Issue N34, 2008
August 14, 2008
Playtech Expands into Italian Market
Playtech, one of the industry’s leading software companies, has announced that it has signed a deal with the Italian land-based gambling operator, Snai. According to reports, Snai, keen to ride on the growing wave of online poker popularity, has decided to launch an online version of its successful terrestrial operations on Playtech’s Italian poker network.
The new site will be conformed to suit the playing habits of Italian online poker players and currency and language will naturally be adapted to suit the local market. A free play version of the site is up and running and the real money version will be launched in the final quarter of this year.
The Chairman of Snai, Maurizio Ughi said about the new deal: “Since its foundation, our company has specialized in skills based gaming and skill games like poker are a natural evolution of our portfolio for the Italian market. Having chosen Playtech’s portfolio, we are able to offer our customers two poker games, Texas Hold ‘em and Omaha. Our aim is to be the leading player in the Italian market for skill games, as we are for horse racing and sports betting. We look forward to a successful working relationship with Playtech.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Playtech, Mor Weitzer said about deal: “As the leading software provider the online gambling industry, working extensively in regulated markets, we are very pleased to establish our foothold in Italy through our partnership with Snai. We are delighted to have reached this agreement to offer our rich palette of poker games, supported by a transparent and efficient management system, to Italy’s leading land-based operator, and we anticipate a rewarding partnership.”
Net Entertainment to Improve its Online Racing Products
Already an industry leader in online gaming software, Net Entertainment has announced that it will be improving its online virtual racing games, thanks to a lucrative deal signed with the Swedish based games developer, Solidicon AB. Under the terms of the agreement, Solidicon will provide Net Entertainment with groundbreaking 3D graphics technology in order to build top quality racing games.
The Chief Executive Officer for Net Entertainment, Johan Ohman said: “Net Entertainment is pleased to work with Solidicon and thereby gain access to their extensive experience for 3D graphics and rendering. We will continue to broaden our product portfolio moving forward and the cooperation of Solidicon will allow us to offer the latest in virtual racing games.”
The first game to be released as a joint venture between Solidicon and Net Entertainment will be Golden Derby, a virtual racing game with realistic features, a jackpot pool and no less than five betting modes.
“With increasing competition on the online gaming market,” said Solidicon’s Chief Executive Officer, PA Gustafsson, “we expect players will demand more from the games in terms of content, quality and innovative concepts. The uniqueness and quality of the Golden Derby product will set new standards and point the direction of what to expect from Net Entertainment and Solidicon in the future.”
Warm Reception for Bodog’s Blackjack Promotion
The popular online gambling operator, Bodog, is getting praises for its new blackjack promotion that encourages players to enjoy the game at its casino site and stand in line to win a great cash prize. The Bodog Blackjack promotion is already into its second week and for two Wednesdays in a row, one lucky player has won $250 simply for being the 100,000th blackjack player that day.
Bodog’s Blackjack Wednesday promotion will run each and every Wednesday from now until August 20th at 3pm Eastern Standard Time until midnight. The lucky winner of last week’s blackjack promotion commented that it was a great surprise to win the cash.
The Poker Channel to Run with Cryptologic Software
True to its promises to continue its expansion policy in the online gambling world, Cryptologic, one of the world’s biggest software companies has signed a lucrative new deal with Gaming Media Group. This group owns the popular Poker Channel which broadcasts to over 15 different countries all across Europe and can be accessed by literally millions of households on the continent. Under the terms of the new agreement with the Gaming Media Group, the channel and other sites owned by the group will carry Cryptologic software, which will also receive a huge boost through advertising slots.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Cryptologic, Brian Hadfield said: “We promised swift action to take Cryptologic to the next level of online gaming, and our new relationships with leading brands such as the Gaming Media Group show that we are executing our plan. Gaming Media Group’s commitment to promote the games through advertising means new profile for Cryptologic products that takes them to new people and new places.”