Playtech Background
Playtech, like Microgaming, operate out of the Isle of Man, but their story actually began in Tartu, Estonia in 1999. A group of entrepreneurs lead by Israeli billionaire “character” Teddy Sagi who worked in the casino, software engineering and multimedia industries founded the company. After a couple of years laying the foundations, the company signed its first casino licensee in 2001. (This may or may not have had something to do with the 18 month prison sentence Sagi received for insider trading in Israel; the offences dating back to 1994).
In 2006, the company was listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM (Alternative Investment Market), and thus the budding software behemoth became a public company. From there, they continued to grow exponentially, merging and acquiring with businesses such as the aforementioned Virtue Fusion, Ash Gaming (game creator), Mobenga (leading mobile game enabler) and Intelligence Gaming (provider of management systems).
By 2012, they became listed fully on the London Stock Exchange and today announce themselves as the “world’s leading supplier of online gaming software.” (Sound familiar?) So what sets Playtech casinos out from the crowd?
Playtech Casinos
Playtech offer over 500 casino and poker games in addition to the entire portfolio of Ash gaming, including their two most well-known video slots Amazon Wild and Madness House of Fun. They release over 50 new games a year, which means that Playtech’s already impressive portfolio of games strengthens and freshens constantly in the ever-evolving technological environment. There’s no fooling today’s casino gamers, and platforms that appear outmoded and weary stand no chance in this competitive and innovative market place.
Furthermore, Playtech casinos are well known for their excellent series of branded online slots having signed agreements with a plethora of renowned media and entertainment brands such as MGM, NBC Universal and HBO as well as the behemoths of the comic book world, Marvel (such as Spiderman) and a recently launched deal with DC Comics (to release Batman and Suicide Squad slots). Playtech caused something of a media storm when they unveiled their DC comics agreement at ICE Gaming Expo in 2017; the company displayed some of the most famous and iconic movie costumes of the last 15 years. The lit glass boxes like a museum exhibition displayed costumes from Suicide Squad, The Dark Knight Rises and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Playtech Integrating Mobile
Playtech acquired the mobile gaming company Mobenga in 2011 to gain a foothold in the budding mobile movement. The CEO, Mor Weizer, was acutely aware of the role that mobile and tablet played and would continue to play moving forward. At the time, he said “Recent developments in mobile gaming are increasingly important… this deal will position Playtech as the leading mobile gaming provider to take best advantage of the growth in mobile gaming… to offer a complete multi-product mobile gaming solution.” It seems he truly was More Wiser.
The Mobile Hub, a framework developed in conjunction with Mobenga, was designed to integrate Playtech’s desktop content with its mobile offering and thus provide a seamless user interface across all platforms. What’s more, it is built on HTML5 technology and is compatible with web browsers and native Apps.
Playtech Live Casino
When the direct competition is Sweden’s Evolution Gaming, it is difficult to win the prize for best in show. However, they do give them a decent run for their money. Playtech operate a multitude of live dealer European and Asian sites, with HD camera broadcasting, lightning fast streaming, high uptime, bespoke branding (including placing operator logos on the table, the dealer’s chips and cards) and individually trained dealers.
Playtech casinos offer a varied selection of games including live blackjack, baccarat, roulette, as well as a slew of inventive variations such as Unlimited Blackjack, Casino Hold’em and Double Screen Roulette. The games can be enjoyed in Playtech’s exclusive VIP area called The Ruby Room, for high rollers and big ballers.
Playtech casinos also offers tables in a variety of European languages with native speaking dealers such as Italian and Spanish. The live casino experience is also fully available on mobile and tablet; the full oeuvre of live table games can be found on desktop computers, iPhones, iPads and Android devices.
