Latest News
The GVC-Ladbrokes Coral merger deal could be done this month:report
A multibillion-pound merger between GVC and Ladbrokes Coral could be finalised as soon as this month in a move that could trigger a wave of fresh M&A deals across the industry.
The Financial Times newspaper reports that the two companies are further towards completing a deal than previously known. The newspaper believes Ladbrokes Coral and GVC have already agreed on the shape of a new executive team and board.
The merger, which would coincide with the outcome of a UK regulatory review due this month, could inspire rivals to combine as they bid to prevent losing market share.
William Hill, Paddy Power Betfair, The Stars Group, 888 Holdings, Rank Group and Jackpotjoy have all reportedly drawn up their own battle plans.
“After the review, it won’t be the commencement of talks, it will be the continuation of them,” David Jennings, head of leisure research at Davy, the Irish wealth managers, told the Financial Times.
In August, the Financial Times revealed that GVC had offered up to £3.6bn (€4.0bn/$4.7bn) to take over Ladbrokes, but negotiations collapsed and Kenny Alexander, GVC’s chief executive, has said he will not consider any deal until after the review.
Last month GVC revealed double-digit revenue and earnings growth in the first six months of 2017 up to June 30.
In releasing its results GVC indicated a desire to seek more acquisitions, after last year taking over Bwin in £1.1bn deal that sent the firm into the FTSE 250.
Alexander said: “Strategically, the organic growth potential remains exciting and through further product development and increased marketing investment we are well placed to pursue these opportunities.
“However, we operate in an industry where regulation and increased taxation present headwinds and these are best addressed through scale and diversification. The combination of our people, proprietary technology and proven M&A track record, means GVC is well positioned to play a significant role in the industry’s ongoing consolidation.”
Africa
Hub88 partners with LiveGames to enhance content offering
Hub88 has partnered with live casino supplier LiveGames, further strengthening its product offering by adding a unique range of content to its platform.
LiveGames provides fully customisable online live dealer games and branded tables including the first vertical roulette table in the sector, along with crash games and the widely played Tombola.
The supplier delivers experiences with a player-focused design, easy to use mobile interface, and high-resolution broadcasts.
The partnership will support LiveGames’ goal to further expand in international markets, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America where Hub88 has a strong presence.
The deal showcases Hub88’s commitment to grow its ecosystem of partners, offering a diverse portfolio of products and content.
Ollie Castleman, Head of Hub88, said: “We’re thrilled to unveil this strategic partnership with LiveGames which sees us add a great provider to our platform, one that utilises modern technology to offer bespoke and personalised gaming experiences to players.
“We are looking forward to collaborating and strengthening our content library with their diverse games.”
The LiveGames Team said: “Our journey started in a small studio and as a team, we are excited about now expanding to every corner of the world together with Hub88 and their extensive operator network.
“We are committed to promoting innovation in the industry and this partnership will support us on that mission.”
Balkans
Wazdan marks Croatian market entry with PSK partnership
Wazdan, the gain-focused developer behind some of the world’s most rewarding casino game experiences, has entered the Croatian market after signing with PSK, a leading operator in the country.
The provider is taking some of its most acclaimed slots live with the operator, including player-favourites such as 9 Coins™ 1000 Edition, Hot Slot™: Magic Bombs, Burning Stars 3™, which will become available to Croatian players for the very first time.
A prominent operator in the country since 1998, PSK is part of the internationally-known Fortuna Entertainment Group. With over 900 employees and a constantly growing player base, the brand is set to enrich its content offering with Wazdan’s titles.
Croatia marks the newest market entry for Wazdan, which further boosts its impressive European performance as a result of this deal. More partnerships in the country are expected to be announced in due course.
Radka Bacheva, Sales and Business Development at Wazdan: “Croatia is a country that boasts a fantastic amount of potential, so we’re delighted to be entering the market for the very first time with PSK, a top-tier operator.
“We’re bringing a range of our top-performing titles to its platform, and are excited to see the reception from Croatian players towards our mechanics. We’re confident this will be the start of a successful collaboration.”
Martina Pehar, Group Product Specialist at PSK said: “It’s an honour to welcome Wazdan to the Croatian market for the first time as part of this deal – we’ve seen the reception to their dynamic slots across the world, and we’re thrilled to be bringing them to our players.
“Wazdan bring a fantastic collection of their titles to our platform, including standouts such as Power of Gods: Hades and Clover Lady, that we’re sure our customers are going to embrace. We look forward to seeing the results!”
Compliance Updates
Boldplay Awarded UKGC Licence
Boldplay, the renowned provider of premium casino games, has been awarded a remote operating licence from the UK Gambling Commission, to sit alongside their existing licenses in Gibraltar, Malta, Romania, Argentina, and Peru.
This latest development marks a significant step for the company and further solidifies Boldplay’s position as a trusted provider within the iGaming industry. The UKGC licence will allow the company to further expand in regulated territories, a key element of their growth plan, and establish new partnerships within the vibrant UK market.
Having fulfilled the criteria to provide services to UK players Boldplay is well-positioned for success. With a diverse catalogue of over 100 titles, ranging from slots and table games to bingo, keno, and virtual scratch cards, the company is well-known for its innovative features, including their trademark Boldplay Spins.
Speaking of the UK Gambling Commission’s decision to grant the operating licence, Boldplay CEO, Valli Fragoso, said: “We are proud to receive our remote software supplier licence from the UK Gambling Commission. This milestone reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, engaging casino games to licensed operators while upholding responsible gaming standards. We can’t wait for UK players to try our games.”
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