When Disney bought Marvel Comics in 2009, there was speculation that the company would cease licensing its characters out to casino game developers. However, companies like Cryptologic and PlayTech were permitted to continue their development of online pokies based on Marvel Superheroes. Now, Disney has announced that it will no longer initiate or renew licenses for slot machines based on Marvel or Lucas Arts characters.

“Marvel discontinued plans to initiate or renew slot machine licensing arrangements as part of its integration with Disney,” a spokesperson for Marvel said in an interview with the New York Times. “The handful of remaining license agreements have expiration dates within the next few years.” This means that we will begin to see fewer and fewer Marvel-based pokies in land-based venues and online casinos.

As the licensing deals expire for particular games, they will be pulled from the market. Gaming developers have made great use of Marvel characters in recent years. We have seen dozens of pokies, scratch cards and other casino games based on popular superheroes, but Disney has decided that now is the time to disassociate these characters from the gambling market.

Now that these heroes are part of the Disney, a family-friendly company, it would be inappropriate for their likenesses to be used in the promotion of gambling – an adult-only activity. The same will go for any Lucas Arts characters. A number of Star Wars-themed pokies have been released, and Disney wants to put a stop to the licensing of these games.

Although Star Wars appeals to a more adult audience, the brand is now owned by Disney. As such, the company wants to distance the Star Wars brand from any association with gambling. Disney also opposes the legalization of integrated casino resorts in Florida.

Now that the company has distanced itself from the gambling market by ceasing the licensing of casino games based on its characters, Disney can now freely campaign against casino gambling in the state.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.