Leading TV production company Endemol has signed a licence agreement with Virtue Fusion, which will see the Alderney-based online bingo software provider develop a Deal or No Deal bingo game, combining elements of the hit TV game show with traditional bingo games.
Under the brand and software licence agreement, Virtue Fusion is scheduled to roll out the innovative new bingo game at the end of next month, with Mecca Bingo, Paddy Power, bet365 and Sky already confirmed as hosts of the game. Additional operators are to be announced in due course.
In addition to the bingo game agreement, Virtue Fusion also has non-exclusive rights to produce mini-games, fixed odds games and scratchcard games for popular Endemol formats, Big Brother, Golden Balls, as well as Deal or No Deal.
Three unique progressive networked scratchcards will be available to Virtue Fusion operators from autumn. Themed as ‘Quick Scratch’, the games will be available in both mini-game and stand-alone formats.
“This represents a huge opportunity for our operators to partake in this exclusive contract. This deal with Endemol is further evidence of our determination to strengthen our product range and provide the tools with which to progress our business ahead of the competition,” said Bob McCulloch CEO of Virtue Fusion.
Jurian van der Meer, Endemol UK’s Head of Products and Brand Exploitation said: “Deal or No Deal is one of Endemol’s biggest TV hits worldwide and I’m really excited to see it combined with bingo to create a new entertainment experience. By partnering with Virtue Fusion to develop the game we’re able to distribute to some of the biggest operators in the bingo industry.”
In another so-called exclusive deal earlier this year, WorldWinner.com said it would develop a skill-based online cash game version of the popular TV show Deal or No Deal, following a partnership with Endemol. The game is also scheduled for release during the fourth quarter of 2009.