Brit mobile gambling firm acquired by IGT

The md of IGT in Britain, Robert White, has announced the acquisition of Manchester-based mobile gaming company Million-2-1 after a two year partnership with the firm, marking IGT-UK’s entry into the mobile gaming market. The consideration paid by IGT was not disclosed.

Founder Chris Sheffield will remain with the company, taking up a new position of Director and General Manager of the combined remote gaming business. His responsibilities will include managing the interests of IGT-UK in interactive digital television, mobile gaming and Internet gaming markets.

Million-2-1 has specialised in mobile interactive competition, lottery and SMS games and has recently commenced development of Java-based mobile versions of a number of the Barcrest group’s slot machine games.

“IGT-UK is delighted to announce this acquisition, which, in conjunction with the recently announced Cyberview deal, marks a significant step forward in our strategy to develop new markets and new routes to market for our market-leading game content,” White commented.

Referring to Million-2-1, he added that the time was now right for IGT-UK and Million-2-1 to join forces to capitalise on the exciting growth opportunities in remote gaming markets.

Sheffield said: “We are tremendously excited at joining such a successful and innovative international business. This is a “dream come true deal” for our business and will allow real focus on developing and marketing new products for the Internet and mobile phone, using the powerful combination of new technologies plus great gaming concepts from both IGT-UK and Million-2-1.”

MARCHONG JOINS MIRADA GAMING

Experienced Ladbrokes and 365 Media online gambling exec on the move

The Spain and England based Mirada Gaming company has announced the appointment of Paul Marchong as director of gaming properties. Marchong was previously commercial and project development manager for 365 Media.

Mirada chief executive and co-founder Jose-Luis Vazquez said: “Paul has vast experience, and we are confident that he is the person to lead the expansion of our gaming business into new markets.”

Marchong was educated at Leicester University where he received a degree in Economics, following this with a Masters in the Science of Management at Boston University. He has worked in the online gambling industry for the past decade, starting with Ladbrokes and later moving to a management position in Boylesport’s Online Gaming Service.

This was followed by a post with 365 Media as Commercial & Project Development Manager. He has extensive Interactive and Live Studio Betting experience.

Mirada plc is a publicly-quoted digital consumer engagement specialist, newly created by the merger of interactive media, marketing and gaming specialist YooMedia and the Spanish interactive technologies and television company, Fresh Interactive Technologies co-founded by Vazquez in 2000.

Mirada is structured into 4 businesses:

Mirada media – Digital TV and Broadcast
Mirada gaming – Multiplatform Gaming
Mirada touch – Interactive and mobile marketing and advertising
Mirada connect – Remote payments and transactions

It operates in the following locations:

London  Head office, UK & Northern Europe sales office, Wapping Studios
Madrid Southern Europe and Latam sales office & software and technology development centre
Exeter Software and technology development centre