Analysis
SPIRALSOLUTIONSFRANCEANNOUNCESITSSECONDCLIENT Spiral Solutions France, a joint venture between Spiral Solutions and Santa Maria Group, has announced an agreement to launch
Mypok.fr - a new online poker room - in France in early 2011. The deal with the SOCODEM Group will be Spiral Solutions France's second poker client to operate in France.
Mypok.fr will be based on France's leading online poker network -- a joint venture between Prima Networks Limited, powered by Microgaming and 888 Holdings plc., which is the only network to host four ARJEL approved operators.
The SOCODEM Group, led by Frederique Ruggieri, manages two land-based casinos in France. Having established a well respected reputation nationally, SOCODEM is now expanding its presence online to capitalise on its strong brand and reach new consumers. The new online offering will complement and help to further establish the land-based casinos, by giving customers the same high quality SOCODEM experience no matter where they play.
By working in a close partnership, Spiral Solutions France tailored a bespoke business plan to match SOCODEM's business and marketing needs. Spiral Solutions France is also providing in-depth guidance for the client to secure the ARJEL license in France. Spiral Solutions France's industry leading expertise and experience offers a uniquely personal, professional and boutique B2B service to France's emerging eGaming market.
Matti Zinder, Head of Spiral Solutions, said, "
Mypok.fr is set to be a really strong eGaming brand. We're happy that we can support the SOCODEM Group at every stage to help them grow such a valued and trusted brand in the newly regulated French market. Spiral Solutions France is built on the belief that a private service, customized to the needs of our customers is the best approach to launch a new eGaming service in a newly regulated market. We can develop a completely unique package that delivers everything they need in order to launch and manage a successful eGaming business."
Frederique Ruggieri, President of the SOCODEM group, said, "We're very proud of how we have grown the SOCODEM reputation and moving into the eGaming market is a natural extension. It's very important that we can give customers the same great experience they have in our land-based casinos by using new technologies and innovate the market. In fact our land-based casinos are among the most modern casinos in France. Working closely with Spiral Solutions France will allow us to take advantage of the newly regulated market and reach new customers. We're looking forward to seeing our customers enjoy
Mypok.fr when it launches."
G3i: What did you want to achieve with your online offer – in terms of the addition to your services for customers and from a financial perspective – is this like opening a new SOCODEM venue?
FR:We are going to concentrate our efforts on the online offer for our clients. Links between land-based casinos and MYPOK will take place naturally.
G3i: A lot of operators are worried that they could be jeopardising their licence by operating online, particularly in taking bets from countries with gaming bans (the US for example). What were your concerns about operating an online casino and how have you dealt with them?
FR:We have always abided scrupulously by French laws and even filed suit against illegal operators as we considered their competition unfair. The State did not join suit. Today we are satisfied that limits are clearly set and we will put in place all possible checks so that we will always be within the regulations.
G3i: How did you select Spiral Solutions? There are many suppliers on the market – did you have a short list – and why did Spiral win the contract as opposed to their competitors?
FR:The priority for us is to concentrate on the product we offer and attract new players. We have subcontracted the middle and back office part to Spiral and Microgaming – it is essential to surround oneself with the best. Spiral is very keen to enter the French market and we are going to benefit from their professionalism and world-wide gaming experience.
G3i: Security is a huge issue for players, operators and regulators. What safeguards/measures have you implemented to make sure your SOCODEM’s online offer is as safe and robust as your land-based locations?
FR:We are used to working with the constraints imposed by French authorities in the area of gambling. Additionally the ARJEL Terms and Conditions are very clear on the duties of the operators.
G3i: Your land-based gambling measures are well documented but how do you ensure the same level of scrutiny for online players as those visiting your land- based casinos?
FR:We will apply all the ARJEL instructions to the letter and all possible measures will be taken.
G3i I ISSUE 2 I PAGE 47
“The priority for us is to concentrate on
the productwe offer and attract new players.We have
subcontracted the middle and back
office part to Spiral
andMicrogaming–it is essential to
surround oneself with the best. Spiral
is very keen to enter the Frenchmarket
andwe are going to benefit fromtheir
professionalismand world-wide gaming experience.”
Frédérique Ruggieri’, President,
SOCODEMgroup.
What is your priority – to direct SOCODEM’s existing land-based customers online (so they spend with you and not an online competitor) or are you looking to attract completely new players to the site that have never stepped foot in one of your locations?
FR:Our players would expect us to be present on the online market. We rapidly became one of the 10 best poker rooms of France, therefore if something new is available out there then we must offer it to our players.
Players are sufficiently discerning to know the difference between the joys of on line gaming and those of a poker room. These two pleasures are not incompatible. Our casinos have their own policy and can establish connections with any online website. We will thus host at the Gujan Mestras casino in February a stop of the France Poker Tour which is sponsored by Minamax.
G3i: What has been the reaction of your land-based customers to the prospect of playing online with SOCODEM? There are operators worried that launching such a website would simply take money from their land-based customers (cannibalising the business)?
OFFLINE/ONLINE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68