PokerStars has launched a mobile version of its Facebook app PokerStars PLAY. The app can now be played via iOS and Android mobile and tablet devices in all markets in which Stars currently offers free-play poker, including the US. The app shares liquidity with the free-play PokerStars.net platform.
The app, which debuted on Facebook in August following a lengthy incubation, recently won Best Social Poker App at the IGA Gaming Awards. Rational Group spokesman Eric Hollreiser said social excellence was crucial given than “more and more consumers are introduced to poker through social and mobile platforms.” Canada’s Amaya Gaming, which acquired the Rational Group earlier this year, has made social gaming a key plank of its strategy to diversify Stars’ former poker-only offering.
The social poker offering of Moscow-based game developers/publishers Crazy Panda has helped boost the company’s registered user base over 110m players. Crazy Panda is making an expansion push into Western European and North American markets and boosted its audience by 45% between July 2013 and November 2014. Crazy Panda says over 70% of its new users have played the company’s marquee titles, including its flagship World Poker Club app.
Australian games developer Royal Wins has inked an affiliate deal with Income Access to boost traffic to its flagship social casino brand Mojikan’s Kash Karnival. Income Access launched its Social Gaming Network in October 2013 and the company’s Harry Bienestock said the addition of Kash Karnival would support the network’s continuing diversification. Royal Wins is offering an introductory commission structure until Dec. 31 in which all new affiliates will earn $0.50 for each new player registration and a 50% revenue share of all in-app purchases. High-performing affiliates will “likely” have this deal extended into 2015.
