Edinburgh-based social gaming apps developer 19Studios has launched a hybrid gaming product it describes as a combination slots and matching game that will also generate revenues from advertising. In typical social gaming style, players compete with their peers on Facebook and can earn points. Google Play and the Apple iStore are distributing the download.
Online gambling technology and content provider Microgaming has announced that its new game releases for May 2014 will comprise two online slots branded Football Star and Cool Wolf. With the World Cup football championship in Brazil due to kick off in June, the Football Star game is particularly well timed and features bright graphics, striking …
Net Entertainment, the Swedish online gambling content and technology provider, has launched its latest branded slot Aliens for desktop and mobile punters. Hatched from the cult sci-fi horror movie franchise, using innovative real-time 3D graphics, Aliens plunges players deep into space on a mission to shoot through waves of attacks in infested factories to reach …
Mark Pincus, the founder of the San Francisco social gaming giant Zynga, has announced that he is to distance himself from all operational activity in the group and will now focus on the role of chairman and main shareholder of the group. Pincus appointed Microsoft veteran Don Mattrick as CEO in June 2013 (see previous …
Adding their voices to the growing opposition to Sheldon Adelson’s attempt to federally ban online gambling in the United States Wednesday were Democratic Party leaders in the state legislature, who assert that the regulation and licensing of online gambling is a state right. Attacking banning proposals currently before Congress submitted by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham …
A Colorado man indicted by a grand jury on racketeering charges for allegedly running an online gambling operation pleaded guilty Wednesday to a lesser charge to avoid the consequences of his original grand jury indictment. Larry Kyle Richardson (62) pleaded guilty to one count of gambling information, a Class 6 felony in which the defendant …
The Kentucky racing, casino and online betting company Churchill Downs reported group revenues up in the first quarter of 2014, but nevertheless incurred a $700,000 loss. Total revenue from operations was up 13 percent to a record $167.3 million for the quarter, with revenue from casinos up 20 percent to $86.6 million. Revenue from online …
The wheels turn slowly as the South African Draft Remote Gambling Bill of 2014 was published in the Government Gazette this week, but it still has a long way to go. The bill, supported by DA Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry, Geordin Hill-Lewis is now open for public comment until Friday, 23 May 2014. …
International Game Technology’s IGT Interactive has launched a new Asian-themed slot titled “Jewel of the Arts”. Showing distinctive and beautifully designed Asian style graphics, features include Wilds, Multipliers, a Free Spins Bonus Round and a Fan Dance Bonus Round. This 5-reel, 20-payline game was launched in select online casinos such as Mr Green. BetOnSoft has …
A new LGA-licenced online casino at BlingCity.com was launched this week. The new online venue claims an innovative concept in melding online gambling with social media by offering a “constantly evolving world” where players can visit different locations. Players are able to achieve status levels, interact with other players and play for real money within …
With the European Commission breathing down the Greek government’s neck, the Emma Delta-owned Greek gambling group OPAP could find its sweet monopolistic online sports betting deal somewhat diluted. Reports from Athens indicate that just before the Easter break the government introduced amendments to its gambling law in a bid to stave off Commission action. The …
International Game Technology’s operating results for the second quarter ended March 31, 2014 show continued growth in the interactive division, but rather dismal numbers from the diverse group as a whole. * Total revenues fell 15 percent to $513 million * GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations decreased 66 percent to $0.10 * Non-GAAP …
In a bid to meet European Commission demands regarding free movement of goods and services within the European Union, the Polish government’s highly restrictive and nationalistic laws on payment processing – a critical feature in online gambling activity – have been relaxed. Late last month the amendments were implemented, permitting companies based within the European …
The Minnesota online betting row appears to be escalating following complaints by some lawmakers last month that the director of the state lottery had overreached his authority in launching limited forms of online ticket buying and scratchcard games (see previous reports). On Tuesday the House Tax Committee was urged by Rep. Ann Lenczewski to support …
Net Entertainment’s Q1-2014 report released Wednesday showcases another successful quarter with the performance indicators all going in the right direction for the period January-March 2014. * Revenues for the first quarter increased by 26.7 percent to SEK 188.4 (148.8) million * Operating profit came in at SEK 51.2 (41.0) million * Operating margin was 27.2 …
The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP has been appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Minister for Equalities at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Javid succeeds Maria Miller who resigned earlier this month amid a furore involving over-claimed expenses. He previously served as Financial Secretary to the Treasury and is …
Cape Town-based bookmaker BetFlash has launched a Betradar-powered in-play betting offering to South African punters. BetFlash general manager, Samantha McMurtrie who believes the product, available on mobile, tablet and PC, to be far superior than any other in-play offer currently in the South African market, said: “We have focused on a clean, easy to use …
UK news publisher Trinity Mirror Plc has inked a strategic partnership with Paddy Power. Trinity Mirror, publisher of the Daily Mirror and the Sunday People, in partnership with Paddy Power will launch a sports betting app. However, the app will be a fully-branded Paddy Power offering unlike other white label offerings launched by The Sun …
UK gambling firm Coral has partnered with San-Francisco based game development studio Ruby Seven Studios. Through the partnership, new social casino gaming apps will be developed, the first based on popular Coral land-based games such as “The Magician” and “The Magician Triple Pots”. Coral will gain insight into the social gaming industry allowing it to …
US-based Goldfire Studios has officially launched its HTML5 social casino game Casino-RPG. The multiplayer role-playing game, which was launched in Beta in the fourth quarter of 2013, was funded by raising capital through a crowd-funding initiative on KickStarter (see previous report). CasinoRPG allows players to design and manage a casino empire funded by their winnings …
Despite his previous experience in government research into problem gambling, you have to ask whether the new head of the French regulator ARJEL is really up to speed on the realities of the French market. Charles Coppolani, the new boss at ARJEL, gave one of his first interviews to Les Echoes – a French newspaper …
Russian president Vladimir Putin already has a new activity earmarked for his recently annexed Crimea territory; he wants it to become the fifth gambling zone in Russia. The BBC reports that by law casinos are restricted to four special areas in Russia, all a long way from Moscow. Of these four zones, thus far only …
Scientific Games Corporation has signed a contract with La Francaise des Jeux (FDJ), extending the business relationship between the two companies. The terms of the deal see Scientific Games continuing as the primary supplier of instant games to FDJ, the second largest instant game lottery in the world. Scientific Games supplies a significant share of …
IGT has announced the appointment of e-commerce veteran Will Daugherty as general manager of DoubleDown Interactive. Well experienced in management in the e-commerce, online travel and mobile industries, Daugherty most recently served as vice president of Amazon Payments, where he led the business to substantial growth in number of customers and revenue. Previously, as president …