In a deepening of its existing relationship with Playtech, Ladbrokes has announced that it will “in due course” move its online poker operation off Microgaming (MPN) and onto Playtech’s iPoker network.
In a press release issued Monday, Ladbrokes confirmed that it will launch Playtech’s “full suite of products over time,” including online poker.
“[I]n line with our contractual commitments we will continue to work with Microgaming … until such time as we have agreed an orderly transition,” a spokesperson clarified in a statement to pokerfuse.
Initially Ladbrokes will add a “Vegas” tab to their website and mobile products which will give access to Playtech casino products and games. This will later be joined by online poker, though no timescale has been announced.
Ladbrokes poker is currently one of the most prominent brands on the Microgaming network, operating a dot.com room under Gibraltar license, Ladbrokes.DK in regulated Denmark, and one of the only rooms on Microgaming Spain under its LBApuestas brand.
Online poker has been a declining source of revenues for the company. The shift to iPoker, which has grown recently thanks to the successful courting of high profile brands, aims to reinvigorate the online poker offering.
Industry rumors suggest that this is a move which Ladbrokes has wanted to make for some time, but had been prevented from doing so by Playtech’s close relationship with William Hill, Ladbrokes’ great competitor in the UK market.
