Launches and sign-ups 20 February 2013
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (14 February to 20 February 2013).
Exclusive: Coral to launch 2Bet2-powered social sportsbook
Free-play virtual betting app Coral Sportsplay to launch on Facebook before the end of the month “ will collaborate on mobile app development over 2013.
Coral Interactive is to launch of Coral Sportsplay, a social sportsbook developed by 2Bet2 operator Socialitize, Social Casino Intelligence can exclusively reveal.
The Facebook app will allow players to place virtual currency wagers on real and virtual sporting events, as well competing against other users through tournaments and head-to-head challenges. It will go live before the end of the month, with a provisional launch date set for Monday 25 February.
“We know that many of our customers, both current and potential, are keen Facebook users,” Coral Interactive marketing director Matt Prevost explained.
“Giving them a Coral social gaming option on Facebook allows them to try their betting skills and test their sports knowledge without risk.”
Rank given partial green light on Gala Casinos acquisition
Rank Group has been given the green light to acquire 19 of Gala Coral’s land-based casinos, rather than the 23 initially proposed, following the publication of a report from the UK Competition Commission.
The London-listed company has also been given approval to take over three non-operating licences, subject to what it has described in a statement as “Appropriate remedy undertakings with the Competition Commission in relation to Rank’s non-operating licence in Edinburgh and the four casinos to be retained by Gala Coral.”
Gala Coral explained in a statement that it will retain its casinos in Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff and Teesside, while its Gibraltar casino was also excluded from the initial agreement. These properties are said by the operator to contribute around £4m of EBITDA per annum. Gala Coral’s online operations are also excluded from the agreement as are non-operating licences in Dundee and the City of Westminster.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
888 launches live roulette in Spain
888 has become the first operator in Spain to launch a live roulette product in the eight-month old market less than a week after receiving the relevant approval.
Launched alongside live casino specialist Evolution Gaming the operator broadcasts from its software partner’s live roulette studio at Casino Rincon de Pepe in Murcia.
The product is now live at 888’s dot.es site, is hosted by native Spanish dealers and streams live games 16 hours a day, seven days a week, to local online players in the newly regulated market.
Paddy Power Games launches iPhone app
Irish bookmaker Paddy Power has made its casino product platform Games available as a downloadable iPhone app.
The free app includes 25 slots games, five table games including blackjack as well as roulette, and four virtual sports games “ horseracing, football, greyhounds and motor racing. A demo function also allows users to try freeplay versions instead of staking real money.
IGT and Probability have provided the table games, while Inspired has supplied the virtual sports products. All three service providers, as well as Fremantle and Net Entertainment, have supplied the slots content.
SkyBet launches bingo iOS app
SkyBet, in conjunction with software partner Playtech, has launched its new bingo iOS app giving players access to 11 rooms and two slot games on iPhone mobile devices.
Players are able to access the games by using their online accounts enabling them to have the same experience on the internet as well as on mobile.
“We are thrilled to offer our customers the Playtech powered mobile bingo product. This is another step in delivering a great experience to our customers by providing them access to all the amazing features of the traditional desktop bingo room on their mobile devices,” Conor Grant, Sky’s director of products, said.
PKR adds iPhone app to mobile portfolio
Poker operator PKR has announced the rollout of its first real-money iPhone app, compatible with every generation of the Apple device.
The launch follows last month’s rollout of an iPad app, the first real-money mobile or tablet offering from the company after it entered the mobile space via play-for-fun 3D roulette and blackjack late last year.
Both real-money poker games are in the iTunes UK App Store along with a freeplay version which currently ranks in the top five for free casino games, while real-money roulette and blackjack are expected to follow in the coming months, as well as a real-money Android poker app.
MediaLive replaces Evolution as Goldbet live casino partner
Malta-based live dealer provider MediaLive Casino has agreed a deal to provide fellow Maltese licensee Goldbet with a high-definition live dealer games.
GoldBet operates in a number of European markets, and chief commercial officer Tim Parker said of its new partner: “They provide a quality product that will appeal to our customers and give them even more choice than they enjoy now.
Dusk Till Dawn announces iPoker launch
Dusk Till Dawn (DTD), the largest land-based poker club in the United Kingdom, has announced plans to launch a skin on Playtech’s iPoker network this week.
The Nottingham venue currently has an online offering on Spielo G2’s International Poker Network, which will continue to run alongside the iPoker room until June according to comments made by a DTD representative on the Blonde Poker forum.
AtTheRaces adds mobile casino games via Locus Gaming deal
Isle of Man-licensed operator Locus Gaming has agreed a deal to provide its Jack Gold casino brand to eGaming Review Power Affiliate AtTheRaces (ATR).
The 12-month commercial agreement will see the affiliate add Locus’ slots and casino table games to a recently launched iPad offering as well as its mobile site, with ATR new business manager Chris Morgan pledging to “[Help] Locus Gaming establish themselves as a key player in the mobile gaming space.”
32Red has followed 188Bet in taking on Microgaming‘s Playboy-themed live dealer casino offering. The launch – which encompasses roulette, blackjack and baccarat – has been described by Microgaming CEO Roger Raatgever as offering players “The opportunity to digitally experience this world, coupled with the indulgent Playboy lifestyle.”
32Red said in a statement: “Live casino games have always been very popular at 32Red [and] the addition of the alluring Playboy bunny dealer is an enticing offering that will surely attract attention.”
The Global Poker Index’s (GPI) Fantasy Poker Manager (FPM) product has been named as the official fantasy game of live series the World Poker Tour. GPI chief executive Alex Dreyfus said the tie-in “Brings more focus and attention to the Fantasy Poker Manager as well as the sport of poker and furthers our goals of bringing the fans and professionals closer together.”
World Poker Tour CEO Steve Heller said of FPM, launched last month on Facebook: “It’s a fun way for them to follow the tour all year long, and even compete for bragging rights against their friends over who drafted the best stable of players.”
Sheriff Gaming has signed license deals with Betsson and Edict eGaming which will see the two partners take on 3D slots from the provider in the coming months. Betsson will add two titles – The Amsterdam Master Plan and Dr Magoo – while Edict takes on those two games as well as the Gold Raider slot.
Betsson director of casino Rudi Thomasen said of the Swedish-listed operator’s agreement, which comes via Microgaming’s Quickfire platform: “We quickly identified Sheriff Gaming as one of the leading developers of online games, that are not only unique within the market but that also provide us with excellent gaming content to acquire and retain players. “