Global sports betting and gaming group built on proprietary technology, Entain, has announced the exciting launch of a brand new live gameshow with support from the leading platform, content, and services provider in the online gambling industry, Playtech.

The Chase, which is the name of the new game, follows the proven model carried by the iconic ITV gameshow that constantly gathers a daily UK viewership of roughly four million. 

Described as “a quiz with a difference,” the TV gameshow reunites four contestants who need to “pit their wits against the Chaser, a ruthless quiz genius” determined to prevent them from winning the cash prize.

The Game Is Hosted by Playtech’s Live Studio in Riga 

Entain’s new release, which seems to be the first of its kind, is hosted by Playtech from its nonstop live studio in Riga, Latvia. 

Originally, the new live gameshow went live for Entain’s customers based in the UK, then reached the regulated markets in Canada (Ontario), Brazil, and Belgium.

Italian and South African players can expect to get official access to the game that is exclusive to Entain’s brands sometime in the near future. 

The Chase displays a plinko board and counts two separate bonus features aimed at keeping players well engaged until the “Final Chase” is initiated.

Player Spending Went up 56% in the First Month

Just one month after its release, the game’s performance peaked, reaching a whopping 56% increase in terms of player spending. 

According to Entain, which was listed as the top employers in the UK by LinkedIn in May, the figure led to triple the revenue of previous premium launches with the same type of plinko mechanics.

The excellent figures have strengthened the operator’s belief that the game will successfully set a new standard in the industry.

As explained by the company’s global head of live and table games, Graciella Anthony, their data is already proving The Chase has been “a hit” with their worldwide customers. 

Anthony added they expect the game to maintain its keep “impressive growth trajectory” and keep standing out in the “growing live gameshow genre.”

Similarly, ITV Studios Global Partnerships’ senior vice-president, Steve Watling, called it one of their “most anticipated game releases in 2024” while emphasizing the joint work of the three parties across several months. 

Finally, Kevin Kilminster, who is Playtech’s chief product innovation officer, called the project “a testament” to their powerful partnership with Entain. 

Last month, Playtech and MGM Resorts announced they would stream live casino content straight from two of MGM’s Las Vegas-based casinos.

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MGM Resorts International, the global entertainment and gaming company, confirmed a groundbreaking deal by teaming up with the LSE-listed technology provider for the global gambling industry, Playtech. Announced today, the new activation sees the two leading companies team up to deliver engaging and unique live casino content to online gambling operators across the globe.

The new strategic agreement will deliver live casino content streamed directly from two of MGM Resorts’ iconic properties on the Las Vegas Strip. The content will be branded with “MGM Live” and will feature live casino games streamed from Bellagio Resort & Casino and MGM Grand.

The unique and engaging content will be available for operators in markets outside of the United States. Thanks to the landmark partnership, customers on the other side of the globe will be able to experience the thrill and excitement of the atmosphere of Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the world.

The games that will be streamed include baccarat, as well as single and double-zero roulette. The unique content undoubtedly will help iGaming operators across the globe deliver unrivaled entertainment to their customers.

The Two Companies Are Dedicated to Delivering Unrivaled Experiences

Mor Weizer, Playtech’s CEO, revealed that the company is delighted to join forces with MGM Resorts for this important agreement. “This alliance combines the strength of MGM Resorts’ global prestige with Playtech’s extensive international market knowledge and innovative games,” he revealed.

Weizer added that it will be exciting for Playtech to play an important role in delivering unique live casino content to customers in regulated gambling markets across the globe. He said that MGM Resorts and Playtech share a vision for delivering exceptional experiences and safe gambling entertainment.

“The launch of this new and exciting live casino offering, in partnership with Playtech and directly from Bellagio and MGM Grand in Las Vegas, furthers our strategic vision to be the world’s premier gaming entertainment company.“

Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and president of MGM Resorts

Bill Hornbuckle, MGM’s CEO and president, spoke about the importance of the new agreement with Playtech. He acknowledged that the deal would bring exciting content directly from MGM Grand and Bellagio in Las Vegas.

Hornbuckle said that this agreement complements MGM’s plans to become a premier entertainment and gaming operator on a global scale. “This collaboration amplifies our commitment to providing unparalleled experiences and expands our global reach to our customers,” he added.

Finally, Hornbuckle said the company expects the streamed content to deliver unrivaled experiences within the gambling sector.

In addition to baccarat and roulette, the two companies hinted at the possibility of expanding further their collaboration in the near future. This would likely include the addition of other popular games such as trivia shows, TV game shows and other branded content.

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NetBet Italy è entusiasta di annunciare la sua nuova partnership con il rinomato fornitore di iGaming Playtech, una collaborazione che promette di portare una gamma di giochi di Live Dealer unici ai giocatori di tutta la regione.

La reputazione di Playtech come azienda leader nel settore dell’iGaming è ben consolidata, con numerosi premi e nomination al suo attivo. In particolare, l’azienda è stata onorata con il premio Gaming Product of the Year agli American Gambling Awards del 2023, cementando il suo status di top player nel settore.

Introduzione ai giochi di Live Dealer di Playtech

Grazie a questa partnership, i giocatori di NetBet Italy avranno accesso a una gamma entusiasmante di giochi di Live Dealer, tra cui Live Roulette, Live Blackjack e Live Baccarat. Questi giochi, insieme ad altre offerte di Playtech, sono progettati per portare l’esperienza immersiva di un casinò fisico direttamente ai giocatori, ovunque si trovino.

Claudia Georgevici, PR manager di NetBet Italy, ha espresso il suo entusiasmo per la collaborazione: “Noi di NetBet miriamo a dare ai nostri giocatori accesso a una gamma di titoli entusiasmanti – inclusi i giochi di Live Dealer che aiutano a portare l’autenticità di un casinò fisico ai giocatori ovunque si trovino. Playtech ha una gamma di titoli eccellenti per i clienti da godere e questo li rende un’ottima scelta per una relazione positiva e di valore.”

Migliorare l’esperienza dei giocatori con Playtech

NetBet Italy è impegnata a fornire ai suoi giocatori esperienze di gioco di alta qualità e l’aggiunta dei giochi di Live Dealer di Playtech è un passo significativo in questa direzione. I giocatori possono ora esplorare questi nuovi titoli emozionanti visitando il sito ufficiale di NetBet Italy.

La tecnologia avanzata di Playtech e il design coinvolgente dei giochi assicurano che i giocatori godranno di un’esperienza di gioco fluida e interattiva. I giochi di Live Dealer in particolare offrono un’interazione in tempo reale con dealer professionisti, portando l’emozione e l’aspetto sociale del gioco da casinò nell’ambiente online.

Questa partnership non solo migliora il portafoglio di giochi di NetBet Italy, ma sottolinea anche la dedizione dell’azienda a offrire intrattenimento di altissimo livello ai suoi utenti. Con i giochi premiati di Playtech ora disponibili, NetBet Italy continua a rafforzare la sua posizione come casinò online leader nella regione.

Per maggiori dettagli sui nuovi giochi e per vivere le offerte migliorate, i giocatori possono visitare il sito web di NetBet Italy ed esplorare la vasta gamma di giochi di Live Dealer e altri titoli entusiasmanti di Playtech.

Fonti: “NetBet Casino joins forces with Playtech”, GlobeNewswire,12 giugno 2024.

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NetBet Italy is thrilled to announce its new partnership with the renowned iGaming provider Playtech, a collaboration that promises to bring a range of unique Live Dealer games to players across the region.

Playtech’s reputation as a leading iGaming company is well established, with numerous awards and nominations under its belt. Most notably, the company was honored with the Gaming Product of the Year award at the 2023 American Gambling Awards, cementing its status as a top player in the industry.

Introducing Playtech’s Live Dealer Games

As a result of this partnership, NetBet Italy’s players will have access to an exciting array of Live Dealer games, including Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, and Live Baccarat. These games, along with other offerings from Playtech, are designed to bring the immersive experience of a physical casino directly to the players, no matter where they are.

Claudia Georgevici, PR manager at NetBet Italy, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We at NetBet aim to give our players access to a range of exciting titles – including Live Dealer games, which help bring the authenticity of a physical casino to players wherever they are. Playtech has a range of excellent titles for customers to enjoy, and this makes them a great fit for a positive and valuable relationship.”

Enhancing Player Experience with Playtech

NetBet Italy is committed to providing its players with high-quality gaming experiences, and the addition of Playtech’s Live Dealer games is a significant step in that direction. Players can now explore these thrilling new titles by visiting the official NetBet Italy website.

Playtech’s advanced technology and engaging game design ensure that players will enjoy a seamless and interactive gaming experience. The Live Dealer games, in particular, offer real-time interaction with professional dealers, bringing the excitement and social aspect of casino gaming to the online environment.

This partnership not only enhances NetBet Italy’s game portfolio but also underscores the company’s dedication to delivering top-tier entertainment to its users. With Playtech’s award-winning games now available, NetBet Italy continues to strengthen its position as a leading online casino in the region.

For more details on the new games and to experience the enhanced offerings, players can visit the NetBet Italy website and explore the diverse range of Live Dealer games and other exciting titles from Playtech.

Sources: “NetBet Casino joins forces with Playtech”, GlobeNewswire, June 12, 2024.

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Established iGaming industry stakeholders Playtech and the NorthStar Gaming Holdings extend the strategic partnership from June 2023 to reinforce their operations in the growing Ontario market. Their respective verticals, Playtech Software Limited and the NorthStar Ontario, will be able to exclusively focus on the operating goals set after Playtech has agreed to funnel CA$3.0m (US$2.2m) in short-term financing to NorthStar to facilitate player pool expansion in Ontario.

$4.0 Million Financing Facility

The original strategic agreement signed in June 2023 included a complete availability of Playtech Software’s services for the operator. The facility valued at $4.0 million was a key driver for NorthStar to increase its presence in the Canadian province in 2023 and grow revenues accordingly.

Six-Month Extension

The strategy seems to have proven successful as the deal is now extended. Under the extension, Playtech Software will continue with the provision of similar marketing services once again valued at $4.0 million. The renewed contract has been set for a six-month performance and will run through 31 October 2024.

Reimbursement Plan

Under the agreement, NorthStar will use the short-term financial facility to boost its marketing activities and repay the funds to Playtech Software from the income generated over the contract period. The operator will benefit from the balance between the revenue generated and the six-month financing cost, while the provider may benefit from the financing conditions.

Financing Ontarian Expansion

As for these conditions, NorthStar has already issued a $3.0m unsecured, interest-bearing promissory note to Playtech, with interest rate of 8.0% per annum, payable in arrears at maturity. According to NorthStar, the investment will help the company’s balance sheet adjustments and continued expansion in Ontario.

NorthStar chair and CEO Michael Moskowitz commented: “We are very pleased to continue to strengthen our relationship with Playtech, one of the world’s leading gambling technology companies. Their ongoing support has been instrumental in helping us to acquire new customers, provide a premium online gaming experience and fund the expansion of our brand in Ontario and across Canada.”

$12.25 Million Investment Boosts Collaboration

The extension of the 2023 strategic agreement comes after Playtech agreed to make a $12.25 million strategic investment in the NorthStar Ontario-based online casino and sports betting facility a few months earlier. In fact, the strategic partnership between the two companies dates back to December 2021. Since then, Playtech has supported NorthStar and the the existing contract for software and services has now been extended by 10 years.

Repayment Guarantee

Playtech’s investments are converted into equity and warrants related to Baden Resources Inc, a company acquired by NorthStar in March 2023.In this way, Playtech holds around 16% of shares belonging to NorthStar, as well as warrants to potentially acquire above 20% stake in this company. The transaction is additionally secured by the inclusion of Playtech’s chief financial officer Chris McGinnis in the board of directors of the subject entity.

Source: “Playtech renews Ontario deal with NorthStar and advances financing’’. iGaming Business. April 29, 2024.

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Playtech, a prominent gambling software firm, finds itself embroiled in a financial dispute with its largest client, Mexican gambling platform Caliplay. 

Playtech Battles €122 Million Payment Dispute with Caliplay

According to Playtech, Caliplay has declined to settle its dues, amounting to a staggering €122 million ($131 million) in fees accumulated between 2023 and 2024.

The refusal to pay comes amidst a protracted legal battle between the two entities. Caliplay has sought to terminate its contractual obligations with Playtech, sparking a contentious legal tussle that has yet to reach a resolution. Despite the mounting financial strain, Playtech remains optimistic about recovering the outstanding funds through legal recourse, reported The Evening Standard.

The repercussions of Caliplay’s non-payment have reverberated through Playtech’s financial statements. Notably, the company reported a significant surge in profits for the fiscal year 2023, reaching €235.8 million ($253 million). This substantial increase in profits includes the unreceived fees from Caliplay, reflecting Playtech’s confidence in eventual reimbursement.

The company disclosed a revenue figure of €1.7 billion ($1.84 billion), reflecting a year-on-year growth of 7%. Conversely, EBITDA reached €406.5 million ($440.3 million), marking a 12% increase.

Mor Weizer, the CEO of Playtech, conveyed his unwavering confidence in the company’s resilience amid the ongoing challenges, stating that they remained confident in their ability to execute their strategy and to continue delivering value for their shareholders.

Playtech Faces Uncertain Future Amid Takeover Rumors and Legal Challenges

The situation has also fueled speculations surrounding Playtech’s future, with the company becoming a focal point of takeover discussions. Both its depressed share price relative to earnings and recent acquisition attempts on other industry players have intensified the speculation. 

Weizer hinted at Playtech’s active involvement in potential acquisitions, emphasizing the company’s robust financial position with a substantial cash reserve.

However, industry analysts caution against overlooking the potential ramifications of the Caliplay dispute. Neil Shah, director of research at Edison Group, highlighted the significance of the impending trial in October, suggesting that an unfavorable outcome could inflict substantial financial losses on Playtech.

Despite the looming uncertainty, market sentiments remain somewhat buoyant, with Playtech shares experiencing a marginal uptick in recent trading sessions. Analysts at Jefferies remarked on the market’s apparent pessimism, underscoring the likelihood of a negotiated settlement and the importance of maintaining a constructive relationship with Caliplay.

As Playtech braces for the legal showdown in the coming months, the outcome of the dispute with Caliplay will undoubtedly shape the company’s financial trajectory and market standing in the foreseeable future.

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Playtech, one of the world’s most important suppliers of technology and content for the iGaming industry, has announced it signed a live casino agreement with Veikkaus, the state-owned monopoly operator in Finland.

The partnership was formed at the end of a rigorous selection process, which concluded with Playtech securing the winning tender. The two parties have agreed to a long-term framework deal, which paves the way for an extensive partnership.

The initial duration of the contract is six years but the agreement contains the potential for extension. The deal includes the live casino vertical and is regarded as a significant milestone in the collaboration between Playtech and Veikkaus.

In fact, the two companies had been working together before, with their cooperation including online casino and poker as well as video lottery terminal machines. Moreover, Playtech supplied a casino management system to Veikkaus and now their collaboration will expand to include live casino technology and content.

The deal will see Playtech become the exclusive live casino content provider for Veikkaus, offering the Finnish state-owned operator network live dealer games and also exclusive live casino titles broadcast from a brand new Veikkaus-branded studio.

The new live casino studio will be established and operated in one of Playtech’s main studio facilities and the two companies will work together to establish the studio design and functionality. The studio will feature Finnish-speaking dealers in charge of blackjack and roulette tables.

An Important Milestone

Speaking of the new deal with Playtech, Riikka Seppänen, VicePresident for iCasino at Veikkaus, described it as “an important milestone” for the company, which has never offered live dealer games to its customers before.

“With Playtech’s network of Live games and their support in setting up our dedicated Veikkaus-branded studio, we are excited to offer our Finnish players an immersive and authentic gaming experience,” Riikka Seppänen added.

Fredrik Sylvander, Commercial Director at Playtech, declared himself “thrilled” to see his company get selected as the exclusive live casino partner for Veikkaus and added that this achievement “is a testament to the strength” of Playtech’s live casino offering.

“We are excited to support Veikkaus in their first launch of Live casino games, providing Finnish players with an exceptional gaming experience,” Fredrik Sylvander added. “Together, we will leverage our expertise and market knowledge to deliver a tailored Live offering that meets the needs of the Finnish market and exceeds the expectations of Veikkaus’ customers.”

Source: “Playtech and Veikkaus Forge Strategic Partnership to Elevate Live Casino Experience in Finland“. Playtech. February 22, 2024.

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The leading supplier of content and technology, powering online gambling operators across the globe, Playtech, confirmed a strategic partnership with the Finnish state-owned and monopoly operator, Veikkaus. The company disclosed details regarding the new collaboration on Thursday. Under the terms of the new agreement, Playtech agreed to power Veikkaus’ offering by delivering an extensive range of customized live casino games.

The latest new deal takes the collaboration between the duo to a new level. This is because previously, Playtech agreed to supply the Finnish state-owned monopoly with its retail VLT machines, casino management system, as well as online casino and poker games. Now, Veikkaus’ offering will expand further with the addition of live casino games from Playtech.

The new partnership follows a competitive Public Procurement Process. Ultimately, Veikkaus picked Playtech as the supplier of its live casino games, recognizing the company’s quality and innovative offering.

“We are thrilled to be selected as Veikkaus’ partner for Live casino games, and this long-term partnership is a testament to the strength of our Live product and further solidifies our position as a leading supplier in the Nordic region.“

Fredrik Sylvander, commercial director at Playtech

Fredrik Sylvander, Playtech’s commercial director, revealed that the company is excited to grow Veikkaus’ offering by delivering live casino games. He explained that this new collaboration builds upon the success of the partnership between the two companies. “We are excited to support Veikkaus in their first launch of Live casino games, providing Finnish players with an exceptional gaming experience,” added Sylvander. Finally, he predicted that the new collaboration would bring unrivaled entertainment and experiences for customers of the Finnish gambling monopoly.

The Partnership Marks a Milestone Achievement for Veikkaus

The deal with Playtech is expected to strengthen Veikkaus’ offering by delivering engaging live casino games. Per the strategic deal, the iGaming content supplier will collaborate with the Finnish gambling monopoly to deliver exclusive games from a new Veikkaus-branded studio. Ultimately, the games are expected to fit the preferences of Finnish players and provide immersive, engaging and entertaining experiences.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Playtech as our partner for Live casino games, following a comprehensive public procurement process.“

Riikka Seppänen, VP iCasino at Veikkaus

The collaboration brought excitement for Veikkaus with its VP iCasino, Riikka Seppänen, explaining that the company is thrilled to join forces with Playtech for the delivery of live casino games. The VP iCasino said that the deal represents an important achievement for Veikkaus as it marks the first time live casino games will become available for its players. Finally, Seppänen predicted the new partnership will bring exciting experiences, adding that it underlines Veikkaus’ dedication to supplying the best games for its growing customer base.

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The leading supplier of technology and games, powering the online gambling industry across the globe, Playtech, announced it extended its existing partnership with Sony Pictures Television for the provision of games based on the famous Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? TV quiz show. The company uncovered details regarding the latest partnership extension on Thursday.

Per the agreement, Playtech will continue to collaborate with Sony Pictures Television through 2028, paving the way for more games inspired by the globally recognizable quiz show. Currently, audiences across the globe recognize the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? show which has been gaining popularity ever since its launch.

Thanks to the collaboration between the duo, Playtech Live rolled out games inspired by the show such as Video Poker Live. Other hit titles within the operator’s portfolio of live games include Live Roulette and Live Trivia, all of which have captured the attention of players across the globe.

Unique traits for Playtech Live’s games that are based on the famous TV show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? are features such as Ask the Host, Ask the Audience and 50/50. According to Playtech, besides the announced two-year extension of its agreement with Sony Pictures Television, the company anticipates growing the reach of the popular games based on the famous TV quiz show.

The Deal Represents a Unique Opportunity for Playtech

Sasha Uman, Playtech Live’s chief commercial officer, spoke about the importance of the company’s collaboration with Sony Pictures Television. She explained that this strategic partnership underlines Playtech’s dedication to providing its partners and their customers with exceptional games and quality content.

“Collaborating with Sony Pictures Television has been a tremendous opportunity for us. It showcases our commitment to securing top iconic brands in the game show and entertainment industry, and our dedication to offering high-quality and innovative gaming options to the audience.“

Sasha Uman, chief commercial officer at Playtech Live

Uman added that the landmark partnership enabled the company to deliver quality games such as Video Poker Live, Live Trivia and Live Roulette, titles that resonate well with audiences across the globe. “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? has been a global favorite for many years, and we are thrilled to be able to bring the excitement of this iconic game show to players worldwide, especially to our North American audience,” she explained in conclusion.

Earlier this month, Playtech confirmed it extended its partnership with BoyleSports. At the time, the company confirmed a three-year extension of its collaboration with the brand for the UK and Ireland, prolonging their successful relationship through 2028.

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The 1999-founded, London Stock Exchange-listed technology leader in the gambling industry, Playtech, has announced it has expanded its original agreement with BoyleSports, the Global sports betting and gaming company that operates in the UK, Ireland, South America, and Africa.

Previously, at the end of October 2020, Playtech announced it would extend its long-term agreement with BoyleSports for another five years, until 2025.

Playtech to Preserve Its Exclusive Provider Position 

The early extension of the deal that was scheduled to end in the year 2025 will see the Playtech giant keep providing its exclusive Live Casino offering to BoyleSports until 2025 while also maintaining its exclusivity over the latter’s branded live casino tables as well as the award-winning Poker and Bingo content until the end of 2028

Commenting on the fresh development, Playtech’s commercial director, Panos Scoursis, explained they were thrilled to expand their agreement with BoyleSports while looking forward to “continuing to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs” of their customers. 

Scoursis also took the opportunity to describe the partnership as a “testament” to their proven commitment to constantly offering top-quality gaming experiences to customers while staying fully committed to their goals to promote responsible gaming practices.

An Exciting Opportunity to Grow Business

Similarly, BoyleSports’ gaming director, Steve Payne, expressed delight with the four-year deal expansion while praising their “strong and successful partnership” with Playtech in the past few years. 

Payne called the extension “an exciting opportunity” to keep growing their business while generating the best possible experience across all of their verticals. 

In December, British gambling company William Hill announced it turned down a £700 million (approximately $887 million) takeover attempt from Playtech, according to a Sunday Times report.

During the same month, the pioneer of omnichannel gambling technology that uses its integrated platform technology Playtech ONE to deliver single wallet functionality, responsible gambling solutions, data-driven marketing expertise, and customer relationship management joined Danish betting and casino trade group Spillebranchen, alongside leading business-to-business solution provider for casino operators Evolution.

Known as Ireland’s largest independently owned sportsbook, BoyleSports is an Irish family-owned firm founded in 1982 that currently counts more than 390 shops spread across the UK and Ireland.

At the start of January, the company announced the appointment of Michail Koutsoukos as its new head of customer engagement. Koutsoukos has years of experience in the gambling industry, having served two of the most successful gambling companies in Europe, Kindred Group and Kaizen Gaming. 

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