Playtech Buys Up Virtue Fusion

Playtech, the online casino software developer which powers the likes of William Hill, has purchased Virtue Fusion, a fellow bingo software provider.

It’s believed Playtech made the decision to purchase Virtue Fusion in an effort to increase the profits gained from its bingo software. Mr. Mor Weizer, Playtech’s CEO told reporters that 2009 had proved to be a big year for bingo and they see the acquisition of Virtue Fusion as “not only” a way of “furthering what is already Playtech's competitive advantage in the growing online gaming market”, but also a way of tapping into potential emerging European markets.

Virtue Fusion currently counts the likes of William Hill Casino and Ladbrokes as its licensees. In the case of the former, it seems that Playtech is keen to cater for all of William Hill’s software needs, as back when the online casino and sportsbook company first signed with Playtech, they were considered their biggest and most well-known licensee so far. In comparison to Playtech’s status as one of the biggest casino software providers, Virtue Fusion had a financial turnover of £12.3 million last year and earnings of £3.8 million.

Casinos

William Hill Bingo's Big Digger Draw

The Gold Rush is here with William Hill Bingo's Big 500 Dynamite Digger Slot Game.

William Hill Dynamite Digger Slots has a Gold Mine feel and features fun icons including, trucks, lanterns and TNT.

William Hill Bingo has five lots of £100 cash to giveaway. With every £10 you stake on the game between Wednesday 3rd to Tuesday 9th February will get you into the £500 Digger Draw. What makes Dynamite Digger really special is its Exploding Reels. Reveal winning symbols and they'll explode giving you extra chances to win.

If you want to take part in the Dynamite draw, click the bingo tab the 'Enter Now' in the William Hill Casino promotions page.

Casinos

Odds on for Brown to be out Before election

PM Gordon Brown is reportedly coming under more pressure to stand down as Labour leader and with a by-election now set to take place before the General Election, William Hill Bookies have cut the odds about Brown ceasing to be leader before the Election, from 6/4 (2.5) to 5/4 (2.25).

William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe said, "We have seen plenty of support for Gordon Brown to be out of office before the General Election and although he is still odds on at 4/7 (1.57) to remain in place, there is little backing for that option".

Long time favourite to succeed Gordon Brown as Labour leader, MP Alan Johnson's odds have drifted out from 5/4 (2.25) to 3/1 with William Hill as political punters have been backing the two Miliband brothers to take the party's top job with David and Ed both now quoted as 4/1 joint second favourites.

With reports suggesting that 20/1 chance Ed Balls is also preparing to contest the position as and when it becomes available, the bookies are predicting that hefty amounts of cash will be gambled on who takes over from Brown.

"We are expecting a substantial six figure gamble on the next Labour leader and the current cash is all for the Milibands - although punters can't seem to make up their minds which of the two is more likely to come out on top. Long time favourite Alan Johnson's support is drying up. However, once the job becomes available we are convinced that other high profile candidates will suddenly throw their hats into the ring." said William Hill's spokesman.

Casinos

Man wins 1k in weight loss bet

Ian Armstrong a warehouse worker and father of two placed a £50 bet that he would lose five stone before Christmas Day at odds of 20-1 is celebrating netting £1,000 for his local junior football club.

Bookie William Hill has Ian who is 44, has hit the target he set in January by getting from 17st 5lbs to 12st 5lbs by his festive deadline.

The bookmaker said it is its record weight loss for a bet of this type.

A spokesman for the firm said it takes hundreds of bets on predicted weight loss like Mr Armstrong's every year but it hardly has to pay out.

Now Mr Armstrong is ploughing his winnings into the boys football team he chairs in Bradford, West Yorkshire - the East Bowling All-Stars.

Mr Armstrong, who works at the Morrisons depot in Wakefield, said he piled on the pounds after he got a knee injury while out running.

But he decided to diet his way back to fitness as a way of raising cash for the All-Stars, and after a little encouragement from his wife, Tracy. He said his sons Nathan, 10, and Niall, seven, have also been very supportive. They both play for the All-Stars teams.

"It's incredible when you look at the pictures of me before and what I'm like now," Mr Armstrong said. "It's a huge amount to lose but I feel so much better."

He said he managed his dramatic weight loss by changing his diet. And his top tip is to drink a pint of water before meals to cut down your appetite.

"I haven't been following anything in particular. I've just done it myself. It's amazing how everything changes when you ditch the big portions of pie and chips and go on to the rice pasta chicken instead. The charity shops have done well out of it, though. I've had to buy a whole new wardrobe."

Casinos

William Hill Stops Susan Boyle Wagers

Will Susan Boyle's incredible voice and instant popularity be enough to see her reach the number one position on the charts over Christmas?

The staff at William Hill bookies were too sure that the Britain's Got Talent star would manage to retain her popularity after she made headlines across the world with her incredible performance on the show in April, 2009.

Since her interpretation of, "I Dreamed a Dream", Miss Boyle has attracted the attention of millions from all four corners of the earth.

A whistle stop tour to the United States and a flawless appearance on the X Factor, however, convinced William Hill that Boyle was going nowhere and they suspended betting on the star being number one on the Christmas charts.

Boyle released her first album this week, which sold 130,000 copies on the first day. By the end of this week, it is expected to sell half a million copies.

Not everybody is convinced that Susan Boyle will head the charts, however. Most bookies have decided to keep the singer in the race, with many believing that the top of the Christmas chart will be the winner of this season's X Factor.

32 red Casino Updates

32 red csino pleased to announce some important upcoming Account Enhancements for players at 32Red. Further to growing demand from our players the following enhancements to how your account can be managed and funded are being introduced:

Add/Remove Cards in Banking: You are now able to change the registered credit and debit cards on your 32Red account without the need to make contact with our dedicated Player Support Team. When logged in to 32Red, simply access our banking pages where you will be able to add or remove your credit and debit cards as you require.


New Bonus System: The level of free chips and bonuses we award our players is second to none, and we continue to grow the levels of player rewards consistently. In order to make Play Through requirements and the "cashability" of our bonuses more transparent and easier for you to manage, we will be introducing technology on 1st December 2009 that will allow you to see both your cash balance and your bonus balance at the casino. It couldn’t be easier or clearer.


New Deposit Method: We are also pleased to introduce Click2Pay as a secure and easy way to deposit and withdraw funds for 32Red players. Please click here for more details.
We firmly believe that these improvements will make your 32Red gaming experience even smoother and more enjoyable. As ever, please contact me directly, pat@32red.com, if you have any questions or comments on these enhancements to our service.

Best wishes

Pat Harrison

Operations Director
32RedCasino
Second to None

New Slots Wheel Of Wealth from Microgaming

Slot Machine fans can now enjoy the new multi-player Wheel Of Wealth slot machine game courtesy of sites on the Microgaming online casino network that comes complete with a chat function allowing players to discuss where the most profitable may be taking place.

Available at some of the best UK online casinos including Spin Palace Casino and 32 Red Casino, Microgaming’s Multi-Player Wheel Of Wealth: Special Edition is the first game of its type and is sure to be an instant hit.

The multi-player game sees players randomly allocated a room before taking a seat at one of the six independent five-reel 25-line slot machines. Competitors that are not happy with either their room or individual slot may exit immediately by pressing an exit button while there is a chat function allowing them to discuss tactics, games or anything else.

Gameplay during Multi-Player Wheel Of Wealth: Special Edition is the same as in a traditional slot with such familiar features as wild and scatter symbols alongside multipliers used to activate wins. However, players also benefit from the randomly triggered and shared Wheel Of Wealth feature that sees participants that have qualified by accruing bonus multipliers on their individual slots invited to select one of 20 paying stops. The wheel then spins and each player will win according to their position on the disk.