It’s a big old bad world in the online bingo industry at the moment, with plenty of moves and shakes as the online bingo really starts to get serious about it’s bottom line. And Playtech seem to be one of the leaders at the moment when it comes to consolidation – fresh from signing up Virtue Fusion and acquiring their portfolio of online bingo brands, it seems Playtech have been waving the chequebook again, signing a new bingo licensing agreement with Boylesports, Ireland’s largest independent bookmaker.
Playtech are one of the leading software developers, and having recently purchased Virtue Fusion, have really started to show they mean business! Already the company provides Poker gaming solutions for Boylesports, so a foray into the bingo world obviously seems like a natural fit.
And with Virtue Fusion under their belt, Playtech has considerably bolstered their bingo offering, with Virtue Fusion licensees including Crown Bingo, Mecca Bingo, Ladbrokes and Bet365. Known for it’s innovation when it comes to offering the best of the best in terms of online bingo, Virtue Fusion have certainly already proven themselves to be a worthwhile investment for Playtech.
Playtech chief executive Mor Weizer said: “Boylesports already benefit from having Playtech for their poker product, so taking another best of breed service by utilising the Virtue Fusion Alderney platform will compliment their portfolio and bring enhanced opportunities.”
Boylesports head of online Conor Grant said the company is “delighted to be introducing their online bingo through Virtue Fusion to Boylesports.com.”
The news comes just one month after Playtech bought Virtue Fusion in February. It has been the software supplier’s third major deal in less than three months, which no doubt provides many with proof that the world online bingo is certainly meaning big business, with plenty of operators, gaming suppliers and marketing opportunities. It is thought the buyout of Virtue Fusion has increased Playtech’s existing bingo network by nearly seven times. It is a fact that will no doubt be a small step towards being able to outclass the big networks that are currently sprouting up from US big guns such as PartyGaming (owner of Foxy Bingo, Think Bingo, ITV Bingo, Party Bingo and Cheeky Bingo) and 888 Holdings (who recently acquired Wink Bingo and Posh Bingo, and is rumoured to be doing the same with Costa Bingo).
On one hand, it’s great to see bigger and happier bingo families – but don’t be surprised if things start getting a bit more interesting once these bingo monopolies start flexing their muscles in their bid to hold the biggest share of the highly lucrative online bingo market!! It’s never been a better time as a player to get on board with online bingo – watch this space to see how you are going to start to matter more than ever!!
