Playtech to "progress acquisition" talks at ICE

Playtech chief executive Mor Weizer said he will be using the ICE Totally Gaming to progress ongoing acquisition talks with a major deal still expected before the end of the year.

Speaking at a media briefing as the three-day ICE exhibition got underway at London’s Excel Arena, Weizer re-iterated the business expected to complete a siginficant acquisition during 2015, but he made clear he was “under no pressure” to rush the process.

“There are a variety of acquisitions on the table, and I expect to progress some of those talks over the coming days and also identify additional opportunities,” Weizer said.

“In the past, some of the best opportunities have arrived at conferences like this – it’s good for being able to identify targets,” he added.

Weizer also spoke about the US market and said the revenue numbers since launch from the three states regulated states of Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey had proven that Playtech was right to hold back on entering the market.

However, the chief exec was more positive about California, describing the state as “a different story” and that Playtech “should and would be there” once the market regulates.

Playtech called the briefing to discuss its use of big data and omni-channel solution, which it will be exhibiting at the conference.

Last year, Coral went live with the Playtech and Openbet-powered single-wallet solution Connect, and Weizer said the operator had been impressed by the results.

According to Weizer, 30% of Coral’s NGR is now derived from Connect card holders while customers that bet across retail and online were 2.5 times more valuable than online only customers.

“It [the omni-channel solution] has given Coral visibility of previously unseen customers – it now has the ability to treat customers, such as VIPs, differently when they play online,” he said.

Weizer also added that Playtech expected “to do something” with Ladbrokes on the omni-channel front during the year.