Launches and sign-ups 27 February 2013
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (21 February to 27 February 2013).
Sportingbet shareholders approve Hills-GVC deal
GVC shareholders also approve acquisition at separate EGM – will be completed once certain conditions are met next month.
Sportingbet’s shareholders have come out overwhelmingly in favour of William Hill and GVC Holdings’ joint bid for the London-listed operator ahead of today’s deadline.
The proposed £454m acquisition will now be completed pending the satisfaction of conditions set out in the scheme document, with a scheme court hearing pencilled in for 11 March.
A statement from Sportingbet explains: “It is anticipated that the Scheme will become effective on or around 19 March 2013,” marking the end of an era for the operator.
Sportingbet shareholders voted in favour of two resolutions associated with the deal, with 87% of those at a shareholder general meeting and 83% at a court meeting supporting the proposals, comfortably meeting the 75% threshold required.
Hippodrome launches online casino
The Hippodrome Casino has launched its Microgaming-built and Betway Group-operated online casino, hosting more than 450 slots and table games.
Hippodrome director of online operations George Constantinou (pictured) told eGR that PokerStars’ online poker offering will go live on 4 March, the same date that PokerStars Live, set to be the UK’s first bricks-and-mortar PokerStars room, will open in the London-based casino, after the Isle of Man licensed operator took a minority stake in the property last October.
He added that the mobile offering will be available in the Apple App Store and Android Google Play store within two weeks, with the app optimised for both smartphones and tablets.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Pokerroom closes one year after relaunch
Bwin.party has shut down its Pokerroom.com skin on the Ongame network, just one year after reintroducing it to the market following a hiatus of almost three years.
The move follows the migration of bwin players onto the PartyPoker platform in December, with the site remaining on the Ongame network for a short period of time. It had sat on the network in the years before it first closed in 2009, and remained with Ongame after the network was acquired by Amaya Gaming last October.
The Pokerroom rebirth was described as a “soft-launch” at the time, with a spokesman saying “We’re testing the waters to see what level of interest there is,” however it has now been closed along with its long-standing “Pokah!” forum.
SkyBet agrees WMS slot content deal
Sky Vegas will gain access to WMS’s online slot content for use across desktop and mobile via its existing platform agreement through OpenBet’s Remote Gaming Interface (RGI), it has announced this morning.
The agreement provides SkyBet’s casino brand with access to WMS’s online library of slot games via its recently launched Williams Interactive division while also “expanding the global consumer audience for the US company’s premium video slot gaming content”, WMS said in a statement.
eGaming Review understands that OpenBet is currently integrating WMS’s online slot content onto its RGI with no date confirmed as to when the games will be available on Sky Vegas.
Caesars and EA team up on WSOP Facebook app
Caesars interactive entertainment has announced the launch of a World Series of Poker-branded Facebook app in partnership with Electronic Arts.
The app follows last year’s mobile versions “ released on iOS and Android “ and allows players on mobile devices to log in through Facebook Connect and join the player pool in the online app on the social network.
MediaCorp pushes back Betcomparer launch
Media Corporation has revealed that the proposed launch date for its new egaming comparison site Betcomparer has been pushed back by more than six weeks.
Following last December’s announcement that the company was set to change its name to Inta Plc, MediaCorp suggested Betcomparer would go live on 1 March. It has stated in today’s trading update, however that “ subject to platform testing “ the new offering will launch on 22 April.
This follows multiple delays to the rollout of its Intabet platform, initially pencilled in for the start of the 2012-13 European football season but still yet to launch.
Stars readies Macau poker room launch
PokerStars has announced plans to launch what it claims is “The largest branded poker room in Macau”.
No date has yet been given for the opening of the room, which will be located on the main floor of the City of Dreams casino.
MediaLive signs new live casino partner
Malta-based live dealer provider MediaLive Casino has announced a deal to supply Italian service provider Labgame with high-definition live dealer games.
Labgame, which supplies online gaming platforms to several Italian licensed operators including Stanleybet, will also use the online live dealer broadcast hosted at the Casino San Remo, after MediaLive secured a deal with the country’s largest land-based casino in June last year.
Bodog.eu to launch Asian live dealer
Bodog’s dot.eu website has announced the launch of a live dealer casino focusing on Asian consumers, while Bodog.ca players will be migrated to the European site.
The live dealer casino will include Baccarat, Sic Bo and Dragon Tiger games. Last month, Bodog Gaming also reached an agreement to supply Malta-licensed online casino Vera&John with a live dealer casino hosting the same range of Asian-oriented games.
Payments company Intelligent Payments has merged with Dublin-based firm International Transaction Payment Solutions, with the latter taking a majority interest in the Gibraltar company from founder shareholder Newcote International.
Intelligent Payments CEO Joyce Newman said: “We are delighted to welcome the skills and experience of the ITPS team into Intelligent Payments, and we are confident our existing and future customer base will benefit from this alliance which combines the expertise of ITPS with the particular strengths required in the gaming community.”
Genesis Gaming has agreed a deal to supply exclusive slots content to International Game Technology (IGT). CEO Steven W Meistrich said: “We are thrilled with the multi-game agreement and we are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to develop unique slot games on behalf of IGT.”
Software provider Microgaming has announced the launch of two new video slots, Tiger Moon and Girls with Guns – Jungle Heat. Both are five-reel slots will be available on the Flash and Quickfire platforms, with the latter also available for download.
Betclic has launched Sheriff Gaming slot The Amsterdam Masterplan via Microgaming’s Quickfire platform, while the provider has also gone live with Gala Coral (in a land-based deal) and Edict Egaming.
Meanwhile Sheriff has launched new 3D slot Frog Royale, with spokesman Eric Roskamp saying: “Frog Royale follows a very similar format to our other games that have proven extremely popular with operators, affiliates and ultimately players.”
Net Entertainment has launched the Fruit Shop slot for its NetEnt Touch mobile platform. Chief product officer Simon Hammon said of the five-reel slot: “Players that enjoy non-stop excitement and high paced games will surely find what they are looking for in Fruit Shop Touch.”
Power Affiliate The Racing Post has announced plans to roll out branded taxis in London and Cheltenham ahead of next month’s Cheltenham horse racing festival. The drivers will offer free rides to anyone hailing a cab with a copy of the Racing Post newspaper.
Initial Rewards has launched its achievement-based rewards software platform, rewarding players in real-time. A number of operators have already installed the platform, which Initial Rewards says can be integrated within four weeks.
Chief Visionary Officer Jon Reuben said, “We are proving that our Achievement-Based platform will change the way iGaming operators view loyalty with the application of progressive challenges to simple promotions catered to both recreational players and VIPs.”