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Gaming Innovation Group divesting its B2C vertical to Betsson Group

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Gaming Innovation Group Inc. (GiG) signs a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Betsson Group (Betsson) for the divestment of GiG’s B2C assets which include the operator brands Rizk, Guts, Kaboo and Thrills. Betsson will, through this agreement, become a long term partner of GiG, generating revenues to GiG’s Platform Services. On the day of closing, Betsson will pay €31 million, consisting of a €22.3 million cash payment for the acquisition, plus a prepaid platform fee of €8.7 million. GiG will use the proceeds to repay the Company’s SEK300 million 2017 – 2020 bond.

Betsson commits to keep the brands operational on GiG’s platform for a minimum of 30 months. For the first 24 months, Betsson will pay a premium platform fee based on NGR generated. Based on the expected platform fees, the total value of the transaction is estimated at approximately €50 million.

Betsson, listed at Nasdaq Stockholm, is one of the most dominant European companies in online gambling with a long and strong track record of brand building, both organically and via acquisitions. It offers online casino, proprietary sportsbook and other online games in a multi-brand strategy via gaming licences in twelve countries in Europe and Central Asia.

The sale of the B2C vertical is a result of GiG’s strategic review, initiated in November 2019, leading to an evolved strategic direction to reduce complexity and improve efficiency. By divesting the B2C vertical, GiG will free up resources, enabling full dedication on driving and growing its B2B business, securing stable and sustainable earnings and profit margins. GiG sees a large and sustainable addressable market for its platform business as the regulation of the iGaming industry continues and is well positioned with the omni-channel platform offering to capitalise on the continued digital transformation of the worldwide gambling market.

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GiG has, as part of the strategic review, taken a decision to make its technical platform sportsbook agnostic, and partner with other sport book providers to offer the best solutions to its customers. Betsson’s sportsbook solution is intended to be integrated on GiG’s platform-offering. Both GiG and Betsson will gain strategic advantage in having the possibility to sell their respective B2B solutions in an environment without conflict of their own B2C brands.

In order to keep the strategic position for its own proprietary sportsbook, GiG will seek joint ventures or other constellations with partners to release the true asset value of the sportsbook and to secure external long term funding. The ambition is to gradually grow with existing and new long term partners, including the fast growing US market. GiG is one of the few B2B providers present with omni-channel online gambling services in multi-state jurisdictions in the US.

Pontus Lindwall, Chief Executive Officer of Betsson AB comments: “We believe this deal offers a good opportunity for Betsson to consolidate, create synergies and apply our core B2C skills and marketing insights to scale these assets to their true potential. The agreement with GiG further strengthens and expands Betsson’s outreach and growth potential for its proprietary sportsbook and payments platforms in the B2B market.

Betsson has significantly invested in the development of its sportsbook and now delivers a powerful offering. A key strategy is to grow our sportsbook with B2B customers and I am excited to collaborate with GiG as a distribution channel. We share the same passion for sports betting and providing a player environment which is unique, entertaining and safe.”

Richard Brown, Chief Executive Officer of GiG says: “I am very excited about this transaction as it provides multiple upsides to GiG. While putting the Company in a financially sustainable position, it gives us the ability to focus on where we see real long term shareholder value. This transaction serves as a strategic focusing of the Company’s efforts towards the B2B segment. Offering both B2C and B2B services had synergies in the past, however, the current conflicting priorities of the two business areas, and increased complexity in the market, have lessened the potential offering on both fronts and our ability to sign new customers.

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I am delighted to retain our brands on the platform and in the process, adding Betsson as a partner as we share the same ambition of responsibility for all stakeholders, safe play for the end user, and an entertaining user experience. I am certain that together with their speciality, focus and strong track record on driving B2C growth, it will be a fruitful partnership. Additionally, the planned integration of Betsson’s sportsbook into our platform offering, not only provides cost saving synergies, it also allows us to offer one of the most well-renowned European sportsbooks to our current and future B2B partners. We are excited to support Betsson’s growth of the brands we have built and now look forward to GiG next chapter as a specialist iGaming B2B provider“.

GiG’s full year 2019 revenues were €123.0 million (€29.4m in Q4 2019) with an EBITDA of €14.1 million (€4.8m Q4 2019), assuming B2C as continued operations. The isolated B2C full year 2019 revenues were €79.0 million (€19.0m in Q4 2019) with a full year 2019 EBITDA of €8.1 million (€4.1m in Q4 2019). The divestment of the B2C vertical will lead to a write-down of the remaining book value of the B2C assets and related goodwill, an impairment will be recognised in the fourth quarter 2019.

With the divestment of the B2C vertical, full year 2020 revenues are expected in the range of €70 – 75 million, with an EBITDA expected in the range of €14 – 17 million, including, for comparison, B2C as continued operations until completion of the transaction.

Expected completion of the transaction is mid April 2020, giving time for the compulsory regulatory approvals from merger control and gaming authorities. GiG is in dialogue with its largest bondholders and will seek consent from its bondholders to extend the repayment of the 2017 – 2020 bond from the maturity date in March 2020 until 22 April 2020. Written resolutions for the two bonds will commence shortly, and GiG has received voting undertakings from investors representing around 53% of the outstanding volume in the 2017 – 2020 bond, and around 46% of the outstanding volume in the 2019 – 2022 bond. As compensation for the extension of repayment date in the 2017- 2020 bond, bondholders in said bond will receive a consent fee of 0.35% of the nominal amount.

GiG invites all interested parties to a press conference with Q&A today, 14 February, at 08:30 CET. Questions can be addressed both in the call and via the web. Please find dial-in details and weblink below.

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Weblink (an on-demand version will be available approx. 30 minutes after the call using the same link):

https://tv.streamfabriken.com/gig-press-conference

Participants dial in numbers:

SE: +46 856642651

NO: +47 23500243

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UK: +44 3333000804

US: +18558570686

DK: +45 35445577

IT: +39 0236013821

Participants Pin code: 84408716#

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Stella EOC acts as financial adviser to GiG in connection with the transaction.

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ZEAL Network CEO Helmut Becker Will Not Extend His Contract Beyond January 2026

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Dr. Helmut Becker, CEO of ZEAL Network, has informed the Supervisory Board of the company of his decision not to extend his contract, which runs until January 31, 2026. The 56-year-old has decided to pursue his own entrepreneurial activities in the future after many years as a top manager. Dr Becker will then leave the company after more than twelve years on the Executive Board of ZEAL Network SE, including more than ten as CEO. He will remain fully committed to ZEAL as CEO until the end of his contract term and will ensure a smooth transition of his duties to a successor.

“ZEAL is in an excellent position to continue to grow in the future. After almost ten years as CEO, I have decided that now is the right time to pursue my own entrepreneurial endeavours. This has been a difficult decision for me. I will especially miss our exceptionally strong team and the unique culture we have built together, characterised by innovation, customer focus and team spirit. I will continue to work hard until the end of my term to achieve the goals we have set together,” said Dr Becker.

Dr Becker informed the Supervisory Board of ZEAL Network SE about his decision at an early stage, and the Supervisory Board will immediately initiate a structured process for the succession of the CEO.

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Peter Steiner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said: “The Supervisory Board of ZEAL Network SE has noted with great regret Helmut Becker’s decision not to seek a contract extension. Helmut Becker has played a decisive role in taking ZEAL’s business development to a new level. Under his leadership, ZEAL has established itself as a market leader in the online lottery market, significantly expanded its customer base and crucially broadened its offering through innovative product development. On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to thank him for his outstanding commitment and strategic vision. We wish him all the best for his personal life and professional career.”

Dr Becker has been CEO of ZEAL Network since September 1, 2015, after serving as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for over two years. Prior to joining the Executive Board, he was a member of the Supervisory Board of ZEAL for two years. Previously, he served as Chief Commercial Officer on the Management Board of XING AG and held various management positions at eBay Germany and as a management consultant at McKinsey. As CEO, Dr Becker was responsible for the acquisition of LOTTO24 AG, the return of ZEAL to Germany and the expansion of the portfolio to include freiheit+, Games and Traumhausverlosung.

The post ZEAL Network CEO Helmut Becker Will Not Extend His Contract Beyond January 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Gamblorium Enhances Casino Reviews with Updated Rating System

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Gamblorium, a trusted online casino affiliate platform, announces its new and improved casino rating system. This updated system is designed to give players even more accurate and transparent rankings for online casinos. Since 2020, Gamblorium has been known for providing honest and expert-tested casino reviews. With this updated rating system, Gamblorium continues to ensure players can easily find the best gambling sites.

The new rating system combines three key components: Gamblorium Score, Player Score and Market Score. These scores are based on a 100-point scale, providing players with a clear and reliable way to choose casinos that meet their preferences.

Main features of Gamblorium’s new rating system:

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• Gamblorium score: The Gamblorium Score evaluates casinos based on over 100 criteria, including payment methods, game options, security and user experience. Unlike other platforms, Gamblorium uses a relative and flexible approach, meaning casinos are ranked based on their strengths within their market. This score also incorporates Expert Scoring, ensuring that the most important factors are weighted appropriately.

• Player score: The Player Score is based on feedback from real users. Players can leave reviews only if they have registered or played at the casino, ensuring honest and up-to-date feedback. This makes the reviews highly reliable and reflective of the actual player experience.

• Market score: The Market Score helps balance the overall rating by considering the views of other trusted gambling platforms. This adds another layer of objectivity and ensures that Gamblorium’s reviews remain fair and unbiased.

The post Gamblorium Enhances Casino Reviews with Updated Rating System appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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CT Interactive Appoints Dimitar Raychev as Technical Support Specialist for Online Services

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CT Interactive has appointed Dimitar Raychev as Technical Support Specialist for Online Services.

Over the years, Dimitar has worked with various platforms such as AWS, Active Directory and SAP, allowing him to acquire deep knowledge and skills in managing infrastructures and automating processes. Thanks to his expertise, he has helped many organisations optimise their systems and maintain high levels of efficiency.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dimitar Raychev to the CT Interactive team, where he will take on the role of Technical Support Specialist for Online Services. Dimitar brings extensive experience in providing technical support to global clients, successfully diagnosing and resolving issues with software, hardware and network systems. His commitment to quality service and the technical skills he possesses make him a valuable asset. We look forward to leveraging his knowledge and continuing to provide our clients with impeccable service and support,” the company said.

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The post CT Interactive Appoints Dimitar Raychev as Technical Support Specialist for Online Services appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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