This week in B2B news (06 May)

Spotlight Sports Group announces partnership with Yardbarker

Content, media and technology company Spotlight Sports Group (SSG) has signed a long-term partnership with Playmaker Capital Inc brand Yardbarker, a US sports and entertainment media platform.

SSG will supply a turnkey, always-on horseracing destination on Yardbarker, which will have: entries, results, content, tools, games and coverage across the US’ biggest horseracing tracks.

Rick Wolf, SVP at SSG, commented: “Spotlight Sports Group’s decades of experience publishing premium horseracing content and actionable betting intelligence, coupled with Yardbarker’s reach to sports fans, gives us the unique opportunity to make horseracing digestible, understandable and continue to support its growth and popularity with all sports fans.”

Yardbarker CEO Ben Maggin added: “Yardbarker’s brand is the perfect place to ignite a renewed love of horseracing and create a place where fans can understand, embrace and enjoy one of the oldest sports in America. Spotlight Sports Group is the perfect partner to introduce horseracing to the Yardbarker audience and explode awareness across the sports landscape.”

NBL Canada partners with IMG ARENA

Sports content and technology firm IMG ARENA will become the official data supplier for sports betting for the National Basketball League (NBL) of Canada.

This new deal comes into effect at the beginning of the 2022/23 season. The distribution will be across IMG ARENA’s network of sportsbooks worldwide.

Audley Stephenson, VP of operations, NBL Canada, said: “This is an important step for NBL Canada as we move into the sports betting realm and it’s an honour to do so with such a respected and experienced partner in this space.”

Mark Wrigley, rights director at IMG ARENA, said: “NBL Canada is an established organisation with an exciting brand. We are delighted they have chosen IMG ARENA to work with them on their entry into sports betting and look forward to building a strong relationship to help grow their offering and audience by engaging fans worldwide.”

Soft2Bet adds Thunderkick’s games to its portfolio in a new deal

Casino and sportsbook platform provider Soft2Bet has agreed a deal to integrate Swedish supplier Thunderkick’s slot games.

The provider is currently undergoing a full integration of Thunderkick’s games, which will bolster its casino content portfolio.

Daniel Mitton, director of gaming at Soft2Bet, said: “We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with Thunderkick. The company is known for continuously producing strong, iconic casino games that suit a plethora of player demographics and is a worthy addition to the Soft2Bet family.

“This deal significantly boosts our casino portfolio and sets us in good stead for achieving our goals for 2022.”

Fredrik Ekholm, head of sales and marketing EMEA at Thunderkick, said: “As a studio that takes great pride in the creation of innovative and unique slot games, Thunderkick are thrilled to announce the sealing of a great new partnership with Soft2Bet.

“Soft2Bet’s wide player base and market reach will make a great addition to our future offering.”

Pragmatic Play and Stake start a new live dealer studio project

Pragmatic Play has partnered with live casino operator Stake to deliver a purpose-built dedicated studio.

The agreement will see the supplier build a 12-table studio replete with Stake branding. The space will be 10 blackjack tables, one roulette and a speed baccarat table.

Yossi Barzely, chief business development officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “Stake is a major emerging force in the igaming landscape, growing markedly since its launch in 2017 to swiftly become a global name.

“We’re very pleased they’ve partnered with us to create a dedicated Live Casino studio, and we are excited by the opportunity to deliver an environment worthy of the Stake brand.”

Stake co-founder, Edward Craven, added: “As a leading supplier in the Live Casino space, Pragmatic Play’s commitment to ensuring our every need is met was a key element in powering this deal. Its dedicated studios have performed well with major brands in regulated markets all over the world, and this is an important step forward for us.”

Greentube launches content with PokerStars

Greentube, a division of Novomatic, has gone live with PokerStars.

The launch has initially taken place in Italy and will be followed by other major markets including the UK, Denmark, Spain, Greece and Romania. A selection of Greentube’s games is now available to PokerStars’ Italian customers.

David Bolas, commercial director at Greentube UK, said: “This is our first market launch with PokerStars, and it’s a thrill to be able to announce our debut with one of the biggest names in the igaming world.

“Its success is resonating with players across multiple markets enables us to significantly increase the reach of our content, initially in Italy, before hitting other territories across Europe. I believe this is only the start of what will be a long and mutually successful partnership.”

Kalamba Games signs Megaways deal with Big Time Gaming

Kalamba Games has signed a new deal with Big Time Gaming which will see the Megaways mechanic added to its portfolio of titles.

The licence will allow Kalamba Games to integrate Megaways into its new releases going forward.

Andrew Crosby, CCO at Kalamba Games, said: “Building upon Big Time Gaming’s Megaways mechanic whilst maintaining our unique style and integrating our player favourite features is something we are genuinely thrilled about.”

Nik Robinson, CEO at Big Time Gaming, said: “The Megaways formula has proven to be a hit with players globally, and we are pleased that this latest agreement with Kalamba will allow for even more innovative and original ideas to be added to the much-loved mechanic.”