Betfair And Playtech In Gambling Deal

The London-listed online gambling software provider Playtech plc is to supply Internet bingo and casino games to the major international Internet betting exchange Betfair under the terms of an agreement announced by the two companies this week.

According to a statement released Monday, Betfair will "...benefit from a range of software services provided by Playtech, including its leading casino offering and bingo software via the Betfair TV platform - the betting exchange’s Freeview digital channel."

The deal gives Playtech exclusivity in the provision of Betfair's new download casino product, which will expand the gaming options available to Betfair's customers through a solution fully integrated with Betfair's existing betting exchange. However, that exclusivity does not apparently extend to existing arrangements which Betfair has with Chartwell Technology and Cryptologic, both of which supply games to the betting exchange and its reported 2 million registered players.

Playtech CEO Mor Weizer commented: "Betfair's decision to enter into this licence agreement with Playtech is a significant endorsement of Playtech's market leading gaming products, and this partnership exemplifies our strategy of rapidly expanding our licensee base with tier one operators across all markets."

Weizer added that his company was excited to be working with "....such a like-minded business which revolutionised the gaming industry.”

The bingo element in the deal will allow Betfair to introduce this extremely popular game to its television enterprise, where roulette is already offered, and there are plans to introduce blackjack and poker services in the near future. Betfair has clarified that its bingo will not run on the Playtech bingo network, and that its future strategy regarding online poker does not envisage operating on Playtech's iPoker network.

Betfair joins William Hill Online on Playtech's major clients list.

Leander In deal with SkyVegas - 02/07/2012 : Leander Games has agreed to create and develop an exclusive version of the games which will incorporate and reflect the Sky Vegas brand.

ON-PREMISES REMOTE GAMBLING FOR NEW JERSEY? - 02/07/2012 : The publication New Jersey.com reports that state politicians keen to boost the waning fortunes of Atlantic City land casinos are to discuss following the example of Nevada by permitting remote on-premises gambling using mobile handheld devices.

POKERSTARS DROPS MACAU MILLIONS - 02/07/2012 : The postponement of the Macau Millions reported recently has been confirmed by the Pokerstars blog, which announced this week that the project will cease next month for an indefinite period.

RECORD PRICE PAID FOR CARD PLAYER ART - 02/07/2012 : One of a series of five Cezanne impressions of card players painted in the 1890's has changed hands for a record $250 000, reports the publication Vanity Fair.

Vadzim Kursevich wins EPT Deauville main event - 02/07/2012 : After five gruelling days of top level poker and a 12 hour final table, the 24-year-old Belarusian poker ace Vadzim Kursevich has emerged as the winner of the EPT Deauville main event, claiming the top prize of Euro 875 000.