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Smarkets raises Series B funding round to supercharge international and domestic growth

Published

5 years ago

June 10, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Smarkets, one of the world’s largest betting exchange and prediction market platforms, has announced the closing of a significant minority investment from Susquehanna Growth Equity (SGE).

Having raised just £3.8m ($5.4m) since its inception in 2008, with its Series A round coming back in 2013, Smarkets has built a leading exchange platform that processes billions of pounds in traded volume each year. The company has offices in London, Los Angeles, and Malta, licensed customer-focused operations in five countries, and in 2019 released innovative sportsbook app SBK.

Smarkets is delighted to welcome SGE, which joins existing investors Passion Capital and Deutsche Telekom in supporting the company’s mission to fix betting with the fairest odds in the industry.

This new investment will allow Smarkets to accelerate its rollout in the US, where it is already live in Colorado with sportsbook app SBK and set to go live in Indiana soon. The funding will also bolster SBK’s position in the UK mainstream betting market after its successful launch in August 2019.

The new investment will contribute to:

Furthering the company’s US presence, including market-access deals in new, regulated states
Capturing an even greater share of the UK betting exchange market and accelerating SBK’s growth in the UK’s mainstream sportsbook market
Expanding Smarkets’ development of new products for customers and focus on industry-leading prices on sports, politics, and current affairs
Continuing to capture the best and brightest worldwide engineering talent with a view to doubling headcount by the end of 2022
Further expansion into new and recently entered markets such as Denmark and Sweden

Jason Trost, founder and CEO of Smarkets, said:

“This is an incredibly exciting day. I’ve always been amazed what the passion and energy of a comparatively small group of committed people can accomplish against much bigger rivals; Smarkets and SBK are the product of exactly that. At Smarkets we have always been guided by our vision of fixing betting with the best prices and products, and SGE is just as excited as us to challenge the status quo. This is a huge endorsement of our technology and will allow us to further upend the industry by offering bets as close to fair value as possible.

“We are super proud of what we have achieved so far in the UK betting space, and this new investment will help take us to the next level and beyond in the UK, US, and other international markets. I’d like to thank the women and men that work and have worked at Smarkets for getting us to where we are.

“I truly believe the best is yet to come. This investment will allow us to fight with greater resources, move faster, and be bolder in our mission. We’re so excited about the opportunities this investment unlocks.”

Scott Feldman, Managing Director with Susquehanna Growth Equity, said:

“We are delighted to be able to join Smarkets on their upward journey. We immediately identified with their vision of using technology to take on the betting industry’s big operators by providing the fairest odds in the world and maintaining a clear focus on product excellence.

“Smarkets have achieved a huge amount with little investment to date and we can’t wait to see them go from strength to strength as they expand further into both the US and UK mainstream market.”

betting innovation

DATA.BET Expands at SiGMA South America 2026

Published

9 minutes ago

April 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

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DATA.BET has reinforced its ambitions in Latin America by making a strong return to BiS SiGMA South America 2026, one of the region’s most influential iGaming events.

With a significantly larger presence and an expanded product suite, the company demonstrated a clear evolution from its earlier identity as an esports-centric provider into a comprehensive sportsbook solutions partner.

Held in São Paulo, the event provided the perfect stage for DATA.BET to showcase its full-scale betting ecosystem. The company presented an integrated portfolio that spans traditional sports betting, esports wagering, and virtual sports—positioning itself as a one-stop solution for operators targeting regulated markets, particularly in Brazil.

A key highlight of DATA.BET’s offering is its GLI certification for Brazil. This certification is a major advantage for operators, as it removes the need for additional technical approvals and significantly shortens time-to-market. In a rapidly developing regulatory environment like Brazil’s, this capability gives partners a competitive edge when launching or scaling their betting platforms.

At the exhibition stand, visitors explored several product enhancements designed to improve both operator efficiency and player engagement. Among the updates were revamped Statistical Widgets and the esports-focused Timeline Widget, both aimed at delivering richer real-time insights and more immersive user experiences. The introduction of features such as One-Click Bet and Early Payout further underscores DATA.BET’s commitment to streamlining the betting journey while adding flexibility and excitement for end users.

In addition to officially announced upgrades, the company also teased an upcoming feature currently in development. While details remain under wraps, DATA.BET indicated that this innovation will push engagement standards even higher, reflecting its ongoing investment in next-generation betting technology.

Beyond technology, the company ensured its booth stood out through an engaging and interactive atmosphere. Cosplayers portraying popular League of Legends characters Jinx and Ahri attracted steady attention, reinforcing DATA.BET’s roots in esports culture while bridging the gap to mainstream sports betting audiences. A dynamic kinetic screen added a visual centerpiece, helping to maintain strong visitor engagement throughout the event.

According to Natalie Loshatynska, Head of PR & Marketing at DATA.BET, the company’s return to SiGMA South America marks a significant milestone. She emphasized that the transformation from an esports-focused provider to a full sportsbook ecosystem reflects both strategic growth and a deep commitment to local markets. With expanded coverage, localized certification, and tailored tools, DATA.BET is positioning itself as a leading supplier across key verticals including esports, traditional sports, and virtual betting.

This strategic shift aligns with broader industry trends, as Latin America—particularly Brazil—continues to emerge as one of the fastest-growing regulated betting markets globally. By investing in technology, compliance, and localized solutions, DATA.BET aims to empower operators to capitalize on these opportunities while delivering high-quality betting experiences to users.

As competition intensifies in the region, companies that can combine regulatory readiness with innovative product offerings are likely to lead the market. DATA.BET’s performance at BiS SiGMA South America 2026 suggests it is well on its way to becoming a dominant force in the evolving Latin American betting landscape.

The post DATA.BET Expands at SiGMA South America 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

DATA.BET Returned to BiS SiGMA South America 2026

Published

9 minutes ago

April 11, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

data.bet-returned-to-bis-sigma-south-america-2026

The company showcased its full betting portfolio to São Paulo.

DATA.BET, a leading sportsbook solution supplier, has successfully wrapped up its participation at BiS SiGMA South America 2026, one of the largest iGaming events in Latin America. The company was back on the expo floor with a significantly larger stand and a wider portfolio, marking a clear shift from the previous positioning as an esports-first company to a full-spectrum betting ecosystem.

The team presented a complete sportsbook offering covering sports, esports, and virtual specifically tailored for casino and sports betting brands looking to enter or expand in the regulated market. The company holds GLI certification for Brazil, which eliminates the need for additional technical validation and allows operators to reduce time to launch.

At the stand, attendees got a closer look at a range of recent updates, including refreshed Statistical Widgets and the esports Timeline Widget. The company unveiled One-Click Bet and Early Payout, and shared an early look at a new feature yet to be officially announced, aimed at raising the bar for player engagement.

The stand brought the energy visitors have come to expect from DATA.BET. Cosplayers dressed as Jinx and Ahri, fan-favorite characters from League of Legends, drew consistent attention throughout the event, while a kinetic screen added an interactive visual element that kept foot traffic engaged.

“Returning to BiS SiGMA South America this year felt like a natural checkpoint for the team. Last time we were here, DATA.BET was an esports-focused company. This time, we came back with a full sportsbook solution, strengthened by extended coverage, local certification, and products and tools specifically adapted for local clients. All of these steps demonstrate the commitment to establishing ourselves in Brazil as a leading supplier with expertise in key betting verticals: esports, sports, and virtual sports,” said Natalie Loshatynska, Head of PR & Marketing at DATA.BET.

DATA.BET continues to invest in its technology and coverage to support partners targeting one of the fastest-growing regulated betting markets in the region.

The post DATA.BET Returned to BiS SiGMA South America 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Basketball Federation of Ukraine

GGBET UA and FBU Host “Media Slam”: A Landmark Open Media Event for Ukrainian Basketball

Published

19 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

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In a historic move for Ukrainian sports, the Basketball Federation of Ukraine (FBU) and title sponsor GGBET UA recently hosted Media Slam in Kyiv. This inaugural open media event served as a high-level forum to analyze the regular season results of the GGBET SuperLeague and the recent performances of Ukraine’s men’s and women’s national teams.

Since becoming the league’s title sponsor in January 2026, GGBET UA has prioritized transparency and engagement. The event highlighted a significant milestone: the return of fans to stadiums despite the ongoing challenges of martial law, signaling a resilient recovery for the domestic game.

Highlights and Recognition

The “Media Slam” wasn’t just about statistics; it was a celebration of the sport’s current momentum:

MVP Honors: The regular season’s top five players were officially recognized for their outstanding contributions.
Kyiv-Basket Victory: The Ukrainian Cup winners received a formal check in honor of their championship win.
Market Discussion: Stakeholders engaged in a candid dialogue regarding the increasing competitiveness of the league.

Sergii Mishchenko, CEO of GGBET UA, commented:

“We didn’t get involved in Ukrainian basketball just to have our logo on a banner. This is a systematic approach. We see the increasing interest in basketball and want to be a part of that growth. The tougher the competition, the stronger Ukrainian basketball becomes.”

A Strategic Expansion

Basketball marks a major pillar in GGBET UA’s diversifying sports portfolio. Following high-profile partnerships with FC Dynamo Kyiv, FC Polissya Zhytomyr, and the Usyk vs. Dubois 2 rematch, the brand is now cementing its status as a cornerstone of the Ukrainian basketball ecosystem.

The post GGBET UA and FBU Host “Media Slam”: A Landmark Open Media Event for Ukrainian Basketball appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.