In conjunction with France Pari, Groupe Partouche intends to relaunch LiveBetting.com, the site it purchased in 2008 from current Full Tilt Poker suitor Laurent Tapie. Partouche and France Pari already have a relationship via the ARJEL-licensed sportsbook Placedesparis.fr, but Livebetting.com will be licensed in Malta and targeted at the UK market.
Gamesys has launched a Swedish version of its Jackpotjoy brand. Jackpotjoy.se features many of the same bingo, slots and casino games long enjoyed by Jackpotjoy’s UK players, but Swedish-language chat moderators are standing by to assist their new customers.
GTECH G2 has announced deals with some of Spain’s leading land-based gaming companies eyeing the country’s newly regulated online gambling market. Set to tango with GTECH G2 are Acrismatic, Grup Comar, Grupo Orenes, Suerti, Winga and Casino Barcelona Grup Peralada, whose CEO Xavier Picola said his company “wanted to make that we had a partner that would enable us to protect and grow our existing reputation and enhance our relationship with our players.” GTECH G2 also extended existing relationships with online partners Sportingbet and bet365.
Not to be outdone, GTECH’s parent company Lottomatica has launched an app that enables its Italian customers to play Better and Bingo Club on their Samsung SmartTVs. Players with such TVs can share results, get updates, bet on sporting events and play bingo directly through their snazzy Samsung sets.
Almost a year after announcing the acquisition, Scandinavian-facing operator Betsson AB has made the final payment on Malta-based Betsafe. Betsson will cover that final installment of €12.5m via the issue of new class B shares, each priced at SEK182.
PokerStars will provide its UK customers with another method of depositing to their accounts via consumer payments network Payzone. Payzone operates 20k terminals across the UK, through which customers can deposit funds and receive a voucher, which contains a unique code they can enter on Stars to automatically top-up their account. The system offers an alternative method of payment for those players with lingering concerns over entering their personal banking details online. (Luddites.)
iGaming consultants Hybrid Interaction have added Virgin Gaming to their roster of clients seeking retention marketing consulting services. It’s a marriage seemingly made in heaven, as Virgin Gaming is itself something of a hybrid, incorporating console video games, P2P online gaming and online betting. Virgin Gaming recently topped one million users, and CEO Rob Segal says that by tapping into Hybrid Interaction’s extensive industry knowledge, “we’re able to take the steps needed to ensure continued strong growth.” Hybrid CEO Shahar Attias said his challenge was to “find ways to really understand the patterns” that drive Virgin’s players. “Just like with the console games themselves, you have to invest time and effort to attain mastery. It’s a lesson that all winners know well.”
