[P R O D U C T
NEWS
]
ONLINE GAMING INDUSTRY HIT BY
MARVEL SLOTS WITHDRAWAL
Suppliers and operators to lose out as Disney distances itself from gambling
Operators and suppliers of popular Marvelthemed slots are set to be hit by Disney’s
decision to phase out its existing gaming
licensing deals as part of an effort to
distance itself from the gambling industry.
The studio has said it will not be
renewing any of its current licensing
agreements and expects the existing deals
to have expired within the next two to
three years. The move will come as a blow
to the likes of Playtech and Amaya-owned
Cryptologic, which have both invested
in Marvel-themed slots over the last few
years.
eGaming Review understands that
Disney, which inherited Marvel and
LucasFilm licensing agreements following
its $4.6bn buyout of Marvel in 2009,
wants to distance itself from gaming as it
attempts to defeat plans to expand landbased gambling in the state of Florida.
Playtech has been one of the main
suppliers of Marvel slots since 2009
when it launched its first Iron Man and
Incredible Hulk-themed games. Only last
month, the company unveiled Spiderman:
Attack of the Green Goblin as the latest
addition to its Marvel collection.
Playtech would not comment on
Disney’s decision to discontinue its slots
agreements, but Susan Biddle, leading
gaming lawyer and consultant at Pinsent
Masons, told eGR she expected to see any
void filled by other brands shortly.
LADBROKES LAUNCHES NEW
EXCHANGE PRODUCT
Betting exchange to provide customers with a “one-stop-shop”
Ladbrokes has launched its betting exchange
product as it aims to reinvigorate its
sportsbook site and take a bite out of
Betfair’s market share.
The UK bookmaker had originally
planned to release the product in early
2014, but plans were expedited after more
advanced features were put off until next
year allowing for a simpler launch.
Ladbrokes Digital MD Jim Mullen, who
joined the company last month, said the
launch was a first from a major fixed odds
operator and would provide the company
with an important point of differentiation
from its competitors.
“The service will develop over time
but from day one will deliver a seamless
offer to those Ladbrokes customers who
already use both fixed odds and exchange
services,” he said.
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The Ladbrokes Exchange will use
automated push price technology to
alert customers of price changes on live
exchange movements. The feature will
be fully customisable, allowing pla