Balkans
Entain Partners with EMMA Capital to Establish Entain CEE
Entain has partnered with EMMA Capital (EMMA), a leading investment firm based in the Czech Republic, to establish a new venture (Entain CEE) to drive expansion in Central and Eastern Europe. Entain will own 75% of the economic rights in Entain CEE. Entain CEE will acquire the SuperSport Group, the leading gaming and sportsbook operator in Croatia from EMMA.
The new platform will be led by SuperSportās CEO, Radim Haluza, who has significant experience across the region. The combination of Entainās global scale, access to capital and content, EMMAās regional knowledge and connectivity, alongside the expert local operational knowledge of Radim and his team, makes Entain CEE uniquely positioned to unlock the significant opportunity across the region. This bespoke structure will allow Entain to join with further leading local operators through Entain CEE to continue to grow this unique platform across the region.
For 75% of the economic rights in SuperSport, Entain will pay EUR 600 million in cash at completion; and a further contingent payment of EUR 90 million made to EMMA in early 2023 based on SuperSport’s EBITDA for the financial year ending 2022.
EMMA will contribute their 25% stake in SuperSport to Entain CEE at an initial implied valuation of ā¬200m, with the contingent payment implying an additional ā¬30m value contributed by EMMA.
The Acquisition is expected to value SuperSport at ā¬920m which implies a transaction multiple of 9.6x 2022 EBITDA, or 9.1x 2022 fully synergised EBITDA.
The Acquisition will be financed through a ā¬700m bridge loan from Deutsche Bank, Lloyds, Mediobanca, NatWest and Santander. The Acquisition will increase Entainās pro-forma net debt to EBITDA leverage ratio in 2022 by 0.4x. The Acquisition is expected to complete in Q4 2022 and is conditional upon regulatory approvals.
āWe are excited to create Entain CEE with EMMA to underpin our strategy across the CEE region, and to be acquiring the leading betting and gaming operator in the highly attractive, fully regulated Croatian market. We see Croatia as an exciting, dynamic country which Entain CEE is perfectly positioned to expand from ā we are very much looking forward to growing our business responsibly within the country and the region. By bringing together Entainās global expertise and EMMAās regional investment track record, we are creating a growth platform with considerable opportunity. Expansion across CEE is a core component of our growth strategy, and we look forward to having Radim on board to help drive this opportunity,ā Jette Nygaard-Anderson, CEO of Entain, said.
āEMMA is very happy to be partnering with the leading global betting, gaming and interactive entertainment business to unlock the opportunity posed by the CEE betting and gaming market. We see the Entain CEE structure as a clear opportunity for creating value for shareholders, and we look forward to working closely and collaboratively with Entain,ā Pavel HorĆ”k, Chief Investment Officer at EMMA, said.
āI am looking forward to joining with Entain and further building on the significant opportunity presented in this region. The prospect of leading Entain CEE to drive expansion in fully regulated markets is an exciting opportunity, and EMMAās investment expertise combined with Entainās world-class platform will give us the competitive edge in delivering on the CEE opportunity,ā Radim Haluza, CEO of SuperSport, said.
Balkans
Wazdan further expands European footprint with mrbit.bg partnership
Wazdan, the gain-focused developer behind some of the worldās most rewarding casino game experiences, is continuing its impressive European expansion after signing a deal with mrbit.bg, a Bulgarian-based top-tier casino operator.
Through this partnership, Wazdan is bringing its acclaimed collection of player-favourite slots to mrbit.bgās platform, such as Power of Godsā¢: Hades, Sizzling Eggsā¢ and the entire Hot Slotā¢ series.
mrbit.bg’s customers will also get to experience Wazdan’s signature engagement-boosting features, including the incredibly popular Hold the Jackpotā¢ bonus round, Cash Infinityā¢ and Sticky to Infinityā¢. These mechanics have proven to drive player retention and casino revenue across numerous regulated markets.
One of the fastest-growing casino brands in Europe, mrbit.bg boasts a constantly expanding customer base, alongside being one of the few operators in Bulgaria with official mobile apps for increased availability.
Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Mr. Bit, an established operator with a strong presence in several key European markets. Their player-centric approach aligns perfectly with our focus on designing immersive, feature-rich games.
“By launching our top-performing titles on mrbit.bgās platform, we are able to extend our award-winning content to an even wider audience. This collaboration is an exciting milestone in our European growth strategy.”
Anastasia Ardelean, Head of Marketing at mrbit.bg, added: “Our team has been preparing long and hard to enter the Bulgarian market and finally we have done it! Players can enjoy amazing slots not only on the mrbit.bg website, but also in our official applications, which are available in the most popular stores: Google Play and Apple Store.
āI sincerely thank the Wazdan team for their cooperation. Together we are providing a new level of service to the Bulgarian market, and the quality will continue to increase.”
Balkans
CT Gaming to Showcase its Latest Products at the Belgrade Future Gaming Exhibition
CT Gaming is going to showcase its latest products at the Belgrade Future Gaming exhibition, which will take place on May 28ā29 in Belgrade, Serbia. At its booth, the company, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, will present a curated selection of products and solutions tailored to the preferences of local customers.
CT Gaming will present the slot machines Next 27/27/27 and EZ Modulo 32/32/32, the multigame packages Diamond King 3 and Mermaidās Quest, as well as the casino management system ā Rhino.
The spotlight at the stand will be on Diamond King 3, the newest multigame from the Diamond King series. It includes 50 captivating games that combine classic titles with exciting new ones, as well as the legendary trio from Mega Jack – Aztec Gold, Champagne 20, and Slot-O-Pol, with enhanced graphics and captivating concepts. 20 of the games are linked to the 3-level progressive Diamond Tree Jackpot.
āThe return of the legendary trio from Mega Jack reminds us of one of the companyās first major breakthroughs, which continues to reap success. By reviving the three classic Mega Jack games, we allow customers to experience our legacy in a new and modern way,ā Biser Bozhanov, Director of Strategy and Business Development at CT Gaming, said.
The casino management system ā Rhino has new and improved functionalities, combining everything necessary for managing gaming halls of all kinds.
āSerbia is one of the most valuable markets, and over the years, we have established long-term and strong partnerships that we look forward to further strengthening during this event,ā Biser Bozhanov said.
Balkans
Expanse Studios Launches in Bulgaria with Inbet
Expanse Studios, a leader in online gaming innovation, has secured a Bulgarian iGaming license and is now live on Inbetās website. This expansion brings Expanse Studiosā popular game offerings including turn-based strategies gamified for iGaming, classic slots, traditional card games and the highly-acclaimed ones like Titan Roulette, Clown Fever Deluxe, Wild Icy Fruits, White Wild Whale and Joker Poker to Bulgarian players.
Diverse Gaming Portfolio Now Available to Bulgarian Players
With the Bulgarian market entry, Expanse Studios introduces a versatile gaming experience to Inbetās platform. The offerings include a dynamic range of games tailored to diverse player preferences:
- Turn-based strategy games: Leveraging gamification, these games transform traditional strategy gameplay into engaging iGaming experiences, suitable for both novice and experienced players.
- Classic slots: Players will enjoy a variety of themed slots that combine traditional gameplay with modern graphics and sound.
- Traditional card games: A selection of popular card games offer something for every card game enthusiast.
- Titan Roulette: This standout feature, known for its immersive experience and innovative design, continues to be a favorite among roulette players.
Commitment to Quality and Compliance
Expanse Studios not only cultivates a diverse gaming library but also adheres to stringent regulatory standards to ensure a secure and fair gaming environment. The acquisition of the Bulgarian iGaming license is a testament to Expanse Studiosā commitment to compliance and excellence in the gaming industry.
The partnership between Expanse Studios and Inbet marks a significant milestone in Expanse Studiosā expansion efforts. By combining Expanse Studiosā innovative gaming solutions with Inbetās established market presence, both entities are set to offer a superior gaming experience to players in Bulgaria and potentially beyond. As Expanse Studios continues to develop and release new games monthly, Bulgarian players can look forward to a continually evolving and enriching gaming landscape.
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