Canadian online bingo software developer Parlay Entertainment has launched Parlay Game Services North America, providing a hosted and managed game content solution for the existing North American regulatory environment.
A web-based entertainment offering, PGS North America will connect land-based operators, suppliers and other businesses to an interactive community of games, entertainment and loyalty programs. The community will allow players and members - such as land-based bingo halls, gaming suppliers, marketing companies and promotions firms - to interact in a social network, through the use of bingo, chat and other forms of entertainment.
The company claims it has already signed its first client for the new service, although it did not identify the company concerned.
"This new marketing channel will embody all of the attributes of a social networking bingo portal and will offer valuable customer retention features and tools such as loyalty programs, subscription-based play and Parlay's award winning technology platform," said Scott White, Parlay's Chief Executive Officer.
"We are very excited to be in a position to kick off this new managed solution with our first 10-year managed services agreement, with additional agreements to be completed in the coming months."
The North American launch follows last week's introduction of Parlay Game Services Alderney. Both initiatives represent a new strategic direction for Parlay, offering value-added facilities such as hosting services, shared games and pooled liquidity.
A company spokesman revealed that Parlay has already commenced negotiations with several existing Internet bingo operators who have selected the PGS. Parlay will be making announcements in the coming weeks identifying the brands that will be joining PGS Alderney as early as next (August) month.
Parlay also announced that one of its long standing customers has itself publicly announced that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a Parlay competitor which contemplates the execution of various agreements for the supply of gaming software and services. This customer's arrangement also contemplates a private placement by a party related to the competitor which is subject to shareholder approval at a special shareholder meeting in addition to other regulatory approvals.
"This announcement by our customer evidences the continued and growing trend towards consolidation in the online gaming arena," continued White. "It is premature to assess the impact on Parlay; however, we will be working with our customer within the framework of our existing licensing arrangement."
Meanwhile, the Malta based online gambling operator Chili Gaming has revealed that it has chosen Parlay for its new advance into the online bingo sector.
Alexandre Dreyfus, the Chili Gaming CEO, said: “ChiliGaming is looking at the online bingo industry as we are aware of it being the fastest growing segment of the online gaming world, shown clearly in the number of bingo players, which doubled steadily in 2008 in spite of the global financial meltdown."
Dreyfus went on to observe that bingo had not yet reached its full potential and that further growth is likely. He said that Chili plans to use Parlay software due to its strength in side games, an important player requirement. The company had also prioritised the need for a multi-lingual and multi-currency network that would enable it to attract business from key sectors it had identified, such as the English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, German, Hungarian and Polish speaking markets.
“We are interested in joining a network with which we can cooperate for mutual gain, and that gives us the opportunity to provide players with life-changing prizes, a large welcoming environment and the social networking aspects of the game, concluded Dreyfus. "This will help us create brand recognition and successfully generate revenue of the Chili brand across all of our products."
