Published: Friday, July 22, 2005 Online-Casinos.com
SKY TV GETS INTO MOBILE GAMBLING
Probability Games providing the games
Another mobile gambling milestone was reached this week when Sky TV subscribers in the United Kingdom were told that they will now be able to download and play free versions of a new range of games direct to their cellphones.
Customers can opt to play the games for real money once they have downloaded the free version to their handsets and passed an age verification test.
A company called TV Commerce is working on the project with Sky TV, using Games Probability Corporation to manage and develop a range of specially branded casino and slot games. The games all carry the station branding and related content, such as programme schedules and promotions.
The games have a particularly British feel, including a fruit machine titled 'Fortune Teller', which also provides players with a daily horoscope.
TV Commerce has provided an initial budget of up to GBP 100 000 to market the new games using television, database marketing, press and TV arrangements with other media owners.
The main marketing campaign will start in September, growing in intensity in the build up to the Christmas period. The backers anticipate that the venture will render a significant return as early as end 2005 and going forward.