Genting enter online gaming market

Malaysian company Genting, which was linked earlier this year to reports of a possible takeover bid for Rank Group Plc, the renowned online and land based bingo operator, has announced its entry to the European online gaming industry with the introduction of CircusPoker.co.uk and CircusCasino.com.

The new Alderney-licensed venture is thought to be an effort to launch Genting into the online gaming market by way of supplying a foundation for possible introduction into the Asian market. UK eGaming solutions specialist, Playtech will provide the software for the project

Despite previous rumours concerning the Rank Group, Gentings' latest eGaming gaming venture will not extend to any prevalent online bingo opportunities. At the present time online bingo does not represent a major market in Asia, so it is likely that Genting will first establish any coverage that it has in online bingo ventures to its European market.

Rank has been perceived as a direct takeover opportunity for some time, and rumoured interested parties have included US Casino magnate MGM. The Rank Group which owns Mecca Bingo, which also encompasses a prominent online bingo division, witnessed its profits fall 7 % to £68.3million during 2007.

2nd July 2008