Finnish online gaming operator Paf is to launch an online casino aimed at the Nordic market later this year. The move comes after the company announced a deal with Net Entertainment.

The latter will provide Paf with downloadable and browser-based versions of its CasinoModule software. This features a full ensemble of online casinos games and tools, allowing Paf to manage operations.

“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with such a prominent and established operator as Paf,' said Johan Öhman, CEO of Net Entertainment. 'The agreement further solidifies Net Entertainment's position as a leading gaming software supplier and is a major milestone for our continued growth. The countries around the Baltic Sea are a large and important market for online gaming yet controlled by a handful of operators where Paf is one of the largest.'

Lars Porko, Paf CEO said: “We have made an important and strategic decision in choosing Net Entertainment as partner for our internet casino operation in order to succeed with our internationalisation ambition. After extensive review of available options I am very confident that we will gain the competitive edge needed to further strengthen our position in existing markets as well as succeeding with extending our operation throughout Europe.'

British fans of online casino games from IGT and Barcrest will soon be able to play them on their mobile phone thanks to a deal signed this week between software specialist Million-2-1 and leading operator Rank.

Million-2-1 is a subsidiary of IGT and stated that it would soon be launching Hi-5, Elvis Top 20 and Ooh Aah Dracula to Rank customers via the Blue Square and Mecca brands.

It will then expand this portfolio with the release of a casinos mobile version of Rainbow Riches from Barcrest alongside popular IGT titles Cleopatra, Monopoly and Cluedo.

“Players will be familiar with many of these games from pubs, arcades, UK casino, bingo clubs, betting shops and online casinos,” said Chris Sheffield, Director and General Manager for Million-2-1.

“Bringing them to the mobile platform will make them so much more convenient. Customers can participate wherever they are in the UK whenever they want to. We are sure they will prove to be a massive success.”

Million-2-1 revealed that the games have been designed to play like their land-based counterparts with graphics carefully adapted for optimal display on hundreds of handset types. It stated that age verification procedures and location-based services have also been included to ensure compliance and provide added security.

In addition, Million-2-1 stated that the games were developed using the Orbis registration, verification and banking engine so that existing Blue Square customers could begin playing seamlessly without having to register a separate account.

“This partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to mobile gaming,” said Simon Woolf, Mobile Product Manager for Blue Square and Mecca Bingo.

“The quality of these games provides the player with a streamlined first-class experience. Our customers can now enjoy their favourite games in a Grosvenor Casino, a Mecca Bingo club and on their mobile phone with Blue Square and Mecca.”

Popular online casino, sportsbetting and poker site Bodog are unveiling a brand new Baccarat contest. The contest will last for four weeks and will pay out well over $3,000.

Every week, a leaderboard will be given – the players who occupy the top 5 spaces in terms of playing casino the most baccarat will win $100. At the end of the four weeks, the top players across the month will win $1,000.

Baccarat is a game whereby players make scores out of their cards, with 2-9 being worth their face value, aces worth 1 point and all other cards worthless. It is the game that James Bond played against the villain in the original Ian Fleming novelisation of Casino Royale.