iPoker.ES may get a much-needed boost in player numbers with the announcement this week of a licensing deal with Mediaset España, the largest TV network in Spain, that will see all of Playtech’s gambling products launched under the Mediaset brand.
Since the launch of regulated online poker in Spain back in June, iPoker.ES has so far failed to build a competitive online poker presence. Only a handful of skins are known to be operating—Bet365, Poker770, William Hill and NetBet confirmed licensees—and with only ~60 cash players at a time, it does not yet offer active tables at most games and stakes and does not compete with PartyPoker, 888 and PokerStars.
But this week’s deal shows a renewed commitment to Europe’s latest regulated market. Mediaset España is one of the largest media companies in Europe, operating two mainstream terrestrial channels in Spain—Cuatro and Telecinco—and half a dozen digital channels. Parent company Mediaset also operates three channel in Italy.
Using this platform, Mediaset plans to launch Playtech’s “entire suite of industry-leading products,” which includes casino, mobile, bingo, live dealer games, and TV, alongside iPoker. It plans to place “a special focus on Playtech’s TV product,” given the companies knowledge in that domain.
