AN ONLINE gaming company is planning to create 80 new jobs.

Tombola, based at Wylam Wharf, Sunderland, produces bingo software and games created by its own in-house development team.

Around three quarters of the new jobs will be in software development, while other roles will include animators, graphic designers, and project management positions.

Tombola currently employs 310 people at its Sunderland base and has offices in Gibraltar, Madrid and Milan.

The company runs the largest bingo site in the UK, with more players using it than any other company.

Phil Cronin, chief executive of Tombola, said the recruitment drive would help with the company’s aim to double turnover over the next five years.

“What we want to do with our new office is create the best working environment for our team – modern, welcoming, a place where people enjoy coming to work” he said.

“We are a tech company, and with the addition of these new positions, we will be one of the biggest employers of software developers in the region – with about 120 positions.”

Tombola has its own in-house team of game designers and developers, who create games for the company’s website and apps, as well as tombola arcade - a new offering giving people the opportunity to play arcade games on the go.

“That gives us a real edge in the market – and provides genuinely interesting and challenging work for our software developers” said Mr Cronin.

Last month, Tombola announced plans to build a new 25,000 sq ft office next to its current headquarters.

The gaming company has its own academy that will train six new graduates this summer, but Mr Cronin said they are also keen to recruit experienced developers and graduates.

“We need the right balance between the experienced programmers and developers and people coming into the industry.

“We have good working relationships with all of the north east universities, and recruit from all of them.

“It’s a competitive market, but we’re well placed to make sure we recruit the best candidates.

“The tech sector is increasingly important to the region and it’s exciting for us to be part of that” he added.