Press Releases
LeoVegas carries out strategic measures in the UK and related cost initiatives
LeoVegas is carrying out strategic changes coupled to the UK market and the Group’s organisation. During the first quarter the brands Rocket X provide managed services for will be migrated to the Group’s own technical platform, while the Royal Panda brand will leave the UK to instead focus on fast-growing markets in Europe and the Rest of the world. This will result in a more focused and efficient operation that fully uses economies of scale in technology, product and organisation. As a result of the company’s efficiency improvement work, a planned relocation to new offices in Malta is being called off. These various initiatives will lead to annual cost savings of approximately EUR 3.7 m. One-off restructuring costs of EUR 6.1 m will be charged against operating profit for the fourth quarter. LeoVegas is also recognising an impairment loss of approximately EUR 10 m on its investment in Royal Panda.
The UK market for online gaming has changed dramatically in recent years, such as with respect to stricter demands on compliance and higher gambling taxes. At the same time, since the trade and assets of IPS (Rocket X managed brands) and Royal Panda, LeoVegas has conducted its operations in the UK on three separate technical platforms and with three slightly separate organisations, which has resulted in internal complexity. As a result, in 2019 the marketing organisations for LeoVegas UK and Rocket X were integrated into a single unit. The Group is now taking the next step by migrating the Rocket X managed brand portfolio from a third-party solution to the Group’s own multibrand platform Rhino, where all technology is owned and run by LeoVegas. Parallel with this, Royal Panda is leaving the UK market, which entails that all operations coupled to the UK going forward will be driven on the same technical platform and with a joint organisation for technology, products, customer service, marketing and compliance.
The strategic initiatives were begun during the fourth quarter of 2019 and are expected to be largely completed during the first quarter of this year. The measures are expected to generate cost synergies in areas such as marketing, products, payments and customer service, and will result in reduced complexity in compliance. The annual savings relating to the UK are estimated to be approximately EUR 2.0 m after the migration has been completed and consist mainly of lower platform and product costs and a more efficient organisation.
During the fourth quarter Royal Panda had sales of approximately EUR 1.1 m in the UK with negative profitability and is not expected to generate significant revenue during the first quarter of 2020. Revenue for the remaining operations in the UK, consisting of 13 brands including LeoVegas, 21.co.uk and BetUK, grew 15% during the fourth quarter over the third quarter and showed good profitability.
LeoVegas’ focus on efficiency and cost control during the past year, including the now-communicated measures in the UK, have contributed to a much more optimised organisation with improved processes. The number of full-time equivalent employees in the Group has decreased from just under 900 to around 800 during the past year. The Group has therefore decided to cancel its contract for new, larger premises in Malta in 2021 and will instead stay in its existing facilities during the coming five-year period. The annual cost savings compared with the previously planned move will amount to EUR 1.7 m per year.
The initiatives will give rise to total restructuring costs of EUR 6.1 m, which will be charged against operating profit (EBIT) for the fourth quarter. The costs are mainly related to early cancellations of third-party agreements on platforms and products, penalties for cancellation of the new lease in Malta, discontinuation costs for Royal Panda’s operations in the UK, and impairment of LeoVegas Gaming’s intangible assets coupled to Rocket X’s previous technological development. In addition to this, LeoVegas is recognising an impairment loss of approximately EUR 10 m for its investment in Royal Panda. All of the cited costs will be reported as items affecting comparability in the fourth quarter interim report. The operating profit in the fourth quarter will also include a capital gain of EUR 11.4 m from the previously communicated sale of the subsidiary Authentic Gaming, which will also be reported under items affecting comparability.
“The strategic initiatives we are now carrying out will create optimal conditions to be successful in the large, but at the same time complex, UK market,” comments Gustaf Hagman, Group CEO. “The consolidation of brands into one and the same platform will contribute to large economies of scale in the Group – both by allowing us to fully utilise our multibrand technology and through a more efficient organisation. Already during the second half of last year, the LeoVegas and Rocket X managed brands in the UK began to perform favourably, and the new structure gives us a good starting point to increase both growth and profitability in the UK market during 2020. At the same time, Royal Panda – which has struggled with weak performance in the UK but has performed well in other markets – can now focus fully on growth outside of the UK and also launch the brand in a couple of new markets in and outside of Europe.”
LeoVegas will publish its interim report for the fourth quarter of 2019 at 8 a.m. CET on 14 February.
Podium, a leading global provider of trusted sports content and data solutions, is working with Dabble to help bring its socially driven betting experience to UK audiences.
Dabble combines traditional betting functionality with a social media-style interface to offer the next generation of racing fans a more interactive way to connect and share. The app-based platform is integrated with Betmakers technology, with all UK horse and greyhound racing data delivered by Podium.
Ian Houghton, Commercial Director at Podium says: “At Podium, we are always excited when we see innovation in the industry, so we are delighted to play a part of Dabble’s expansion into the UK market, particularly at a time when the racing industry needs to retain a younger audience. We look forward to exploring how Podium’s services can continue to support Dabble’s global ambitions.”
The collaboration, which has been in place since the summer, marks an evolution in how racing data is used and experienced, with Podium delivering UK racing content via Betmakers technology to help power Dabble’s social platform.
Tom Rundle, CEO of Dabble, says: “Dabble’s move into the UK is a natural fit. We’re a challenger brand with an exciting product that we built ourselves from scratch. We’re already seeing that resonate with the UK audience. Yes, you can get a bet on, but essentially, we are placing ourselves as being community driven. We’re creating a richer experience at every touch point.”
The UK is Dabble’s third international market, following rapid growth after launching in its native Australia.
The post Podium’s Racing Data to Power Dabble’s Social-led Betting Service in the UK appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The leading slot game provider, Endorphina, continues to make waves in the iGaming industry, announcing its presence at the highly anticipated SBC Lisbon with a big splash. From September 16-18, Endorphina’s stand, number B590, will bring the ultimate beach escape at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa & Meo Arena.
To further tease its presence at the upcoming beach-themed booth at SBC Summit Lisbon, Endorphina created a campaign inspired by the popular TV show Baywatch. The company organized a special photoshoot with its employees dressed as lifeguards patrolling the beaches of Lisbon. In addition, Endorphina designed special posters that play with the aesthetics of 80s and 90s posters and VHS tapes.
This announcement from Endorphina immediately captured the attention of the iGaming world, with the posts receiving 5x more engagement than usual on LinkedIn. The photoshoot featured employees from various departments, including Kirill Miroshnichenko, CCO; Irina Veselkova, Marketing Strategy Coordinator; Dejan Vranjanin, Head of Account Development; Mihail Cojocaru, Team Lead Client Success Management; Marie Eliseeva, Account Manager; and Svetlana MD Masud, Partnership Manager.
This campaign teases Endorphina’s booth at SBC Summit Lisbon, which will be themed to bring the ultimate beach paradise straight to Portugal. The company promises unique activities and a memorable experience for visitors, inviting them to visit booth B590, meet the Endorphina team, and immerse themselves in the beach-themed atmosphere.
The post Endorphina Goes Viral With Baywatch-inspired SBC Lisbon Posters appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP. ACTIVATED: Oleksandr Usyk Joins GR8 Tech at SBC Summit 2025
The wait is over: the Heavyweight Champ is Activated. On September 17, GR8 Tech brings Oleksandr Usyk, undisputed heavyweight champion and co-founder of Ready to Fight, to the stage at SBC Summit 2025 for a full day of heavyweight action.
From the Super Stage to the Stand
The day begins on the Super Stage at 11:45 with The Heavyweight Playbook: Building Businesses That Perform When It Matters Most. Usyk joins forces with Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech, and Kyrylo Korobka, Executive Director at Ready to Fight, to explore how discipline, resilience, and execution power success in the ring and the boardroom.
But the action doesn’t end there. A striking walk show with Usyk at the center takes the spotlight across the exhibition floor—to GR8 Tech’s booth C350.
Heavyweight Activation at Booth C350
At the stand, the Heavyweight Champ. Activated. program unfolds:
- Live challenge with iGaming’s top executives: industry heavyweights stepping into the spotlight alongside Usyk to test their strength and mindset in front of the crowd. (Names to be revealed live, so don’t miss the surprise.)
- Exclusive opportunity to win signed gloves from Oleksandr Usyk—a collector’s prize for those who show up when it matters.
Back to the Core: Heavyweight Solutions That Deliver
While the champ brings the spotlight, GR8 Tech delivers the results. Live demos across our high-performance stack showcase what it means to operate at the heavyweight standard:
- Hyper Turnkey: end-to-end iGaming precision, no-code frontend, AI CRM, and geo-specific presets for instant market entry.
- ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame: customizable, fast-to-market, and margin-tight with AI features.
- Infinite Providers Aggregation: single-API access, advanced promo tools, and deep analytics for smarter monetization.
Book a meeting with GR8 Tech at Booth C350 during SBC Summit 2025, September 16–18, join the Heavyweight Club and be a part of the exclusive community that sets the bar for all the industry to match.
GR8 Tech. Platform for Champions
GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider, delivering high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Key elements of GR8 Tech’s comprehensive portfolio include the Hyper Turnkey solution, ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame, Infinite Providers Aggregation, and Platform Acceler8 suite, featuring its proprietary affiliate management platform, Aff.Tech.
With a geo-specific approach to solutions, a focus on practical innovations, and an operator-first mindset, GR8 Tech helps its clients achieve measurable results in their target markets quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, GR8 Tech has over 100 successful cases and earned multiple recognitions, including the title of the Best Sports Betting Provider in CEE by GamingTECH Awards 2025.
The post HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP. ACTIVATED: Oleksandr Usyk Joins GR8 Tech at SBC Summit 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
eSports6 days agoTEAM VITALITY AND HUMMEL LAUNCH ALTERNATE JERSEY AND EXCLUSIVE APPAREL COLLECTION
-
Africa6 days agoRise & Hustle partners with Altenar to power its new sportsbook offering
-
EurAsia6 days ago
Groove Technologies Shines in Georgia at SmartSoft Partner Event: Culture, Connection, and Collaboration Take Centre Stage
-
Africa6 days ago
Ghana’s NLA Introduces New Sticker to Clamp Down on Illegal Lotto Operators
-
Eastern Europe6 days ago
Digitain Strengthens Romanian Market Presence Through KingCasino Partnership
-
Central Europe6 days ago
CT Interactive Announces Strategic Partnership with Ecasino
-
Alex Malchenko Head of Sales at Evoplay6 days ago
Evoplay strengthens Ontario presence in partnership with Caesars Entertainment
-
Central Europe6 days ago
CT Interactive grows its certified game portfolio in the Slovak market
