NetPlay TV to Launch Interactive Casino on UK Television

The fact that online gambling is licensed and regulated in the United Kingdom has opened the way for leading UK gaming firm NetPlay TV to offer the first interactive gambling casino service on UK public television, which is expected to attract a new generation of UK gambling fans.

While NetPlay has not yet disclosed exactly which UK terrestrial TV channel it will partner with for its new service, what is known is that the company will broadcast its SuperCasino program, which will feature - amongst other casino games - live streaming roulette with live operators.

This TV interactive gambling offering came about as a result of UK communications watchdog, Ofcom, who reclassified gambling-related shows under the category of teleshopping. This means that NetPlay TV will be allowed to broadcast its gambling program between the hours of 12am and 6am.

However, this is not NetPlay's first foray on UK television, as the company currently runs its Eurotelemillions Daily SuperDraw service on Channel Five. Whether this same channel will get the rights to air SuperCasino as well is unknown, as the show could go to other UK channels such as ITV.

Said NetPlay CEO, Martin Higginson on SuperCasino's live roulette games, 'We expect these games to offer much more compelling viewing with a live roulette operator as opposed to a digitized wheel. Plus, the fact that players will have their names on the screen should make a big difference.'

This new offering highlights NetPlay's current growth strategy of offering live interactive games to its B2B partners. As a result of its new services, NetPlay TV recently posted a 241 percent growth in Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) to 2.4m pounds and a 118 percent increase in turnover to 19.8m pounds in 2008.