Baltics
Mr Green publ : MRG establishes operations in the Baltics by the acquisition of the iGaming operator 11.lv
05/23/2018 – As part of its strategy to establish operations in the Baltics, MRG has signed an agreement to acquire a majority of the Latvian gaming operator 11.lv.
The Baltics – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – is regulated across all countries with national regulations and licensing systems. The region is characterized by robust growth for iGaming. The Baltic market for iGaming grew by 45 per cent in 2017.
“This is a major step in our strategy to expand into locally regulated markets“, says Per Norman, CEO of MRG. “We foresee excellent growth opportunities for our strong Mr Green and Redbet brands also in the Baltics.”
11.lv is a well-known Latvian iGaming brand with a focus on Sportsbook and the third largest iGaming operator in Latvia. The company has a gaming license in Latvia and offers betting, casino and live casino. Revenues amounted to EUR 944 k in Q118 and EBITDA was EUR 162 k. The revenue growth was 44 per cent from Q117.
MRG acquires 75 per cent of the shares. Two of the founders, who stay in the company, keep 25 per cent of the shares. The purchase price amounts to EUR 2.8 million based on an enterprise value of EUR 3.7 million. The purchase price is paid in cash. The price is calculated on enterprise value (debt free basis). 11.lv has 15 employees, all based in Riga, Latvia.
“11.lv has a strong brand recognition in Latvia and will be the base for our expansion in the Baltics“, continues Per Norman. “Our first step is to launch Mr Green in Latvia which, together with 11.lv, give us a broad, attractive offering for the Baltic market.”
MRG is a fast-growing, innovative iGaming Group with operations in twelve markets. MRG offers a superior experience in a Green Gaming environment. MRG was founded in 2007 and operates the iGaming sites Mr Green, Redbet, Vinnarum Casino, Bertil, MamaMia Casino, BingoSjov and BingoSlottet. The Group had a turnover of SEK 1,192.0 million in 2017 and has over 300 employees. MRG has gaming licenses in Malta, UK, Italy, casino license in Denmark and Sportsbook license in Ireland. MRG is, through its parent company Mr Green & Co, listed on Nasdaq Stockholm in the Mid Cap segment. Read more at www.mrggroup.com.
Baltics
Genius Sports Partners with Lithuanian Basketball League
Genius Sports Limited has struck a new partnership with the Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe-LKL), one of the premier leagues in European basketball, to implement its computer vision system in every venue.
Betsafe-LKL will become the first basketball league to automate the capture of eventing data, rich tracking data and broadcast-quality live video production via a single system. Using its unique AI capabilities, Genius Sports will transform this data and video into greater insights, immersive fan experiences and new sponsorship opportunities for the league and its teams.
Genius Sports uses AI to read, process and understand gameplay in real-time to contextualise every aspect of the game, using the language of coaches, players and fans.
All Betsafe-LKL teams will have access to Genius Sports’ Insight tool, a cutting-edge coaching and analysis solution used by every NBA team. Insight synchronises granular tracking data with video to help analysts instantly find answers to their most detailed tactical and performance questions.
Furthermore, with the help of AI-driven augmentation technology, Genius Sports will power new broadcast experiences for Betsafe-LKL fans. This includes enhancing live broadcast video with real-time data and graphics, as well as powering new sponsorable inventory for the league’s commercial partners.
Betsafe-LKL has begun the rollout of Genius Sports’ computer vision system with all stadiums to be completed in time for the 2024/25 season.
Rasa Liuimiene, CEO of the Lithuanian Basketball League, said: “Over the past decade, the Betsafe-LKL has significantly changed its image – it is a bold organisation that keeps pace with modern technologies and the opportunities they provide.
“Boldness and uniqueness perfectly characterise the Betsafe-LKL. We are delighted to be partnering with Genius Sports to bring unique Al-powered tracking technology to Betsafe-LKL competitions, which will enable us jointly to offer Betsafe-LKL clubs, their administration and basketball coaches state-of-the-art tools to enhance performance analysis, power immersive fan experiences and generate new sponsorship opportunities.”
Jonny Katanchian, Head of Sports and Broadcast at Genius Sports, said: “Our new partnership with Betsafe-LKL to rollout our AI-powered technology marks a pivotal moment for the league and world basketball. Across on-court performance, digital fan experiences and new revenue platforms, our technology will transform the LKL’s entire operation, unlocking the full value of tracking data and video through the power of AI.”
Baltics
Thunderkick bolsters presence in Lithuania with 7bet deal
Independent slots studio Thunderkick has strengthened its position in Lithuania after partnering with 7bet, an established operator in the Baltic region.
As part of the agreement, Thunderkick’s collection of popular games, such as the Beat the Beast series, Esqueleto Explosivo 2 and Pink Elephants 2, will now be available to more players in the country.
7bet, established in 2020, offers a wide variety of slots to its player base from internationally acclaimed game providers. It is also the only Lithuanian operator to boast tote betting on horseracing.
The new deal follows several high-profile signings for Thunderkick, including Alea and Skywind Group. The provider has seen significant growth in recent months with more to follow in the coming year.
Fredrik Ekholm, Head of Sales at Thunderkick, said: “We’re proud to be expanding our reach in Lithuania as it is an important market for us. 7bet is a well-established and quickly growing operator with a broad player network, and fits the profile of an operator with whom we want to partner.”
Gintare Karvelyte, Casino Product Manager at 7bet, added: “We’ve been thoroughly impressed with Thunderkick’s output over the years, so we’re thrilled to be introducing their dynamic games to our players.
“Titles such as Bones & Bounty, alongside classic player favourites including Pink Elephants 2 and Esqueleto Explosivo 2, are going to provide immersive, forward-thinking gameplay experiences, and we’re excited to be able to offer these releases and more.”
Baltics
Lithuania Mulls Cracking Down on Gambling Ads
Lithuanian MPs have registered amendments to the Gambling Law proposing to further tighten gambling advertising in the country as of 2025.
Around 50 MPs, mostly from the ruling majority, have signed the amendments proposing to prohibit the dissemination of information of the gambling companies sponsoring any public events, activities, natural or legal persons.
If adopted, the amendments would eliminate the advertising of betting, wagers, and casinos on television, in newspapers, magazines, or news websites and on street billboards. Neither the names nor the logos of gambling operators could appear on the jerseys of athletes and in arenas during the sporting events.
Companies would only be able to publish information on the types of gambling at the gambling venue or on the company’s website, the address of which is specified in the Gambling Regulation.
It is proposed to allow gambling companies to publish information on gambling only in publications aimed at professionals in the business. They could advertise their name and brand on their head office building or gambling venue.
Lithuanian MPs have started considering tightening the requirements for gambling advertising amid allegations that Šarūnas Stepukonis, a former BaltCap Infrastructure Fund partner, has embezzled and gambled away millions of euros of the fund’s money.
The initiator of the amendments, Mindaugas Lingė of the ruling conservative Homeland Union, has previously said that last year the total revenue of gambling operators amounted to 222 million euros, up from 103 million euros in 2020.
The amount spent on advertising in the gambling business doubled from 6.36 million euros in 2020 to 12.73 million euros in 2023. Gambling operators’ profits increased from 20 million euros in 2020 to more than 53 million euros in 2022.
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