EiG RECORD NUMBERS Clarion Gaming has announced record attendance numbers at the European i-Gaming Congress & Expo, which took place in Barcelona, Spain, last week.
A total number of 1,544 delegates attended through a variety of registration channels, which contributed to the 28 percent growth on last year and reflected the expansion and renewed vigour created within the I-gaming industry. Keynote speakers Pete Picton and David Kushner both addressed the audience and shared ideas on online marketing strategies, building communities and mobilising customers as brand advocates.
Many delegates commented on how successful this year’s show had been, including their surprise at the ratio of hands shown during the opening plenary session when asked by Sue Schneider, “Who here is new to EiG?”
“After being at EiG 2008, I can say the growth of the industry is reflected in the attendance; and the major issues were all covered,” said Gigi Levi, chief executive of 888 Holdings, in a prepared statement. “It’s always a pleasure and experience to speak there.”
Petter Nylander, chief executive of Unibet was also impressed by this year’s conference.
“As usual EiG had a great buzz about it with the sessions lively and informative. It is definitely a show to attend year on year,” he said.
The Operator C.E.O. panel was for many delegates the highlight of the event, with six spirited industry leaders taking questions from the audience on topics such as forecasts, the merging of operators and suppliers, and whether differentiation is the key to stop brand dilution.
“If you only go to one online gaming conference a year, this is the one to attend,” said Malcolm Graham of PKR, who served on the C.E.O panel.
A new addition to the conference timetable was the EiG LaunchPad session, which excited even the longest serving I-gaming veterans, who were impressed with the innovation and entrepreneurship presented by each start-up company.
“We are extremely proud of EiG as an event and working so closely with all the best companies within I-gaming produces Clarion Gaming’s world class programmes as exemplified by EiG,” said Mark Walker, conference manager for Clarion Gaming. “The whole team enjoyed speaking to delegates and industry supporters during the conference, and we look forward to developing a fresh and even more innovative EiG 2009.”
NEW WAY TO PAY Neteller, payment solutions provider, has unveiled its new paperless direct debit service. As part of its payment suite, the service enables online retailers to give United Kingdom customers a speedier and simplified sign-up process.
Neteller differentiates its services from traditional direct debit mandates by allowing customers to fill out and submit an application via telephone, Internet, keypad or Interactive TV as opposed to having a customer mail in the information to be transcribed by data entry staff.
Additionally, Neteller claims that paperless direct debit will decrease administrative costs and errors for merchants. Time Etc Ltd., a pay-as-you-go support provider, has already integrated Neteller’s paperless direct debit to its system.
EXTENDED Playtech Ltd., online and land-based software developer, has announced the extension of its software license with Mansion Gibraltar Ltd., the online casino, poker and betting operator, to include its full suite of poker games.
Mansion has moved its poker operations to Playtech’s ipoker network after doing the same with its casino products last year.
“This latest migration provides further evidence of the high caliber of our products and the strength of our relationships with our operators,” said Mor Weizer, Playtech’s chief executive. “We are looking forward to augmenting an already successful relationship in casino with a long and productive poker partnership.”
AWARD-WINNING CDMS, a communications provider, and Betfair, the global betting exchange, were awarded “Best Strategic Partnership” at this year’s Connect Awards.
The partnership was acknowledged for its “Betfair Raises the Stakes” campaign for its strategic approach, innovation and overall effectiveness.
“When Betfair put the project out to pitch, one of the key things that we were looking for was flexibility,” said Antony Lea, senior marketing manager at Betfair, in a prepared statement. “Now, not only are we hitting our targets and dealing with constantly changing data on a daily basis, but Betfair is prepared for sustained and innovative campaign levels. We are constantly working with CDMS on new product ideas and looking at how they can help us enhance our customer communication strategy.”
Also in the news: Probability, the London mobile gambling operator, was named Gambling Company of the Year at last week's Mobile Entertainment Awards in London.
Also acknowledged at the Academy Awards for the mobile world were Apple, Nokia and O2.
SIGNED Software provider CryptoLogic Ltd. has signed a multi-year, multi-million dollar exclusive licensing agreement with Kurastica, a spin off of an international operating company that does business with the Commonwealth of Independent States, or CIS.
Under the agreement, Kurastica is set to offer CryptoLogic’s Internet casino software in the first quarter of 2009 to players through a number of channels.
"One of CryptoLogic's goals is to expand into new markets, where we can bring players the best global gaming software -- tailored to specific needs," said Brian H. Hadfield, CryptoLogic's president and chief executive, in a prepared statement. "With a deep-rooted gaming culture, vast population and fast-growing Internet economy, the CIS is a very promising market. And with a seasoned local partner, CryptoLogic will bring players a truly exceptional entertainment experience."
ALSO SIGNED Intralot S.A., the gaming and transaction processing supplier, has officially entered the Central America market through a 10-year lottery contract in Guatemala.
The decade-long agreement establishes a joint venture with Intralot and International Gaming Limitada, Sglbvi Ltd. and Vltbvi Ltd., in which Intralot is a majority shareholder. Sglbvi Ltd. has acquired the contractual rights to operate an online lottery in the territory, and Vltbvi Ltd. has been licensed for the operation of video lottery.
Intralot said it will offer the Guatemalan market a range of numerical, instant and video lottery games with further expansion possibilities in the future.
“With this new project, we enter the challenging market of Central America, and we are confident we will establish our presence in the area,” said Constantinos G. Antonopoulos, Intralot’s chief executive. “Intralot and our partners will play an important role in the devolvement of the local community and the improvement of the quality of the quotidian life of the people of Guatemala.”
NEW BOOKIES The Gold Coast Titans, an Australian professional rugby league football team, has entered the bookmaking world in a joint venture with Betezy, an online Northern Territory-licensed bookmaker.
Michael Searle, chief executive for the club, told The Herald-Sun that the deal, which is estimated to make the Titans up to $3 million in three years, could fully cover the loss of league club funding.
The Australian paper also reports that since the announcement of the deal, the National Rugby League is in now under pressure to set up its own agency.
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