[P R O D U C T
NEWS
]
GAMESYS DEBUTS VIRGIN
POKER ON FACEBOOK
Newly developed poker product gets first outing on social network
Gamesys has launched a freemium version
of its Virgin Poker product on Facebook as
it prepares for a real-money launch in New
Jersey in the first half of 2014.
The app, which has more than 10,000
players on the social network, is in beta
phase and is Gamesys’ first venture into
the poker space. It is being tested in
selected markets, including Canada.
A cash poker product using the same
platform is expected to launch in New
Jersey in the first half of this year as part of
Gamesys’ partnership with the Tropicana
Casino. Virgin Casino and Tropicana
Casino sites are already live in the state.
The Facebook game offers a range of
tournaments and ring games, with a fast-
fold poker version coming soon. It also
features The Academy, allowing players to
take part in a “poker masterclass” in which
they get tips on how to improve their game.
eGaming Review understands the US
will be the primary focus for the realmoney Virgin Poker brand.
Gamesys’ newly appointed global
director of brands Paul Troy told eGR that
the global Virgin brand should allow it
to penetrate the US gambling market
without compromising its “entertainment
company” ethos.
“Expanding the Virgin brand is an
exciting opportunity and gives us real
leverage on a global level, including the US
market,” Troy added.
FULL TILT LAUNCHES FIRST
CASINO PRODUCTS
Freeplay blackjack and roulette games released in selected markets
Full Tilt launched its first casino games in
January with multiplayer freeplay versions
of blackjack and roulette released in
selected markets as part of a testing period
and real-money products in current and
additional test markets to follow.
The move into the casino space was
announced last summer with parent
company the Rational Group appointing
former Betfair director Sam Hobcraft to
manage the new portfolio.
Prior to the deal, it was widely thought
PokerStars was unlikely to venture into
casino, and the launch of casino games by
Full Tilt marks the first time Rational has
launched any non-poker gaming products.
“We will provide the high-quality player
experience, integrity, security, safety
and support that players have come to
expect from Rational Group brands,” a
12
spokesperson for the company said.
Full Tilt was acquired by PokerStars
as part of a US$731m settlement with the
US Department of Justice in July 2012
and brought under the Rational Group
umbrella. Late last year, Full Tilt Poker was
leapfrogged by 888poker in PokerScout’s
online cash game traffic rankings for the
first time, having held onto second spot
behind PokerStars for several years.
Leander Games will supply as many as 25
online games to Full Tilt’s new casino when
it launches in the UK in the coming months.
Full Tilt has also launched Adrenaline
Rush, a high-speed version of its popular
fast-fold Rush Poker game where players
can only make pre-flop decisions.
“The name reflects the kind of emotional
state the game delivers,” Sarne Lightman,
Full Tilt Poker’s head of marketing, said.
NEWS
IN BRIEF
PRODUCT
LAUNCHES
Betfair is set to sign a fiveyear deal with Monmouth
Park racetrack in New Jersey
to offer online horseracing
exchange betting to players in
the state.
Swedish games supplier
Quickspin has signed what
it describes as a “landmark
deal” to supply bet365 with its
entire suite of slots content.
Social gaming operator
Zynga has launched a real-
money poker product on
Facebook utilising software
from bwin.party.
Bingo affiliate and marketing
company 15 Marketing is
preparing to launch a singlebalance bingo network with
its founder saying the “bonus
cash war” is over.
SIGN-UPS
Bet365 has become
Odobo’s inaugural partner
after agreeing to integrate
a number of games offered
through Odobo’s HTML5 B2B
‘app store’.
Amaya Gaming has
announced it will provide
Golden Nugget with an online
poker platform and additional
casino games, ahead of the
launch of egaming in New
Jersey on 26 November.
BetVictor has signed a deal
with Initial Rewards to
launch a new instant reward
promotion to help boost play
on cash poker games.
Developer Yggdrasil Gaming
has signed a new licensing
deal with online casino
operator Vera&John to supply
the operator with its full
range of 23 products.
www.egrmagazine.com