Microgaming adds third brand to Indian poker network
Isle of Man-based provider hails growth of network in a market which features 200 million smartphone users
Microgaming has added a third operator to its Indian Poker Network following a deal with Mercury Poker, a local brand backed by Indian conglomerate Essel Group.
Mercurypoker.com was initially launched back in February, and was powered by Canadian provider Mojo Games before the Microgaming switch.
Mercury joins Poker Nation and Khelplay.com on Microgaming’s Indian Poker Network, which was established back in 2015.
“We now have three operators residing on the Indian Poker Network and we are delighted with how the network is growing,” said Jean-Luc Ferriere, director of Network Games at Microgaming.
“It’s great to be working with an operator that puts the player at the heart of their offering and we believe the Indian Poker Network can support their mission to become a thrilling platform.”
Pranav Bathija, director of Mercury Gaming Solutions, added: “We are excited to get this opportunity to work with Microgaming, a leader in online gaming software, and be a part of their Indian Poker Network.
“When joining forces, it is important that both companies share the same business values and vision as well as love for the game, and we believe we have this in the MPN team.”
India is becoming an increasingly important poker market, with PokerStars recently reiterating its plans to launch there by the end of 2017 via a local partnership.
The firm’s VP of communications Eric Hollreiser told Isle of Man Today: “We are expecting to launch by the end of this year. That’s obviously a huge market, a huge population and a growing middle class.
“Recent figures are that there is something in the order of 200 million smartphones and mobile is an increasingly important part of our business because that is how people are consuming entertainment and consuming products, and so much is happening on mobile devices. We think that is a great potential market for us.”