iGaming content developer Gaming Realms has signed a multi-year deal with industry giant NetEnt, to develop Slingo games based on NetEnt’s hit titles, beginning with Slingo Startburst.Under the terms of the agreement, Gaming Realms gains licensing rights for Stardust, which it will use to create a new gaming experience combining its existing Slingo mechanics with the visual features of the successful slot.
Slingo Starburst will be made available worldwide, and will be distributed to operators from early 2021.
“We’re thrilled to have secured the licensing rights to NetEnt brands – their slot games have dominated the gaming industry for years,” Gaming Realms chief financial officer Mark Segal said.
“The combination of Slingo and Starburst will create a new game of significant global stature bringing together the best features of both, making this collaboration very exciting for fans.”
NetEnt’s chief commercial officer, Andy Whitworth, added: “To widen the reach of our portfolio and building brand awareness in new markets is a vital part of our strategy. Gaming Realms has an extraordinary reach among Slingo fans, especially in the US.”
“We are certain that great games will come out from combining Gaming Realms’ expertise, the Slingo grid mechanic and our renowned IP.”
It comes as NetEnt begins to expand its distribution, agreeing to add its games to SG Digital’s OpenGaming platform.
The company is set to be acquierd by live dealer giant Evolution Gaming, which made a bid worth SEK19.6bn (£1.73bn/€1.88bn/$2.21bn) to acquire NetEnt, in a deal it said signalled its intent to become “the world leader in the online gaming industry”.
The deal is currently being investigated by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, over concerns it could lead to a reduction in competition in the British online gaming market.
While NetEnt posted record revenues for Q1 2020, with figures showing totals rising 30.2% to SEK1.09bn (£95.7m/€105.5m/$120.1m), increases in costs including personnel, depreciation and amortisation led to a decrease in profit.
After income tax of SEK16.4m, profit for the first half of 2020 was down 29.0% at SEK170.4m.
