Sky Bet to "beef up" international presence
Managing director Richard Flint says international expansion still in the pipeline with a social gaming launch also expected soon
Sky Betting and Gaming managing director Richard Flint has pledged to “beef up” the firm’s presence in international markets as the operator also looks to launch a new social gaming product in the coming months.
Speaking to eGaming Review after reporting a 60% year-on-year rise in Q1 revenues, Flint said Sky Bet was aiming to build out its international capabilities and was currently “working out how best” to enter the Italian market, as well as keeping a watchful eye on developments in Germany.
“We hired [egaming consultant] Graham Ross who is working on our international project and we are looking to beef up our international presence on the ground in Italy and probably at a higher level as well,” Flint said.
“We would consider and keep an eye out for Germany but it’s further off from our plans and ambitions,” Flint added.
Ross was appointed Sky Bet’s international consultant last year and has since worked on the Leeds-based firm’s expansion into Ireland after previously working at Betfair for nine years.
In July BSkyB revealed it had agreed to pay £4.9bn for 21st Century Fox’s 100% interest in Sky Italia and 57.4% stake in Sky Deutschland, potentially speeding up a Sky Bet launch in the Italian and German online gambling markets.
Flint also told eGR the operator was planning a social gaming push and despite not revealing any specific details, said he expected Sky Bet “to launch something over the winter”.
Last year the operator hired former Facebook EMEA manager for social gaming Bruce Bale to the role of head of social gaming and Sky development.
Bale joined Sky Bet after spending two years at the social network where he led its social gaming operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa after previously holding business development roles at Lionside, Viagogo and West Ham United Football Club.
Yesterday Sky Bet reported a 60% year-on-year rise in Q1 2015 revenues to £56m following strong customer acquisition during the World Cup and growth in all four verticals.