Social casino game developer Plumbee raises $13m

Free-to-play and real-money gaming developer Plumbee has received an investment of $13 million from Netherlands-based TV company Endemol.

Existing investor Idinvest Partners has also provided extra funds for the company, with total investment now valuing the London start-up at $40 million.

The company was set up in 2011 and has released titles such as Mirrorball Slots for mobile and Facebook.

"Joining forces with a world leading content creator like Endemol ideally positions us to develop a new generation of premium social games," said Plumbee CEO Raf Keustermans.

"Endemol will become a strategic shareholder and this will enable us to leverage the company’s international network and globally recognised brands. This will significantly boost the growth of our worldwide user base as we create gaming experiences that stand out from the competition."

Chair of Endemol’s group commercial board Lucas Church added:"Social casino gaming is a fast emerging market and Plumbee is one of the most innovative and dynamic operators in this space. This new partnership will allow us to accelerate the growth of Endemol’s digital gaming business around the world, whilst capturing more of the value created by our entertainment brands."