Launches and sign-ups 25 March 2015
Launches and sign-ups from the egaming industry in the last seven days (19 March to 25 March 2015)
Optimal Payments to acquire rival Skrill for 1.1bn
Optimal CEO Joel Leonoff says the acquisition is a “transformational leap forwards” for the owner of the NETELLER brand
NETELLER owner Optimal Payments is set to acquire rival firm Skrill for approximately 1.1bn in a reverse takeover deal that will transform the online gambling payments sector.
London-based Optimal will acquire the holding companies behind Skrill from its current owners CVC Capital Partners for 720m in cash and the remainder in shares, amounting to 7.9% of Optimal post-acquisition, on completion of the deal.
The acquisition represents further consolidation for the payments sector, with Skrill having acquired prepaid voucher provider Ukash in November last year and prior to that buying paysafecard in 2013 for 140m.
“The acquisition of Skrill will create a global tech champion in the fast growing digital payments space, and we believe represents a transformational leap forward that greatly accelerates our strategic plan,” Optimal CEO Joel Leonoff said.
Bwin.party secures land-based partner in Pennsylvania
Bwin.party has secured a land-based partner in Pennsylvania as momentum builds behind the state passing egaming legislation this year.
The deal with an as-yet-unannounced partner was revealed by the operator’s CEO Norbert Teufelberger during the operator’s 2014 FY results, and a company spokesperson confirmed the news to eGaming Review.
“We’ve identified a market access partner and should Pennsylvania open later this year we again have the goal to be first to market there as we did in New Jersey,” Teufelberger said.
Seven days in launches and sign-ups:
Sporting Index Group sold to private investor
Sporting Index Group owners HgCapital has agreed to sell the spread betting and B2B sportsbook solutions firm to an unnamed private investor in a deal believed to be worth in the region of £40m.
While the identity of the investor has yet to be officially confirmed, eGR understands the acquirer is part of the group that bought a controlling stake in Pinnacle Sports last year.
According to a statement released by Sporting Index, the new owner has pledged to invest in both the operator’s B2C sports spread betting business and the firm’s B2B Sporting Solutions trading services operation.
Intertain’s takeover of Gamesys brands to complete next month
The Intertain Group’s £425m deal to acquire Gamesys’ Jackpotjoy, Botemania, and Starspins brands is set to complete on 6 April 2015 with existing shareholders and senior management purchasing a number of shares as part of the deal, the firm announced today.
Intertain announced that as part of the transaction, CEO John FitzGerald and two members of the company’s board purchased 106,700 common shares of the firm in March, while senior management and certain board members purchased 916,846 subscription receipts to help fund the deal.
“Senior management and the board have taken the opportunity to reaffirm their belief in Intertain’s vision and long-term strategy,” Intertain CEO John FitzGerald, said.
Quickspin launches B2B casino platform with Relax Gaming
Quickspin has entered into a strategic partnership with Relax Gaming that will see the Stockholm-based online slots developer offer its own B2B casino platform for the first time.
Under the multi-year deal, Relax Gaming will operate and develop the platform and provide related services, while Quickspin will supply the game content.
Quickspin said the partnership would allow operators to integrate the platform, which is licenced in Malta, Alderney and Greta Britain, and its games through a remote game server.
BetVictor launches third-party live casino
BetVictor has signed a new three-year deal with Medialive to utilise its Malta-based live casino product, just weeks after shutting down its own in-house offering.
Medialive previously provided technology for the firm’s proprietary live casino based in Gibraltar and under the new agreement will also offer a platform of generic tables and live dealers in Malta.
Victor’s Live Casino is now live on the BetVictor website and sits alongside live casino products from Evolution, Microgaming and NetEnt.
Mr Green set for H1 Italy launch
Online casino operator Mr Green is preparing to launch in Italy in the next few months after receiving approval from the regulator to complete its acquisition of Mybet Italia and obtain its operating licence.
The launch of the Mr Green brand is planned for the end of Q2 after agreeing a deal to acquire the former mybet subsidiary Mybet Italia for an undisclosed fee.
“The approval means that we can now offer Mr Green’s award-winning casino in the Italian market,” Mikael Pawlo, CEO of Mr Green & Co, said.
SciGames creates Israeli online hub
Scientific Games has expanded its Tel Aviv-based development studio as it prepares to launch new social casino and social poker apps later this year.
The studio will be based out of Bally-owned social developer Dragonplay’s office in Tel Aviv, which became part of Scientific Games Interactive following the merger with with Bally Technologies in November 2014.
To oversee the new studio, SciGames has reshuffled its Tel Aviv management team with Rami Segal – previously VP of products – promoted to MD of the Israeli development center.
Sky Poker TV set for major overhaul
Sky Betting and Gaming’s Sky Poker TV is to undergo a complete overhaul following the Leeds-based operator’s sale to CVC Capital Partners which has made running the TV channel both “commercially and legally” unviable.
Sky Poker TV’s 24/7 channel and online live stream will shut down within the next couple of weeks but the operator said the division would continue to operate under a new model.
Sky Betting and Gaming will focus on developing pre-recorded material for Sky Poker TV including coverage of its UKPC tournament, interviews and educational videos, while its weekly shows on Sky Sports will remain under a new format, the company said.
Gamesys seals NetEnt content deal
Gamesys has signed a licensing agreement with Net Entertainment which will see the UK firm launch a number of the supplier’s slots games across its Virgin Games site and its managed brands including JackpotJoy.
NetEnt Malta MD Enrico Bradamante said Gamesys was “aligned” with his firm’s growth strategy in regulated markets, with the Stockholm and Malta-based company closing in on its US debut.
“Gamesys and NetEnt share a commitment to delivering the ultimate player experience and I’m confident that NetEnt’s world-class slots and casino games will contribute to their continued success,” Bradamante added.
Racing Victoria has struck a deal with Sportsbet which will see the Paddy Power-owned operator to live stream thoroughbred racing through the Racing Live service.
Sportsbets’ estimated 1.8 million users can now stream live racing via the operator’s desktop site with integration into its mobile app expected to be completed next month.
“We are pleased to partner with Sportsbet in an agreement which will support a broader distribution of Victorian thoroughbred racing,” Racing Victoria CEO, Bernard Saundry, said.