Launches and sign-ups 7 January 2014
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days
PokerStars completes casino roll-out, says Spain back online within weeks
Operator forced to withdraw Spanish casino after technical problems and surprises players with rollback of poker rake charge increases
PokerStars said the technical problem that forced it to withdraw its casino client in Spain would be solved within a “matter of weeks” as it confirmed the completion of its global casino roll-out.
The global roll-out was first revealed in November when PokerStars said its new casino product would reach half of its global player base by the end of the year.
And Pokerstars head of communications Eric Hollreiser told eGaming Review the roll-out had been completed on schedule and the casino had been “performing well”, despite problems affecting its Spanish-facing client.
PokerStars first launched its casino platform in Spain back in October, with the operator claiming it has achieved “double-digit” market share despite no external marketing campaign.
Unibet acquires Bingo.com RMG assets for £5m
Unibet has acquired the real-money online gambling business of Bingo.com in a deal worth US$8m (£5.25m).
The Stockholm-listed operator paid a cash sum of $2m and disposed of the 15 million shares it held in Bingo.com holding company Bingo.com Limited for a total sale price of $6m.
Unibet acquired a 26% stake in the business back in May 2010, with Bingo.com having operated as a Unibet white label on a revenue share agreement.
Bingo.com chief executive Jason Williams said the decision to sell its real-money gambling business came after the company found itself unable to compete with the industry’s more established companies.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Foxy Bingo rebrands ahead of new TV campaign
Foxy Bingo has launched a major rebrand that includes a new-look logo and website ahead of a multi-million pound TV marketing campaign in the UK.
According to the bwin.party-owned skin, the updated design brings a “cleaner feel to the brand” with the Foxy character sporting a new “slicker, hipper” look.
The redesign will be featured in a series of TV adverts produced by advertising agency Tricycle London, which premiered on ITV after Sunday’s episode of Coronation Street.
SafeCharge to bolster payments portfolio with 3V acquisition
Payments solutions provider SafeCharge is to bolster its product portfolio and launch a pre-paid card issuing division with the purchase of 3V Transaction Services.
SafeCharge, part-owned by Playtech founder Teddy Sagi, has entered into definitive agreements to acquire 100% of the issued share capital of 3V for a consideration of 14.5m.
A total of 11.6m is payable on completion of the deal, expected next month, with the remaining balance payable over three years.