Latest News
Blueprint hits the bullseye with PDC World Darts Championship release
Latest branded title marks the supplier’s first sports-themed slot
Leading slot supplier Blueprint Gaming has partnered with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) to develop a blockbuster new slot game where players step up to the oche in order to win big.
Officially licensed from the PDC, the latest creation from the industry’s premier branded games developer features the world’s leading darts players including ‘Snakebite’ Peter Wright, ‘Mighty Mike’ Michael van Gerwen and newly-crowned World Champion, ‘The Iceman’ Gerwyn Price.
This new PDC branded game is Blueprint’s first foray into the sporting theme genre of online casino, demonstrating the company’s agile development program and ambitions to broaden the appeal of its portfolio even further.
PDC World Darts Championship is based on a highly successful classic format which is hugely recognisable to players across multiple markets. During the base game, a minimum of three dartboard scatter symbols awards the Free Games feature, and five symbols triggers the maximum 180 spins.
Before entering the feature, users can select to play with all the top stars from the PDC or take the gamble on the mystery pick, which randomly chooses one of the famous throwers and potentially eliminates the lower value players to ensure bigger wins.
Blueprint’s design and development team has gone above and beyond to include intrinsic details that will make the game appealing to all darts fans and casino players, including a symbol depicting the iconic Sid Waddell Trophy – as awarded to the World Champion – and incorporating official player imagery.
Barry Hearn OBE, Professional Darts Corporation chairman, said: “The global popularity of darts continues to grow, shown recently with the thoroughly enthralling 2020/21 World Darts Championship, which even given the current situation and absence of our iconic Ally Pally crowds, didn’t fail to disappoint in the drama stakes.
“Partnering with Blueprint Gaming for the development of this unique game is another important step to broaden the appeal of the sport to more people across the globe. They have a fantastic reputation within the gaming industry for developing high quality content and we had no hesitation in partnering with Blueprint for this special game release.”
Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing and Relationships at Blueprint Gaming, said: “Get ready for some quality darts action as we unveil PDC World Darts Championship as the first standout release from the Blueprint portfolio this year.
“Featuring the sport’s biggest and most recognisable characters, we’re offering an entertaining experience, backed by a proven casino format that will resonate with a large audience.”
Baltics
New Survey Reveals 80% of Lithuanians Would Welcome a Ban on Gambling Ads
Eight out of 10 Lithuanians would approve of a ban on gambling ads in the country, a new survey revealed.
The survey commissioned by public broadcaster LRT was carried out by the public opinion and market research company Baltijos tyrimai. It showed that 80% of respondents aged 18 years and over are in favour of a complete ban on gambling ads in Lithuania and just 15% would oppose the move.
It has transpired that approval of the gambling ad ban was greater among women than men – 86% against 72% respectively. The move has also wide support among residents aged over 50 (84%) and by people with greater than secondary education and with monthly household income of up to EUR 1100 (85%). Opponents of the ban often include men (21%), young people under 30 years of age (23%), rural residents (18%) and people with unfinished secondary education (30%). 1115 adult residents of Lithuania were polled on 15-25 March.
In mid-March, parliament began to consider amendments to the law on gambling, which, if adopted, would prohibit gambling advertisements as of 1 January 2025.
Australia
SkyCity Appoints Jason Walbridge as Chief Executive Officer
SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited has appointed Jason Walbridge as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Jason has more than two decades of senior executive public company experience in the global land-based and online gaming industries. He is currently a Strategic Advisor to global gaming and technology company Aristocrat Leisure Limited on its proposed acquisition of NeoGames S.A, and Executive Chairman of National Entertainment Network LLC, the largest amusement route operator in the US. He has been appointed to the role after an extensive international search.
SkyCity Board Chair Julian Cook said: “The Board is delighted to announce Jason’s appointment as CEO of SkyCity, and we are looking forward to the valuable contribution Jason will make to the business. Jason has extensive global experience in the land-based and online gaming industries, which will position him well to lead SkyCity through its next phases.”
Mr Walbridge said: “It will be a privilege to lead SkyCity, and I am excited to be joining the business at this time as SkyCity looks to pursue the many opportunities ahead of it.”
Mr Walbridge is expected to start in early July 2024, following his move back to New Zealand.
Prior to his current roles, Mr Walbridge held roles with the online gaming supplier NYX Gaming Group Limited and its acquirer Light & Wonder Inc, and before that he spent 18 years with Aristocrat Leisure Limited where he held executive leadership roles in New Zealand and the US. Previously, he held senior roles within consulting, including with Ernst & Young, and was an Officer in the New Zealand Defence Force. Mr Walbridge holds an MBA in International Management from the Auckland Institute of Studies.
Mr Cook confirmed that Callum Mallett will continue as Interim Chief Executive Officer until Mr Walbridge’s commencement date.
“I’d like to thank Callum for his continued leadership and his support during this period,” Mr Cook said.
Latest News
NetBet Casino Joins Forces with Play’n Go
NetBet Denmark has reached a deal with the leading online software provider Play’n Go. This agreement will see the quantity of games available to Danish players expanded as a result of the addition of several Play’n Go titles.
Play’n Go has become a pillar of the online gaming industry since its founding in 2005. Most recently, the company scored a hat-trick of award wins at the 5Star iGaming Media Starlet Awards, claiming the prestigious titles of Slots Provider of the Year, Mobile Supplier of the Year and Game of the Year.
NetBet Denmark’s customers can now experience the thrilling excitement of a wide variety of Play’n Go slot games, with the flagship titles including Book of Dead, Legacy of Dead and Reactoonz – each one crafted to provide plenty of entertainment.
NetBet Denmark’s PR manager, Claudia Georgevici, said: “At NetBet, we understand the widespread appeal of slots – they offer players a unique experience while being straightforward at the same time. Play’n Go has created a large variety of excellent slot games, and this makes them an ideal partner as we look to expand the range of entertainment we can offer on our website.”
Danish players who are looking to explore these games and more can now head straight over to the NetBet Denmark website and experience the new Play’n Go titles for themselves.
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