Issue N49, 2008
December 4, 2008
St. Minver Partners to Enjoy WagerWorks Games
One of the industry’s leading online gaming operators, St. Minvers, has announced a lucrative new deal signed with the IGT subsidiary, WagerWorks. The terms of the deal will allow St. Minver to spread these games over its large network of sites and white-label partner sites, including the popular International Bingo Network and the International Poker Network.
“The provision of these premium branded titles to St Minver enables Wagerworks games to be enjoyed by even more online players,” said the Director and General Manager of IGT-UK Gaming and Wagerworks, Oliver Lofthouse. “Developing a business relationship with such a high profile client reiterates the quality of Wagerworks' branded games and their appeal to all levels of player.”
The games will also be available on other much sought-after gaming sites such as Virgin Casino and Yahoo! Games.
“This is an exciting opportunity for both our partners and players alike,” said the Commercial Director of St Minver, Leigh Nissim. “We have significantly enhanced our bingo and casino games over the last 12 months and expect the introduction of branded content to further improve player entertainment value whilst differentiating our gaming solutions for partners in the European market.”
Gamesys Appoints New COO
The Gamesys Group, responsible for bringing the gaming industry the superb JackpotJoy brand, has announced the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer. One of the main tasks that the new head, Lee Fenton, will take on is the expansion of the JackpotJoy product. JackpotJoy, one of the world’s most popular instant jackpot and bingo sites, boasts a membership base of 2.4 million players and awards millions of dollars in prizes each year.
Lee Fenton, with many years in the entertainment and technology world, left his post at Fox Mobile in 2007, where he served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer. He has also headed important divisions in other companies, including the Vodafone Group.
“Lee is considered a leading light in the digital industry, where has built up a huge level of experience in developing truly engaging consumer experiences and content,” said the Chief Executive Officer of Gamesys, Noel Hayden. “Harnessing this experience will be a key part in our strategy to take Gamesys onto even greater success.”
“Jackpot Joy is not only the country's leading e-gaming site, but with its fantastic track record for product development and nurturing close relationships with its members based on enjoyment and responsibility, it is the most exciting digital brand in the UK," said Lee Fenton.
Cantor Poker Continues To Function as Online Casinos Close
Players who enjoy frequenting two popular online casinos run by Cantor Gaming, were surprised this week to see that these sites were closing down, effective immediately. Cantor Gaming, the online gaming arm of the global financial firm, Cantor Fitzgerald, announced in an email to players registered with Cantor Casino and Red Lounge Casino that “effective from 1 pm. on 28th November, 2008, Cantor Casino will cease to accept new customers and will take no further wagers.”
The company’s poker site, Cantor Poker, still continues to function and is accepting new players, despite the fate of the other two sites.
Online gamblers who hold accounts at the casino sites were told that they could continue to withdraw their funds.
“From now on, Cantor's gaming interests will focus on wholesale markets with the licensing of its proprietary technology, software, content, intellectual property and data to online casino operators and resort based casino operators, the latter following extensive trials and the authorities' approval of its eDeck mobile gaming device in Nevada,” said the statement issued by Cantor Gaming. “As such, a decision has been taken to scale back the retail oriented gaming businesses in the United Kingdom and focus on core wholesale market operations around the world.”
PokerWize Brand Now Run by Microgaming
The incredibly popular PokerWize poker brand has been acquired by the leading software company, Microgaming. PokerWize was sold to Microgaming after its developing company, PlayWize ceased trading on London’s Alternative Investment Market citing financial difficulties. The company’s proprietary software was soon sold off to cover debts.
PokerWize, which provides top 3D poker software in a highly entertaining environment, has been voted as the best three-dimensional poker software package. The platform allows players to choose and customize their own avatars and communicate with other players as they play a wide range of available games.
“Microgaming is committed to delivering the latest innovation in gaming software to provide players with advanced gaming experiences,” said the Chief Executive Officer of Microgaming, Roger Raatgever. “We are well known for our ability to stay ahead of the competition by providing our operators with the latest thinking, technology and game features. The PlayWize acquisition brings advanced 3D functionality to our poker portfolio which will enjoyed by thousands of players worldwide.”