Launches and sign-ups 22 November 2017
The key launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (15 November to 22 November 2017)
Sky Bet claims “world-first” with instant payout launch
Operator’s Fast Withdrawal service enables customers to have funds paid into their account in a matter of seconds
Sky Betting & Gaming (SB&G) has announced the launch of a new “world-first” online payments feature enabling customers to have funds paid into their bank account in real-time.
Fast Withdrawal, which debuted on SkyBet.com last month, utilises technology developed exclusively by SB&G and claims to have transformed the existing two-to-five day process to just a matter of seconds.
“We’re really pleased to deliver a product that allows customers to access winnings quickly and securely,” SB&G’s head of payments, Andy Sacre, said.
He added: “Slow withdrawal times is a key painpoint for our customers and always ranks highly on industry research on what matters most to customers.”
Betfair launches five-minute football markets with Quickbets
Betfair has launched new football betting feature, Quickbets, which lets exchange punters bet and trade on five-minute periods of the game.
Each five-minute window during the 90 minutes counts as a new game where the total resets to zero and the preceding period’s bets are settled.
Punters can bet on a variety of five-minute markets. including goals, cards, corners, free-kicks, throw-ins, penalties, offsides and goal kicks, during live and televised Premier League and Champions League games.
Each bet must be placed at least 30 seconds prior to the start of the next five-minute period, while all of the markets will also be active and available to back pre-match.
JPJ hails Brazilian bingo potential after product launch
Jackpotjoy plc (JPJ) has hailed the potential for online bingo in the Brazilian market after going live in the country in Q3.
The firm revealed in its recent earnings call it had launched operations in the South American country during the last quarter under its Vera & John business segment.
“Physical bingo is very popular in Brazil, so it could be a huge market for us,” noted CFO Keith Laslop. “But again, it could take years to come to fruition”.
JPJ’s director of investor relations, Jason Holden, confirmed the launch of a “very nascent product” to EGR but declined to say which specific brands were being used in the market.
Ex-LeoVegas and NetEnt execs launch new online casino
LeoVegas’ ex-head of operations, Stefan Lind, and NetEnt’s former regional business manager, Michael Pedersen, have joined forces to launch a new online casino.
The Letsbet.com casino is set to launch in 2018 and will aim to combine the social aspect of a land-based casino within a virtual currency environment.
Letsbet.com will produce live daily broadcasts presented by casino hosts using the latest streaming technology to increase player interaction and conversion rates.
CEO and co-founder Pedersen said: “We believe the new frontier in online real-money casino is a mash-up of live streaming, social features and gamification.”
Stride Gaming targets India with latest investment
Stride Gaming has made a move on the Indian market after acquiring a 51% stake in Passion Gaming, a Rummy-focused online gaming company.
The firm announced the deal as part of its FY17 results on Tuesday after obtaining the 51% stake for a cash consideration of $3.75m.
The company has the right to acquire the remaining 49% of Passion Gaming over the next three to five years, using a combination of cash and shares based on the future financial performance of the business.
Passion Gaming was established in 2015 and is centred on the Indian skills gaming market with a particular focus on the popular card game Rummy.