Issue N31, 2008
July 28, 2008
Sun Bingo Makes Software Switch
The online bingo world has seen some major changes in recent weeks, with one of the industry’s most popular sites, Sun Bingo deciding to shift from its excellent Tombola software platform to a new one created for the site by Gamesys software company. The new bespoke platform will carry Sun Bingo, as well as News of the World Bingo site, both owned by a leading UK publication company.
This week, Sun Bingo finally made the official switch to the Gamesys platform and is offering excellent promotions in celebration of the ‘re-launch’. While Sun Bingo hopes to attract new players, it is also depending on its loyal players to make the shift with it. Current players will not be hassled by the move itself, and won’t even be asked to change passwords on the new platform.
Sun Bingo is hoping that its freedom to offer side games on the new platform – something that wasn’t possible with Tombola – will help lure new players looking for diverse casino action along with their bingo fun, as well as increase its revenues as a natural result of a wider game offering. In the meantime, Tombola Bingo, which works through its proprietary software platform, has also launched a huge bingo jackpot bonanza as a way for players to register with this site as well.
New CEO for Betfair Australia
Betfair Australia has announced that it has chosen a new Chief Executive Officer to run its operations Down Under. The new post will be taken over from Anthony Kloks, who has been head since 2006, by Andrew Twaits, an employee with the company for several years already.
Kloks will move on to join Crown Limited, a company that joined Betfair UK to create Betfair Australasia. He will also remain on to serve on Betfair Australia’s Board. The chairman and co-founder of Betfair, Edward Wray said about Kloks: “He will leave his position as CEO with the knowledge that Betfair is well placed to achieve its objectives in the Australian market. While we'll be sad to see Anthony go, we are delighted that he will retain a role in the business by staying on the company's board”.
Referring to the appointment of Twaits as the new Chief Executive Officer, Wray said: “Andrew has been crucial to the company's continued growth in Australia over the last four years and is the natural successor to Anthony. He has worked alongside Anthony for the last two years and was the obvious choice to guide Betfair through the next stage of its development. The Australian wagering market is entering an exciting period and the board is very confident in the ability of Andrew and the rest of the team to help Betfair realize its potential in this market.”
New Payment System on Mobile Casino
With the launching of the Wild Jack Mobile Casino on the Microgaming powered Spin3 platform, also comes a brand new payment option that is sure to catch on fast in the online gambling world. When the mobile casino was launched this week, gamblers also realized that they could pay to load their accounts via their regular Vodafone bills that are sent to them at the end of the month. This is the first time that online gambling accounte can be funded using this type of method and just goes to show how much this form of entertainment has entered the mainstream.
The head of Spin3, Matti Zinder said: "We have a strong commitment to our operators and we are always striving to make the gaming experience as hassle free and easy to access as possible, whilst keeping the highest security and age verification standards. By allowing players to purchase casino credits on their monthly Vodafone bills, we are giving casino operators yet another tool to offer their loyal base of customers and new users."
Bodog Hits Back at Payment Processing Rumors
Bodog Life, the successful sports betting, poker and casino brand that was founded by the flamboyant Canadian billionaire, Calvin Ayre, has hit back on rumors that the company is experiencing problems, such as with the processing of payments. After stories about the company’s problems were thrown back and forth in the media all week, Bodog felt that it was necessary to clarify issues, especially regarding that of payment to players.
Referring to an article that appeared in Forbes linking Bodog to the problems faced by a couple of companies in the United States, the CEO of Bodog, Alwyn Morris said: "The seizure of funds from these US payment processors was mischaracterized in the article, which refers to two specific legal cases against US processors. Rightly or wrongly, the article does not make a clear distinction between these cases, which, as a result, paints a misleading picture … Also note that not one single player failed to get paid when this processor was disrupted.”