Monthly Archives: February 2017

ZEAL Investments injects £1 million into Free Postcode Lottery

Significant first investment from the specialist lottery seed funder

8th February 2017, London – ZEAL Investments (ZI) has injected £1 million pounds in the Free Postcode Lottery (FPL), a free to play online lottery platform funded by advertising. This deal, which marks ZI’s first investment, represents a massive coup for the seed funder, which only launched officially in November 2016 and has already announced a partnership with start-up accelerator MassChallenge.

ZI, part of the ZEAL Network SE group, was launched to help prospective lottery start-ups and entrepreneurs grow and disrupt the industry. FPL represents an excellent opportunity to disrupt the sector. Founded in 2011, it has become the top free to play, ad-funded lottery in the UK. Having demonstrated impressive organic growth in the UK to date with over 300,000 current daily active users, it is forecast to generate about £1 million in revenue and £400k in EBIT in 2016 alone. As a result of this impressive traction, FPL has been seeking the right investment partner to help them turbo charge their growth and scale internationally.

Commenting on the deal, which buys ZI a ten percent stake in the new lottery initiative, James Oakes, Director of ZI, says: “Partnering with the Free Post Code Lottery is a fantastic opportunity for both parties. Not only have the FPL team created a hugely promising business in a particularly interesting gap in the market, but they have also developed an initiative that really disrupts the lottery status quo. It is this joint vision in subverting the industry that makes this partnership so attractive for both parties. We cannot wait to see the FPL reach its full potential”.

ICE-ing on the cake

The opening day of ICE Totally Gaming, witnessed a number of significant landmarks. Kate Chambers, Managing Director of the Gaming Division at Clarion Events, made presentations to Gamesman (celebrating 20 years at ICE), SUZOHAPP (30 years), Bell-Fruit Group (40 years), PST (50 years), and in the case of Merkur Gaming, a 60 year association with the world’s leading gaming expo.

Kate Chambers said: “I have consistently gone on the record as saying that ICE is nothing without its exhibitors. I am absolutely delighted to be able to make presentations which celebrate long and rewarding relationships. I am truly honoured that ICE has provided the backdrop to their success.

“Our job is to serve the international gaming industry, to help meet its business objectives and to play a small role in contributing to its continued prosperity.”

In a separate presentation, David Snook, of Intergaming, received a cake marking 50-years reporting on the show.

ICE-ing on the cake

The opening day of ICE Totally Gaming, witnessed a number of significant landmarks. Kate Chambers, Managing Director of the Gaming Division at Clarion Events, made presentations to Gamesman (celebrating 20 years at ICE), SUZOHAPP (30 years), Bell-Fruit Group (40 years), PST (50 years), and in the case of Merkur Gaming, a 60 year association with the world’s leading gaming expo.

Kate Chambers said: “I have consistently gone on the record as saying that ICE is nothing without its exhibitors. I am absolutely delighted to be able to make presentations which celebrate long and rewarding relationships. I am truly honoured that ICE has provided the backdrop to their success.

“Our job is to serve the international gaming industry, to help meet its business objectives and to play a small role in contributing to its continued prosperity.”

In a separate presentation, David Snook, of Intergaming, received a cake marking 50-years reporting on the show.

GVC and Gamevy join forces for direct supply agreement to boost instant win offering

Gamevy – known for their unusual instant win games – announce a direct supply agreement with the GVC group. The two companies plan to launch a number of Gamevy’s unique games on several sites – including bwin, partypoker, partycasino and gamebookers.

‘We are thrilled to make this announcement,’ comments Helen Walton, Gamevy’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We’ve seen a real shift in the last year as more operators appreciate how instant win games can help them convert players onto the casino tab. We also see how the most forward-thinking operators recognize that investing in product innovation can increase differentiation and brand loyalty.”

Gamevy’s content has been delivering impressive results with lottery, casino and sportsbook players across Europe with their unique games that put the player in charge. Designed mobile-first and encouraging players to touch and interact with the device, the games appeal to a softer player-base and to younger customers, acting as an innovative conversion path to the games and casino tab.

GVC is one of the leading operators in the world in product innovation, developing and partnering with the most talented suppliers to deliver unique content to their players.

GVC and Gamevy join forces for direct supply agreement to boost instant win offering

Gamevy – known for their unusual instant win games – announce a direct supply agreement with the GVC group. The two companies plan to launch a number of Gamevy’s unique games on several sites – including bwin, partypoker, partycasino and gamebookers.

‘We are thrilled to make this announcement,’ comments Helen Walton, Gamevy’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We’ve seen a real shift in the last year as more operators appreciate how instant win games can help them convert players onto the casino tab. We also see how the most forward-thinking operators recognize that investing in product innovation can increase differentiation and brand loyalty.”

Gamevy’s content has been delivering impressive results with lottery, casino and sportsbook players across Europe with their unique games that put the player in charge. Designed mobile-first and encouraging players to touch and interact with the device, the games appeal to a softer player-base and to younger customers, acting as an innovative conversion path to the games and casino tab.

GVC is one of the leading operators in the world in product innovation, developing and partnering with the most talented suppliers to deliver unique content to their players.

GVC and Gamevy join forces for direct supply agreement to boost instant win offering

Gamevy – known for their unusual instant win games – announce a direct supply agreement with the GVC group. The two companies plan to launch a number of Gamevy’s unique games on several sites – including bwin, partypoker, partycasino and gamebookers.

‘We are thrilled to make this announcement,’ comments Helen Walton, Gamevy’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We’ve seen a real shift in the last year as more operators appreciate how instant win games can help them convert players onto the casino tab. We also see how the most forward-thinking operators recognize that investing in product innovation can increase differentiation and brand loyalty.”

Gamevy’s content has been delivering impressive results with lottery, casino and sportsbook players across Europe with their unique games that put the player in charge. Designed mobile-first and encouraging players to touch and interact with the device, the games appeal to a softer player-base and to younger customers, acting as an innovative conversion path to the games and casino tab.

GVC is one of the leading operators in the world in product innovation, developing and partnering with the most talented suppliers to deliver unique content to their players.

The world’s biggest opera is coming to Microgaming

ISLE OF MAN – Microgaming has signed a licensing agreement with The Really Useful Group to make an online slot based on the 2004 movie version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

The successful film adaptation of the 1986 musical of the same name was directed by Joel Schumacher and starred Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum and Minnie Driver. Featuring the iconic numbers “The Phantom of the Opera”, “The Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You”, the movie grossed over $154 million worldwide.

The online slot developed by Microgaming and due out later in the year will feature the main characters, musical numbers and original footage from the film.

David Reynolds, Games Publisher at Microgaming, explains: “The Phantom of the Opera has had unequivocal success, played to over 140 million people worldwide! It’s exciting to be working with a musical, a new genre of branded content for Microgaming, extending and broadening our portfolio of games. Due out in Q3, this game will be a true celebration of the world’s biggest opera, balancing a healthy mix of base game features with a feature-packed free spins round.”

The world’s biggest opera is coming to Microgaming

ISLE OF MAN – Microgaming has signed a licensing agreement with The Really Useful Group to make an online slot based on the 2004 movie version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

The successful film adaptation of the 1986 musical of the same name was directed by Joel Schumacher and starred Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum and Minnie Driver. Featuring the iconic numbers “The Phantom of the Opera”, “The Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You”, the movie grossed over $154 million worldwide.

The online slot developed by Microgaming and due out later in the year will feature the main characters, musical numbers and original footage from the film.

David Reynolds, Games Publisher at Microgaming, explains: “The Phantom of the Opera has had unequivocal success, played to over 140 million people worldwide! It’s exciting to be working with a musical, a new genre of branded content for Microgaming, extending and broadening our portfolio of games. Due out in Q3, this game will be a true celebration of the world’s biggest opera, balancing a healthy mix of base game features with a feature-packed free spins round.”

The world’s biggest opera is coming to Microgaming

ISLE OF MAN – Microgaming has signed a licensing agreement with The Really Useful Group to make an online slot based on the 2004 movie version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

The successful film adaptation of the 1986 musical of the same name was directed by Joel Schumacher and starred Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum and Minnie Driver. Featuring the iconic numbers “The Phantom of the Opera”, “The Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You”, the movie grossed over $154 million worldwide.

The online slot developed by Microgaming and due out later in the year will feature the main characters, musical numbers and original footage from the film.

David Reynolds, Games Publisher at Microgaming, explains: “The Phantom of the Opera has had unequivocal success, played to over 140 million people worldwide! It’s exciting to be working with a musical, a new genre of branded content for Microgaming, extending and broadening our portfolio of games. Due out in Q3, this game will be a true celebration of the world’s biggest opera, balancing a healthy mix of base game features with a feature-packed free spins round.”

Play’n Go wins slot provider of the year

Supplier crowned Slot Provider of the Year at the prestigious International Gaming Awards

8th February 2017 – Leading slot supplier Play’n GO has emerged triumphant from the prestigious International Gaming Awards with the highly-coveted Slot Provider of the Year accolade.

The award recognises the company’s spectacular 2016 that saw blockbuster releases such as Grim Muerto, Fire Joker, Bugs Party, 7 Sins and Hugo take the industry by storm.

Play’n GO, who were also highly commended in the Mobile Product of the Year category, is exhibiting at ICE and can be found at stand N3-410.

Play’n Go wins slot provider of the year

Supplier crowned Slot Provider of the Year at the prestigious International Gaming Awards

8th February 2017 – Leading slot supplier Play’n GO has emerged triumphant from the prestigious International Gaming Awards with the highly-coveted Slot Provider of the Year accolade.

The award recognises the company’s spectacular 2016 that saw blockbuster releases such as Grim Muerto, Fire Joker, Bugs Party, 7 Sins and Hugo take the industry by storm.

Play’n GO, who were also highly commended in the Mobile Product of the Year category, is exhibiting at ICE and can be found at stand N3-410.

Play’n Go wins slot provider of the year

Supplier crowned Slot Provider of the Year at the prestigious International Gaming Awards

8th February 2017 – Leading slot supplier Play’n GO has emerged triumphant from the prestigious International Gaming Awards with the highly-coveted Slot Provider of the Year accolade.

The award recognises the company’s spectacular 2016 that saw blockbuster releases such as Grim Muerto, Fire Joker, Bugs Party, 7 Sins and Hugo take the industry by storm.

Play’n GO, who were also highly commended in the Mobile Product of the Year category, is exhibiting at ICE and can be found at stand N3-410.

Yggdrasil rolls out ground-breaking game mechanic Fusion Realms™

8th February, 2017 – Yggdrasil Gaming will soon launch a revolutionary new game mechanic, Fusion Realms™, which allows different reel sets and features to be seamlessly mixed into one game.

The new mechanic allows Yggdrasil to build even bigger and more captivating game worlds, where features can roam between different environments and reel set-ups in one game.

The full power of Fusion Realms will be showcased in Yggdrasil’s blockbuster game, The Jungle Book Slot, which will be launched later this year.

The Jungle Book Slot uses Fusion Realms™ to feature five characters, each with two individual features, jumping between five different game modes, creating a myriad of different ways to win. The game blends 2D and 3D cinematic animations to achieve Triple A quality graphics.

Yggdrasil rolls out ground-breaking game mechanic Fusion Realms™

8th February, 2017 – Yggdrasil Gaming will soon launch a revolutionary new game mechanic, Fusion Realms™, which allows different reel sets and features to be seamlessly mixed into one game.

The new mechanic allows Yggdrasil to build even bigger and more captivating game worlds, where features can roam between different environments and reel set-ups in one game.

The full power of Fusion Realms will be showcased in Yggdrasil’s blockbuster game, The Jungle Book Slot, which will be launched later this year.

The Jungle Book Slot uses Fusion Realms™ to feature five characters, each with two individual features, jumping between five different game modes, creating a myriad of different ways to win. The game blends 2D and 3D cinematic animations to achieve Triple A quality graphics.

Yggdrasil rolls out ground-breaking game mechanic Fusion Realms™

8th February, 2017 – Yggdrasil Gaming will soon launch a revolutionary new game mechanic, Fusion Realms™, which allows different reel sets and features to be seamlessly mixed into one game.

The new mechanic allows Yggdrasil to build even bigger and more captivating game worlds, where features can roam between different environments and reel set-ups in one game.

The full power of Fusion Realms will be showcased in Yggdrasil’s blockbuster game, The Jungle Book Slot, which will be launched later this year.

The Jungle Book Slot uses Fusion Realms™ to feature five characters, each with two individual features, jumping between five different game modes, creating a myriad of different ways to win. The game blends 2D and 3D cinematic animations to achieve Triple A quality graphics.

The Giving Back Fund holds 8th annual Big Game Big Give Event at Super Bowl Li

February 5, 2017, Houston, TX: Last night The Giving Back Fund held its 8th annual Super Bowl charity event, Big Game Big Give, hosted by Academy Award Nominee Josh Brolin and emceed by David Schwimmer at the estate of Lisa and Michael Holthouse. For the first time, the evening included a star studded after party with a performance by Common and a celebrity poker tournament, presented by BBO Poker Tables, hosted by Olympian Michael Phelps, World Series of Poker Champion Jamie Gold and emceed by Fox’s NFL Sunday’s Rob Riggle.

“It was such an honor to host the 8th annual Big Game Big Give fundraising event this year”, said Josh Brolin.  “Super Bowl weekend is something that I look forward to every year, and I am so glad that I was able to be a part of something really special and help support the amazing work that The Giving Back Fund does.”

The organization raised more than $1 million by auctioning off items such as an NBA All-Star Weekend extravaganza, a walk on role in Brolin’s upcoming film George and Tammy starring Jessica Chastain, tickets to the Hollywood premiere of Avengers: Infinity Wars, jewelry, high end designer bags, sports memorabilia and much more.

Michael Phelps hosted the celebrity poker tournament held following the main event. The night’s winners took home once-in-a-lifetime experiences including six months of private coaching by World Series of Poker Champion Jamie Gold and a seat at the Main Event of the World Series Poker, a VIP experience at the 2017 ESPY Awards and the 2017 Masters. Phelps and his wife Nicole Johnson competed in the tournament, with Johnson coming out ahead. The top 20 players were also awarded a custom BBO Poker Table, shipped directly from the event to the home of their choice and autographed by the celebrities they played alongside.

The Giving Back Fund holds 8th annual Big Game Big Give Event at Super Bowl Li

February 5, 2017, Houston, TX: Last night The Giving Back Fund held its 8th annual Super Bowl charity event, Big Game Big Give, hosted by Academy Award Nominee Josh Brolin and emceed by David Schwimmer at the estate of Lisa and Michael Holthouse. For the first time, the evening included a star studded after party with a performance by Common and a celebrity poker tournament, presented by BBO Poker Tables, hosted by Olympian Michael Phelps, World Series of Poker Champion Jamie Gold and emceed by Fox’s NFL Sunday’s Rob Riggle.

“It was such an honor to host the 8th annual Big Game Big Give fundraising event this year”, said Josh Brolin.  “Super Bowl weekend is something that I look forward to every year, and I am so glad that I was able to be a part of something really special and help support the amazing work that The Giving Back Fund does.”

The organization raised more than $1 million by auctioning off items such as an NBA All-Star Weekend extravaganza, a walk on role in Brolin’s upcoming film George and Tammy starring Jessica Chastain, tickets to the Hollywood premiere of Avengers: Infinity Wars, jewelry, high end designer bags, sports memorabilia and much more.

Michael Phelps hosted the celebrity poker tournament held following the main event. The night’s winners took home once-in-a-lifetime experiences including six months of private coaching by World Series of Poker Champion Jamie Gold and a seat at the Main Event of the World Series Poker, a VIP experience at the 2017 ESPY Awards and the 2017 Masters. Phelps and his wife Nicole Johnson competed in the tournament, with Johnson coming out ahead. The top 20 players were also awarded a custom BBO Poker Table, shipped directly from the event to the home of their choice and autographed by the celebrities they played alongside.

The Giving Back Fund holds 8th annual Big Game Big Give Event at Super Bowl Li

February 5, 2017, Houston, TX: Last night The Giving Back Fund held its 8th annual Super Bowl charity event, Big Game Big Give, hosted by Academy Award Nominee Josh Brolin and emceed by David Schwimmer at the estate of Lisa and Michael Holthouse. For the first time, the evening included a star studded after party with a performance by Common and a celebrity poker tournament, presented by BBO Poker Tables, hosted by Olympian Michael Phelps, World Series of Poker Champion Jamie Gold and emceed by Fox’s NFL Sunday’s Rob Riggle.

“It was such an honor to host the 8th annual Big Game Big Give fundraising event this year”, said Josh Brolin.  “Super Bowl weekend is something that I look forward to every year, and I am so glad that I was able to be a part of something really special and help support the amazing work that The Giving Back Fund does.”

The organization raised more than $1 million by auctioning off items such as an NBA All-Star Weekend extravaganza, a walk on role in Brolin’s upcoming film George and Tammy starring Jessica Chastain, tickets to the Hollywood premiere of Avengers: Infinity Wars, jewelry, high end designer bags, sports memorabilia and much more.

Michael Phelps hosted the celebrity poker tournament held following the main event. The night’s winners took home once-in-a-lifetime experiences including six months of private coaching by World Series of Poker Champion Jamie Gold and a seat at the Main Event of the World Series Poker, a VIP experience at the 2017 ESPY Awards and the 2017 Masters. Phelps and his wife Nicole Johnson competed in the tournament, with Johnson coming out ahead. The top 20 players were also awarded a custom BBO Poker Table, shipped directly from the event to the home of their choice and autographed by the celebrities they played alongside.

Pokerstars adds new live events in growing poker markets in Latin America and Asia

PokerStars’ new tours head to Chile, Marbella, Korea, Manila and Uruguay in 2017

ONCHAN, Isle of Man – February 2017 – Even more key dates and schedules of PokerStars  Championship and PokerStars Festival stops in 2017 have been announced today by PokerStars, an Amaya Inc. (Nasdaq: AYA; TSX: AYA) brand. After debut events in New Jersey, London and the Bahamas, PokerStars Championship and PokerStars Festival 2017 will also visit Panama and the Czech Republic in March, South Korea, Macau and Monaco in April, Chile in May, Spain in June and August, the Philippines in July, and Uruguay in September, with more stops to come.

“We are excited to take our PokerStars Championship and PokerStars Festival across the globe bringing our vision for live poker to a whole new level, ensuring a year filled with far more winning moments than ever before,” said PokerStars’ Director of Live Events, Edgar Stuchly. “The wide range of poker events on offer in new and exciting destinations shows the expansion of poker and underscores our commitment to growing the game while providing the best live poker experience to players all over the world.”

POKERSTARS FESTIVAL CHILE

Pariplay Ltd. partners with Interwetten Gaming Ltd.

Pioneering iGaming sports-betting and casino brand integrates Pariplay’s portfolio of online casino games

February 2017 – Pariplay Ltd., a gaming technology company serving iGaming operators, land-based casinos and iLotteries, has announced a content partnership with Interwetten Gaming Ltd., the Malta-based and regulated iGaming operator behind the long-established interwetten.com sports-betting and casino brand. Under the partnership, Pariplay’s entire suite of online casino games now features on interwetten.com’s online casino.

Launched in 1997 and a pioneering brand in the global iGaming space, interwetten.com, which is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority, provides players with betting and live betting on over 5,000 sporting events and more than 60 sports markets each week. The site is available in 10 different languages.

Complementing its core sportsbook product, interwetten.com’s online casino and live casino is an evolving product in the brand’s wider offering. Interwetten.com’s integration of branded and original online video slots developed by Pariplay’s in-house studio are a key stage in the product’s ongoing evolution.