DEALS: IGT/Rank; Sheriff/JHG; Amaya/DC; Cherry/Yggdrasil; Net Ent/Cheesy Poofs

igt-rank-amaya-sheriff-net-ent-cherryInternational Game Technology (IGT) has struck a deal with Rank Group to launch its IGT Cloud technology at ten Grosvenor Casino sites over the next month. Without making any significant infrastructure investments, Grosvenor will be able to utilize IGT Cloud features locally and centrally while leveraging insight into product performance. Grosvenor will also gain instant access to the entire IGT UK AVP game theme library. The initial launch covers 94 AVPs connected, with plans to extend the offering to other Grosvenor sites throughout the year.

Okay, hands up everyone who has yet to sign a deal with Sheriff Gaming this year… Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Over the past month, the Dutch 3D game developer has inked pacts with Bet365, EveryMatrix and Eurocoin Interactive, and Sheriff has now signed on to develop a new slot product for the Janshen-Hahnraths Group (JHG), the biggest land-based slot machine supplier in the Netherlands. JHG marks the first terrestrial deal for Sheriff, and sales manager Eric Roskamp called it “testament to our expansion into other markets” that “reiterates the increasing convergence between the online and land-based gaming sectors.”

Swedish operator Cherry AB has popped the cherry of new instant RNG lottery outfit Yggdrasil Gaming. Cherry offshoot PlayCherry is the inaugural licensee of the Malta-licensed Yggdrasil’s portfolio. Marius Andersen, captain of Cherry’s online gaming division, said the company was “always looking for new, innovative partners who can provide us with games in order to increase acquisition and retention, boost traffic and sales.” Yggdrasil, in case you weren’t aware, was the giant tree connecting the nine worlds in Norse mythology, which we already knew because we were incredible geeks growing up who preferred playing Dungeons & Dragons to kissing girls.

Canada’s Amaya Gaming Group has inked a deal to become the exclusive provider of DC Comics comic book-inspired pay-to-play online casino titles. Not only does Amaya gain the exclusive right to distribute pay-to-play titles based on DC characters like Batman, Superman, the Justice League et al, but Amaya is planning to develop new 3D game titles for desktop and mobile devices. (That sound you heard was Sheriff Gaming pricking up its ears at the sound of 3D competition.)

Moving from sublime comic art to some of the crudest – and we mean both visually and thematically – Swedish software provider Net Entertainment has released its latest branded slot title, featuring those lovably profane scamps from South Park. Commenting on the release, Net Ent CEO Per Eriksson said “I want cheesy poofs!” Actually, Eriksson said he was “truly proud” and “tremendously excited” to have his company’s name associated with the animated cult classic from the truly twisted minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone.