888.com has tapped Evolution Gaming to provide it with a dedicated live dealer casino environment. While 888 and Evolution were already joined at the hip, 888 now has a fully dedicated real-time gaming room at Evolution’s production studios in Riga, Latvia, complete with branded wall-paneling and a rotating cast of 50 dealers wearing 888-branded outfits at six gaming tables (one roulette, five blackjack).
Gibraltar-licensed operator BetVictor has acquired automated trading solutions provider Botsphere for an undisclosed sum. The UK-based Botsphere currently provides services to the aforementioned BetVictor, as well as Betfair, Betfred, Boylesports and Offside Gaming. BetVictor chairman Victor Chandler said his company’s four-year relationship with Botsphere had convinced him of its merits as well as the need “to be in control of our future technical development.”
Nordic online gambling operator Unibet is embarking on a £2m promotional campaign to get a leg over in the UK market. Following a long search that began in February, the Malta-licensed operator has tapped two companies – Albion and Goodstuff – to handle the campaign, which will officially get underway early next year. The two firms had pitched Unibet separately, but will work together to develop Unibet’s marketing strategy, product design, brand and performance marketing. Unibet’s UK manager Phillip Manzi said: “As a challenger in the market, it is key for Unibet to be nimble, creative and innovative. We need to focus on a few areas and be excellent.” Unibet had previously utilized TBWA/London for its pan-European ad campaigns.
Live streaming sports content provider Perform Group has acquired German sports portal Sportal Gmbh, operator of Sportal.de, which provides sports content for prominent German media outlets such as Spiegel and has an average of 800k unique sports fans visiting the site each month. While terms of the sale were not disclosed, it was likely less than the (up to) €120m Perform spent to acquire Swiss sports data firm RunningBall in May. Sportal reported revenues of €1.4m in 2011.
