/slot game from Gibraltar-based company Nektan. The “Show me the Bunny” game is a five-reel slot with skill-based bonus rounds.
“We are excited about our collaboration with Nektan and look forward to offering our players more great integrated narrative cross platform games featuring their patent-pending “the better you play, the more we pay” bonus features,” said WHO slots development manager William Mathieson.
Perform Group has launched its Sporting News Media brand in Canada, with the company’s Canadian ePlayer going live with sports including baseball and ice hockey. “Alongside our businesses in the US this positions us as one of the strongest players in the region”, said group joint-CEO Oliver Slipper.