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Gaming Innovation Group acquires Sportnco
“High quality, proven B2B sportsbook – doubling short- and long-term addressable market and geographic expansion”
Gaming Innovation Group Inc. has signed a Share Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) to acquire the iGaming company Sportnco Gaming SAS (“Sportnco”). Sportnco is one of the leading platform providers of turnkey betting and gaming solutions for operators in regulated markets through its inhouse developed sportsbook and PAM. The combined company will enhance and strengthen GiG’s position as one of the industry leading platforms and media providers with innovative and proprietary products and creating one of the largest and fastest growing providers in regulated iGaming with an unparalleled geographical footprint.
Combined, GiG and Sportnco will be licensed in 25 markets, currently with around 55 clients, as Sportnco’s geographical presence is highly complementary to GiG’s current offering. Sportnco’s tier 1 sportsbook product is strong, and the acquisition is expected to create attractive commercial, operational, and technological synergies, as well as enable cost savings and accelerated growth.
Sportnco is estimating revenues for 2021 in excess of €9 million with an EBITDA around €5 million.
The initial consideration is €50.8 million, whereof €23.5 million will be paid in new shares in GiG and €27.3 million in cash. In addition, GiG will assume existing debt in Sportnco of €19.2 million and there will be an earn-out of up to €23.0 million based on the Sportnco performance in 2022 and 2023.
GiG has also entered into an agreement with SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (“SkyCity”), whereby SkyCity will, subject to final completion of the acquisition, invest €25 million in GiG through a directed share issue at NOK 18.00 per share, that will finance the main part of the cash consideration.
Closing is expected in February 2022 and is subject to necessary approvals from relevant gaming authorities, shareholder approval to increase the authorised shares in GiG, bondholder approval on the rollover of loans in Sportnco, and final approval by GiG’s Board of Directors.
Richard Brown, CEO of GiG said: “We are tremendously excited to welcome Sportnco into Gaming Innovation Group product offering. The transaction accelerates our long-term vision to become a global leader in the provision of platform, sportsbook and media services to the iGaming industry. The hugely complimentary regulatory profile and high-quality sportsbook that Sportnco have, rapidly expands both companies short- and long-term addressable market. Herve and the team at Sportnco have built a fantastic company over the last decade, creating a great product and working in a range of competitive regulated markets and have a proven track record of success. We are very excited to combine the two companies’ offerings and accelerate our growth potential.”
Hervé Schlosser, CEO and founder of Sportnco, said “GIG and Sportnco really have the perfect match both in terms of product and geographical areas of business but also as they share the same corporate values. I am excited by the sales potential of our combined offerings. Sportnco sportsbook will add strength and attractiveness to the offer of GIG and our mutual PAM solutions will enable us to cover European and American regulated markets for all our existing and future clients.”
SkyCity’s CEO, Michael Ahearne said “we are excited that SkyCity is expanding its strategic partnership with the GiG team. GiG is an established online operator who we have come to know well since partnering in mid-2019 to launch the SkyCity Online Casino. The partnership has provided SkyCity with access to a complementary and high-growth gaming category and has enabled us to pursue an omnichannel strategy. The combined GiG/SportNCo business will be licensed or certified in over 20 jurisdictions, including growth markets such as the US, Canada and Latin America. We are delighted to support GiG in the financing of the transaction, becoming a major shareholder and helping GiG execute on its strategic vision through representation on the Board. Importantly, the equity investment builds our digital capability and strengthens our strategic alignment with GiG.”
Richard Brown adds: “we are also delighted to bring on SkyCity as a new shareholder, a company held in high-regard within the land-based segment of the industry,. Both companies’ outlook and focus around the ever-evolving digitalisation of gambling is expected to enable strategic gains, with GiG benefiting from decades of retail experience to finetune our offering and SkyCity benefiting from first-hand digital experience that GiG holds, and new opportunities brought about by the transaction with SportNCo.”
Sportnco
Sportnco is an independent sports betting and iGaming business with international presence in Europe, South America and the US through a combination of tier 1 clients and strong local players. The company has been successful in entering into new geographical markets and currently has around 40 partners working in 12 countries across Europe and Latin America and currently being launched in new regions in North America.
The company started in 2008, and is a specialist in online sports betting for regulated markets, starting in France, then Spain and expanding to other markets as their sports betting activity was getting regulated. The company has developed its own proprietary betting platform, offering a complete live and pre-match betting offer on more than 50 sports. It includes an experienced team of sports traders who perform betting quotation and counterparty risk management to deliver both attractive odds and high level of margin. Sportnco operates the leading B2B betting networks in France and Spain and is active in other European jurisdictions such as Belgium, Portugal, and Greece, as well as in South America and the US. The company has been developing a responsible gaming policy since its launch, which has led it to be present only in highly regulated markets.
Sportnco’s platform offers a player account management (PAM) system that enable its clients to launch a complete offer of online casino games, sports betting, poker and bingo, as it is connected to more than 40 game providers. This powerful technological integration tool allows operators to manage all the key aspects of their activities: players KYC, CRM and bonusing, regulatory report through its proper digital vault.
Its shareholders are made up of several French private investors, alongside the CEO and founder of the company, Hervé Schlosser, who is the main shareholder of Sportnco, and the institutional investor BNP Paribas Développement who entered in 2019. Sportnco has offices in Toulouse (France), Madrid and Barcelona (Spain), and currently employs around 130 people, led by an experienced management team made up of industry veterans.
SkyCity
SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (“SkyCity”) is New Zealand’s largest tourism, leisure and entertainment company and is dual listed on the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges (with a market capitalisation of around NZ$2.3 billion)
SkyCity operates integrated entertainment complexes in New Zealand (Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown) and in Adelaide, Australia, featuring casino gaming facilities, tourist attractions, premium restaurants and bars, as well as award-winning hotels. SkyCity recently completed an A$330 million refurbishment of its Adelaide property and is currently developing an International Convention Centre and new hotel adjacent to its flagship property in Auckland (total cost around NZ$750 million).
In August 2019, SkyCity Online Casino was launched on GiG’s platform, an offshore online gaming business for New Zealanders, as a logical extension of its land-based casino operations. The platform has resonated with customers since launch with LTM revenue to 30 September 2021 of around NZ$37 million and a significant active customer base. GiG’s partnership with SkyCity has provided it with access to a complementary, high-growth gaming category and allowed it to pursue an omnichannel strategy.
The Acquisition
GiG will acquire 100% of the shares in Sportnco Gaming SAS for an initial consideration of €50.8 million, whereof €23.5 million in new shares in GiG and €27.3 million in cash. The share price will be determined by the VWAP of the GiG share 10 days prior to closing. The shares will be subject to a 6-month lock-up period. The acquisition implies an enterprise value of Sportnco of €70 million, including around €19.2 million in existing long term loans with French banks that will be rolled over.
The sellers are entitled to a two year earn-out based on the performance in 2022 and 2023 with up to €11.5 million per year. The earn-out will be paid 50% in cash and 50% in new shares in GiG, where the number of shares to be issued shall be based on a 10-day VWAP of the GiG share at the time of payment, expected in April 2023 and April 2024.
The number of outstanding shares of GiG as of today is 96,675,626 (98,415,626 on a fully diluted basis), and the number of authorized shares is 110,000,000. By assuming today’s EUR/NOK exchange rate and a share price of NOK 18.00, GiG will issue around 14.1 million new shares to SkyCity and around 13.2 million new shares to the shareholders of Sportnco. After the issuance of the new shares, the number of outstanding shares in GiG is estimated to be around 124.0 million, whereof SkyCity will hold around 11.4% and the shareholders of Sportnco 10.7%.
Sportnco has 57 shareholders whereof the largest being its CEO and founder its CEO and founder Hervé Schlosser (15.6%), Olivier Marchal, President at Bain&Co France, (9.1%) and BNP Paribas Développment (6.5%), and these will hold approximately 1.7%, 1.0% and 0.7% respectively in GiG after closing.
GiG will call for a special meeting of shareholders to be held on or about 18 January 2022 to approve to amend the certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares from 110,000,000 to cater for the acquisition, and to approve the increase the board of directors from 6 to 7 and to nominate one representative of SkyCity to the board of directors of GiG.
To keep key employees in Sportnco, a 3-year option program will be entered into, whereby the option holders, pending continued employment, will receive shares in GiG at future VWAP valuation up to a total aggregate value of €4 million.
Bond
The acquisition requires the bond terms to allow for roll over of the current long-term loans in Sportnco. GiG also plans for a tap issue of up to SEK 100 million (€10 million) to finance part of the up-front cash consideration. GiG has engaged in discussions with its largest bondholders and received indicated support for the required amendments from investors representing approximately 59% per cent of the outstanding bond volume. The formal voting process to amend the bond terms will be announced in the beginning of January.
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HELL Partners
Every FTD Counts HELL Partners Launches €20,000 World Cup Race 2026
HELL Partners (IVIBET / Hell Spin) is kicking off its biggest affiliate competition to date — the World Cup Race 2026 — a two-month performance sprint running from May 15 to July 15, 2026, with winners announced on July 31.
The competition is open to all affiliates, new and existing, and is built around one simple idea: drive first-time depositors to IVIBET / Hell Spin Sportsbook (plus an additional brand that may be launched during the campaign), climb the leaderboard, and take home a share of a €20,000 prize pool — plus guaranteed revenue share bonuses on top.
How It Works
Affiliates drive traffic to IVIBET & Hell Spin Sportsbooks, generate FTDs, and get ranked on a live leaderboard maintained by affiliate managers. Rankings are based on FTD volume and traffic quality. The minimum threshold to qualify is 10 FTDs from Tier 1 or Tier 2 GEOs.
Prize Pool Breakdown
The top 10 finishers split €20,000 in cash prizes: 1st place takes €5,000, 2nd earns €4,000, 3rd receives €3,000, 4th and 5th get €2,000 each, and places 6 through 10 receive €1,000 apiece. Places 11 through 20 receive a limited-edition merch pack.
RevShare Boost — Guaranteed on Top of Prizes
Every qualifying affiliate also unlocks a guaranteed RevShare boost based on their FTD count — independent of their final leaderboard position. Affiliates who bring in 10 to 19 FTDs receive a +5% RS boost for one month. Those reaching 20 to 50 FTDs get +10% RS for two months. Affiliates who hit 51 or more FTDs earn +10% RS for three months. The logic is straightforward: the stronger the performance, the longer and more profitable the terms.
Built for Every Affiliate, Not Just the Top
The campaign is designed to reward volume at every level. There is no all-or-nothing mechanic — earnings scale directly with output, the rules are transparent from day one, and the playing field is genuinely open. Whether you’re an established partner or just joining the network, the structure is built to make participation worthwhile.
For more information or to join the competition, reach out to your affiliate manager or visit the HELL Partners website.
Oleh Affiliate Manager [email protected]
Max Affiliate Manager [email protected]
The post Every FTD Counts HELL Partners Launches €20,000 World Cup Race 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
HELL Partners
Every FTD Counts HELL Partners Launches €20,000 World Cup Race 2026
HELL Partners (IVIBET / Hell Spin) is kicking off its biggest affiliate competition to date — the World Cup Race 2026 — a two-month performance sprint running from May 15 to July 15, 2026, with winners announced on July 31.
The competition is open to all affiliates, new and existing, and is built around one simple idea: drive first-time depositors to IVIBET / Hell Spin Sportsbook (plus an additional brand that may be launched during the campaign), climb the leaderboard, and take home a share of a €20,000 prize pool — plus guaranteed revenue share bonuses on top.
How It Works
Affiliates drive traffic to IVIBET & Hell Spin Sportsbooks, generate FTDs, and get ranked on a live leaderboard maintained by affiliate managers. Rankings are based on FTD volume and traffic quality. The minimum threshold to qualify is 10 FTDs from Tier 1 or Tier 2 GEOs.
Prize Pool Breakdown
The top 10 finishers split €20,000 in cash prizes: 1st place takes €5,000, 2nd earns €4,000, 3rd receives €3,000, 4th and 5th get €2,000 each, and places 6 through 10 receive €1,000 apiece. Places 11 through 20 receive a limited-edition merch pack.
RevShare Boost — Guaranteed on Top of Prizes
Every qualifying affiliate also unlocks a guaranteed RevShare boost based on their FTD count — independent of their final leaderboard position. Affiliates who bring in 10 to 19 FTDs receive a +5% RS boost for one month. Those reaching 20 to 50 FTDs get +10% RS for two months. Affiliates who hit 51 or more FTDs earn +10% RS for three months. The logic is straightforward: the stronger the performance, the longer and more profitable the terms.
Built for Every Affiliate, Not Just the Top
The campaign is designed to reward volume at every level. There is no all-or-nothing mechanic — earnings scale directly with output, the rules are transparent from day one, and the playing field is genuinely open. Whether you’re an established partner or just joining the network, the structure is built to make participation worthwhile.
For more information or to join the competition, reach out to your affiliate manager or visit the HELL Partners website.
Oleh Affiliate Manager [email protected]
Max Affiliate Manager [email protected]
The post Every FTD Counts HELL Partners Launches €20,000 World Cup Race 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
apuestas
El auge de las apuestas en Brasil: fragmentación regulatoria e impacto social
El Congreso multiplica los proyectos de ley sobre apuestas, pero la prevención sigue siendo marginal
El Congreso brasileño ha incrementado significativamente su actividad legislativa sobre las apuestas en línea entre 2023 y 2025, pero un nuevo estudio muestra que solo una pequeña fracción de las propuestas se centra en la prevención y la salud pública.
Según una encuesta publicada por el Instituto de Estudios de Políticas de Salud (IEPS), en colaboración con el Frente Parlamentario para la Promoción de la Salud Mental (FPSM) y Umane, la respuesta a la rápida expansión de las apuestas sigue fragmentada y en gran medida desconectada de las prioridades de la política de salud.
El informe analizó 231 proyectos de ley presentados entre enero de 2019 y marzo de 2026, tanto en la Cámara de Diputados como en el Senado.
Las propuestas abarcan 19 partidos políticos e incluyen legislación activa, archivada y promulgada. La investigación identificó un aumento de seis veces en los proyectos de ley relacionados con las apuestas, pasando de 18 en 2023 a 117 en 2025.
A pesar de este aumento, solo el 6,1% de las propuestas se centran en políticas de gobernanza y prevención relacionadas con los daños del juego.
La mayoría de las iniciativas se concentran en reglas operativas para las plataformas de apuestas (30%) y en la regulación de la publicidad y el patrocinio (23%).
Las apuestas son vistas más como un producto comercial que como un problema de salud pública
Según la directora de relaciones institucionales del IEPS, Rebeca Freitas, el patrón legislativo sugiere que los legisladores han tratado predominantemente las apuestas en línea como un mercado comercial en lugar de un riesgo para la salud.
El instituto sostiene que las apuestas deberían regularse bajo un marco de salud pública, similar a la regulación del tabaco, dado su potencial de adicción y daño financiero.
Freitas también señala que el aumento de las propuestas legislativas no se traduce necesariamente en una regulación efectiva. Muchos proyectos de ley se solapan, carecen de coordinación o no logran avanzar en el Congreso.
La publicidad se convierte en un campo de batalla regulatorio central
Entre los 53 proyectos de ley centrados en la publicidad, 37 proponen restricciones o prohibiciones totales a la promoción de apuestas.
El debate refleja tendencias internacionales, como las restricciones del Reino Unido a los patrocinios de apuestas en las camisetas de fútbol. En Brasil, sin embargo, más del 80% de los clubes de fútbol de la Serie A mantienen acuerdos de patrocinio con empresas de apuestas.
Los investigadores destacan que la regulación de la publicidad podría tener un impacto significativo en la salud pública, particularmente porque las plataformas de apuestas digitales están diseñadas con elementos de ingeniería del comportamiento, como estimulación por colores, animaciones y mecánicas de retención que fomentan el uso continuo.
Algunas propuestas legislativas intentan abordar este problema de manera más directa. Un ejemplo es el PL 1841/2025, que introduce mecanismos de interrupción automática para el acceso de los usuarios, mientras que el PL 4294/2025 propone el uso de herramientas tecnológicas para identificar comportamientos de juego de riesgo.
Rápido crecimiento de los daños relacionados con las apuestas en el sistema de salud pública
Los datos de la Tercera Encuesta Nacional sobre Alcohol y Drogas (LENAD III), realizada por la Universidad Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), estiman que el 7,3% de los brasileños muestra algún nivel de comportamiento de juego asociado con daños potenciales.
Al mismo tiempo, el sistema de salud pública (SUS) ha informado de un fuerte aumento en los casos relacionados con la adicción a las apuestas.
Según el informe del IEPS, la demanda de tratamiento casi se duplicó en 2025 en comparación con el año anterior, lo que indica que los servicios de salud están luchando para mantener el ritmo de la expansión del mercado.
Las disputas por los ingresos eclipsan la agenda de prevención
El informe también destaca una disputa política sobre los ingresos fiscales de las apuestas, que aumentaron de R$ 38 millones a R$ 6,8 mil millones en un solo año, según datos de la Recaudación Federal citados en el estudio.
Entre los 41 proyectos de ley relacionados con la tributación y la asignación de ingresos, la mayoría de las propuestas se centran en distribuir fondos en áreas como salud, seguridad, deportes, protección ambiental e incluso bienestar animal.
Un ejemplo, el PL 1959/2025, propone la creación de un fondo nacional para abordar los impactos del juego, pero prioriza el bienestar animal y la seguridad pública por encima de la prevención de la adicción al juego.
Pocas propuestas apuntan a restricciones estructurales del mercado
A pesar del rápido crecimiento del sector, solo seis proyectos de ley —menos del 3% del total— proponen una prohibición total o restricciones estructurales a las apuestas en línea. Algunas de estas iniciativas buscan revocar el marco legal actual de Brasil, incluida la Ley 14.790/2023, que regula las apuestas de cuota fija.
El IEPS advierte que Brasil está experimentando una “carrera regulatoria” sin coordinación ni planificación estratégica. Según Freitas, el volumen de propuestas no refleja madurez regulatoria, sino fragmentación política.
Presión política y falta de una estrategia integrada
El instituto sostiene que la respuesta legislativa de Brasil carece de un enfoque unificado del juego como un problema de salud pública.
Si bien el Congreso demuestra conciencia de la rápida expansión del sector, todavía no existe una estrategia regulatoria integrada capaz de abordar simultáneamente la adicción, la protección del consumidor y la supervisión del mercado.
El estudio concluye que las apuestas todavía se tratan en gran medida como una actividad económica en lugar de un riesgo conductual, lo que deja una brecha entre la regulación y el impacto social en el mundo real.
El 25% de los brasileños apostó en línea en el último mes, según una encuesta
Un estudio separado de Meio/Ideia refuerza la escala de la adopción de las apuestas en Brasil.
La encuesta, realizada a 1.500 encuestados, encontró que el 25% de los brasileños realizó apuestas en línea en los últimos 30 días. Los datos tienen un margen de error de 2,5 puntos porcentuales y un nivel de confianza del 95%.
La investigación destaca que las apuestas se han convertido en un problema social y político, con implicaciones para las políticas públicas e incluso para la dinámica electoral.
Diferencias de género, ingresos y regiones
Los hombres muestran una mayor participación en las apuestas en línea que las mujeres, con un 28,8% frente a un 21,5%.
Sin embargo, las mujeres son más propensas a apoyar una regulación más estricta o una prohibición total, mientras que los hombres se inclinan más por apoyar la continuidad del mercado.
El nivel de ingresos no afecta significativamente el comportamiento de apuesta, ya que las tasas de participación se mantienen relativamente estables en la mayoría de los niveles de ingresos, excepto para los de mayores ingresos, donde la participación cae.
Regionalmente, el Norte de Brasil lidera la actividad de apuestas con un 41,4%, seguido por el Centro-Oeste, Noreste, Sur y Sureste.
Percepción pública: dominan las preocupaciones por la adicción y la deuda
La mayoría de los brasileños asocia las apuestas en línea con el riesgo financiero. Alrededor del 59% cree que las apuestas contribuyen al endeudamiento de los hogares, mientras que el 61,9% dice que pueden conducir a la adicción.
Estas preocupaciones son particularmente fuertes entre las personas de 35 a 44 años.
La opinión pública está dividida sobre la prohibición: el 44% apoya una prohibición total, mientras que el 24% se opone. Un tercer grupo apoya permitir las apuestas pero prohibir la publicidad.
Una creciente falla política y social
El estudio sugiere que las apuestas se están convirtiendo en un tema político importante en Brasil, especialmente antes de las próximas elecciones.
Los investigadores advierten de una contradicción estructural: mientras el gobierno se beneficia del aumento de los ingresos fiscales, también enfrenta niveles crecientes de deuda en los hogares vinculados al comportamiento de apuesta.
Al mismo tiempo, las plataformas de apuestas ilegales siguen estando muy extendidas, representando un estimado del 51% del mercado, según el Instituto Brasileño de Juego Responsable (IBJR), con operaciones ilegales que mueven aproximadamente R$ 40 mil millones anuales.
La regulación aún va a la zaga de la realidad
Ambos estudios convergen en la misma conclusión: las apuestas se han expandido rápidamente en Brasil, pero la regulación, la prevención y las respuestas de salud pública no han mantenido el ritmo. Mientras el Congreso acelera la producción legislativa, la ausencia de coordinación y enfoque estratégico continúa limitando la efectividad de la política pública.
El resultado es un panorama regulatorio fragmentado en el que coexisten los intereses económicos, las preocupaciones de salud pública y las presiones políticas sin un marco unificado capaz de abordar la escala del fenómeno.
The post El auge de las apuestas en Brasil: fragmentación regulatoria e impacto social appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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