American gaming technology giant purchases British SMS mobile telephone games firm for undisclosed amount.
Wednesday 11th June 2008
Following its acquisition last week of London-based gaming systems provider Cyberview Technology Incorporated for $76 million, America’s International Game Technology (IGT) has announced the purchase of Manchester-based mobile gaming firm Million-2-1 for an undisclosed amount.
Million-2-1 is a leading provider of interactive competition, lottery and SMS games for mobile telephones and the acquisition cements a strategic relationship that has been developed over the past two years. The purchase also marks the Reno-based firm’s entry into the mobile telephone gaming market and will see Chris Sheffield, Chief Executive Officer for Million-2-1, work as the Director and General Manager for IGT’s remote gaming business, reporting to Robert White, Managing Director for IGT-UK. Million-2-1 had recently begun development on Java-based mobile versions of a number of slot machine games from IGT subsidiary Barcrest Games and Sheffield is to have responsibility for managing the interests of IGT-UK in the interactive digital television, mobile gaming and Internet gaming markets.
“IGT-UK is delighted to announce this acquisition, which, in conjunction with the recently announced Cyberview acquisition, marks a significant step forward in our strategy to develop new markets and new routes to market for our market-leading game content,” said White.
“We have enjoyed a successful relationship with Million-2-1 over the past two years and the time is now right for us to join forces to capitalise on the exciting growth opportunities in remote gaming markets. I look forward to working with Chris Sheffield and his team over the coming years to build a strong and successful remote gaming 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,” said Sheffield.
Following its acquisition last week of London-based gaming systems provider Cyberview Technology Incorporated for $76 million, America’s International Game Technology (IGT) has announced the purchase of Manchester-based mobile gaming firm Million-2-1 for an undisclosed amount.