MUCH ‘MAYHEM’
Virtue Fusion, a bingo software provider, has married the best elements from bingo and slots in a new competition game called “Marine Mayhem.”
The game allows players to compete against each other in slots in order to win a share of a “community jackpot.” The five-reel, 20-line slot gives players between three and six minutes to pick up as many points as possible. Players in the top 10 points will gain a portion of the jackpot.
“Our aim is always to offer the best and most innovative products for our customers -- and we feel we’re doing exactly that with ‘Marine Mayhem,’ ” said Al Haig-Thomas, chief executive of Virtue Fusion. “We’re looking forward to the feedback from our customers and seeing how the game shapes up in the marketplace. We’re very confident it will be a success.”
Following its launch this week, Virtue Fusion said Marine Mayhem is available at all its major operators like Mecca Bingo, Mecca Games, Ladbrokes, William Hill, Bet365, Jackpot City and Blue Square.
HIRED
Mike Ziegler, a former senior vice president for Youbet.com Inc., has been selected as the executive director of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s new Safety and Integrity Alliance, the association announced on Tuesday.
According to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Mr. Ziegler, 38, who at one point served as a racetrack official in California, will be based in Lexington, Ky., and will report to Alex Waldrop, National Thoroughbred Racing Association president.
“We are pleased to bring in someone with Mike’s experience and passion to head up the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance,” Mr. Waldrop said in a prepared statement. “His role will be crucial to the future of the thoroughbred industry as we implement a series of important national integrity standards.”
The association said it formed the Safety and Integrity Alliance in October to implement safety and integrity reforms as a certification and accreditation body, to which more than 50 racetracks have pledged to follow.
LAUNCHING
Neovia Financial has unveiled a new payout program at the International Gaming Expo, which kicked off Tuesday in London’s Earls Court.
The online payments provider said the new program will allow merchants to quickly enable winnings payouts to consumers via prepaid cards, virtual cards, bank wires, bank transfers, checks or the Neteller e-wallet.
Free to all merchants, the program also includes options for merchants to remarket to consumers that use the service, Neovia said.
Additionally, the company announced it has signed joint marketing agreements, between one to two years, with the following merchants: Betfair, PKR, Eurolinx, Redbet, Boyles, Doyles, Gold Victory, 3Dice, Carib and Olympic.
EXPANDING
Ukash, and online payments provider, has introduced prepaid vouchers through a partnership with Citadel Commerce, which will bring its business into 13 new countries, the company announced on Tuesday.
“By combining Citadel’s Instant Internet banking network with Ukash’s prepaid vouchers, we are creating an alternative payment solution that will be available to millions of customers in many countries,” said Michael Meeks, president of Citadel Commerce.
ON THE OUTS
Charlie J. Williams has stepped down as a director of Magna Entertainment Corporation, the company announced on Monday.
Mr. Williams told the horse racetrack operator that he would have to step down due other pressing business issues.
“I have greatly enjoyed my time as a director of MEC,” Mr. Williams said in a prepared statement. “However, in the current environment there are other business matters unrelated to MEC that require all of my time and attention.”
Effective immediately, Mr. William's position on the audit committee will be filled by Frank Vasilkioti, according to the company.
Nambling Notes is .