GTECH G2 Shortlisted for More EGR Awards Than Any Other iGaming Software Supplier

GTECH G2 is nominated for eight eGaming Review (EGR) B2B Awards, the highest number of nominations at the event, confirming its position as the premier digital gaming and sports betting supplier to both the commercial and world lottery markets. The diversity of the award categories reflects the fact that GTECH G2 is a supplier that can truly offer complete end-to-end solutions for poker, sports betting, bingo, casino, lottery, skill games, instant games and back office systems for commercial and state-run operators.

The EGR B2B Awards are the industry’s premier awards ceremony. The very best service providers and B2B operators in the online gaming industry are recognised with the awards covering all major supplier disciplines.

GTECH G2 has been shortlisted in the following eight categories:

·         Bingo Network of the Year

·         Bingo Supplier of the Year

·         Innovation in Bingo of the Year

·         Poker Network of the Year

·         Poker Software of the Year

·         Sports Betting Supplier of the Year

·         Lottery Software Supplier of the Year

·         Fraud and Compliance Solution of the Year

Innovative new features on the company’s International Bingo Network, like live presenters and managed chat facilities, earned three nominations for Bingo achievements: Bingo Network of the Year, Bingo Supplier of the Year and Innovation in Bingo of the Year. 

“We are particularly proud that our bingo software and network is being recognized,” said Dominic Mansour, Vice President, Gaming Products. “Our designers and developers have really focused on giving bingo buffs more fun as they socialize with other players. New features like live presenters and colourful side games with themes from licensed brands, like Chippendales, are engaging players longer and building player liquidity.”

As part of the Lottomatica Group, GTECH G2 fully understands the complexities of working within regulated markets. The nomination for Lottery Software Supplier of the Year recognises the company’s long and established pedigree within the lottery industry.

GTECH G2 has broken new ground through the launch of the Canadian Poker Network, collaboration between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and Loto Quebec, creating the continent’s first regulated gaming network.

“The Canadian Poker Network is collaboration between two respected WLA lotteries that we’re very proud to be associated with,” said Paolo Personeni, GTECH G2 CEO.  “We’re here to help lottery organizations as they make the intimidating yet necessary move to expand through reliable online games, so we’re grateful to the judge’s for this recognition.”

The nomination for Poker Network of the Year and Poker Software of the Year further highlights GTECH G2’s expertise in poker and demonstrates the continued success of the International Poker Network (IPN). The IPN is the most popular network in Europe for cash players and one of the largest networks in the world in terms of size. GTECH G2 in 2011 has continued to develop the IPN with a significant investment in the network.

The nomination for Sport Betting Supplier of the Year celebrates the fact that GTECH G2 continues to go from strength to strength as a leading sports betting supplier to both commercial bookmaker and government regulated markets. GTECH G2 can now boast nearly 8000 Margin Maker tills worldwide and in 2010 completed the successful launch of BetCafe Arena in Romania, successfully launching 150 new terminals in twelve months and increasing to 400 retailers over the course of 2011/12

GTECH G2 prides itself on security and offering its client’s peace of mind in the protection against fraud and is proud that BScreened, its fraud detection system, has been nominated in the Fraud & Compliance Solution of the Year category.

GTECH G2 is proud to offer clients a full service solution and is delighted that the range of nominations reflects its expertise and broad spectrum of products.

The EGR Awards will be presented at a black tie gala Tuesday 3 May 2011 at Chelsea Football Club in London.

I-Gaming North America - Boot Camp at Monte Carlo Set for May 2-4

The gambling capital of the America will get an up-close look at its future during the inaugural iGaming North America conference to be held May 2-4, 2011 at Monte Carlo Casino & Resort in Las Vegas.

Organizers BolaVerde Media Group, Lewis & Roca and The Innovation Group have taken a new approach in designing the curriculum as a  "boot camp" for entrants into the North American I-gaming markets. The event will provide education and training to prospective participants in the regulated US and Canadian Internet gaming markets. Through this program, attendees will acquire a roadmap and the tools necessary to get from Point A (regulatory approval) to Point B (launch) with a firm handle on their capital, staffing, marketing and operational needs.

With the theme "The Road to Legalization," the groundbreaking event is designed to introduce the land-based gaming businesses of North America to the $30 billion global iGaming industry. It is the production of a new venture backed by Steven Rittvo, owner of The Innovation Group, Mark Balestra, director of BolaVerde Media Group, and Anthony Cabot, a prominent gaming attorney based in Las Vegas, with an advisory committee chaired by Sue Schneider, a veteran of the iGaming industry and the principal of eGaming Brokerage.

"The discussion has evolved beyond the speculative tone we've seen in recent years, and there’s a high demand for practical guidance as businesses enter uncharted territory." Mr. Balestra explained. "Certainly the program will cover political and regulatory issues, but the primary focus will be on 'how-to' rather than 'what-if.'"

The lineup of presenters and panelists includes professional poker superstar Howard Lederer, as well as executives from the world’s leading online and offline gambling businesses, including Caesars, GTECH G2, Betfair, WMS and more.

The organizers have crafted a program geared for preparing businesses for entrance into the world’s largest regulated Internet gambling market. Topics include:
- Marketing for Start-up and Ramp-up
- Staffing and Outsourcing Needs
- Cross-Marketing Strategies
- Managing and Integrating Online & Offline Loyalty Programs
- US Federal and State Policy Developments
- Gaming Platform Integration
- Tribal Perspectives on Internet Gambling
- Affiliate Marketing
- Online Gaming and Social Networks
- Fundamental Aspects of Regulation
- More...

"A window is opening for North America's licensed operators, existing iGaming operators and media and entertainment ventures expanding into new markets," Ms. Schneider explained. "For all of these businesses, this event will present a much needed forum for learning and sharing ideas, as well as the region's first marketplace for gambling's most promising sector."

Mr. Cabot added, "With the surge in activity at both the state/provincial as well as federal levels, the time is right for all of the operators, consultants, vendors and suppliers focused on the North American audience to come together for this important informational event."

Regulation in the US and Canadian markets appears imminent and several bills for regulation are pending in various jurisdictions.  Yet even with its global reach and undisputed commercial success, the technology and geolocation issues and opportunities surrounding iGaming are still not well understood by many of those in the traditional gaming industry in North America. Come May 2, that will all begin to change.

Sponsors to the 2011 event include Continent 8, Betfair/TVG, Dickinson Wright and Blank Rome.

The organizers are offering an early-bird rate for those who register by March 3. Discounts are available to groups of three or more as well. 

For more information, visit: www.igamingnorthamerica.com.

Source: http://www.GambloggersBizBlog.blogspot.com

BCLC PlayNow.com Joins Loto-Québec on Canadian Poker Network Powered by GTECH G2

The addition of a second Canadian province has added liquidity to the first regulated poker network in North America.  The British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s PlayNow.com igaming site has joined the Canadian Poker Network which is powered by GTECH G2.  The CPN launched last December when poker players at Loto Québec’s Espacejeux.com site joined the network. Now players in British Columbia will play at the same tables as players in Quebec. The increased liquidity means more choice for players of every level.

The Canadian Poker Network features the state-of-the-art poker software developed by GTECH G2 for its European networks. The system has been thoroughly tested to the highest standards and has received TST and BC Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) approval. The Canadian Poker Network is open only to residents of the provinces of Quebec and British Columbia, Canada.

GTECH G2 is providing eight poker variants including Texas Hold’em and Canadian Stud (or Soko) which is played the same way as 5-Card Stud except that there are two extra combinations: a four-card Flush and a four-card Straight.

The increased liquidity of the expanded network is sure to result in many more tournaments like the $250,000 free roll held earlier this month.

Canadian Poker Network operations are based in Canada. The system is housed in a Montreal based data centre and poker network operations are in the National Operations Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick.

“The CPN is an excellent example of the kind of convergence of the igaming and lottery industries that GTECH G2 was created to serve,” said Paolo Personeni, President of GTECH G2. “We are proud to be partnered with such innovative lotteries, and look forward to enabling other lottery corporations to enter the igaming space with confidence.”

GTECH G2 is the only interactive gaming software and services provider that can supply a complete end-to-end solution including lottery, poker, sports betting, bingo, casino, skill games, instant games and back office systems to commercial and state-run operators.

Source: http://gambloggersbizblog.blogspot.com/

GTECH G2 Previews Major Casino Software Update at ICE Featuring New Plants vs. Zombies Slots Game

New branded content from PopCap Games licensing deal

This week at ICE in London, GTECH G2 will preview a comprehensive update to its market-leading casino software featuring its new slots-based adaptation of PopCap Games' blockbuster game Plants vs. Zombies™. Sightings of plant-eating zombies are anticipated at Earls Court and at the company’s VIP gala at Fire & ICE.

Plants vs. Zombies Slots is GTECH G2’s first new game to result from a recently signed licensing deal for various PopCap games. In the new slot game developed by GTECH G2, familiar plant characters like ‘Peashooter’ and ‘Chomper’ turn symbols on the five-reel three pay line slot game into Wilds with an exciting Bowling-for-Zombies Bonus Round for enhanced player interaction and entertainment.

“Based on our experience with other premier branded games, such as Sherlock Holmes and Chippendales slot games our licensees can expect very quick pick-up on this well known title,” said Dominic Mansour, GTECH G2 VP Gaming Products. “Recognizable titles attract new players and keep existing players coming back for more. GTECH G2 has a number of additional games in development which will be launched over the coming year using other recognized brands from PopCap. In addition, our licensees continue to do well with original games we’ve developed, like Fortunes of Egypt and Mystic Island.”

The new casino release will be rolled out early spring and will include Treasures of the Pyramids, which is a proven land-based slot machine from Atronic. It is a top performing game in Las Vegas and in casinos around the world. This game is leading the way in linking the physical gaming environment to the internet world. Like last year’s success with player designed French Roulette, the new Blackjack PRO is the result of extensive input and feedback from a group of high value blackjack players. It is a new richer version of Blackjack with improved play and autoplay using the players own game strategy. Extensive game statistics and advice on the best game strategy is also available to the player.