Latest News
The age of the M&A show is starting, William Hill to merge with Caesar
It comes as no surprise that once the proverbial cat is out of the bag, the news always prove worthy of chasing or digging deeper into.
Such is the case of the William Hill takeover by Caesars Entertainment Inc. This is not similar to the SBTech takeover by Draft Kings, but it seems that now large operators are taking charge and enforcing their share in the industry.
In my opinion, this takeover was bound to happen and there will be more coming as the large operators who have always been expanding, have also accumulated debt, and the current crisis hit them hard. Especially those dealing with retail.
William Hill has been struggling for a while now and we reported the news about their announcement that they have merged their UK retail and online businesses.
Back then, William Hill also announced that the gradual closing of its Gametek office in Sweden had already started to simplify its operating structures.
So, little over 3 weeks ago, news started appearing, CNN Business published an editorial in which it heralded that Caesars Entertainment is in talks to buy William Hill in a deal that would value the British bookmaker at £2.9 billion ($3.7 billion) and underscore the size of the opportunity in online gaming and sports betting in the United States.
Shares in London-listed William Hill surged 41% on Friday to £3.10 ($3.94) per share, after the company said it had received offers from both Caesars and private equity firm, Apollo, suggesting that a bidding war could emerge.
But the stock pulled back on Monday, tumbling 11% after William Hill said it was “minded” to recommend the Caesars offer to shareholders. Caesars said it would be entitled to terminate the US joint venture agreement if Apollo bought the company. (source: CNN Business London)
This is when it gets more interesting, 888 Holdings Shows Interest in William Hill’s European Business.
Even if Caesars Entertainment announced it has reached an agreement to acquire William Hill in a deal worth £2.9bn ($3.72bn), 888 CEO, Itai Pazner, suggested if an opportunity arose, the operator wouldn’t rule out expanding its business.
This is due to the fact that, Caesars Entertainment intends to focus on the US sports betting market and is seeking buyers for all William Hill’s non-US operations, including its UK and European businesses.
News outlets have reported that Caesars plans to sell William Hill’s UK and European branch networks, which have struggled before and during the pandemic under increased regulatory pressure to tackle problem gambling. William Hill announced the closure of 119 UK branches in August.
This certainly would be an interesting turn of events, and those free betting tips would reach new heights.
The takeover will give Caesars, the operator of the Caesars Palace casino in Las Vegas, access to the burgeoning US sports betting market.
Such headlines would have not been announce if the US market would not have opened up for the gaming industry, as we see the American way being played out in front of our eyes. This is something that is not typical to Europeans, and the essence is in the phrase: “Let’s throw money at it and make it work”.
This is the reason many venture capitals and global corporations, who in the past have never have tied their business to the gambling space are now jumping in on the global movement. And they mean business by committing huge amount of cash.
The era for the gambling industry to become the next tech industry where these M&A news are already old news.
It is just a matter of time until the gambling industry will reflect the Big Tech industries, where 4-5 mammoths control 99% of the industry.
Will we see the rise of Google-like gambling companies that will take over the industry, or will we see more rivalry and fair competition?
As I’ve mentioned above, the opening of the US gambling industry has brought so many potential powers into play, one can only wait and see what happens.
Certainly, the suppliers are standing with watering mouths as in such large companies, they can supply a whole chain which would be similar to working with maybe +100 smaller operators. In the Caesars/William Hill case, the winner is Evolution, as William Hill U.S. will use Evolution’s products everywhere it has a digital presence.
Initially, the solutions will be available in New Jersey, where Evolution has an iGaming studio in Atlantic City, before being rolled out to other locations. William Hill has a total of 113 race and sports gambling-related facilities across the country, including in Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, New Mexico, Rhode Island and West Virginia.
Given the merger with Caesars, this partnership might expand further.
Evolution has purchased NetEnt this year for around $2.5 billion, using money that came, in part, from a 97.5% increase in profit for the company over the first half of this year. Let’s see how this story unfolds and we are not at the end of 2020 yet.
Mark my words, 2021 will be full of surprises and we will see more M&A happening than ever before.
Blockchain
Kore Digital Mining Ltd Announces Additional 14 PH/s Bitcoin Mining Capacity
Kore Digital Mining Ltd, a UK based Bitcoin mining company, announces that effective 1st May 2024, an additional 14 PH/s mining capacity will be added to its existing infrastructure.
This additional capacity will be provided by a major Bitcoin mining corporation and will be operational until 30th June 2024.
Derek Nisbet, Kore’s Founder & CEO, said – “We are pleased to work with a leading Bitcoin Miner in securing a large amount of mining capacity, for a 2 month trial period. We look forward to hopefully extending this period and engaging more with major mining corporations offering Bitcoin hashing opportunities, in the future.”
This additional 14PH/s Bitcoin mining capacity adds to the existing 2 PH/s currently operational with Kore’s own infrastructure and an additional 4 PH/s is due to be added over the next quarter, totalling 20 PH/s.
Latest News
The Benefits of Playing at EU Casinos
There are many EU casinos that not only attract players from Europe itself but also from countries around the world, including the US, UK, and even those from countries where online gambling isn’t permitted. So why is it that EU casinos are so popular? What drives the online gambling community to these casinos?
Well, that’s what we’re going to be looking at today. What’s so attractive about EU casinos to people who are looking for an immersive and entertaining online casino experience? Why do people in the USA, the home of Las Vegas, go outside of the USA to play at online casinos?
Benefits of EU casinos
Online gambling is by far one of the most popular methods of gambling online. Throughout Europe, specific laws in each country can vary, so access to land-based casinos can sometimes be few and far between. Thus, going online to enjoy a casino experience has become a more preferable option. And so why EU casinos? Well, for those who are joining EU casinos from outside Europe and not from the UK or the US, the English-based support and customer service are very attractive. A lot of people who play at EU casinos access it using a VPN or from a country where they don’t have any domestic online casinos, and most of the time English is their first language or one that they can understand.
The next attractive factor regarding EU online casinos is safety and security. Each online casino in the EU is strictly regulated and licensed. It’s this reassurance that a lot of players look for when choosing an online casino to go to and play at. They are held to the same strict and high standards as those of their British counterparts in the UK, which are upheld and monitored by the UK Gambling Commission. In the EU, a lot of the casinos are also regulated by either the Malta Gaming Authority or the Curacao Gaming Licence Authority. All of which share the same standards and expectations as other authorities across theglobe,e which ensures that all players playing online at EU casino websites.
The casinos that are available online in the EU are also very open to a lot of different payment methods. There are even some crypto casinos where you can play casino games online with cryptocurrency. This openness to accepting a lot of different payment methods means a lot to people who like to play at online casinos. The vast majority of them also pride themselves on providing very quick withdrawals, which are measured in hours rather than days. After all, there is nothing more frustrating than having a big win and then having to wait days to get your hard-fought winnings.
And lastly, bonuses and promotions. The vast majority of EU online casinos will have a wide range of different bonuses and promotions that you can sign up for and take advantage of. There are certain countries, such as Sweden, where the online casinos are strictly limited to one bonus or one promotion; however, the vast majority of EU casinos are not subject to such restrictions and offer a great online casino experience.
When it comes to the popularity of EU online casinos, it is growing year on year. There is plenty going in their favour and more people than ever before are shifting to online casinos rather than having to go down to the casino themselves. The fact that they can access these EU casinos from their smartphones, wherever they are, means it’s easier than ever before to win big at a casino online and have a good time.
Latest News
William Hill Announced as Official Betting Partner of Qipco Guineas Festival
Leading bookmaker becomes official betting partner of first UK Classic meeting of 2024
William Hill has been announced as the new official betting partner of the Qipco Guineas Festival, the first UK Classic meeting of the season.
It’s the latest addition to William Hill’s spring racing roster, following sponsorship of The Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster, the Punchestown Champion Chase and its status as official betting partner of the Randox Grand National Festival.
The 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas headline the three-day meeting and the leading bookmaker will sponsor 15 races across the weekend with the Jockey Club Stakes, Palace House and Dahlia Stakes among the races now featuring the William Hill title.
Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten superstar City of Troy is still all the rage for the 2,000 Guineas at 4/6 whereas Karl Burke’s Fallen Angel heads a competitive looking 1,000 Guineas market at 7/2.
“We’re delighted to become the official betting partner of the Qipco Guineas Festival, strengthening our relationship with The Jockey Club on the back of a fantastic Grand National Festival,” a spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said. “It’s brilliant for William Hill to be associated directly with such a prestigious event at Newmarket, the home of the thoroughbred, for this season’s first two Classics. The company has a close connection with the history of the 2,000 Guineas as William Hill himself bred the 1949 winner, Nimbus, who then went on to win the Derby.
“We’re excited to be involved at racing’s key meetings and see the Qipco Guineas Festival as the perfect sponsorship as the British flat season kicks into gear.”
Newmarket – 2,000 Guineas: May 4, 2024
City Of Troy | 4/6 |
Rosallion | 4/1 |
Notable Speech | 12/1 |
Henry Longfellow | 12/1 |
Night Raider | 16/1 |
Alyanaabi | 16/1 |
Ancient Wisdom | 16/1 |
Task Force | 16/1 |
Ghostwriter | 16/1 |
Iberian | 20/1 |
BAR | 25/1 |
Newmarket – 1,000 Guineas: May 5, 2024
Fallen Angel | 7/2 |
Ylang Ylang | 4/1 |
Dance Sequence | 5/1 |
Ramatuelle | 10/1 |
See The Fire | 12/1 |
Content | 12/1 |
One Look | 14/1 |
Pretty Crystal | 14/1 |
Buttons | 20/1 |
Purple Lily | 20/1 |
Porta Fortuna | 20/1 |
Star Style | 20/1 |
BAR | 25/1 |
-
Central Europe7 days ago
Wazdan amplifies Swiss presence with Swiss4Win launch
-
Latest News7 days ago
Evoplay strikes distribution agreement with Light & Wonder
-
eSports6 days ago
Everything you need to know ahead of ESL Pro League Season 19
-
Central Europe7 days ago
Aleatrust Signs Up as Supporting Member of the Austrian Sports Betting Association
-
Latest News7 days ago
Week 16/2024 slot games releases
-
Latest News7 days ago
Casino Guru’s Complaint Resolution Center Leads Industry in 2023
-
Latest News7 days ago
Good 1st quarter of 2024 for FDJ, in line with Group projections
-
Latest News6 days ago
New Market Alert! Hacksaw Gaming Touch Down in Portugal with Solverde.pt