Assignment from M: Find Out Everything You Can About Codeta’s Videos and Jean-Claude

Sashaying out of a black-tie casino event around 2am, I nodded to valet signaling the attendant to fetch the Aston Martin when my clutch began to vibrate. Nonchalantly reaching in to grab my phone, I realize that I can’t find it. What the…? Where could it possibly be in such a tiny purse? After fumbling around for a while and shaking the contents out on to the steps, I’ve missed an urgent call from M, you know him, the same head of Secret Intelligence Service that James Bond receives his missions from. How do I know the call was urgent? I just do. Besides, M isn’t the kind of guy that wanted to chit chat about how my night went. Anyway, the identity of M is unknown to most and even I do not know his number to freaking call him back. Now frantic, I begin to pace when suddenly my phone buzzes again, this time launching right out of my hand. Note to self: I must do something about the vibration frequency on this damn phone. As I go for my slippery device, now on the ground, I catch a glimpse of my red nail polish, which I nervously chipped off while I was traipsing back and forth. Note to self: get a mani. By this time M has called 3 times and he’s agitated so I ditch the car, kick off my heels and hightail it to receive my assignment – but not before running back to get those shoes after I recall how much I spent on them. Out of breath, I arrive at an inconspicuous destination where M hands me a top secret envelope. The subject is Codeta. and a series of videos hosted by a dapper croupier called Jean-Claude. It’s going to take research, stake outs and wire taps to find out all I can but queue the OO7 music, I’m on it.

Task #1: Look into Codeta

My first order of business is to research this casino, which launched in June 2016. This operation is a white label brand run by EveryMatrix, a gambling solutions provider fresh off of its second consecutive win of the EGR award for ‘White Label Partner of the Year’. Codeta owners, Edward and Christian Ihre, have experience with major players like Microgaming, NetEnt, IGT, Play’n GO and others.

Next, I detect an overwhelming focus on traditional casino games on the homepage. Betting at the tables is a thriving pastime in Asia so the owners ventured across the continent on a quest for the world’s best gambling experiences. It was there that these guys coined, ‘Codeta’. According to them, “The self-created word is unique and could be associated with “Coup d’État” – a French phrase that reflects our well-prepared coup against the industry, launching the top class digital casino honoring Table Players and the thrill of The Games.”

Clue: The overall focus goes beyond your run of the mill table games to target the kind with live dealers.

The aim is to attract an enthusiastic audience of passionate players – a caliber of gamblers that have learned by analysis and experience to make a hobby out of wagering rather than simply taking an occasional gamble. This is a critical piece to the puzzle that will surely lead me to the content of the videos.

Task #2: Scan the casino’s offering

The main area of interest is the live casino, powered by Evolution Gaming. Wait, what’s this? Live games from Authentic Gaming? It seems that Codeta recently partnered with this provider in October to start streaming live land-based casino games to its players. Not regular live dealer games but live ‘land-based’ games with actual players seated at Roulette tables. Online punters get a completely original experience by getting in on the action of games that truly convey the setting of a genuine brick and mortar casino complete with actual croupiers and players. Games stream from various casino resorts throughout the world in real time.

Task #3: Find the location of Codeta operations and complete the mission

The offices are based in several locations: London, Malta, Stockholm and Tel Aviv. Jean-Claude Boeke of NewName Agency is the guy starring in the videos and he’s from Stockholm. While an interesting tidbit, it has absolutely nothing to do with anything. I was obviously barking up the wrong tree with this so I backtrack to the casino's website. After another quick look, I spy with my little eye an interesting link to ‘Game Tutorials’. What kind of gumshoe am I? How could I overlook such a detail? It was the ultimate discovery needed to blow this case wide open. In a revolutionary way, the casino has invested in its players. The name of the game is education. If there are people interested in makeup tutorials to learn how to draw on their eyebrows, surely gamblers could appreciate a brief how-to on basic table games.

Mission Complete: Revealing the tutorials

I reported back to M with my findings. Unable to grasp the concept of such instructional pieces, I reminded him of a time when he found it easier to put his money into the slots because he felt too intimidated to play at the tables. Growing up in a poker playing family, grandma took him for every pretzel in his pile year after year. Becoming an expert gambler was his personal mission and card games like baccarat, blackjack and casino hold’em turned into an obsession. Surprisingly, the boss never set foot near a roulette wheel. In fact, that was the reason for my mission. One of the snippets not only teaches roulette 101 but each of the tutorials are done in the style of none other than the iconic James Bond films, which, for some reason, was the only way M was willing to learn.

There are 4 tutorials covering the ground rules for betting with further in-depth information available on the casino’s website. Whether you’re a novice or desire a refresher, these short videos were created for you because the founders and their team are dedicated to table games. Watch to learn, watch for the classy Bond vibe or watch Jean-Claude, who I hear prefers his martinis shaken, not stirred. Note to self: learn how to make a dirty martini.