Launches and sign-ups 22 February 2012
A round-up of the egaming industry's launches and sign-ups from the last seven days (16 February to 22 February 2012).
Zynga enters first licensed partnership
New Facebook game launched following agreement with slots and bingo company Slingo.
Social gaming company Zynga has entered into its first licensed partnership, signing an agreement with slots and bingo game developer Slingo.
The partnership has brought about the immediate launch of Zynga Slingo, a variation on the New Jersey-based company’s eponymous offering, which has gone live on Facebook.
It features a number of social elements which distinguish it from Slingo’s flagship product, such as leaderboards and ‘medals of honor’, while an option to challenge friends to play on Facebook will be added further down the line.
Zynga Slingo is not a real-money gambling offering, although Slingo does offer real-money gambling in US land-based casinos via a distribution agreement with IGT.
PokerStars launches UK mobile app
PokerStars has launched a mobile app for UK players, available for download on Apple and Android devices.
The app however does not currently allow players to create a new account, nor does it have a cashier function, meaning players must register and deposit online before using PokerStars Mobile.
eGaming Review understands that a that a fully integrated app, including the addition of these two features, will be released later this year.
Tapie eyes up further ISPT events
Laurent Tapie, the prospective owner of Full Tilt Poker, is making plans for the second event of his International Stadiums Poker Tour (ISPT).
As reported by eGaming Review in October, the first event is scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium in September pending licensing approval. Tapie (pictured) told eGR that he has earmarked Paris and Monaco as potential venues for a second live tournament in 2013.
“Wembley Stadium is already booked, and we just need to get our licence before getting a date for it “ if we can do things quickly we can launch in September this year, or alternatively we can hold the first event in April 2013. We’ll decide which by the end of February,” he explained.
Paddys named as Manchester City’s first UK betting partner
Paddy Power has signed a deal to become the first ever official UK and Ireland betting partner of English football club Manchester City.
In an agreement running until the end of the 2012-13 season, the Premier League leaders will partner with the Irish bookmaker “across a wide range of commercial activities.”
Paddy Power partners with Goal.com
Goal.com, the football news and betting portal owned by Perform Group, has announced Paddy Power as its newest partner.
Following the deal the site is offering a £50 free bet to customers who sign up to Paddy Power via the Goal.com site, which claims to bring in 20 million unique users every month.
WMS launches Facebook casino
WMS has launched Lucky Cruise Facebook casino, the first product to be brought out as part of the collaboration between the games developer and social gaming company Large Animal Games.
Lucky Cruise allows players to play different bonus games as they travel around different ports. Winning games opens up new features, including new destinations, ‘charms’ which can change game outcomes, and the option to customise their casinos.
OLBG sponsors Cheltenham race
Europe’s largest sports betting community site OLBG.com will sponsor the Mares Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, the affiliate brand has announced this morning.
From this year the race will be called the OLBG Mares Hurdle. The first race under the new sponsorship will take place at 4.40pm on Tuesday 13 March on the second day of the four-day festival.
TWLV Gaming launches social bingo offering
TWLV Gaming Ltd has launched a new social bingo site after being awarded an Isle of Man operating licence, the company has announced.
TWLV is a social bingo lottery, which allows players to invite 12 friends to join them after purchasing monthly play cards for each month of the year in order to build up a ‘win partner network’. This in turn allows each player within the network to win a share of 24 regional; 6 continental and one worldwide prize pools.