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Gaming Innovation Group completes acquisition of Sportnco

Published

4 years ago

on

April 1, 2022

By

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Gaming Innovation Group Inc. signed a Share Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) to acquire the iGaming company Sportnco Gaming SAS on 22 December 2021. GiG has received the necessary approvals from relevant authorities, and GiG’s Board of Directors has resolved to complete the acquisition, hereunder to issue new shares to the shareholders of Sportnco and to SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (“SkyCity”).

GiG acquires 100% of the shares in Sportnco Gaming SAS for a consideration of €51.37 million, whereof €27.87 million has been paid in cash and €23.50 million in 12,623,400 new shares in GiG at a share price of NOK 18.08, equal to the VWAP of the GiG share for the past ten days of trading. In addition, Sportnco will retain €18.63 million of its existing long-term loans.

GiG also entered into an agreement with SkyCity in December 2021, whereby SkyCity invests €25 million in GiG through a directed share issue at NOK 18.00 per share, equal to 13,487,500 new GiG shares, financing the main part of the cash consideration to the shareholders of Sportnco.

GiG issues 26,110,900 new shares to the shareholders of Sportnco and SkyCity, increasing the number of outstanding shares from 96,675,626 to 122,786,526. The shares issued to the shareholders of Sportnco are subject to a 6-month lock-up period.

Sportnco has 84 shareholders whereof the largest being its CEO and founder Hervé Schlosser (15.6%), Olivier Marchal, President at Bain&Co France (9.1%) and BNP Paribas Développment (6.6%), and these will hold 1.60%, 0.93% and 0.67% respectively in GiG. SkyCity will hold 10.98% in GiG.

In addition, the shareholders of Sportnco 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. Further, 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.

The combined company

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 regulated geographical footprint.

Sportnco has international presence and operates as a leading B2B supplier in France and Spain and is active in other European jurisdictions such as Belgium, Portugal, and Greece, as well as in several high growth Latin American markets and is well positioned to enter the US sportsbook lead states. Sportnco’s geographical presence is highly complementary to GiG’s current offering and combined, GiG and Sportnco will be licensed in 25 markets, currently with around 55 clients. Through the acquisition, GiG has increased both short- and long-term addressable markets meaningfully. 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.

The combined company will have increased profitability, value proposition with ever increasing growth prospects and further diversification of revenue and geographical reach.

Outlook

With the acquisition of Sportnco, GiG strengthens its position in the platform and sports segments of the iGaming industry and will have multiple possibilities going forward by increasing its product portfolio driving toward a profitable and cash generating business segment. GiG’s Media Services has seen a strong performance over the last two years, delivering high growth levels, increasing diversity of earnings and healthy cash-flow. For the full year 2022, the combined operations should generate revenues of €87-93 million with an EBITDA of €30-35 million. The Board of Directors will have a strong focus on overall operations, including the post-merger integration of Sportnco, and will continue to look at possible strategic options to increase shareholder value going forward.

Richard Brown, CEO of GiG said: “It is with tremendous excitement that we now step forward into the next chapter in GiG’s history. The team at Sportnco have built a tremendous business, one that is highly complementary to GIG’s offering both in product but also addressable market increase, and now the work begins to realise the truly existing growth opportunities that the business combination can pursue. We welcome both the owners of Sportnco & SkyCity as shareholders and the staff of Sportnco into GiG organisation and now move forward with full focus on the execution of the post-merger integration plan.”

Hervé Schlosser, CEO and founder of Sportnco, said “Together with all the teams and shareholders who have built the success of Sportnco and Tecnalis, we are extremely proud of the journey we have accomplished since 2008, and of our integration today into the GIG group. I look forward to opening this new chapter as I am confident that, together, we will offer stronger technology solutions for our customers in the fast-growing regulated markets.”

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blask

When LATAM gambles: Blask reveals seasonality patterns across six countries

Published

4 hours ago

on

February 12, 2026

By

Wladimir P.

when-latam-gambles:-blask-reveals-seasonality-patterns-across-six-countries

Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia represent six distinct iGaming markets — each with its own regulatory framework, player base and cultural rhythms. Yet beneath these differences lie powerful shared drivers: domestic football seasons concluding in Q4, mandatory year-end bonuses injecting billions into local economies, and national holidays that stretch into multi-day celebrations.

Using Blask’s Seasonality feature, player activity across all six countries was analyzed to map engagement peaks by month, day and hour. While regional trends are visible, the execution varies sharply at the local level.

Here’s what the data reveals.

Brazil: The Q4 Convergence Effect

In Brazil, November and December form a clear peak driven by three converging factors.

The Brasileirão season concludes in early December, with title races and relegation battles intensifying betting activity. At the same time, the Copa Libertadores semifinals and final fall in October and November — and Brazilian clubs’ recent dominance has kept engagement high.

The economic boost comes from the décimo terceiro, Brazil’s mandatory 13th salary paid in two instalments by November 30 and December 20. In 2024 alone, it injected R$321 billion into the economy, increasing disposable income during football’s decisive phase.

Saturday edges out Sunday as the top-performing day, reflecting the league’s fixture concentration. Weekends dominate overall, with a pronounced spike between 1 AM and 5 AM on Friday-to-Saturday nights — a sign that late-night casino sessions complement live sports betting.

Argentina: Aguinaldo and League Finals

December leads the calendar in Argentina, driven by the Liga Profesional’s mid-December conclusion and the aguinaldo, the country’s mandatory 13th salary paid by June 30 and December 18.

Sunday ranks highest for engagement, closely followed by Saturday, aligning with concentrated weekend fixtures. The peak activity window — midnight to 3 AM on Saturday-to-Sunday nights — reflects pre-match anticipation and late-night casino play following the workweek.

The pattern closely mirrors Brazil’s Q4 surge, but with a stronger Sunday bias.

Mexico: Liguilla and Late-Night Culture

December again stands out, coinciding with the Liga MX Apertura playoffs (Liguilla) and the championship final in mid-December. The aguinaldo — at least 15 days’ salary, paid by December 20 — provides additional liquidity at the same time.

Sunday leads weekly activity, with Saturday close behind. However, Mexico’s most distinctive feature is its consistent 2–3 AM activity peak across all days, amplified on weekends.

This pattern suggests a strong late-night gambling culture, where casino verticals such as slots, crash games and live dealer experiences drive engagement alongside sports betting.

Chile: September Over December

Unlike its regional peers, Chile’s biggest month is September — not December.

The surge is powered by Fiestas Patrias (September 18–19), the country’s most significant national celebration. When calendar alignment allows, festivities can stretch into a full week, with fondas, music and social gatherings creating a nationwide party atmosphere that extends into online gambling.

Saturday is the dominant day, with activity elevated throughout. Peaks occur around midnight on Friday-to-Saturday nights and again during Saturday afternoon (3–5 PM), indicating a blend of late-night casino play and daytime sports betting.

Peru: The Purple Month Effect

October and November represent Peru’s peak period, with November slightly ahead.

The Clausura tournament reaches its decisive stretch in early November, while October is dominated by Señor de los Milagros — the country’s largest religious festival. Celebrations extend into All Saints’ Day (November 1) and Day of the Dead (November 2), creating a sustained festive period.

Unlike Brazil and Mexico, Peru’s engagement is concentrated during daytime weekend hours, particularly morning and afternoon. This suggests a stronger alignment with live Liga 1 fixtures rather than late-night casino sessions.

Colombia: Primetime Precision

In Colombia, November leads, with October close behind.

The Torneo Finalización enters its cuadrangulares (semifinal group stage) during this period, building toward a December final. Anticipation around the prima de servicios — a mandatory half-month salary bonus due by December 20 — also supports late-year liquidity.

Sunday is the clear weekly leader, with evening primetime activity standing out. Engagement closely mirrors Liga BetPlay broadcast schedules, indicating sports betting is the primary driver rather than late-night casino behaviour.

The Bigger Picture: Regional Liquidity, Local Execution

Across LATAM, the Q4 bonus cycle — décimo terceiro, aguinaldo, prima de servicios and similar payouts — represents a predictable liquidity event spanning six major markets within an eight-week window. Crucially, it coincides with domestic football seasons reaching their climax.

However, peak timing differs significantly:

Mexico’s engagement spikes at 2 AM, while Peru’s is daytime-focused.
September outperforms December in Chile.
Colombia revolves around Sunday primetime broadcasts.
Brazil peaks on Saturday nights.

The takeaway is clear: while seasonality patterns are regional, execution must be hyper-local. Campaigns, product pushes and marketing spend need to align not just with the right month — but the right day and even the right hour in each individual market.

The post When LATAM gambles: Blask reveals seasonality patterns across six countries appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.