Understanding the Marvel Slots Withdrawal from 888

In November of last year, the online gaming industry sustained quite the hit when Disney decided it will not be renewing any of its current licensing agreements with iGaming operators and software providers. Disney inherited Lucas Film and Marvel licensing agreements after the buyout of the comic book company in 2009 for $4.6 billion, meaning that it was the company which bore responsibility for the different licenses with iGaming operators, also extending to the creation of Marvel slots and the likes.  

Online casino software developer Playtech was among the main parties which were hit by Disney's decision. The company has been one of the main suppliers of Marvel slots ever since launching The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man 1 back in 2009. Just a month before Disney's announcement, Playtech has unveiled Spiderman: Attack of the Green Goblin. Another leading software provider hit was Cryptologic, which is responsible for popular Marvel slots like Thor, Wolverine, Fantastic Four and Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Revenge.

Expired Agreement Triggered Withdrawal

While Disney honored the agreements it had with operators, last week has seen the withdrawal of comic book themed games in online casinos which have offered these, supplied by the Amaya owned Cryptologic. 888 was one of the operators affected by the expiration of the agreement, forcing it to pull the plug on popular Marvel video slots like The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man and Fantastic Four.

However, 888 has stated that it will fill the void created by the pulling of Marvel slots by the addition of new comic book themed slots which are already underway, a thing which does make sense due to the influx of comic book themed movies hitting theaters lately and expected to this summer.