OKTO has announced the full acquisition of Aplauz CH GmbH, the Swiss subsidiary of Aplauz Financial Services Ltd. This strategic acquisition strengthens OKTO’s presence in the Swiss market, enabling the company to expand its customer base and introduce innovative payment services in the market while maintaining and enhancing the existing infrastructure of Aplauz CH GmbH in the region.

Under OKTO’s ownership, Aplauz CH GmbH will continue to deliver its Aplauz prepaid payment service through online merchants and retail distribution partners, now rebranded as OKTO.VOUCHER. The transition will be seamless, ensuring uninterrupted service for all partners and consumers.

Aligned with its growth strategy, OKTO also introduces OKTO.CASH to the Swiss market—a fast, direct cash-to-online payment solution already established across multiple European markets, including Romania, Greece, Czech Republic, Germany, Cyprus, Italy and Serbia.

Aplauz CH GmbH, now under OKTO’s leadership, holds the necessary regulatory approvals from the Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) VQF to offer both OKTO.VOUCHER and OKTO.CASH services in Switzerland.

Thanos Mondanos, OKTO’s Head of Business Strategy, said: “Welcoming Aplauz CH GmbH into the OKTO Group marks a significant step forward in our international growth strategy. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to expanding in high-potential markets like Switzerland, allowing us to deliver a stronger portfolio of payment solutions that meet evolving customer demands. We are confident that Aplauz CH GmbH’s established presence, combined with OKTO’s innovative payment technologies, will create substantial value for both users and partners in the region.”

Mathias Wratschko, Senior Distribution Manager at OKTO, said: “This is a pivotal moment for OKTO, our Swiss partners and users. Through the acquisition of Aplauz CH GmbH, we’re set to elevate both transaction volumes and customer experience in Switzerland. By expanding the rebranded OKTO.VOUCHER service and launching OKTO.CASH, we’re enhancing Swiss payment options in a way that promises substantial revenue growth for our partners and increased satisfaction for consumers.”

Goran Abramović, Director of Aplauz Financial Services Ltd., said: “We are thrilled with the successful sale of our Swiss consumer business and have every confidence in OKTO’s capacity to drive further growth in this segment within the Swiss market. Aplauz Financial Services remains fully committed to supporting the Swiss market by continuing to provide our cutting-edge voucher issuing technology platform to OKTO and offering ongoing technical support to our valued partners. We look forward to seeing the positive impact OKTO will bring to this evolving market.”

Marking one of the most significant acquisitions in the Indian esports landscape, Gladiators Esports has officially acquired Bengaluru-based Gods Reign to unite two of the nation’s leading esports entities.

As part of this acquisition, Gladiators Esports will integrate the Gods Reign into its operations, with Gods Reign retaining its name for the esports team while all other verticals, including content creation and marketing will be under the banner of Gladiators Esports. This consolidation aims to streamline operations, strengthen brand identity, and leverage the combined resources of both entities.

Speaking on the acquisition, Gladiators Esports stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Gods Reign into the Gladiators Esports family. This acquisition reflects our commitment to elevating Indian esports and driving its growth. By integrating the renowned Gods Reign brand and its talented roster, we are not only broadening our reach and influence but also creating a nurturing space for our players and creators to excel. This marks an exciting new chapter, and we eagerly look forward to shaping a bright future for Indian esports.”

In line with this transition, Gods Reign has onboarded one of India’s most decorated Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) lineups, featuring star players who have consistently proven themselves on the biggest stages and have multiple major accolades to their name.

“This acquisition by Gladiators Esports represents a pivotal step for both Gods Reign and the Indian esports ecosystem. By combining our expertise, experience, and shared vision for advancing Indian esports, we are poised to deliver unmatched experiences and achievements. Our new BGMI roster, featuring both seasoned talent and fresh perspectives, embodies the high level of competition we’re committed to bringing. Through this strategic move, we aim to amplify opportunities for our athletes, engage our community in exciting new ways, and elevate Indian esports on the global stage,” said Rohith KR, CEO of Gods Reign.

The team will be led by In-Game Leader (IGL) Ammar Khan (Destro), joined by his former teammates Justin Nadar (Justin) and Parth Garg (DeltaPG). Together, this trio has proven to be a formidable force in official tournaments last year, capturing the BGMI Series (BGIS) 2023 title and BGMI Masters Series (BGMS) 2023 and earning runner-up position in BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2023.

Strengthening the roster further is Shubham Ranjan Sahoo (NinjaJOD), who clinched the BGIS 2024 championship and was a runner-up at last year’s India-Korea Invitational. Former BGMI athlete Robin Singh (Robin), who recently led Destro, Justin, DeltaPG, and NinjaJOD to victory in the Titans Rising tournament hosted by the Gujarat Titans cricket team, will be coaching this skilled lineup.

The newly assembled team, which had a combined prize pool earnings of approximately INR 2.5 crores ($276,703) in FY23, brings fresh potential to build on their impressive track record and aim for even higher accolades in the upcoming tournaments.

“Having previously played with these talented players and achieved success together, returning to Gods Reign feels like a true homecoming and it’s an honour to reunite under this banner. This acquisition unites some of India’s top esports talent, all of whom are dedicated to constant improvement and focused on victory. With our combined strengths and support, we hope to set new benchmarks in BGMI and demonstrate our potential on both national and international stages,” commented Ammar Khan aka Destro, IGL of Gods Reign.

In addition to its esports rosters in Counter-Strike 2, Pokémon UNITE, and BGMI, Gods Reign is also home to some of India’s top gaming creators, including Thor Gaming, Harshdeep Singh, Red Parasite, Miss Senorita, AJ Jeffy and many others. Collectively, they boast over 6 million YouTube subscribers and more than 1 million Instagram followers.

Together, Gladiators Esports and Gods Reign are ready to make waves in India’s rapidly growing content creation and esports ecosystems.