Playtech to Power Italian Online Casino

Software giant Playtech has signed a deal with leading Italian mobile entertainment company Buongiorno, which will see it power that company's new online casino platform, it was announced this week.

Gambling in Italy

Buongiorno is an industry leader, with more than 300 million users of its mobile content in 57 countries, and with pre-existing platforms for Italian online poker and bingo available through its Winga brand.

In accordance with the new deal, Playtech will provide Buongiorno with an online casino product after changes in Italian online gaming laws come into effect in the new year.

Buongiorno Chief Executive Andrea Casalini said that the agreement would also play a key part in the expansion of Winga into lotteries and casino games, adding that the provision of Winga's offering on the mobile channel would make use of his company's 10 years of experience in the sector.

Open for Business

With one of the largest economies in Europe and a known passion for gaming, Italy's online gambling industry has been a big target for all the major barriers since a 2010 decision to remove barriers to foreign operators in order to comply with European Union standards.

According to recent reports the Italian government is preparing to issue licenses to online gambling companies in preparation for 2011, so that Italians can also benefit from sports betting, casino, poker and other services from a range of competitors.