Latest News
Flutter boosts Italian presence with the acquisition of Sisal, Italy’s leading online gaming operator
Flutter Entertainment plc is pleased to announce the acquisition of Sisal (“Sisal”), Italy’s leading online gaming operator, from CVC Capital Partners Fund VI for a consideration of €1.913bn/£1.62bn. This acquisition fully aligns with the Group’s strategy of investing to build leadership positions in regulated markets globally. The transaction is likely to complete during Q2 2022 and is expected to be accretive to adjusted earnings in the first 12 months post-completion.
Sisal is a leading betting, gaming and lottery operator headquartered in Milan. In the 12 months to December 20211, Sisal expects to generate EBITDA of €248m/£211m, with 59% coming from its online offering and the remainder coming from a combination of retail and lottery operations. Approximately 90% of Sisal’s 2021 EBITDA is generated in Italy with the balance coming from regulated lottery operations in Turkey and Morocco. The business employs circa 2,500 people today.
The addition of Sisal to Flutter delivers several key strategic outcomes:
- Secures a gold medal position in Italy by bringing the leading online brand into the Flutter portfolio. The combination of Sisal with Flutter’s existing online Italian presence through PokerStars and Betfair will result in a combined online share of 20%2
- Increases the Group’s exposure to an attractive, fast-growing, regulated online market: Italy is Europe’s 2nd largest regulated gambling market and one that has seen online penetration grow from 10% in 2019 to approximately 20% today. Sisal’s online revenues have grown by a compound annual rate of 34% since 2016
- Sisal’s omni-channel offering will deliver a competitive advantage to Flutter’s business, particularly given Italy’s advertising restrictions and the prevalence of cash deposits and withdrawals through retail
- Increases Flutter’s recreational customer base with the addition of 300,0003 highly engaged online average monthly players and over 9.5m retail customers
- Further diversifies Flutter’s product and geographical footprint and increases the proportion of Flutter’s revenue from regulated markets which in Q3 2021 was over 91%
- Bolsters Flutter’s existing talent pool by adding a proven management team that will continue to lead the business and who have sought to take a leadership position in the promotion of safer gambling in Italy
Peter Jackson, Flutter Chief Executive, commented:
“I am delighted to add Sisal, Italy’s leading gaming brand, to the Group as we look to attain a gold medal position in the Italian market. For some time we have wanted to pursue this market opportunity via an omni-channel strategy and this acquisition will ideally position us to do so. Sisal has grown its online presence significantly in recent years, aided by its proprietary platform and commitment to innovation. I’m excited to see how Flutter can complement these capabilities through our scale, differentiated products and operational capabilities. We look forward to welcoming Francesco and the rest of the Sisal team to Flutter in 2022.”
Francesco Durante, Sisal Chief Executive, commented:
“Over the last five years, thanks to CVC’s support, we have successfully transformed Sisal into a leading digital and international gaming company. Through our commitment to digital innovation, international expansion and safer gambling, we have achieved a leadership position in Italy’s online gaming market and developed our global footprint by winning lottery tenders in Morocco and Turkey. We are delighted to join Flutter and are convinced that through its scale and operational capabilities, we will be able to further strengthen our leadership in the markets we operate in. I look forward to working with Peter and the team on the next chapter of Sisal history.”
Giampiero Mazza, Managing Partner at CVC Italy commented:
“We are very proud of the success achieved by Sisal and its transformation since our acquisition in 2016. Through heavy investment in its digital competencies, Sisal has become Italy’s leader in online gaming while also growing its international operations. Furthermore, the Company is leading the Ital-ian industry in ensuring responsible and safe gaming. We want to thank Francesco and the whole man-agement team for their incredible dedication, focus and ambition, and for leading this successful jour-ney in spite of regulatory challenges and the pandemic. Flutter is a fantastic new partner for Sisal and we wish them the very best.”
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Latest News
Soft2Bet has been nominated in 6 categories at the EGR Europe Awards 2025
Soft2Bet, a leading provider of iGaming turnkey solutions, is proud to have been shortlisted in six categories, including the prominent ‘European Software Provider’ and ‘European ESG Initiative of the Year.’
In addition to these accolades, three Soft2Bet brands, which operate across B2B and B2C verticals under 13 licenses, also secured nominations in several categories:
- Betinia: Nominated as The Nordics and Baltics – Rising Star for its innovative online sportsbook and casino offerings, featuring competitive odds and an extensive range of betting markets designed to captivate its growing audience.
- CampoBet: Contending for the prestigious Nordics and Baltics – Operator of the Year award, reflecting its comprehensive platform and dedication to serving the needs of betting enthusiasts in Denmark and beyond.
- se: Receiving dual nominations for The Nordics and Baltics – Rising Star and Nordics and Baltics – Operator of the Year for its focus on mobile-first design, smooth user experience, and diverse selection of live casino and sports betting options.
Oksana Tsyhankova, Soft2Bet’s CMO, commented: “Our brands’ strong performance throughout the year has been highlighted by key industry awards, reaffirming our success in localisation and delivering exceptional results in every market we serve.”
The EGR Europe Awards are among the most prestigious in the industry. They celebrate innovation, operational excellence, and exceptional contributions. This year’s nominations reaffirm Soft2Bet’s reputation as a leader in performance and innovation while emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and responsible gaming.
About Soft2Bet
Soft2Bet is a leading iGaming turnkey solutions provider that delivers high-quality products and services for online gambling operators. The company is known for its Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA), which has been proven to enhance retention and engagement. Soft2Bet has deployed numerous successful iGaming brands and has over 14 global licences.
The post Soft2Bet has been nominated in 6 categories at the EGR Europe Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
DEVILFISH SOCIAL POKER ANNOUNCES EVENBET GAMING PARTNERSHIP
DevilFish Poker, the pioneering creator of the free-to-play social community poker game, proudly announces its strategic partnership with EvenBet Gaming to develop cutting-edge social poker software.
The DevilFish Social Poker brand has witnessed remarkable growth over the past two quarters of 2024, fuelled by the resurgence of social-based Web3 poker on a global scale. Current industry statistics indicate that the social free-to-play market is valued at $8 billion and is projected to expand by over 8% annually. The alliance with EvenBet Gaming, a leader in poker software innovation, positions the DevilFish brand to accelerate their reach across multiple international markets.
JJ Williams, Co-Founder of W3 Marketing Ltd and Devilfish Poker, confidently stated, “The growth of social poker and free-to-play models has been undeniable in recent years. We are witnessing a revitalization of interest in poker from a diverse range of digital natives eager to engage in community gameplay and the latest Web3 innovations—such as avatars, skins, traits, NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and digital ownership.
Our brand is uniquely positioned, enriched by its legacy in the online poker scene and its association with the late David A. ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott, a member of the WSOP Poker Hall of Fame. Our highly engaged community represents the next generation of social poker players and followers across social media and community platforms like Discord, X and Mastodon.
Selecting EvenBet Gaming as a strategic partner was a critical and confident choice; they possess a deep understanding of the synergy between traditional poker, social poker, and Web3/Crypto features, allowing us to deliver unique, innovative digital products for our poker brand throughout 2025.”
Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO of EvenBet Gaming, expressed, “DevilFish embodies a powerful brand narrative within traditional online poker, and we are inspired by how the team is reimagining this digital-first/Web3 product experience.
From the ground up, JJ and his team have successfully built an engaged community and revitalized the gaming franchise for today’s digital players—those who have evolved with social media, crypto, gamification, and digital asset ownership. Our vision, like DevilFish is global, and my mission is to expand our poker software innovation and platform, and support JJ and his team execute their global plans, for category dominance.”
The post DEVILFISH SOCIAL POKER ANNOUNCES EVENBET GAMING PARTNERSHIP appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Booming Games Receives Danish License Approval
Booming Games, a rapidly expanding provider of iGaming content, has successfully secured a Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) license, marking a major milestone in the company’s efforts to broaden its presence across Europe.
Booming Games has officially secured its B2B gaming license from the Danish Gambling Authority (DGA), enabling the company to supply its renowned content to licensed gambling operators across Denmark. Danish players can now enjoy popular titles such as Burning Classics, TNT Bonanza, Cash Pig, Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme, and Gold Gold Gold.
This achievement marks a significant milestone in Booming Games’ strategic expansion into the European market. By obtaining the DGA license, the company strengthens its position as a leading iGaming content provider and unlocks new opportunities within the region. With the Danish license complementing its existing portfolio of certifications, Booming Games is poised to deliver outstanding gaming experiences to players throughout Europe.
Frederik Niehusen, Chief Commercial Officer at Booming Games, said: “We are excited to announce the acquisition of our full Danish B2B gaming license. This milestone further expands our presence in the fast-growing Danish market. It positions us to leverage our strengths and enhance our product portfolio to meet our customers’ needs better.”
The post Booming Games Receives Danish License Approval appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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