Microgaming expands poker reach into Bulgaria

Microgaming's online poker platform is to make its debut in Bulgaria's iGaming market after agreeing a new supply deal with local operator National Lottery AD.

The deal sees Microgaming power a new poker offering for the operator's 7777.bg iGaming brand. It will offer a range of tournaments and cash games via the brand, supported by a number of promotional tools.

The supplier, which brokered the new deal through the software reseller Prima Networks, said the partnership is in line with its strategic goal of expanding its presence in key regulated markets.

“This marks a significant step in growing the poker network and reflects our commitment to continued growth and expansion into regulated markets,” said Andrew Clucas, who was appointed chief operating officer of Microgaming in July.

National Lottery AD, which also takes content from suppliers including Kambi Group and Ezugi, has never before offered a bespoke online poker product to its customers.

“This strategic partnership enables us to continue to diversify our product offering and to deliver entertaining and award-winning poker games to our customers,” National Lottery AD managing partner Milen Ganev said.

This week, figures released by the Bulgarian Trade Association of Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry (BTAMOI) to iGamingBusiness.com showed an increase in tax contribution from the national market during the first nine months of 2018.

The Bulgarian online sector paid BGN111.6m (£50.9m/€57.1m/$64.9m) in the first three quarters of the current year, up 17% on the same point in 2017. The BTAMOI also said that online gaming now makes up approximately 10% of Bulgaria’s total gambling market.

Image: Santeri Viinamäki