Press Releases
LeoVegas to acquire rapidly growing UK casino operator for MGBP 65
“LeoVegas” signed a deal to procure the assets of Intellectual Property & Software Limited (“IPS”) and associated assets from two other companies, comprising of some of the supreme brands namely 21.co.uk, Slotboss, Bet UK and UK Casino. IPS generated revenues of GBP 11.7 million in association with the companies whose assets are also being acquired as part of the transaction, an adjusted EBITDA* of GBP 3.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2017 the acquisition will be financed by cash and from existing debt facilities for a total consideration of GBP 65.0 million (EUR 73.5 million). The acquisition will further foster LeoVegas’ presence in the UK and its position as the leading mobile operator.
About the acquisition
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, LeoVegas Gaming Ltd, LeoVegas signed a deal to procure assets from the gaming operator IPS and associated assets from European Domain Management Ltd (“EDM”), which are based in Alderney, Channel Islands. Along with this LeoVegas has agreed, through a wholly-owned UK subsidiary, to procure the assets of Rocket 9 Ltd (“Rocket 9”). Rocket 9 is a marketing services business based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
During the fourth quarter of 2017 IPS had revenues of GBP 11.7 million and, together with EDM and Rocket 9, adjusted EBITDA* of GBP 3.8 million, representing an EBITDA* margin of 32.6%. Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2017 grew by 49% compared with the fourth quarter of 2016. Of IPS’s total revenue**, 96% comes from the UK and 73% via mobile devices. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, and is scheduled to close late in the first quarter of 2018.
Financing
In connection with the 2017 acquisition of Royal Panda, LeoVegas secured debt financing of EUR 100 million. Of this amount, EUR 40 million consists of a Revolving Credit Facility. The facility has a term of three years, and amortisation will begin during the second quarter of 2019 at EUR 10 million per quarter. Interest on the facility is approximately 2%. This loan is now partly being used for this acquisition.
Gustaf Hagman, LeoVegas’ Group CEO, comments: “To be able at our 6-year anniversary of the launch of LeoVegas to conduct this remarkable acquisition feels just great! Since its start, LeoVegas has pursued a highly successful global brand strategy. Following the acquisition of Royal Panda, LeoVegas now works with two scalable brands. We believe that in larger markets our global brands, LeoVegas and Royal Panda, can be complemented with a local, multibrand strategy. The UK market is a very large and mature market and that is the reason to work with several brands that attract various types of customers. In IPS we see several attractive attributes, and they have tremendous momentum in their growth and profitability. Combined with one of the market’s most effective customer acquisition models, we are now gaining a firm stronghold in the UK with the acquisition of 85 employees with local expertise. With this acquisition, we are adding a company culture with a strong technology and product focus which is a perfect fit with LeoVegas’ to further strengthen the Group’s position as the leading GameTech company.”
IPS
IPS’s strategy focusses on digital and data-driven customer acquisition that incorporates keyword optimisation with multiple brands and customer acquisition sites. As a result, IPS operates one of the market’s most effective customer acquisition models. This strategy, which is based on demographic segmentation and targeting, state-of-the-art technology and multiple customer acquisition sites, is optimised so that it can efficiently and effectively reach all potential customers from the online gaming category.
IPS currently uses a technical platform from Bede Gaming, and in connection with the acquisition LeoVegas has entered into a services agreement with Bede Gaming. During the due diligence process, LeoVegas has determined that Bede’s platform is very advanced from both a technical and product standpoint, thus a very good technology solution for the UK gaming market.
*EBITDA is adjusted for a platform agreement in which EBITDA for Q4 2017 has been recalculated as if the agreement that LeoVegas has for the platform from the closing date of the acquisition applied for the entire Q4 2017. IPS has conducted limited white label business that has contributed to sales for 2017, but which has had a neutral effect on EBITDA. This business is not included in the transaction. Some minor cost items in the month of December have been estimated.
** Including revenue and player activity of IPS derived from the white label business
The information in this release is such that LeoVegas AB (publ) is required to make public in accordance with the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). The information was submitted, by the agency of the contact persons below, for publication at 08:00 CET on 12 January 2018.
For further information, please contact:
Gustaf Hagman, Group CEO co-founder: +46 708805522,
[email protected]
Viktor Fritzén, Group CFO: +46 736122667,
[email protected]
Philip Doftvik, Head of Investor Relations: +46 735120720,
[email protected]
Visitors address: Luntmakargatan 18, Stockholm
Corporate identity number: 556830-4033
About the LeoVegas mobile gaming group
LeoVegas’ passion is “Leading the way into the mobile future”. LeoVegas is Sweden’s premier GameTech company and is at the forefront of using state-of-the-art technology for mobile gaming. In 2017, the company passed the threshold for being classified as a unicorn, i.e., a start-up valued at more than USD 1 billion. A large part of this success can be credited to an extreme product and technology focus coupled with effective and data-driven marketing. Technology development is conducted in Sweden, while operations are based in Malta. LeoVegas offers casino, live casino and sport gaming, and operates two global and scalable brands – LeoVegas and Royal Panda. The company’s shares are listed on Nasdaq First North Premier, and Avanza Bank AB is the company’s Certified Adviser. For more about LeoVegas, visit www.leovegasgroup.com.
Latest News
Clarion Gaming film Virtual Tour showing scale of opportunity for ICE and iGB Affiliate exhibitors in Barcelona
Ahead of January 2025’s relocation to Barcelona, ICE and iGB Affiliate exhibitors can share Clarion Gaming’s ‘Vision of the possible’ courtesy of a specially commissioned virtual tour and exhibitor orientation video which can be viewed at: youtube.com
The 10-minute exhibitor film which is narrated by Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter takes viewers on a tour of the venue beginning with an introduction to Fira Gran Via’s integrated metro station which is located between the El Prat international airport (12km) and the historic city centre (3km) and has the capacity to take huge volumes of attendees directly to the heart of the spacious dedicated registration area at the south entrance.
Viewers are then taken on a journey along the elevated arterial walkway which provides a unique bird’s eye view of the 120,000 sqm exhibition space before accessing the contemporary designed meeting areas and plentiful break-out spaces requested by exhibitors, on to the ultra-modern and scalable conference facilities and the venue’s three ‘Sky Gardens’ which facilitate the delivery of a memorable indoor/outdoor festival experience.
The video also explains the new visitor-friendly show floor which has been designed to easily identify the gaming verticals of interest and in the process ease navigation through the five halls that the 2025 editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will occupy.
Introducing the video Stuart Hunter said: “This is the latest in a series of orientation initiatives which we started in October 2023. This video which is aimed at ICE and iGB Affiliate exhibitors, partners and sponsors will be followed by a dedicated visitor tour to help prepare for this exciting new chapter.
“As a team we could not be more excited about the opportunities offered by our new home at Gran Via and new host city of Barcelona: the film sets-out the size of the opportunity that we have as an industry and shares a compelling vision of what’s possible.”
ICE/iGBA 2025 will use circa 120,000 gross sqm of The Gran Via (ICE 2024 utilised 100,000 gross sqm in London) across Halls 1 (iGB Affiliate) and 2-5 (ICE). An additional 160,000 sqm has been reserved exclusively for ICE/iGBA across the five-year tenancy. The Convention Centre which is located in Hall 8 comprises a modular and versatile space with seating for between 3,000 and 12,000 people.
Latest News
José Garcia promoted to General Manager for Innovative Technology Spain
The Spanish branch of Innovative Technology (ITL) have announced that a long-standing member of the team has been promoted to General Manager. José (Pepe) García Escudero previously held the role of Business Development Manager for the region.
ITL Spain has had an office in Barcelona since 1996, headed up by Sales Director Mustapha Hadj-Ahmed. They provide both cash validation equipment and biometric technology to various market sectors including, gaming, amusement, kiosk and retail.
Commenting on José’s promotion Mustapha said, “I would like to congratulate José (known to most of his customers as Pepe!) on this well-deserved achievement. I have worked with him since he joined the company seven and half years ago and he is hard working, a real team player and has an excellent eye for spotting new opportunities. José will be responsible for overall operations as well as continuing his business development tasks. I am sure he will excel in his new role and I am confident he will lead our talented team to new heights! I look forward to exciting and prosperous times ahead.”
Pepe added, “I am so pleased to be given this fantastic opportunity and to play a more operational and managerial role in the business. Each member of the team here in Spain are a key part of our success, and the reason we are known for being a leading provider of cash handling equipment. I am excited to get started and see the business grow even further as we continue to serve our valued customers and develop our technology to response to the changing needs of the market.”
Concluding Mustapha said, “José will be heading up the team at the FIJMA show in Madrid on 7th – 9th May 2024 on stand A49, so if you are attending the show come and say hello!”
Asia
Team ATK Oshun excels at 2024 Online Championships held on 13 April 2024
Mind Sports South Africa’s (MSSA) 2024 Online Championships held on 13 April 2024 showed sterling results.
The championship was yet another chance for many esports athletes to qualify for MSSA’s National Team Trials to be held on 25 May 2024 at which the team will be selected to officially represent South Africa at the African Qualifiers which lead up to IESF’s 16th World Esports Championships to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October and November 2024..
All Registered Players who have finished in the top three places, or the top 20% – whichever is greater, are entitled to enter trials.
However, it must be remembered that all players must have a valid passport to participate in the National Team Trials.
It was indeed exciting to watch just how much all the female teams have improved.
Team ATK Oshun (ATK Club Sport) being a female team astounded all with their skill and sportsmanship. The team demolished all ATK Club Sport opposition to ultimately won the premier event overall and qualify for the National Team trials to be held on 25 May 2025.
IESF’s 15th World Championships will be played to the following titles:
- Counter-Strike 2
- Counter-Strike 2 – Female division
- DotA 2
- eFootball
- Mobile Legends, Bang Bang
- Mobile Legends, Bang Bang – Female division
- PUBGM
The high standard of play saw 37 Registered Players from six provinces being awarded Provincial Colours. Only Limpopo, Free State, and Northern Cape did not have Registered Players who did not earn provincial colours.
Title | Name of player/team | Club | Provincial Colours awarded |
Clash Royale – Premier | Johan Coetzee | Middies | Mpumalanga |
Clash Royale – High School | Aryan Maharaj | PR0NHS | |
Counter Strike: 2 | ATK Oshun | ||
Kaylee Ludick | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Jessica Eleez Greeff | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Christin Brazier | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Megan van der Westhuizen | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Kayhla Rose Calder | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
DotA – Premier | ZAG DOTA 1 | ||
Suhail Khan | ZAG Academy | Gauteng | |
Travis John Waters | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Mark Kilian Lehle | ZAG Academy | Gauteng | |
Mohammad Dhooma | ZAG Academy | Eastern Cape | |
Nicholas Dammert | ZAG Academy | Gauteng | |
eFootball – Premier | Aslam Parker | PES Society | Gauteng |
FIFA 24 – High School | Daiyaan Hendricks | PES Society | Western Cape |
Mobile Legends – Premier
|
Mavericks | ||
Matthew Tatalias | Mavericks | Gauteng | |
Damian Bransby | Mavericks | Western Cape | |
Preshan Pillay | Mavericks | Gauteng | |
Mohammad Azhar Ansari | Mavericks | KwaZulu Natal | |
Taygan Gabriel | Mavericks | KwaZulu Natal | |
Luke Green | Mavericks | Western Cape | |
Mobile Legends – Premier – Female
|
AHG | ||
Je’nielle Cavanagh | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Inez Pringle | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Salma Parker | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Ra’isha Prout | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Fatimah Prout | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Mia Anthony | PES Society | Western Cape | |
PUBGM
|
Team uEnvy | ||
Richard Henry | ZAG Academy | Eastern Cape | |
La-eeq Arendse | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Kyle Dudley | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Clayton Leak | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Rocket League – Premier – 1 v 1 – Premier | Nathan Strange | Hoërskool Klerksdorp | |
Rocket League – Premier – 1 v 1 – High School | Luther Peens | Hoërskool Klerksdorp | |
Street Fightter V – Premier | Marnus van der Merwe | Hoërskool Klerksdorp | North West |
Tekken 8 | Stasch Cloeta | Team PlayBell | Western Cape |
Valorant – Premier
|
TuksValorant | ||
Tapiwanashe Keith Matema | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Kyle Halvorsen | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Jaden Connor Swarts | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Ronald James Tyler Wheeldon | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Alejandro Luca Sartini-Kruger | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Armand Pierre van der Colf | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Sportsmanship Award | Je’nielle Cavanagh | PES Society |
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