Launches and sign-ups 16 November 2016
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (10 November 2016 to 16 November 2016)
William Hill hires Hollywood director for new ad campaign
Paul W. S. Anderson of Alien vs. Predator fame directs TV ad based on the operator’s new ‘Clever Fast’ creative concept
William Hill has hired Hollywood director Paul W. S. Anderson to direct its new ‘Clever Fast’ TV ad campaign, as the operator looks to break away from the “white noise”of sports betting marketing.
The 30-second TV advert, which aims to highlight the speed of the operator’s online and mobile products, was debuted during the England versus Scotland match on ITV last week
The ‘Fast’ concept was developed internally by the operator’s marketing team and focuses on the importance of speed in modern day life, including dating apps, fast food and fast cars.
The bookmaker recruited the talents of English film director Anderson to take charge of the TV ad. Anderson has directed a number of Hollywood blockbusters including Resident Evil and Alien vs. Predator.
Playtech launches “sophisticated”live roulette product
Playtech has launched a new live casino HTML5 roulette product, describing it as the “most sophisticated”mobile roulette game on the market.
The product enables customers to play live roulette on mobile and tablet in either portrait or landscape mode for the first time, while simultaneously being able to see their bets at the same time as the roulette wheel is spinning.
The user interface was designed to contain easy-to-use navigation following intensive testing and feedback, as well as “clearer and perfectly positioned”play and feature buttons.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Unibet streamlines KYC process with BankID integration
Unibet has integrated the electronic authentication system BankID into its Sweden-facing Unibet and MariaCasino sites, in an effort to speed up the customer identification process.
The Bank ID system, which is used regularly by 6.5 million people, provides customers with a digital signature which is legally binding under Swedish and European law.
According to the Stockholm-listed operator, it is the first gambling operator to integrate the system in Sweden, and it plans to roll it out for all Swedish-facing brands, such as iGame and Bingo.se.
PokerStars plots major casino push with debut marketing campaign
PokerStars will launch the first external marketing effort for its online casino product next week, with the roll-out of a major UK ad campaign.
The campaign will initially focus on the UK, but Amaya CEO Rafi Ashkenazi said its impact will be closely monitored with the potential to roll it out in other European markets.
It follows another successful quarter for the online casino at Amaya, with revenues reaching almost $57m (å£46m) in the three months to 30 September.
Combined with sportsbook, the verticals grew 68% year-on-year to $64.2m (å£52m).
Playtech bolsters financials division with å£96m acquisition
Playtech is to acquire financial technology company Consolidated Financial Holdings (CFH) for up to $120m (å£96.1m) as the supplier continues to strengthen its financials division.
The deal will see the egaming provider acquire an initial 70% stake in CFH, with the remaining 30% subject to put and call options between Playtech and CFH’s management team.
The London-listed supplier is set to pay an initial consideration of $43.4m (å£34.8m) on a cash free/debt free basis, with the deal expected to take place on 30 November 2016.
PokerStars launches five-minute poker tournaments
PokerStars has launched a new five-minute tournament format called “Beat The Clock”as the firm continues its push toward recreational players.
The four-player game sees players trying to survive until a five-minute timer runs out, with prizes then distributed in proportion to the players’ chip stacks at the end of the tournament.
The new format is inspired by the company’s new strategy to maximise “winning moments”for its players and shift the focus away from grinders towards recreational players.