Virtue Fusion Rolls Out Social Bingo

Capitalising on the social aspects of bingo, Alderney-based online bingo software provider Virtue Fusion has this week launched its first ever bingo games with embedded social networking features, following nine months of development and testing.

The social networking and profile-building feature was rolled out by Virtue Fusion earlier this week with William Hill, bet365, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, Virgin and Golden Hat, the first customers to adopt the new product.

The technology enables players to develop their own online communities, chat to friends during games, and upload information and pictures to their profile, with Virtue Fusion's team of online monitors ensuring that all content meets strict criteria for privacy and decency.

"Whether online or offline, bingo has always been a very sociable game," said Virtue Fusion CEO Bob McCulloch. "With the new networking and profile-building element that we are introducing, players of all our games will be able to chat and stay in touch with their online friends before, during and after their bingo sessions.

As part of the company's underlying strategy of developing offerings that "not only entertain and give customer satisfaction, but also retain their attention", McCulloch said that the launch of the new product marked a major stage in the development of Virtue Fusion's offering.

"After nearly a year in the making, our clients and their customers will be getting an excellent application that will be fun and easy to use, appealing to players of all ages," he said. "This social networking product, whilst in its embryonic stage, has the potential to increase customer retention and, in future releases, be used as a follow-up and prospecting tool. Watch this space next year for new developments."