Issue N42, 2011
November 2, 2011
Five New Microgaming Games Announced for November
Microgaming online casino software provider has rolled out five new games for its multiple platforms in November. The newest game announced by this group is Throne of Egypt, an ancient Egyptian themed, five reel and 25 pay line slot game which boasts a fantastic King’s Chamber bonus level which pays out very well.
The second game is Dr. Love, a fun, cheeky and superbly animated 20 line slot game with the chance to trigger a free spin bonus round where winnings are trebled. King of Cash is a royal treat with generous base game wins and a second screen bonus round.
Crocodopolis, created by NextGen studios will also be introduced onto Microgaming platforms this month and is one of the more popular titles from this software provider. The game offers a patented Slide It Wild feature which gives players control over the pace of the wildcard icons.
Finally, Alaskan Fishing has a super activity theme and 243 ways to win through stacked wilds and a second screen bonus game.
New Rival Gaming Slot Hits the Scene
Rival Gaming software group announced that it has launched a brand new online slot game that is sure to be a huge hit among players. The 20 pay line Sherwood Forest Fortunes has already hit Rival powered online casinos and players are flocking to these sites to try out the Robin Hood themed video slot game. The game has multiple bonus rounds which add plenty of action and a chance to increase winning potential significantly.
“In Sherwood Forest Fortunes players battle the Sheriff of Nottingham, who has been terrorizing the local villagers,” said the software group in a statement issued this week. “Game progress is tracked on an interactive map as players advance through the bonus rounds to their final duel with the Sheriff. Players can hone their archery skills with the Target Practice bonus round as choosing a target and aiming a bow earns bonus coins.
“Helping the poor in the Steal From The Rich bonus round while avoiding the Sheriff's gaze earns even more bonus coins. More coins can be won by defeating the Sheriff in the Sheriff's Duel bonus round.”
The new slot game, as well as hundreds of other games, can be played at online casinos such as Desert Nights Casino and Supreme Play Casino.
Bwin.Party Confirms US Gambling Deal
Bwin.Party digital entertainment, the recently merged gambling entity, has confirmed entry into the US gambling market through a joint venture deal with MGM International Resorts and Boyd Gaming. The three groups will be forming a new gambling company that will be poised to enter the US market as soon as it becomes legalized and regulated, on state or federal level. "While there is no certainty that online poker legislation will be enacted in the US, bwin.party is preparing to enter into a preliminary suitability review in the State of Nevada,” a statement by the three groups read.
As a result of the 15 year deal announcement, bwin.party digital saw its shares climb 9% on the London Stock Market. Bwin.Party said that the creation of the joint venture was central to its planned strategy to enter the US market. The new deal also allows Bwin.Party to apply for a Nevada Gaming Commission gambling license. “We are positioning ourselves for when poker regulates,” said co-CEO of Bwin.Party, Jim Ryan.
“We see online poker as a compelling future growth opportunity for our company, and this agreement would position Boyd Gaming to quickly becoming a leader in the online poker in the United States,” said the President and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming, Keith Smith.
eCOGRA Given Green Light by Spanish Gambling Authorities
The independent online gambling player protection group and standards body, eCOGRA, was recently given the green light by the Spanish Gambling Authority to become a full testing agency in the country’s newly reformed gambling market. eCOGRA recently achieved similar status with AAMS, the Italian gambling regulator, and the latest Spanish approval is an important milestone for the group.
The Chief Executive Officer of eCOGRA, Andrew Beveridge, said that because a harmonized EU regulatory environment is unlikely to be met in the near future, operators and testing agencies are faced with the “formidable challenge” in meeting the different compliance requirements stipulated by jurisdictions.
eCOGRA offers a streamlined audit process which cuts down delays when licenses are applied for in new jurisdictions.
In addition, eCOGRA “offers reduced testing through a single audit of common regulations across multiple jurisdictions, with possible and consequential annual cost benefits; compliance work performed by professional and industry experienced auditors with a thorough understanding of the operational and regulatory environments; comfort that a familiar testing agency with a proven reputation for integrity and competence is performing the testing work; and competitive testing agency fees.”