Launches and sign-ups recap
A round-up of the egaming launches and sign-ups you might have missed over the festive period (19 December to 3 January 2014)
Paddy Power launches new Messenger betting app
Launch of new Messenger app coincided with multi-platform marketing campaign developed by If agency
Irish operator Paddy Power has launched its new Messenger betting app, allowing users to place bets quickly and tailor which sporting updates they receive.
The app, which is currently only available for iOS devices, allows users to send a text message to the operator containing basic details of a desired bet rather than submit them manually using its sportsbook.
Users can also select particular sports, teams, leagues or courses to follow and receive betting updates relating to them, such as betting reminders or live commentary on sporting fixtures.
The operator has launched a marketing campaign designed by advertising agency If to promote the Messenger app’s release, comprising advertisements in national press and online.
PartyPoker releases mobile app to NJ residents
Bwin.party-owned poker provider looks to build on early New Jersey success with iOS offerings
PartyPoker has released a real-money gaming app for residents in New Jersey, becoming the fourth operator to do so.
The app is available on all iOS devices and includes poker game modes such as real money, fast forward play money and preview, however tournaments have yet to be added.
Casino-style games have also been included in the launch.
PartyPoker has made the most of launching on the opening day of New Jersey’s regulated online gambling launch on 26 November last year, amassing around half of the state’s market share in real-money poker games
Betfair introduces short-term cool-off feature
Exchange and sportsbook operator Betfair has launched a new customer protection mechanism allowing customers to effectively suspend their account for up to two days.
A ‘Time Out’ feature has been introduced to help those who may otherwise be tempted to chase losses by opting to place a suspension on their account for either 24 or 48 hours with the click of a button.
The suspension will freeze all activity on the account, although clients will still be able to view prices and markets. In addition, all marketing communication with the player will be temporarily halted.
Olybet signs Playtech online casino deal
Estonia and Latvia-facing Olympic Entertainment Group (OEG) has chosen Playtech as its exclusive online casino supplier.
The Eastern European land-based operator recently re-launched its online sports betting product under the new OlyBet brand, and later added poker via Microgaming’s network.
The addition of casino completes the relaunch of OEG’s online offering, after it unified the company’s online services under one brand and dumped its Olympic-Online tag back in July.
Casinomoolah.com launches with ProgressPlay content
Digital marketing solutions provider Cheeze Marketing Services has signed an agreement with B2B casino provider ProgressPlay to power new casino site casinomoolah.com.
ProgressPlay will provide casino games, back office technology, online payment processing systems, and risk and fraud management for casinomoolah for both desktop and mobile platforms.
“We believe that Cheeze Marketing Services’ investment and knowledge of internet gaming, paired with our across-the-board operation infrastructure, skills and expertise creates a solid partnership that has tremendous potential,” Itai Loewenstein, CEO of ProgressPlay, said.
Cheeze Marketing is the sister company of bingo provider Chelbis which is licenced by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta and has an existing supplier agreement with Cozy Games.
Eurobet boosts slot suite with new titles
Gala Coral’s Italy-facing brand Eurobet has added slot titles developed by Incredible Technologies and Ainsworth to its existing suite of casino games.
Hip-hop themed slot King of Bling, developed by US-based games developer Incredible Technologies, has been integrated into the Eurobet site through the Game Account Network, and Eurobet gaming director Marco Trucco has been impressed by the game despite initial scepticism.
“It will stand out from other titles and I’m sure it will find a loyal and excited customer base,” Trucco added.
Ainsworth-developed Roaming Reels has also been added to Eurobet’s offering, with the site looking to expand on its current share of Italy’s casino market which currently stands at around 6%.
Gala Bingo releases new tablet app
Gala Coral has launched a new galabingo.com app for iPad devices as the Gibraltar-licensed operator looks to take advantage of a predicted one million UK tablet sales this Christmas.
Co-developed by the Gala Interactive product team and Playtech, the operator said the new iOS app had been designed to be intuitive to the tablet user while also boasting the most comprehensive range of bingo and slots games on the market. An Android compatible version is due to be released early in the New Year.
All the content from the mobile app has been transferred across to the tablet while there are also plans to introduce new bingo products in February after striking a deal with Playtech subsidiary and bingo software supplier Virtue Fusion.