Weekly news round-up 29 May 2015
This weekâs news in brief sees PokerStars’ diversification push pick and speed and strong mobile results at Stride
Stride Gamingâs maiden results since its successful AIM float this month were driven by strong mobile growth. Stride drew 25% of NGR from mobile during the six months ended 28 February, compared with 20% in the same period last year. With total NGR up 173% year-on-year to £11.7m, it marks a significant increase in mobile revenues. This growth should continue as the firm prepares to transition the Table Top Entertainment brands it acquired last year to mobile this summer.
PokerStars’Â diversification push is picking up speed as the operator began to roll out its sportsbook on mobile. Meanwhile Bet365 expanded its poker app with the addition of tournaments, allowing mobile users to now take part in sit and go and multi-table tournaments.
SkillOnNet has launched the new Scientific Games Interactive mobile slot game Black Magic Fruits across a series of its brands including Slotsmagic. The launch marks the first time SkillOnNet has launched a mobile casino product during an early release window as it moves to expand its mobile offering.
XL Media acquired a series of UK-focused, mobile-targeted websites as it steps up its mobile publishing and media divisions. While the websites have not yet been named, the firm said the move was a broader attempt to adapt to the rapid increase in traffic from mobile and to increase its presence on the channel. âMobile users are now becoming a significant portion of our target audience which is why we are developing new features and capabilities to deliver a seamless mobile experience across our websites and ads in order to drive enhanced experience to our users,â Ory Weihs, XLMediaâs CEO, said.
Digital agency and app developers Degree 53 teamed up with Business Growth Hub for a diversification push following success with gambling industry clients. The agency, which has previously worked with clients including Betfred, Kerching, Totesport and 888, recorded turnover of £2.8m in the 12 months to 31 March 2015. And it was most recently behind Betfredâs new messenger app, which forms a central part of the operatorâs mobile push.