Launches and sign-ups 27 July 2016
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (21 July 2016 to 27 July 2016)
888 and Rank team-up for ?3bn William Hill bid
Two firms poised to make consortium offer to acquire bookmaking giant
William Hill is the target of a ?3bn consortium takeover bid involving 888 Holdings and The Rank Group.
Following a story in the Sunday Times regarding a potential merger between 888 and Rank, Rank and 888 released a joint-statement on Sunday afternoon in which it said the two firms had discussed a joint-bid for William Hill, who sacked its CEO James Henderson on Thursday.
While no official bid has been made by the pair, it is believed an offer could be tabled as early as next week, even though the UK takeover code states the consortium would have until 5pm on 21 August to make an official move.
“888 Holdings and The Rank Group (together the “Consortium”) note the recent press speculation regarding a potential transaction involving William Hill and confirm that they are evaluating a possible offer for William Hill,” the joint-statement read.
Gala Bingo unveils new fully responsive website
Gala Bingo has launched a new fully responsive multi-channel website using a combined content management system, featuring a revamped user interface and faster performance experience.
The updated GalaBingo.com site was unveiled to new customers earlier this month, with plans to roll-out the product to existing players over the next few weeks and to launch a large-scale marketing campaign in the autumn.
The online bingo operator created a newly centralised development team to work on the website which it claims combines the best features of both mobile and desktop into a “one-stop-shop” platform.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Hippodrome makes omni-channel play with new digital wallet
The Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square has partnered with NETELLER to launch a digital wallet scheme negating the need for customers to use cards or carry physical cash into the casino.
Hippodrome customers can now send money to the casino ahead of their arrival using the NETELLER app and then deposit winnings from the cashier desk back into their online account before they leave.
“Technology is helping to transform the gaming industry and this innovative UK-first will enable our customers to access their funds securely in the Hippodrome,” said George Constantinou, Hippodrome’s online operations director.
PokerStars continues online casino push with Playtech slots deal
PokerStars has agreed a deal to integrate Playtech slots into its online casino, as the Amaya-owned brand continues its push to become a more diversified operator.
PokerStars players on mobile and desktop now have access to a variety of Playtech titles, such as White King, Frankie Dettori and Great Blue with more branded slots on the way including Top Gun, Gladiator and the Age of the Gods? series.
“We are very excited to partner with Playtech, and to provide our customers some of the best slots in the industry,” Sam Hobcraft, director of casino at PokerStars, said.
France Pari purchases Spanish sports betting firm Suertia
French operator France Pari has acquired Spanish sports betting firm Suertia.es, a move the company says will help it generate revenues of more than ?100m next year.
France Pari purchased 100% shares of the Spanish online sports betting and casino operator for an as-yet undisclosed fee.
Founded in 2011, the Spanish firm has recorded yearly growth of 100% over the last two years, according to France Pari, and forcecasts to generate its first profits this year.
BetVictor unveils personalised racehorse product
BetVictor has unveiled its latest mobile product innovation with the launch of a new personalised search tool for horseracing customers.
BetFinder, which was developed in-house in partnership with racing form analysts Timeform, uses data to help customers personalise their search when placing a bet.
Punters can filter their search by star ratings, course and distance winners or with a list of most improved runners.
Hull City names African online betting firm as official sponsor
Half of all Premier League clubs are now backed by an online betting firm after Kenyan operator SportPesa agreed a three-year deal to become Hull City’s official sponsor.
The African firm will have its logo and name displayed on the Tigers’ home, away and third shirts for the next three seasons.
As part of the deal, SportPesa will expand its operations into the UK for the first time within the next month through a deal with platform provider TGP Europe and said it will have a presence in at least four continents in a year’s time.
Pragmatic Play bought by private investment group
Investment firm IBID Group has acquired online casino game provider Pragmatic Play for an undisclosed sum, and said it plans to develop the firm into one of the leading B2B digital gaming suppliers.
Malta-based Pragmatic Play provides mobile and desktop casino games to the egaming sector and employs 70 people.
IBID said it intended to develop the supplier through strategic partnerships with first class licensed-content providers and would bolster the senior management team with additional senior level hires from land-based gaming product providers.
Hippodrome to launch Evolution-powered live streaming
The Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square is planning to launch live streaming of its table games by Q4 this year, according to group CEO Simon Thomas.
Thomas said the product, powered by Evolution, would allow punters to go home and gamble at the same roulette wheel manned by the same staff as in the casino.
The streaming is expected to be available on Betway-operated hippodromeonline.com by Q4 this year, with a mobile version to follow shortly after.
Gaming1 launches first licensed casino in Portugal
Gaming1 has entered into a partnership with Portuguese land-based casino giant Estoril Sol to launch the country’s first licensed online casino and become just the third licensee in the recently regulated market.
The 50:50 joint-venture is EstorilSolCasinos.pt, which comprises desktop and mobile platforms featuring 15 video slots, two roulette and one blackjack game, with additional content to be added in the coming weeks.
GAMING1 CEO, Sylvain Boniver, said the firm’s deal with Estoril Sol, which controls 64% of the retail market in Portugal through its Estoril, Lisboa and P?voa casinos, reflected the company’s ability to be “an all-round partner, not just a provider”.