Launches and sign-ups 27 April 2016
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (21 April 2016 to 27 April 2016)
Sky Bet owner CVC acquires majority stake in Tipico
Private equity firm says its “extensive industry expertise” will benefit the operator
Sky Betting & Gaming-owner CVC Capital Partners (CVC) has acquired a majority stake in German sports betting operator Tipico for an undisclosed sum.
The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2016, pending approval from anti-trust authorities.
The deal reportedly values Tipico at around ?1.1bn, with funds advised by CVC taking a 60% stake in the business, according to a Reuters source.
The operator’s existing private owners will remain shareholders in the company.
Mr Green selects Kambi for sportsbook launch
Mr Green has selected Kambi to provide its online sportsbook, the companies announced last week.
The deal is for a fully managed sportsbook, which is scheduled to be live by “autumn at the latest”.
Mr Green’s recently installed CEO Jesper K?rrbrink said Kambi had been chosen because of the quality of its in-play betting products.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
ComeOn acquires Mobilbet.com
ComeOn Group has agreed terms to buy Nordic-facing operator Mobilbet.com for an undisclosed sum as the firm continues its strategy of acquiring the assets of brands operating on its Co-Gaming platform.
The deal sees ComeOn take on the marketing responsibilities for the brand, which in Q1 2016 posted net revenues of ?3.8m, from previous owner Frontloop Media.
“Buying out their brand and revenue stream is in line with our strategy, where we have created a business model that allows entrepreneurs to earn equity in their projects, whilst we take over the brands when they are approaching consolidation phase,” Jovin Genovese, ComeOn director, said.
Bet365 secures Stoke City’s stadium naming rights
Bet365 has struck a six-year stadium naming rights deal with Stoke City which will see the club’s home ground re-named the bet365 Stadium from the start of next season.
The operator will replace current stadium sponsor Britannia while bet365 has extended its shirt sponsorship deal with the Premier League club for a further three years.
Stoke City is owned by the Coates family, with siblings Denise and John joint-chief executives of the Stoke-headquartered online gambling operator.
Sportradar acquires sports media company the sportsman
Sportradar has acquired the shares and core business of German sports media rights company, the sportsman, for an undisclosed sum.
Under the terms of the deal, Sportradar will acquire the sportsman’s online sport TV channel, a live streaming production platform and a sports rights and marketing agency.
According to a statement from the two companies, the deal will “significantly upgrade Sportradar’s offering in the audiovisual sports content sector”.
Gala Coral debuts Inspired’s Rush Football Live
Gala Coral has partnered with Inspired to launch the egaming supplier’s first ‘on demand’ virtual sports gaming product Rush Football Live.
The London-headquartered provider’s Rush Football Live, which features commentary from football and boxing commentator Ian Darke, will be launched on Coral.co.uk in the coming weeks.
Available via Inspired’s Virgo RGS platform, the game allows players to wager on non-stop matches and place pre-match and in-play accumulators on up to eight matches as part of a full league and season format.
Unibet secures inaugural Champions League Darts sponsorship deal
Unibet was last week named the official title sponsor of the inaugural PDC Champions League Darts event, as the operator looks to build on the success of previous marketing deals in the sport.
The two-day darts event is set to begin for the first time on 24 September and will be aired on BBC Sport live from the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.
“The Unibet Champions League of Darts is going to be a real showpiece event this year for the PDC, and the extensive BBC coverage will allow Unibet to reach a large audience of passionate sports fans with our brand,” Chris Watson, Unibet UK marketing manager, said.
Betfair sets launch date for UK-pooled New Jersey racing exchange
Betfair has set a date to launch its horseracing exchange in New Jersey with punters able to place bets from May 10, the firm has announced.
Betfair US will partner with Darby Development, the operator of Monmouth Park racetrack, to offer the exchange, which it first revealed back in March.
A Betfair spokesperson confirmed to EGR that the new exchange will share liquidity with the UK.