Launches and sign-ups 12 February 2014
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (6 February to 12 February 2014)
Betsson targets Netherlands with 130m online casino purchase
Swedish operator prepares for 2015 opening of Dutch market acquisition as it reports full-year profit growth of 12%
Betsson has prepared the ground for an assault on the soon-to-be regulated Dutch market after acquiring local online casino operator Oranje and Kroon for around 130m.
The deal hands the Swedish operator a strong foothold in both the Netherlands and Belgium markets through the casino sites Oranje Casino and Kroon Casino as well as its affiliate business of more than 300 domains.
News of the deal came as Betsson presented its full-year results for 2013 in which the company posted annual revenue growth of 12% to SEK2.5bn (283m).
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DLA Piper launches online regulation portal
ROLL designed to help operators and suppliers understand and submit applications for new British framework
Global law firm DLA Piper has created a new online resource aimed at assisting operators and suppliers looking to obtain a new remote operating licence in Great Britain.
The Remote Online Licensing Lobby (ROLL) will provide registered users with key information, checklists and guidance to enable a streamlined and successful application process once the licensing window opens as expected later this year.
“It’s a unique resource that increases both the efficiency of operating licence applications, but will also allow operators and suppliers who use the portal to handle the process in a cost-effective way,” Stephen Ketteley, partner in DLA Piper’s gaming team, said.
“ROLL will streamline the licensing process, giving users an opportunity to have their application forms and supporting information securely reviewed by the gambling team at DLA Piper, while providing up-to-date information, documentation and guidance,” he added.
Rabcat launches Castle Builder on Odobo platform
Game development studio Rabcat has launched its latest game, Castle Builder, on the Odobo platform.
Castle Builder has been available in the Austrian market, where it was released on desktop with Austrian Lottery operator win2day last January.
The game utilises the latest HTML5 technologies for mobile gamers and a desktop version will follow shortly.
BGO targets casino growth with Mini Me deal
Bingo and casino operator bgo Entertainment is launching a new marketing campaign for its casino brand featuring Mini-Me actor Verne Troyer.
Troyer, who shot to fame in the Austin Powers films, will feature in a series of television adverts and appear as a character within bgo’s range of casino games.
The deal comes just a month after bgo unveiled a big budget marketing campaign for its bingo brand Costa featuring former Spice Girl Mel B and signed a six-month deal to become sponsor of Sky Sports News’ Through the Night programme.
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Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Ladbrokes launches responsible gambling ad drive
Ladbrokes has launched a new advertising campaign to highlight the dangers of irresponsible gambling.
The adverts feature Ladbrokes brand ambassador and former professional footballer Chris Kamara urging customers to only bet what they can afford.
They will begin to air across television screens inside selected betting shops from this week, with a nationwide roll-out planned for the rest of this month.
Michael Owen becomes BetVictor brand ambassador
BetVictor has appointed former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England footballer Michael Owen as its global brand ambassador.
Owen, who retired from the sport in 2013, will produce regular columns for the BetVictor.com site and also produce regular tweets for the operator’s accounts on Twitter and Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo over the next three years.
“Michael is a genuine sporting icon, instantly recognisable throughout the world and, as a global brand, we see Michael and BetVictor as the perfect fit,” Victor Chandler, chairman at BetVictor, said.
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Endemol readies Dutch online bingo launch
Endemol Nederland and TMG Landelijke Media have entered into a joint venture to develop online bingo products for the soon-to-be-regulated Dutch market.
As part of the arrangement both companies plan to offer consumer-facing sites as soon as it is legal to do so, with development of new bingo concepts already underway.
Endemol Games has a track record of producing branded online gaming content, notably its Deal or No Deal-branded titles, Million-Pound Drop slot and Big Brother Bingo, all of which are based on its own television productions.
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Mr Green strikes Yggdrasil content deal
Mr Green has sealed a content deal with games provider Yggdrasil Gaming which will see the casino operator integrate the supplier’s full suite of games.
Mr Green will take 25 of Yggdrasil’s current slots and lottery games as well as future releases in what marks the operator’s first major deal under new head of casino Andy Braithwaite.
Braithwaite, who joined the Swedish operator from Redbet at the start of the year, signed the deal at London’s ICE Totally Gaming exhibition last week.
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Full Tilt optimises Rush Poker product for mobile
Full Tilt Poker has launched its popular Rush Poker software for mobile platforms after extensive beta testing that started in May last year.
Native applications for both iOS and Android have been released, allowing players to begin games of fast-fold poker within two taps.
Players can play for free or for real-money with deposit and withdrawal functions integrated into the app in order to support the quick-play format.
When the app is opened, registered players join a pool of competitors and change tables after every hand. Players that fold are immediately placed to a new table in time for the next hand.
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Rank partners Jumio for KYC technology
The Rank Group has selected Jumio to supply its innovative know your customer (KYC) technology for its Mecca and Grosvenor Casinos online brands.
Jumio will integrate its Netverify technology into both sites, allowing customers to verify their identities by scanning documents such as a passport or driving licence, with the software then authenticating the documents automatically.
Rank Group head of digital commercial risk Chris McKarkiel said that replacing the operator’s existing manual processes would help the firm comply with KYC requirements and help improve customer experience on the sites.
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