Aquisitions/Mergers
Flutter Announces Acquisition of Snaitech
Flutter Entertainment has announced that it has agreed to acquire Snaitech S.p.A. (Snai), one of Italy’s leading omni-channel operators, from a subsidiary of Playtech plc, for cash consideration based on an enterprise value of €2.3b.
The acquisition fully aligns with Flutter’s strategy to invest in leadership positions in international markets. The transaction is expected to close by Q2 2025.
Snai is the number three online operator in the Italian market with a 9.9% share in 2023 and 291,000 average monthly players. Online revenue and Adjusted EBITDA have grown at a compound rate of 26% and 32% respectively, in the four fiscal years to 2023. This is supported by a strong retail presence with over 2000 sites driving a number two retail share position in both betting of 19% and gaming of 14%. Snai generated 100% regulated revenue of €947m (which is after the deduction of gaming duties) and Adjusted EBITDA of €256m in financial year 2023, of which 50% was generated online.
On completion, Flutter will assume the gold medal position in Italy with a ~30% online share when combined with its existing Italian business, which will deliver efficiency benefits in a key market for the Group. This includes Sisal, which, grew AMPs, and revenue at a compound rate of 27% and 17% respectively between Q2 2022 and Q2 2024, resulting in 270bps online share gain. The transaction is expected to deliver operating cost synergies of at least €70m along with incremental revenue synergies. On a post-cost synergy basis, the transaction is at a similarly attractive multiple to the Sisal transaction. It is also comfortably above the internal returns criteria by year two.
The transaction is subject to merger control clearance and other customary regulatory clearances and is expected to close by Q2 2025.
The transaction is consistent with the company’s strategy and is another example of Flutter allocating capital to drive shareholder value creation. The company will provide a further update at the Investor Day on September 25.
Peter Jackson, CEO, commented: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Snai, one of the leading players in Italy, Europe’s largest regulated market. This transaction is compelling strategically and financially. It fits perfectly within our strategy for value creating M&A and creates a significant opportunity to accelerate Snai’s growth by providing them with access to Flutter’s market leading products and capabilities both in the US and globally.
“I look forward to welcoming the Snai team to the Flutter Group and working with them to maximize the growth opportunity for our combined businesses.”
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Aquisitions/Mergers
PolarLotto Acquires Competitor and Strengthens Market Position
Polar Group Technologies (PolarLotto), one of Sweden’s leading lottery betting companies, is pleased to announce the acquisition of one of its main competitors, lottoexperten.se, through the purchase of all shares in More Tech Group Ltd.
This deal is a strategic step to further strengthen our position in the Swedish market and enhance the experience for our customers.
With this purchase, we continue our growth journey and reinforce our commitment to oFering attractive and exciting lottery betting products. The two companies combined have over 85,000 registered customers, and we look forward to welcoming all the new customers that now will join us into the PolarLotto group.
“This acquisition is an important step in our development and continued growth,” says Daniel Bessmert, CEO of Polar Group Technologies AB.
“We are proud to combine the best of both companies to create even more value for our customers and partners.”
The post PolarLotto Acquires Competitor and Strengthens Market Position appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Aquisitions/Mergers
ENDEAVOR ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT BUYOUT OF OPENBET AND IMG ARENA
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Aquisitions/Mergers
OKTO Acquires Aplauz CH GmbH and Expands in Swiss Market
OKTO has announced the full acquisition of Aplauz CH GmbH, the Swiss subsidiary of Aplauz Financial Services Ltd. This strategic acquisition strengthens OKTO’s presence in the Swiss market, enabling the company to expand its customer base and introduce innovative payment services in the market while maintaining and enhancing the existing infrastructure of Aplauz CH GmbH in the region.
Under OKTO’s ownership, Aplauz CH GmbH will continue to deliver its Aplauz prepaid payment service through online merchants and retail distribution partners, now rebranded as OKTO.VOUCHER. The transition will be seamless, ensuring uninterrupted service for all partners and consumers.
Aligned with its growth strategy, OKTO also introduces OKTO.CASH to the Swiss market—a fast, direct cash-to-online payment solution already established across multiple European markets, including Romania, Greece, Czech Republic, Germany, Cyprus, Italy and Serbia.
Aplauz CH GmbH, now under OKTO’s leadership, holds the necessary regulatory approvals from the Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) VQF to offer both OKTO.VOUCHER and OKTO.CASH services in Switzerland.
Thanos Mondanos, OKTO’s Head of Business Strategy, said: “Welcoming Aplauz CH GmbH into the OKTO Group marks a significant step forward in our international growth strategy. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to expanding in high-potential markets like Switzerland, allowing us to deliver a stronger portfolio of payment solutions that meet evolving customer demands. We are confident that Aplauz CH GmbH’s established presence, combined with OKTO’s innovative payment technologies, will create substantial value for both users and partners in the region.”
Mathias Wratschko, Senior Distribution Manager at OKTO, said: “This is a pivotal moment for OKTO, our Swiss partners and users. Through the acquisition of Aplauz CH GmbH, we’re set to elevate both transaction volumes and customer experience in Switzerland. By expanding the rebranded OKTO.VOUCHER service and launching OKTO.CASH, we’re enhancing Swiss payment options in a way that promises substantial revenue growth for our partners and increased satisfaction for consumers.”
Goran Abramović, Director of Aplauz Financial Services Ltd., said: “We are thrilled with the successful sale of our Swiss consumer business and have every confidence in OKTO’s capacity to drive further growth in this segment within the Swiss market. Aplauz Financial Services remains fully committed to supporting the Swiss market by continuing to provide our cutting-edge voucher issuing technology platform to OKTO and offering ongoing technical support to our valued partners. We look forward to seeing the positive impact OKTO will bring to this evolving market.”
The post OKTO Acquires Aplauz CH GmbH and Expands in Swiss Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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