Tropicana picks Ruby Seven for social casino; Play4Fun launches in New Mexico

tropicana-ruby-seven-play4fun-route-66-casino-social-gamingNew Mexico’s Route 66 Casino Hotel has become the latest brick-and-mortar joint to launch Scientific Games Corporation’s Play4Fun Network social casino product.

The Albuquerque-based Laguna Development Corporation’s Route 66 launched the Williams Interactive-powered Play4Fun website this week. Mobile versions of the social casino are expected to launch this summer for both Android and iOS devices courtesy of SGMS’ Mobile Concierge product.

Route 66 marks the first Play4Fun launch in the southwest US market but It’s the second regional deal SGMS has inked this month. The Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California plans to launch its Play4Fun offering this summer. Pennsylvania’s market-leading Parx Casino launched Play4Fun last year.

SGMS VP of Commercial, Interactive Bob Hays said the deal demonstrated Route 66’s “confidence in the ability of the SG Universe product suite to build an engaged online player community under the casino’s brand online and through the critical mobile device channels.” Route 66 GM Tim Perkins said Play4Fun “reaches our patrons where they spend their time and will deepen their relationship with our casino.”

TROPICANA SEES RED
Nevada-based casino operator Tropicana Entertainment has inked a social casino deal with developer Ruby Seven Studios. The Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City has already teamed with UK operator Gamesys to power its real-money online casino site, which led all New Jersey-licensed operators in online casino revenue in March. But unlike that site, the Trop’s social casino offering will be accessible to players around the world via Facebook and mobile devices.

Tropicana Entertainment CEO Tony Rodio said his firm had studied the social gaming sector for some time and ultimately chose the San Francisco-based Ruby Seven for its “extensive expertise in social and mobile game publishing.” Ruby Seven CEO Michael Carpenter said it looked to leverage the Tropicana’s “globally known and respected brand” by tailoring casino games with “unique twists to engage and entertain existing and future Tropicana audiences.”