Monthly Archives: June 2017

Bitcoin exchange Coinbase on a lookout for investors to raise $100M

Coinbase is reportedly on a mission to raise money as interest in digital currency skyrockets among investors.

The bitcoin start-up is talking to investors on a new round of funding at a $1 billion valuation, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The goal is to raise $100 million, which—if all goes according to plan—is poised to become the biggest fundraising round ever for a bitcoin company.

Founded by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam, Coinbase has already secured an estimated $116.5 million from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Union Square Ventures, DFJ, NYSE and other financial institutions.

The bitcoin company was valued at around $400 million in 2014, according to Coin Telegraph, quoting Nakamoto Institute’s Pierre Rochard. Today, Coinbase is 2.5 times bigger, and it’s a growth that can be described as “consistent and satisfactory” for its investors.

Nick Hill: Asians are crazy about mobile games

In this interview with CalvinAyre.com’s Stephanie Raquel, Nick Hill of Flow Gaming explains how operators may capitalize on the popularity of skill-based games to lure young Asians to gamble.

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ESP partners up with CS:GO and LOL analyst Duncan “Thorin” Shields

VANCOUVER, BC – June 2017 – ESP has partnered with CS:GO and League of Legends journalist and analyst Duncan “Thorin” Shields. ESP plans to use this partnership to reinforce their presence in the esports industry as the go-to destination for esports fantasy and betting.

Since 2001, Thorin has been known as “the esports historian” for his knowledge of game, team, and player history. Making a substantial impact in both the CS:GO and League of Legends scene, he has become a household name in these communities for his Youtube shows and colourful commentary.

ESP has considerable experience when it comes to leveraging large partnership deals. After their official launch in 2015, ESP partnered up with influential gaming organizations Natus Vincere (Na’Vi), Vexed Gaming, and StatsHelix. In 2016, ESP partnered with the popular CS:GO team, Flipsid3 Tactics. During these partnerships, ESP developed a strong foundation within the industry as an ethical, reliable, and exciting fantasy and betting esports company.

I am very excited to work with ESP moving forward. There are many shady betting sites trying to enter the esports space. However, ESP is nothing like that. They make sure everything is done by the book, ethically, and they care about the safety of the users. ESP’s product is very well cut, and I am looking forward to using it myself.

Habanero looks to future growth with Iforium deal

Supplier providing full suite of games to casino content aggregator

5th June 2017 – Quality slots and table games provider Habanero has signed a deal to supply its full suite of content to casino aggregator Iforium.

The partnership will see Habanero provide titles from its extensive range of slots, table games, and video poker games, including recent releases Fire Rooster, Bird of Thunder, and Panda Panda.

These games will be made available on the UK-licensed supplier’s multi-vendor casino aggregation platform Gameflex™ alongside 5,000 desktop and mobile titles from over 50 suppliers.

Videoslots announces landmark 2,000th game

Latest title confirms record-breaking year for online casino operator

5th June, 2017 – Videoslots.com has confirmed its position as the world’s leading online casino operator after going live with its 2,000th game.

The landmark title is Red Tiger’s Three Musketeers, and Videoslots is one of the first operators to go live with the slot as it looks to further expand its market-leading offering.

Videoslots operates its vast range of gaming content via its own proprietary platform, enabling it to provide players with the most in-demand games, as opposed to those being pushed from suppliers. It means the titles are available based on merit, enhancing the user experience.

Paradise City to host APT Korea Incheon 2017

The recently-opened Paradise City Incheon will host the Asian Poker Tour’s second event for the year in South Korea – APT Korea Incheon 2017 from August 12th to the 20th.

The nine-day action packed schedule will feature a Main Event buy in of KRW 1,100,000. Popular APT events like the Head Hunter, Monster Stack, No Limit Holdem, Pot Limit Omaha, Deep Stack Turbos, High Rollers, Super Deep Stack and a PLO High Rollers will also be on tap. Check out the complete APT Korea Incheon 2017 event schedule

“I am pleased to have APT Korea to be held at Paradise City Incheon. Players will be wowed by Paradise City’s ambiance and with APT’s expertise in organizing fun and competitive poker tournaments at a great value. Paradise City Incheon is an excellent destination for players travelling from Asia and abroad due to its proximity from Incheon International Airport. Come see me for restaurant and entertainment recommendations! I am confident our players will have an awesome time during APT Korea and create moments that will last a life time,” stated Poker Director Dom Choi.

About Paradise City Incheon

Casual connect USA to focus on social casino, crossover between casinos and video games, VR & AR

JUNE 2017 – Casual Games Association, the international trade organization that runs Casual Connect gaming conferences, has announced its schedule for Casual Connect USA 2017 – which will take place at Benaroya Hall in Seattle on August 1-3.

The conference’s Casino Track will feature speakers from Playtika, DoubleDown, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, Zynga, GameCo, Gamblit, Murka, Tropicana Entertainment, Product Madness, iGaming Capital and more. The track will focus on social casino and the growing crossover between casinos and non-casino video games.

Other tracks of interest to those in the casino industry will include: NextGen: VR & AR, Design Innovation, Industry Insights, Growth, Market Navigation and more.

View Casual Connect’s full Casino Track speaker lineup here.

Betsoft Gaming pushes into Lithuanian iGaming market by signing TOPsport

Betsoft Gaming, creators of the iconic Slots3 collection of true 3D video slots, have announced that they have signed a partnership deal with TOPsport, the largest gambling company in Lithuania. TOPsport, who holds the highest market share in Lithuanian online and offline betting, will be taking on Betsoft’s full suite of games to serve to their playerbase.

“We are enormously pleased to be partnering with TOPsport as we push into the Lithuanian market,” said Anna Mackney of Betsoft. “This is our first foray into that burgeoning market, and TOPsport is the leading iGaming force there. They are a top-notch partner and we expect a flourishing business relationship from here.”

“It is thrilling to bring such a comprehensive, varied selection of incredible games to our players,” said TOPsport CEO Gintaras Staniulis. “They are always looking for the newest, most exciting games and we feel that Betsoft provides that in their full catalogue. Together, we will achieve much success, as we continue to build the Lithuanian market with quality iGaming entertainment and an experience unmatched by our competitors.”

About Betsoft Gaming:

R. Franco Digital and Corredor Empresarial S.A. agree Colombia partnership

June (Madrid) – R. Franco Digital and Corredor Empresarial S.A. have reached an agreement which will see the omni-channel supplier provide its latest-generation IRIS omni-channel platform, as well as its extensive and varied catalogue of online games and sports betting, to the Colombian operator.

Corredor Empresarial S.A. is the largest commercial network of games of luck and chance in Colombia, with more than 25,000 points of sale and 75,000 terminals throughout the country, with a varied portfolio of products and services making it the leading operator in the jurisdiction.

The recent regulation of online gaming in Colombia has attracted a number of international stakeholders to the market, which is estimated to be valued at €600million over the next five years.

The agreement between R. Franco Digital and Corredor Empresarial S.A. will place the supplier in a leading position to grow the market over the coming years.

Meridian take international sports betting offering to WrB Africa

Meridian has set new standards in the development and deployment of advanced international sports betting opportunities, and will be one of the lead companies exhibiting at next week’s WrB Africa, which is organised by Clarion Gaming, and runs across 7th – 8th June, at the Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi, Kenya.

The company, has significant operations in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and South America with an extensive portfolio of gaming and betting products. Some of these products include: Live Betting, In-Play Match Tracker, Pre-Match Betting, Live Greyhound and Horse Racing, Virtual Sports and Racing, Virtual KENO, Online Betting, Native Android and iOS Applications, Online Casino, Affiliate System, Progressive Jackpot, Loyalty Card and a Casper–Slot Management System.

By leveraging Meridian’s Bet Shop Manager® software platform, companies can gain access to a network which has over 30 years of continuous service in Europe, operates in 36 countries with 900 betting shops worldwide.

Previewing its appearance at WrB Africa, a Meridian spokesperson said: “Whether commercial organisations intend on building a brand-new betting company, or implementing betting solutions into an existing gaming operation, we are able to help establish businesses and grow the customer base. Meridian’s legacy of best practice and experience spread over two decades, allows operators to streamline critical processes, control operations and increase profits.”

Sofia Lovgren on her interest in Asia including the Macau cash games

Lee Davy managed to catch up with 888Poker’s Sofia Lovgren during a break in play at 888Live Barcelona where she talked about her fondness for Asia, the Macau cash games, and her love for business.

When I first met Sofia Lovgren, she was standing alone in a water bus stop in Venice in the early hours of the morning, and I thought wow!

I was in my late 30s bumbling around Europe like a junkie, dazed and confused by a belief system that pushed forward a view that the world was full of perverts and prats, and here was a 20-year old, fresh out of the convent without a care in the world.

And that’s what poker does to you.

Champions League Final to spark football-betting boom

Worldpay predicts 30% increase in online gambling ahead of Europe’s biggest club fixture

June 2017 – London — Worldpay, a global leader in payments, is expecting online betting to increase by nearly a third this weekend compared to last, as football fans all over Europe look to place a wager on this year’s Champions League Final between Juventus and Real Madrid.

An analysis of gambling data from last year’s Athletico vs. Real Madrid penalty showdown at the San Siro, found that alongside the 30% rise in betting volume, turnover was also up by a hefty 36%[2], as punters across the continent treated themselves to a flutter. With this year’s final taking place with no major international summer tournament in sight, online bookmakers could expect an even bigger weekend as punters chase one last windfall before the season’s finish.

Last year’s figures also showed the luck of the Irish to be in full force, with payouts to the Emerald Isle 13% above average; higher than any other country in Europe. While it may be some time before we see Shamrock Rovers reaching the final, there is certainly nothing holding Irish gamblers back from making a nice little earner on Europe’s biggest fixture.

PokerStars & BetStars Stephen Hendry on snooker, gambling & food

PokerStars and BetStars Ambassador, Stephen Hendry, on the difficulties on maintaining your edge in snooker, getting turned over by Jimmy White and Willie Thorne, and his three favorite restaurants.

I’m sitting in the lounge in Cardiff Central Station looking at the library hoping to find an animal book for my daughter when I see a book on snooker by Stephen Hendry.

The seven-time World Snooker Champion is staring down the length of his cue – focused, lethal. I don’t know the color of the ball about to feel the sting, but I would bet a few bucks it ended up in the pocket. There were times I thought he was using a wand, not a cue.

He looked like a cherubic little angel.

WPT Distribution partner with GameTV; Dong Lee wins WPT500 title in LA

World Poker Tour Distributions has entered into a partnership with GameTV exposing the elite tour to the homes of nine million Canadians, and Dong Lee wins the WPT500 at The Gardens Casino, Los Angeles.

Speaking to the World Poker Tour’s (WPT) Vice President of Distribution, Johnny McMahon, in May, he told me that one of the goals for 2017 was to offer distribution in more territories and he wasn’t kidding.

WPT Distributions has announced a deal with Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s GameTV that will see the Canadian-based digital media company broadcast content to 9 million homes throughout Canada. McMahon referred to GameTV as the perfect pairing as his department continues to aggressively expand their international content offering.

GameTV began life in 2001 as the Stuart Media Group owned Gaming Channel. In 2016, Anthem Sports & Entertainment acquired them and immediately injected a more sporty vibe into the coverage.

NYX Gaming Group signs long-term OGS agreement to extend partnership with Aspire Global

June 2017 – (LAS VEGAS, USA): NYX Gaming Group (TSX-V: NYX), the market leading end-to-end supplier to sportsbook, gaming, lottery and bingo operators across the globe, has agreed a multi-year, multi-jurisdiction partnership with Aspire Global.

Malta-based Aspire Global has integrated NYX OGS, the flexible game aggregation platform, enabling it to offer a world-class content portfolio of more than 1,000 games to .com, UK, and Danish players, with the first games already live.

Initial launch titles from NYX’s market leading studio NextGen Gaming include top performers 1 Can 2 Can, Double Play Superbet, Jackpot Jester 50k and Jackpot Jester Wild Nudge.

NYX Chief Commercial Officer David Flynn commented: “The ongoing growth of NYX OGS is testament to the quality and range of content offered by the platform.

CASEXE will present a new online casino Jolly Roger at RGW2017

CASEXE , the supplier of gambling software , has announced a launch of a brand new online casino, Jolly Roger, on its platform. The virtual house accomplished with an intuitive interface and attractive pirate style design operates under the license of Curaçao.

TV hostess and model, Katya Sambuka, was invited to start the Jolly Roger’s ad campaign.

Jolly Roger offers players a range of popular games by such providers as Endorphina, Igrosoft, TomHorn, GameArt, Amatik. The customers are also provided with exclusive promotions and bonuses, as well as with technical support 24/7. The project plans include an integration of Microgaming content.

The company has underlined that Jolly Roger is a proud of the CASEXE team, based on a mixture of a powerful platform, an easy interface, together with  an abundance of online gambling.

EHF Marketing unveils long-term multi-faceted partnership with Sportradar

Cologne/Vienna, June 2017. EHF Marketing GmbH has announced a new partnership with Sportradar, the global leader in sports data and digital content, for the provision of a range of services across the European Handball Federation’s top club competitions.

The marketing arm and subsidiary of the European Handball Federation, EHF Marketing GmbH, and Sportradar have announced a long-term agreement, which will see the global leader in data and digital content provide a range of data, streaming, marketing and digital services for the federation’s European Cup competitions. Sportradar will now become the ‘official streaming and data partner of the EHF club competitions’.

The partnership will be officially unveiled at the ‘European handball goes Tech’ business event, taking place on 2 June, ahead of the start of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. The agreement includes the collection of live data and comprehensive statistics for over 650 European Cup matches per season across all of the EHF’s top club competitions including the men’s and women’s EHF Champions League, EHF Cup and Challenge Cup.

With sports, marketing and technology experts attending the ‘European handball goes Tech’ event in Cologne, Sportradar will also use the opportunity to launch its latest product ‘Sportradar OTT’ to sports federations worldwide. This new service will form part of the partnership agreement with EHF Marketing GmbH and includes the provision and development of the federation’s own OTT platform, ehfTV.com, as well as marketing rights for all digital content for the EHF’s club competitions. Advertising and sponsorship on digital platforms in addition to all non-digital advertising and sponsorship from the betting industry are also included.