Issue N15, 2012
April 12, 2012
New Microgaming Flash Games Launched
Online casino software giant, Microgaming, announced the release of four new games to its instant Flash platform this month, providing players with plenty of new opportunities to enjoy top notch entertainment and super payouts. The four games are Arctic Fortune, Mystique Grove, Tiger vs Bear Siberian Standoff and Karate Pig – all of them video slot games.
Arctic Fortune is a 1024-ways-to-win slot with a cool Nordic fantasy them and boasts plenty of bonus features, including wilds, multipliers and free spins. Players will love the amazing graphics and animations in the game. Mystique Grove is another fantasy themed Flash slot game, with five reels which spin against the backdrop of original music.
Tiger vs Bear Siberian Standoff is a fun 25 line, 5 reel slot game where players enjoy immersive slot action by picking one of two characters and following it into battle against the other. Bonus games, extra challenges and free spins are just some of the action in this slot game.
Finally, Microgaming released the kung-fu themed Karate Pig with its hugely entertaining graphics and animations, as players help the hero of the game achieve 7 karate belts through an exciting Final Showdown bonus game.
Manitoba Province to Launch Online Gambling
The Canadian province of Manitoba has turned to the British Columbia Lottery Corp, to provide it with assistance in launching its own online gambling platform by next year. The BCLC runs the successful PlayNow.com gaming site which offers BC residents the opportunity to wager at a safe and regulated online casino. Manitoba is hoping to move forward in the gambling world by taking some of its products such as casino and poker gaming online, and has partnered with BCLC as a result.
"We launched online gaming in British Columbia to provide a secure and legal option for people who play online and to keep revenues in the province that otherwise would be going to illegal gambling sites," said Rich Coleman, the Minister Responsible for British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
"We are pleased to share our expertise with Manitoba to strengthen regulated online gambling in Canada."
Adding to the comments was the President and Chief Executive Officer of BCLC who said: “Innovation is key growth to any business”.
“We are creating a new revenue stream for BCLC by leveraging our experience and the expertise of our best in class vendors and providing these services to another jurisdiction,” he said.
Martial Arts Champ Signs up with 888 Poker
Georges St-Pierre, the French-Canadian mixed martial arts champ, has signed on with 888 Casino to become the online gambling group’s official global ambassador for its poker brand. The Welterweight Champ for the Ultimate Fighting Championship enjoys a fantastic career as an MMA pro, with no less than 22 wins under his belt and only two defeats.
888 Poker said that the deal, initially signed for a year, will see St-Pierre become an important part of the brand’s marketing strategy. According to Itai Pazner, the B2C Senior Vice President for the London listed 888: “The partnership agreement with Georges St-Pierre will strengthen our brand awareness around the globe and introduce 888 to the growing sport of mixed martial arts and its fans.” He added that it was exciting to have this international sports celebrity on board with the group.
The MMA champ said that he was excited to become a global brand ambassador for the new Team 888Poker. “I have wanted to play poker for a while now as it is a great game of skill,” he said. St-Pierre will lead his team in the upcoming World Series of Poker (WSOP) due to take place this summer.
William Hill Expands Further into Italy
William Hill, the giant UK casino and sportsbook operator, announced that it was expanding further into the ever-growing Italian gambling market by introducing a Live Casino for Italian players. William Hill has rolled out new Roulette Live and Blackjack Live for the local market on its casino platform, offering players “a more extensive, rich and real gaming experience.”
According to William Hill, the group “gives players a huge number of tables and it will be impossible not to find a seat.”
The statement by the group explained that a key element in the Live Casino is the professional dealers who dictate the rules of the game and “bring it to life.” Players will be able to interact with them via chat for a personal gaming experience with the convenience of online gambling. In addition, there are no time limits to play because Roulette Live will be available 24/7, while all-day Blackjack will be available soon.
The games are streamed via high resolution and offer the perfect solution for players who are undecided between online and land based gambling.
“Playing online becomes life-like and you can experience the real emotion of being in a casino without leaving your home,” noted William Hill.