Posted 1/19/11 : Innovative approach to online gambling gets a substantial financial boost
Innovative start-up internet gambling firm Passoker has secured a six-figure investment from hi-tech and social gaming investment house Venatus Interactive plc. The deal gives Passoker owners High Sixes.com Limited a solid financial and confidence boost, and Venatus a 15 percent slice of the company.
Passoker is a unique internet gaming product covering televised live sporting action including football, rugby league and union, snooker, darts, NFL, tennis and cricket. Rewarding players on every occurrence of a sporting incident, e.g. a goal, free-kick or throw-in, an ace or double fault, a six or a wicket, Passoker is also played during UK television programmes including Match of the Day and Coronation Street.
Venatus Interactive was formed last year and typically targets young companies that have passed the development stage. Managing Director Edward H. Pfeiffenberger, who has spent the past 31 years in the investment banking business, was first alerted to Passoker as a delegate at EiG 2010 in Copenhagen, where he witnessed Passoker win the Start-Up LaunchPad award in competition with some of the world’s most promising new i-gaming companies.
The investment comes as Passoker prepares for the real money launch of the game in February 2011 with Gibraltar-based bookmaker Victor Chandler. Passoker has also recently signed a partnership with Opta.com, a sports data supplier.
Passoker CEO Stuart Carr said: “This deal is of huge significance for the future of Passoker on a number of levels. As well as the financial element, which is vital to our ongoing growth, we are also securing a considerable investment of experience and business acumen from Venatus Interactive. Edward Pfeiffenberger and his team will be integral to the decision making process going forward and they bring with them an international business network and vast contacts book.”