The online gambling industry in the United Kingdom is thriving, bringing in billions in revenues each year and providing tens of thousands of jobs. One company that is going from strength to strength and attracting plenty of customers is Virgin Games.
The company is managing to do this through a number of means. Firstly, by building its reputation as one of the most trusted providers in the country, but secondly through generous marketing campaigns, offering new players free spins on slot games.
In this article however, our focus is on the history of the company, so join us on a trip back through time as we chart the rise of Virgin Games from inception to the present day.
First Things First: Is Branson Involved?
In February 1970, British entrepreneur Richard Branson founded Virgin Group, which was, at the time, a multinational venture capital conglomerate. Over time Virgin Group began to represent far more than a venture capital company, with the company dabbling in, amongst other things:
- Airplane travel
- Holiday bookings
- Experience Days
- Broadband
- Commercial Radio
- An ill-fated attempt to overthrow Coca-Cola
- Wine
- Music
- Book publishing
It’s understandable then to look at Virgin Games and think that billionaire Branson is behind this online casino. That, however, is not the case. Virgin Games merely paid to license the brand name and are in fact, nothing to do with Virgin Group.
So, if you were thinking that this article would include a potted list of all the titles that Virgin Play or Virgin Interactive (video games publishers under the Virgin Group umbrella) came up with during the 1990s, we’re sorry to disappoint…
Virgin Games: The Real History
So, what about the real history of Virgin Games then? Well, the company was first established in 2013 just at around the time that online gambling and in particular online casinos were becoming a hit with the public.
Initially the brand was set up by Gamesys Group, a British online gambling company that was set up in 2001. Following Gamesys sale to Bally’s Corporation (a U.S. casino operator) in March 2021 for the staggering fee of $2.7 billion, Virgin Games has been under the ownership of the American company.
When Virgin Games was first established in 2013 there were a lot of Johnny-come-lately companies trying to muscle in on the market. That made things difficult for consumers as they were forced to not only choose from a huge selection of providers but to also sift the good, reliable online casinos from the vastly more abundant cheap and unreliable ones.
Operated by Gamesys, a company with history and experience in the market, Virgin Games launched and instantly had the look and feel of a site that had been at the forefront of the online casino revolution.
Not only did Virgin Games have a great selection of games, but it also had a sleek user interface and a well-manned and helpful customer service team.
That helped the company to establish itself as a major player in the online market and laid the foundations for the present-day company that posts annual profit figures in excess of £10 million.
Virgin Games: What Makes it Special?
What made Virgin Games special in 2013 no longer differentiates it from its competitors. Back then it was rare to find an online casino site so sleekly built, with such a wide variety of games and with a steadfast dedication to customer service.
Now, in an industry where everyone is fighting amongst each other for market share, those qualities are the bare minimum for success. So, what makes Virgin Games special in 2024? How has it managed to stay ahead of the curve?
There are two main reasons. The first is the company’s relentless marketing strategy that sees it send out welcome bonuses and offers to a wide range of customers. Not only that, but the company also recognises the loyalty of existing customers by sending them enticing offers as well.
The second key to Virgin Games’ success is the constant dedication that the company has to providing its players with new and interesting games. Not only is the slots section of the site well stocked and constantly evolving, but the traditional table games section is also in a constant state of evolution too.
In short, Virgin Games are moving with the times. That’s why they are at the forefront of the British online casino industry, just as they were when they first formed in 2013 and, if we can be as bold as to say, just as they may well be in 2033…
