Issue N24, 2009
June 24, 2009
Marvel and CryptoLogic Extend their Marvelous Deal
CryptoLogic have announced that their exclusive licensing agreement with Marvel Entertainment Inc. has been extended. The first agreement signed between the two companies took place in 2005, and has been extended three times, with the latest agreement extending all the way till 2013.
The deal allows CryptoLogic, a leading online gaming software provider, to use superheroes from Marvel Comics as themes for their slot games. Slot players have enjoyed playing slots with Marvel themes, such as X-Men, the Hulk, Spiderman and The Fantastic Four.
The association between CryptoLogic and Marvel Entertainment has been a mutually beneficial and profitable one, as expressed in a statement by CryptoLogic's President and CEO, Brian Hadfield "It's exciting to extend a deal that has been mutually successful and profitable, and to strengthen CryptoLogic's competitive advantage in the branded gaming space."
In competition with CryptoLogic, earlier this year Playtech signed an exclusive deal with a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment Inc., Marvel Characters B.V., where they received the right to use characters from Marvel's motion picture brands in their games. The difference seems somewhat unclear since many of the comic characters CryptoLogics are using made their way to the big screen, and can now be used by Playtech in their slot games.
Playtech's Beach Life Slot has Made Yet Another Millionaire
Playtech's slot game, Beach Life, has been hit again. The online progressive slot game was hit for a total of $1,552,778 this week, and was once again reset to $50,000. Including this most recent jackpot hit, the Beach Life progressive slot game has paid out five times in the last year. Three of the five winners have instantly become millionaires, with the biggest hit being over a whopping four million dollars.
Beach Life may be a great slot to win on, but there have been some issues surrounding Beach Life's wins that add a sting to the excitement. Slot players need to tread carefully when it comes to winning this jackpot to ensure they are not stung, rather like going to the beach when jellyfish are hanging out.
A South African winner, Marie Van Wyk, had agreed to take her winnings earlier this year in installments from African Palace Casino, where she won the jackpot on Beach Life. After two installments, the casino stopped paying, and getting no joy from them, she took her grievance public and contacted the press. It seems that Marie has still not been paid all her winnings. Joyland Casino, where Sylvia won the jackpot when it stood at over $4 million, gave their winner problems too. Joyland Casino only gave Sylvia half the joy of winning, by pressuring her into agreeing to take only half the amount she should have won. Playtech are hoping that the current payout goes smoothly, with no more negative publicity for the Beach Life slot game.
Microgaming and Maria Poker Bring Players the Feminine Touch
Microgaming will be powering Unibet's new poker room, Maria Poker. Maria Poker is a sister site to Maria Bingo, which offer their players a gaming experience with a feminine focus. The site is especially suited to beginner players, with its online poker school, which helps novices navigate the online poker playing experience. Players can choose step-by-step tutorials, quick tips and visual aids to teach them basic poker playing, and guide them on their way until they are confident enough to take a chance at winning a poker game.
The CEO of Unibet and Maria Poker, Peter Nylander, said: "We are excited to launch online poker on the Maria brand, which is possibly the strongest female brand in Northern Europe. By implementing Microgaming's platform on Maria Poker we can ensure that the products we offer are the most innovative and captivating, and well suited to the fun and feminine ethos of our newest gaming portal."
The site features the new no-lobby interface, powered by Microgaming's new Flash Poker software, which means that players can select games directly from the poker table, which ensures that they can be seated at their next game in mere seconds.
iMEGA Vs US Online Gambling Hearing Date Set
iMEGA (Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association) has been battling the US Department of Justice for some time regarding the validity of the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act). iMEGA argues that the act should be voided because of its vagueness.
A hearing date has been set for July 7th in Philadelphia, in the US Third Circuit Court of Appeals, where iMEGA and the US Department of Justice will give their oral presentations. The judiciary panel will be composed of Judge Thomas L. Ambro, Judge Dolores Korman Sloviter, and Judge Kent A. Jordan.
Joe Brennan, Jr., iMEGA's chairman asserts that the only reason the law has survived this long is because of political maneuvering. Brennan feels confident that the judges will overturn the law when it is looked at objectively.