IGT Wins Multi-Hand Poker U.S. Patent

nternational Game Technology (IGT) has announced today that its operating company was recently issued U.S. Patent No. 9,105,158. This patent grants IGT’s operating company exclusive rights in the field of multi-hand poker functionality in video poker games through November 2016. This pivotal patent is central to many of IGT’s industry-leading multi-hand video poker games including All-Star Poker TM, Ultimate X Poker TM, Hyper Bonus Poker TM, Triple Play™ Five Play ™ Ten Play™ Draw Poker and many other five, ten, 25, 50 and 100 play IGT video poker products.

“Multi-hand poker remains a pillar of IGT’s industry-leading video poker product portfolio,” said Jacob Lanning, IGT Vice President of Product Management. “This important patent enables IGT to maintain its global leadership in video poker content creation and deployment and allows the Company to continue to create proven game themes that are often some of the highest-earning titles on our customers’ floors.”

GTECH to call itself IGT following acquisition completion

GTECH has announced that following final completion of the purchase of International Game Technology (IGT) which is progressing swiftly say bosses the company will rebrand and call itself IGT.

“The combination of GTECH and IGT brings together two highly complementary legacy businesses to form the true blue chip company in global gaming. Marco Sala, chief executive officer at GTECH, said

“The new name and branding reflect this positioning. In addition, our two companies have similar core values; in fact, our respective names are derived from the same origin.

“Our new logo, marrying the IGT name and the iconic GTECH globe, draws upon the substantial brand equity of our two companies.”

The company also plan new headquarters in the UK along with establishing existing location in Europe and Las Vegas.

IGT shuts down Online Poker Operation in Europe

One year after International Game Technology acquired Swedish-based Entraction Poker Network for $115m, the operation is scheduled to shut down due to regulatory changes. The company is advising online players to switch to an alternative network by Dec 11, 2012. The decision comes as some countries barred residents from playing with customers in other nations, but will not affect its operations in Nevada. In statement, Patti Hart, IGT CEO, said the poker shutdown was “purely focused on our European dotcom business and does not impact future decisions regarding entry into new markets.” “Change and uncertainty in European market conditions have diminished the expected returns in certain real money wagering products,” commented a IGT spokesperson, “As a result, we are consolidating our product development, We are maintaining our options for future changes in market opportunities.” IGT reconfirmed that it will continue to supply its industry-leading online gaming services to Europe, including slot machines, bingo and sports wagering. It said it will use the Entraction technology platform in conjunction with its Nevada online poker systems. The company acquired a Nevada internet poker license earlier this year. Skins that are currently operating on the Entraction Network are now looking at alterative networks. High on the agenda is the Microgaming Network due to low liquidity. Numerous poker rooms on Entraction have now e-mailed their customers informing them that they will be moving to a new network.