GiG signs up first poker client

Gaming Innovation Group has added to its B2B portfolio after signing up its first poker client.

The gaming services company will provide its product to OneTimePoker from the first quarter of 2019.

GiG described the partnership with a first external poker operator as a “milestone”. The deal comes three years after it signed an agreement with Microgaming Poker Network (MPN) to offer poker to B2B clients via its GiG Core platform.

GiG will provide both poker and ‘casino in poker’ – where the player plays against the casino rather than other players – powered by MPN and other third party casino content via GiG Core.

Discussing the deal with OneTimePoker, GiG chief executive Robin Reed said: “We look forward to supporting the expansion of its brand into further GiG product verticals within our ecosystem through 2019, offering their poker community one stop access to all their entertainment needs.”

GiG Core was launched in January 2015, with GiG’s own brands Betspin and Guts being the first brands operating on the platform, followed by the first external client in September 2015. More than 40 brands have been signed to the platform since launch and at the end of 2017, 34 brands operated on the platform.

It is the latest B2B agreement following a busy period for GiG, which agreed not to bring in any new clients as it developed Hard Rock Casino’s platform in New Jersey earlier this year.

In the past month it has named Latvian operator 11.lv as the first user of its new GiG Sports Betting Services. It also signed up Mr Green as the first client to use its GiG Comply product.

While GiG is successfully attracting new B2B clients, Reed last month demanded an improvement in the performance of the company’s B2C Gaming division after it announced a dip in revenue and earnings in the three months to June 30.

Reed, who has taken over as acting CMO to improve performance, said at the time: “I’m not happy [with GiG Gaming] which is why I’ve taken over that.

“We have a determined team, but we can do better. It's not good enough based on the marketing spent. I will personally ensure this vertical develops.”