888 acquires Spanish sports betting licence
888 prepares for H1 sportsbook launch in Spain after completing deal with local gaming operator
Gibraltar-licensed operator 888 is readying itself for a push into the Spanish sports betting market after striking a deal with local gaming company Nervion Group, eGaming Review can reveal.
The deal, which has seen 888 acquire Nervion’s online sports business Apuestas Ganador Online and accompanying remote sports betting licence for an undisclosed amount, hands the operator the opportunity to launch its Kambi Sports Solutions-powered sportsbook in Spain ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
888 had originally gained a sports betting licence upon the opening of the Spanish regulated market in June 2012, however, the operator decided to return the licence to the country’s regulator, Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), later that year.
And with the Spanish licencing window expected to remain closed until at least H2 2014, 888 was left with little option but to negotiate a deal with a current licence holder if it was to expedite plans to launch sportsbook in the country.
Speaking to eGR following the announcement of the company’s Q4 results, 888 chief executive Brian Mattingley confirmed it had been able to acquire the relevant Spanish licence.
“I think we have made significant moves forward in Spain for sports, I believe we will be operating a sportsbook in Spain ahead of the World Cup,” Mattingley said.
“We have got a licence, yes – we haven’t yet built our sportsbook or launched it but we do now have a licence and yes we acquired that licence,” he added.
The DGOJ has yet to verify the licence transfer but the process is unlikely to be complicated due to 888’s current presence in the country through its poker and casino verticals as well as its previous success in applying for a sports betting licence.
The operator has been keen to push its revamped sportsbook since agreeing a deal with provider Kambi in May and in December launched a major UK marketing campaign.
Nervion is a predominantly land-based casino operator based in Bilbao although it also runs a horse racing track in San Sebastián alongside French betting partner PMU.