Video game pioneer Atari will launch a free-to-play social casino next month with a view to moving into real-money remote gambling.
Atari Jackpots, as it’s called, will go live on Facebook and as a stand-alone Web site and will be available in both desktop and iOS-Android mobile versions with a mix of casino games and updated versions of the company’s iconic catalogue, including Pong and Asteroids.
The casino is designed in partnership with FlowPlay, a Seattle, Wash., the developer of popular browser-based multi-platform offerings VegasWorld and ourWorld, the latter claiming more than 30 million players.
Atari emerged from a bankruptcy reorganization last year under new CEO Fred Chesnais with a strategy that aims to resurrect the legendary brand’s fortunes by focusing on the mobile and online markets.
Gambling figures prominently in the plan and is expected to involve tie-ups with established players in the space geared to leveraging Atari’s still considerable name value.