Launches and sign-ups 16 January 2013
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (10 January to 16 January).
Rank Group “reviews” loss making Blue Square
Unprofitable sports betting legacy brand Blue Square “unlikely to continue in its current form”, a source tells eGaming Review with options to either close, sell or sell the business and white label it back all possibilities.
The Rank Group will “undertake a review” of its Blue Square Bet sports betting business following a sustained period of losses and is “unlikely to continue in its current form” a source at the company has told eGaming Review.
In a surprise three line statement to the stock market and staff Rank this morning said that while carrying out the Blue Square review it would focus its resources on “further developing Grosvenor Casino and Mecca as multi-channel brands meeting customer needs in gaming-based entertainment via venues, online and through mobile devices”.
A source told eGR that Blue Square has continually been under review but that late last year Rank Group’s senior management team made a concerted effort to take the loss making business to break-even point, however the action plan was “unsuccessful”, the spokesman explained.
“We are going to sit down and work out what the options are”, the source added, but it unlikely to continue in its current form and we will take the next two months to decide what to do”.
Zynga files multiple patents ahead of egaming launch
A report into patents filed and acquired by Zynga over the course of 2012 has offered a number of insights into the operator’s preparations for the launch of a real money gambling offering.
Intellectual property advisor EnvisionIP has revealed that having previously held just one patent and only published 9 applications by February last year, Zynga now holds 89 patents, with a further 36 applications pending.
Of the 89 patents the operator now holds, 38 were acquired from Connecticut-based software developer Walker Digital “ a company which previously brought legal action against Zynga for patent infringement of its gaming technology “ with all but 5 of these relating directly to gambling technology.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Lottomatica and IGT enter Italy egaming partnership
Lottomatica Group and International Game Technology (IGT) have expanded their partnership to launch the US gaming machine manufacturer’s full suite of online games in Italy.
The two companies have previously partnered in the jurisdiction to provide content and gaming machines to the Italian VLT market.
Under the new agreement, Lottomatica will offer IGT’s entire online slots offering and game content online and on mobile, with a particular focus on casino games after Italian regulator AAMS “ now merged with the country’s Customs Authority “ issued the first authorisations for the product in December.
PKR launches real money iPad app
PKR has launched its first real-money poker app for the iPad as part of its plans to create a suite of mobile games.
The app is available as a free download from the Apple App Store, with players able to participate in real-money ring games and Sit & Gos, as well as play the game for free on practice tables. The product is currently available to UK players only, with the introduction of multi-table tournaments and additional features anticipated in the future.
eGaming Review reported in October 2012 that the operator was planning tosubmit a real-money mobile poker offering to Apple as part of its efforts to enter the mobile gaming market.
Stan James in taxi ad campaign
Gibraltar-licensed egaming operator Stan James has reached a one-year agreement for its branding to feature on taxis across the British city of Manchester.
The cabs will be coloured green for the next 12 months, with the words ‘Stan’ and ‘James’ emblazoned on the passenger doors, while the vehicles will also display the message “Bet now on your mobile”.
Snai launches new casino channel with GameAccount
GameAccount Network has announced the launch of a new casino channel on operator Snai’s dot.it site.
The Monte Carlo channel features a range of gaming content supplied by land-based casino game manufacturers including IGT and Aristocrat, as well as games developed exclusively for Snai by GameAccount Network.
Playyoo to provide mobile slots for Lottomatica
Probability subsidiary Playyoo will provide mobile slots content for Italian operator Lottomatica, following an announcement from the AIM-listed mobile business this morning.
The two-year non-exclusive agreement will see slots released under the Vegas Club brand, owned by the operator’s Lottomatica Italia Scommesse subsidiary.
ISPT partners with Lock Poker
The International Stadiums Poker Tour (ISPT) has announced Lock Poker as its exclusive partner for American players to qualify for its inaugural event in London’s Wembley Stadium in May.
Locus Gaming debuts first product
Locus Gaming, the mobile casino start-up founded by Ladbrokes veterans Ed Andrewes and Mick D’Ancona, has launched its first product.
Quickfire signs Push Gaming distribution deal
Microgaming open platform subsidiary Quickfire has agreed a deal to host Magic Dreams Group games distributed by its development partner Push Gaming.
SBTech has agreed a deal to provide Albanian land-based operator Xhoilloto with sports betting software for its land-based estate. The agreement has the potential to be extended to include an online offering for the operator, which boasts more than 500 betting shops.
Xhoilloto director Taulant Musabelliu spoke highly of SBTech’s “[U]nique understanding of the market and their ability to provide us with a complete turnkey and fully managed solution which includes trading and risk management services, advanced agent back office system and a complete casino and sports betting platform to manage our land based and online operations in Albania and in new markets we are planning to enter.”
Sheriff Gaming has announced that it has integrated its entire portfolio of 3D games onto the EveryMatrix platform, with titles such as Gold Raider and The Amsterdam Masterplan now available to the platform provider’s customers.
Commenting on the deal EveryMatrix marketing director Nick Hill said: “The games provided by Sheriff Gaming have a fantastic movie like quality to them which have already proven a huge hit with thousands of players around the world. It’s important that we evolve our games portfolio so that we continue to exceed customer and player expectations.”
Income Access has signed up Bet&Move to its affiliate programme in a move which the marketing firm’s CMO Sarafina Wolde Gabriel describes as “one of many partnerships to follow in the near future” due to the increasing uptake in mobile gaming.
“Bet&Move’s accessibility is what allows them to stand apart, and by incorporating our white label solutions, as a mobile casino, their reach will be extended, allowing them to grow and prosper in our thriving industry. Together, moving forward, we will take advantage of Bet&Move’s unique placement in personalising their offerings with affiliates and players alike,” she added.
Unibet‘s B2B subsidiary Kambi Sports Solutions has announced a deal to supply Spanish pools operator Suertia Interactiva S.A. with a fully managed online and mobile sportsbook solution. The company becomes Kambi’s fifth B2B client in the newly-regulated market.