Through the deal, Caesars icasino players in the Mountain State will gain access to the IGT PlayDigital games catalogue, including Caesars Cleopatra, a title created specifically for the operator.

With a backdrop of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Caesars Cleopatra incorporates the Cleopatra game theme with 20-paylines, a maximum win of x10,000 the player’s stake, as well as the Cleopatra Bonus which gives players the chance to triple their awards.

Ricardo Cornejo Rivas, Vice President of Online Gaming at Caesars Digital, commented: “We are thrilled to have IGT PlayDigital’s vast suite of games available on Caesars Palace Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino in West Virginia.

“This exciting game catalogue is a perfect complement to the standout Caesars Cleopatra title on our platform.”

The Caesars Palace Online Casino brand was unveiled by Caesars back in August and launched in the US states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia as well as the Canadian province of Ontario.

Since then, the online casino brand has secured content partnerships to boost the product offering, including with Inspired Entertainment for its Hybrid Dealer products.

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Under the terms of the agreement, IGT will power the retail sports betting division at the Grand Treasure Casino in Trenton,  and Sky Dancer Casino and Resort in Belcourt. Following the deal, both casinos will leverage IGT’s PlaySports platform, self-service kiosks and trading services.

“IGT is excited to expand our sports betting footprint to North Dakota through this agreement with Turtle Mountain, and we’re happy to continue delivering our superlative PlaySports platform technology and services to casinos and venues of all sizes,” said Enrico Drago, IGT PlayDigital senior vice president.

“Entering North Dakota is another significant milestone to add to IGT’s growing sports betting pedigree and reinforces our leadership as the principal B2B platform provider in the US.”

North Dakota will become the 15th US state where IGT powers sports wagering, joining Nevada, Illinois, Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Oregon, Indiana, Iowa, West Virginia, Mississippi and Rhode Island.

Commenting on the agreement, Jamie Azure, chairman of Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, added: “By leveraging IGT’s proven PlaySports solution, Turtle Mountain will launch an exciting sports betting operation at Grand Treasure and Sky Dancer casinos backed by best-in-class technology, services, and flexible self-service products,

“The addition of sports betting will expand our casino entertainment and offer our loyal patrons and sports fans alike new ways to play. IGT is the market leader in sports betting technology, and I am confident that with their proven experience and service, we will be able to implement and operate exciting and successful programs.”

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He’s talking about a meeting with Enrico Drago, SVP at IGT PlayDigital, at G2E Las Vegas, when the pair discussed the possibility of adding the Megaways magic to the cherished IGT Wheel of Fortune game brand.

On the other side of the globe, in San Francisco, sits Drago. “I just let him talk and share his ideas,” he says of that meeting with Robinson. 

And so a key strategic collaboration was born. On one hand, perhaps the most meaningful innovation in online slots in a decade – Big Time’s all-conquering Megaways mechanic – and on the other, a giant of the land-based and online casino domains, IGT’s Wheel of Fortune. The game, a Vegas legend, represented one of Megaways greatest tests to date.

Both Drago and Robinson were talking to CasinoBeats managing director Stewart Darkin this week, to discuss the collaboration. 

The chat is a fitting curtain-raiser for CasinoBeats’ Innovation in Slots series of webinars, interviews and presentations. Register and watch the whole discussion here.

Wheel of Fortune Megaways has already launched in the US and hits European casino lobbies at the end of this month. It is undeniably a big moment for IGT. “Wheel of Fortune is one of the biggest slot titles of all time and, in 2021, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Wheel of Fortune property,” says Drago. “In those 25 years, we have made around 250 iterations of the game, making 1,100 people millionaires in the process. 

“The game has paid out $3.3bn in jackpots in that time, with the biggest single payout being a $14m win,” continues Drago. 

So how did IGT end up handing this prized property to Big Time Gaming for the Megaways treatment? “When you are talking about different game mechanics you need to figure out a way to stay at the top of the rankings,” Drago explains.

“I wanted a way to leverage one of our biggest assets, our distribution network in the US. After all, Wheel of Fortune has appeared in 30 states to date. So, taking the 25th birthday celebration and combining it with what Nik and Big Time have to offer, was the best kind of collaboration.”

For Robinson, it was a challenge to relish and one that highlights just what an excellent reputation Big Time Gaming has for innovation. “Wheel of Fortune is the ‘crown jewels’ of slot machines brands and we feel extremely fortunate,” he says.

“We could have quite easily just arranged a Megaways licence – like we do with many providers – and then consult with you and help you make the best game you can. But when it came to Wheel of Fortune and the preciousness of Megaways and that brand coming together, we, as a business, wanted to take the challenge on. 

“That’s the really exciting thing,” says Robinson, “Enrico trusted me and our business to take on the brand.”

It seems trust has underpinned the whole process. “Enrico said to us: ‘You can do whatever you want to do as long as we feel it has the character of Wheel of Fortune’. That was a huge leap of faith that we wanted to repay and we got to work. 

“On one side you have the TV game show but, on the flipside, you have Vegas. I wanted a gameshow feel, sure, but I wanted it to be the kind of slot you’d find in Vegas. On the floor at Vegas casinos, you hear that Wheel of Fortune drama and excitement playing out all the time, even after all these years,” explains Robinson. “So we doubled down on the Vegas factor.”

To see where that mission took Wheel of Fortune Megaways, watch the whole conversation by registering here. You’ll also learn more from Nik Robinson about Big Time’s plans for 2021.

Plus there’s more insight from Enrico Drago at IGT, who speaks about how the BTG collaboration is a template for similar future strategic joint ventures with third-party developers, with some exciting times ahead. 

Learn more about the CasinoBeats Innovation in Slots series here

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FLG aims to provide a link between game developers and igaming affiliates and publishers via the provision of game information, content about latest releases and full game libraries before anybody else.

The latest collaboration will open direct access to the marketing assets for select games from the IGT PlayDigital portfolio, including those such as Coin O Mania, DaVinci Diamonds, Cleopatra ,Wolf Run and games inspired by licensed brands.

Enrico Drago, IGT PlayDigital senior vice president, said: “First Look Games has established itself as a leading gateway to the affiliates community. Our partnership with First Look Games provides IGT PlayDigital with a proven program for expanding the reach of our world-class digital games and driving digital growth for many of our global customers.”

Last year, FLG launched its Demo Games Server, which the group explained represented a ‘vital step’ in its effort to ‘nurture’ the ecosystem that affiliates and game studios coexist.

Available for free to affiliates, the introduction allows developers to showcase free-play versions of their latest and catalogued slot releases via affiliate websites. The system’s age verification features permit both game studios and affiliates to meet compliance standards.

Tom Galanis, founder of First Look Games, explained: “This really is a momentous occasion for First Look Games and credit to everyone who has been involved with our growth.

“Signing an industry powerhouse such as IGT to join the ever-expanding family of content providers available to connect with our affiliate publishers through our platform is a real testament to the reputation we now have in the gaming and affiliate sectors.

“Being able to offer IGT’s latest digital slot games is a very exciting prospect and one which I know will thrill our affiliate subscribers. We are proud to connect the very best suppliers with the very best affiliate publishers and delighted that IGT will benefit from the awesome marketing reach we now command.”

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The US provider of remote gaming server technology and interactive content has entered into a multi-year partnership with CDI’s interactive gaming subsidiary, which will see it deploy a range of gaming content to the CDIG BetAmerica sportsbook and casino website and mobile apps.

Kent Young, spin games’ chief executive officer and founder, commented: “We are pleased to be partnering with CDIG for online wagering. With their world-renowned brands and extensive sports betting player database, CDIG is a prominent new entrant into the expanding North American igaming market, and we are honoured for the opportunity to help them grow their online gaming services with our world-class gaming content.”

Following an integration to connect Spin’s ROC remote gaming server platform, undertaken via SBTech’s gaming platform, Spin Games deployed its interactive gaming content in the BetAmerica sportsbook and casino.

This has seen content go live with within New Jersey, where CDI launched BetAmerica last month featuring brands including IGT, PlayDigital, NetEnt, Spin Games, Everi and Konami, with Pennsylvania set to go live later this year, subject to regulatory approval.

Ian Williams, president of online gaming at CDIG, added: “We are delighted to work with Spin Games who bring a wide range of tier one game suppliers to the table, including Konami and Everi, who our customers already recognise from brick-and-mortar casinos.

“We also look forward to launching best of breed branded slots like Slingo Extreme and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in our BetAmerica sportsbook and casino.”

Earlier this week CDI reported casino, racing and online wagering revenue increases for the fourth quarter and full year of 2018, as the company looks to a series of acquisitions to make a significant impact for the 12 months ahead.

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The subsidiary of Penn National Gaming’s Penn Interactive Ventures arm is to be boosted by the IGT PlayDigital division supplying its full suite of digital gaming products.

It is hoped that the PlayDigital solutions deployment for Penn National, within the newly regulated Pennsylvania online gaming market, is to be undertaken during the first quarter of next year.

Chris Sheffield, managing director of PIV and senior vice president of PNG, commented: “We’re excited to leverage IGT’s platform and content for our online gaming launch in Pennsylvania.

“The flexibility and reliability of the PlayCommand platform, coupled with the proven game library within IGT’s PlayCasino, give us confidence that HollywoodCasino.com will deliver the same caliber of world-class gaming entertainment that our players have come to love in our land-based casinos.”

IGT’s digital gaming platform, PlayCommand, will enable online gaming for Penn National’s Pennsylvania-based customers via its online gaming portal HollywoodCasino.com.

The organisation is to also leverage IGT’s PlayCasino, to provide its players with an extensive library of slot games such as Wheel of Fortune, Elephant King, Ocean Magic and Cleopatra, in addition to Penn National also agreeing to deploy IGT’s PlayBingo and PlayPoker online solutions.

“IGT PlayDigital’s vast portfolio of proven digital solutions enables us to quickly address our customers’ needs across online gaming, sports betting and on-premise mobile gaming,” added Enrico Drago, IGT senior vice president of PlayDigital. “The newly regulated Pennsylvania online gaming market presents an exciting opportunity for IGT to extend the success of our PlayCommand platform, and PlayCasino to Penn National as it expands the scope of its entertainment offering.”

This comes in the immediate aftermath of a further agreement relating to PNG’s HollywoodCasino portal, which will see NetEnt deliver its suite of titles to the state’s players when the market goes live.

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Under the terms of the partnership, IGT is to supply its PlayDigital sports wagering solution to a trio of Choctaw Mississippi based properties, namely Pearl River Resorts’ Golden Moon Hotel and Casino and Silver Star Hotel and Casino in Choctaw, as well as Sandersville’s Bok Homa Casino.

Visitors to either of the three casinos will now be able to utilise IGT technology and services to place pre-match and in-play wagers over the counter, with each also making an agreement for the addition of IGT kiosks, and other essential sports betting peripherals, to their offering in the future.

Enrico Drago, IGT senior vice president of PlayDigital, explained: “IGT’s leading entry into the tribal gaming sports betting space, demonstrates how a wide variety of casino operators can benefit from our flexible, market-ready PlayShot sports betting solution, today.

“With IGT PlayDigital’s technology and expertise, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians introduced sports betting to players with confidence, knowing that PlayShot is already the trusted sports betting platform provider at more than 15 US casinos across multiple states.”

The Magnolia State achieved one of many sports betting firsts within the United States recently, with the Choctaw tribe, via its Pearl River Resort based Golden Moon Hotel and Casino, becoming the first tribe to offer sports betting outside of Nevada following the fall of PASPA.

Speaking at the time Phyliss J Anderson, tribal chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, stated: “We’re very excited to be one of the very first tribal gaming facilities to offer traditional sports wagering. Our guests can now bet on all professional league sports and major collegiate sporting events on our property.”

Beats breakdown: Mississippi was quite rightly, and sensibly, one of the few states to be prepared for May’s PASPA repeal, and subsequently acted swiftly to permit legalised sports betting. However, in the quest to rid the nation of the spectre of the illegal market, the absence of mobile capabilities is a huge miss, and will be across any state that progresses in such a way as this. Permitting sports betting is not a negative thing at all, and a boost will to figures will undoubtedly be seen, but restricting it to physical casino visits, when an individual could easily place the same bet from his comfort of his/her own home, is missing the mark.

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