26 August 2015 GPWA Times Newsletter

Mark Podd, company director at Royal Panda, says the biggest challenge of building an online casino from the ground up was developing a brand that really stood out. A former video game journalist, Mark says the video game and online gambling industries are similar in that consumers have high expectations for things like quality of service, bang for their buck and game variety. Read the interview

Paddy Power, Betfair to merge
The online sportsbook giants have reportedly agreed to a 5 billion-pound deal that would give Paddy Power shareholders 52% of the new firm, but would also put current Betfair CEO Breon Corcoran in charge.

Perspectives Weekly: The battle for bwin.party
The fight to acquire bwin.party has grown more complicated, as both 888 and GVC Holdings have issues that would influence a potential deal. Plus, J Todd discusses industry news from the Netherlands and about Bitcoin.

Two new mobile games launch at bet365 Vegas
The Sparks Touch game features Win One Way and Win Both Ways modes, and Magic Portals Touch transforms matching symbols into wilds to activate free spins.

Quasar Gaming releases new games
The site has added slots, including Book of Ra, Lucky Lady's Charm and Sizzling Gems.

CyberBingo to host $13,000 guaranteed event
The event, on Aug. 29, consists of three $1,000 warm-up games and a $10,000 main event game. New players are also eligible for CyberBingo's generous welcome bonus.

Crazy Vegas Casino launches two new slot games
Players can win on the action-packed Rugby Star slot or the Chinese-themed Lucky Zodiac.

NetEnt reveals new 'Dazzle Me' slot game
The new gem-themed game was designed with a mobile-first mindset and uses a unique reel layout.

Realistic Games signs deal with Betfair
Eight of Realistic's games will be featured on Betfair's Arcade, including blackjack, roulette and slots.



Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2015
Global Gaming Expo (G2E)
G2E is one of the world's largest gaming events, where gaming executives and industry professionals meet to conduct business.

Oct. 8-9, 2015
Russian Affiliate Congress & Expo (RACE)
The Russian Affiliate Congress & Expo will examine how to develop the affiliate industry for online gaming in Russia and CIS countries. The expo includes scientific and business seminars, conferences and other educational activities.

Oct. 20-22, 2015
European iGaming Congress & Expo
EiG is the home of online gaming, where top gaming CEOs from around the world mix with start-ups, regulators and new entrants for three days of serious business and influence at the highest level.

Oct. 22-25, 2015
Berlin Affiliate Conference
Berlin Affiliate Conference sessions aim to provide a wealth of information with panels, presentations and exclusive insights from expert speakers. The relaxed atmosphere of these events encourages the open exchange of ideas and experiences.