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Kambi Group plc acquires front end specialist Shape Games

Published

4 years ago

September 8, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Kambi significantly strengthens capability to deliver engaging and tailored sports betting experiences through addition of industry leading front end supplier

Kambi Group plc, the industry’s trusted sports betting partner, has strengthened its sportsbook proposition with the acquisition of award-winning front end technology specialist Shape Games for an upfront consideration of €38.5 million. The acquisition also includes a performance-related earnout of up to €39.6 million, potentially bringing the total consideration to €78.1 million, all to be paid in cash.

Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Shape Games is the industry’s leading front end provider, focused on driving customer engagement and retention through the delivery of its customisable, fully native frontend technology to leading operators in regulated markets. Shape Games’ growing roster of partners includes Danske Spil and Norsk Tipping, as well as Kambi partners BetWarrior and JACK Entertainment, with each operator leveraging Shape Games’ technology to offer highly differentiated user experiences.

Transaction highlights and strategic rationale
Shape Games’ fully native front end technology complements Kambi’s high performance sportsbook and existing front end capabilities, creating a compelling proposition that will significantly enhance Kambi’s capabilities in the mobile space where the vast majority of sportsbook turnover originates. Combined, Kambi and Shape Games will empower operators to deliver exciting, tailored sports betting experiences to their players like never before.

The sportsbook front end has become a key tool for operators to effectively differentiate their brand, localise their offering and engage players to increase acquisition and retention. Not only does Shape Games provide a best-in-class front end, but its complementary customer engagement capabilities, which include personalisation, loyalty, statistics, and free-to-play games, provides the ability for operators to drive incremental growth and revenue.

The acquisition builds upon an established partnership between the two companies. Kambi and Shape Games have successfully combined on tender processes to secure turnkey contracts and Kambi believes the closer bond this agreement delivers will ultimately lead to greater commercial success for both parties.

The addition of Shape Games marks another important step in Kambi’s strategy, as it extends Kambi’s excellence within the sports betting value chain and enables the delivery of the front end through either turnkey or modularised packages. As such, Shape Games will continue to provide its services on a standalone basis to all operators, but a closer technical and commercial integration with Kambi will enable an enhanced service to be offered to Kambi’s current and future partners. In 2021, Shape Games generated revenue of €7.6 million at an EBITDA of €2.8 million, with 2022 forecast to deliver 100% year-on-year growth following several major partner wins.

Kristian Nylen, Kambi Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder said: “I’ve always been clear on our intention to acquire technology and talent that will complement and enhance our sportsbook proposition, and I have no doubt Shape Games will do just that. Having worked closely with Shape Games and its experienced team over recent years, I have seen first-hand how their technology enables operators to extract the full value of the Kambi sportsbook and provides the level of control operators require to deliver bespoke experiences to their players. While Shape Games will continue to grow and offer services on a standalone basis in line with our plans to offer a suite of modularised products, it is the ability to offer a combination of Kambi’s and Shape Games’ technology to our partners which really excites us and solidifies our position as the clear leader within the sports betting ecosystem.”

Christian Risom, Shape Games Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, said: “We are very happy to join forces with the leading sportsbook provider of the industry. Shape Games and Kambi have been working closely side by side for years now and it is exciting to take this partnership to new levels. Together we will have an unmatched sports betting and casino offering for any market in the world, be it on mobile and web or in retail. Kambi’s modular approach to the market allows us to form a profound and tight-knit integration with their sportsbook all the while pursuing opportunities with other sportsbook partners. From our perspective, this represents the best of both worlds for any customer out there. For me personally, the years we have worked with Kambi were a clear testament to the cultural match between the two organisations as both have a deeply rooted focus on best-in-class technology, customer experience and integrity in everything we do. It has always been great working alongside Kambi as collaborators and I am certain that what lies ahead is even greater.”

Shape Games was founded in 2018 by Risom, Chief Product Officer Nicolas Linde, and Chief Technical Officers Ole Gammelgaard and Philip Bruce, all of whom will continue to lead the company post-acquisition. Shape Games applies the vast front end experience gained from working with companies such as RedBull, Bang & Olufsen and Credit Suisse to the iGaming industry. Shape Games has since won numerous industry awards and several high-profile clients across Europe, North America, and South America. The company has approximately 80 full-time equivalent employees, with offices in Denmark, Spain, the Isle of Man, and Latvia.

Baltics

HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 Agenda Unites Digital Governance, AI, Fintech & Regulated Growth

Published

44 minutes ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

hipther-baltics-&-nordics:-tallinn-2026-agenda-unites-digital-governance,-ai,-fintech-&-regulated-growth

HIPTHER has officially revealed the Agenda for HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026, taking place on 2 June at Hilton Tallinn Park, bringing together regulators, operators, fintech builders, founders, compliance leaders, legal experts, AI practitioners, and startup innovators for the grand finale of the HIPTHER Baltics 2026 series.

Tallinn is not just another conference destination for HIPTHER — it is home base. The city where the #hipthers story evolves, and the natural setting for a conference built around digital governance, startup ecosystems, operational resilience, and the future of regulated innovation.

The newly released program features:

16 sessions across one focused day
2 parallel stages
3 practical HIPTHER Academy workshops
40+ speakers & experts from across the Baltics, Nordics, and wider European ecosystem

One Agenda. Multiple Industries. Real Operational Conversations.

Tallinn 2026 brings together discussions that typically happen in separate rooms: AML supervision, fintech scaling, AI implementation, digital identity infrastructure, crypto payments, operational risk, behavioural science, startup growth, and commercial strategy.

Across the Compliance & Operations Lab and the TechXperience Stage, attendees will explore topics including:

AML supervision, financial intelligence & market trust
Operator-supplier partnerships under mature regulation
Digital identity infrastructure & eIDAS 2.0
AI-powered operations & compliance automation
Player acquisition after the easy-growth era
Stablecoins, Travel Rule & trusted payment infrastructure
Governance, board accountability & operational risk
VC, alternative finance & cross-border startup scaling
Agentic AI and production-ready AI workflows for regulated sectors

The agenda also includes a focused Finland regulatory update alongside keynote sessions examining CRM strategy under tightening Nordic regulation, behavioural science in regulated environments, and the realities of operational AI adoption beyond the hype cycle.

HIPTHER Academy Expands the Practical Layer

Tallinn 2026 continues the expansion of HIPTHER Academy with practical workshops designed for professionals operating inside fast-changing regulated industries.

This year’s Tallinn workshops focus on:

Digital body language & executive communication
Production-ready AI agents for regulated industries
Agentic AI workflows and orchestration systems

More Than a Conference Floor

HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 also brings back the curated social experiences that have become part of the HIPTHER DNA.

Welcome Drinks – Olympic Park Casino
1 June · 18:00–22:30

Meet & greet in the relaxed and luxurious atmosphere of the new flagship Olympic Park Casino – located at Hilton Tallinn Park hotel.

Nordic Flow: Morning Reset & Networking
2 June · 07:15–08:45

A gentle yoga and breathwork session inspired by the calm, grounded energy of the Baltics and Nordics. Designed for the conference guests and busy professionals, this session will help participants release tension, reconnect with the body, and start the day with balance, energy, and presence. No previous yoga experience is needed.

HIPTHER Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards + Karaoke @ Fort Bar
Sponsored by Amusnet
2 June · 20:00 – Late Night

Recognising Excellence Across the Baltics & Nordics and connecting in a celebratory atmosphere. Because some of the best conversations happen long after the panels end.

A Baltic-Nordic Industry Room Built for Decision-Makers

HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 closes the 2026 Baltic series by bringing together the people shaping regulated growth across gaming, fintech, AI, compliance, payments, cybersecurity, and startup innovation — all inside one highly focused, boutique environment built for real conversations instead of expo chaos.

Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, commented: “Tallinn has always represented something unique for us. Not only because HIPTHER OÜ proudly calls Estonia home, but because the Baltic-Nordic region continues to prove that practical innovation, digital governance, and entrepreneurial resilience can coexist without unnecessary complexity.

With Tallinn 2026, we wanted to build more than another conference agenda. We wanted to create a room where operators, regulators, founders, compliance leaders, fintech innovators, and AI practitioners can have honest operational conversations about what comes next.

The future of regulated industries will not be shaped in isolated verticals. It will be shaped through collaboration between technology, compliance, governance, finance, and human decision-making. That is exactly why Tallinn felt like the natural grand finale for our Baltic series.

And frankly, there is no better city in Europe to host these conversations than Tallinn.”

As HIPTHER returns home to Tallinn, the final stop of the series promises a high-level gathering designed around substance, operational insight, and the future of the Baltic-Nordic innovation economy.

HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026
2 June 2026
Hilton Tallinn Park

More information & registration:

https://hipther.com/events/tallinn/

The post HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 Agenda Unites Digital Governance, AI, Fintech & Regulated Growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Belatra

Belatra Games Teams Up with SlotCatalog to Expand Reach

Published

2 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

belatra-games-teams-up-with-slotcatalog-to-expand-reach

Belatra, a prominent innovator in online slot development, has unveiled a strategic collaboration with SlotCatalog, a leading independent slot database and content discovery platform trusted across the industry.

This partnership emphasizes transparent communication with players by presenting Belatra’s entire game portfolio, including its strengths and areas where improvements can be made. The initiative aims to foster trust in the Belatra brand, showcase its diverse collection of titles, and keep players updated on new releases. SlotCatalog serves as a key platform for players to build confidence in game studios and their offerings, making it an ideal ally for Belatra in reaching and engaging its audience effectively.

Founded in 2016, SlotCatalog has rapidly established itself as a reliable resource for players, operators, and development studios. The platform provides comprehensive game data, impartial reviews, and timely industry updates, making it a central hub for slot-related insights.

Kateryna Goi, Chief Marketing Officer at Belatra, emphasized the alignment between the two organizations: SlotCatalog’s data highlights the trust players place in its platform. In turn, the platform delivers transparency and honest content for its audience—precisely what we, as a studio, are seeking. We’re confident in the quality of our games and excited about directly engaging with players. With exciting new launches planned for the summer and autumn seasons, we are eager to share them through this partnership.

Daria Kushnir, Chief Marketing Officer at SlotCatalog, highlighted the value of collaboration: “Success in this industry is fueled by goal-driven partnerships rather than mere transactions. Together with Belatra, we aim to connect the right players with the right games more quickly. This synergy between their rich game portfolio and our audience intelligence offers an excellent foundation for consistent growth and results over time.”

The post Belatra Games Teams Up with SlotCatalog to Expand Reach appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Aviator Studio

Aviator Studio Achieves Major Legal Victory in São Paulo

Published

2 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

aviator-studio-achieves-major-legal-victory-in-sao-paulo

Brazilian courts persist in denying SPRIBE’s injunction efforts as Aviator Studio achieves another two-instance triumph in São Paulo.

Aviator Studio achieved another legal triumph in Brazil as São Paulo courts denied further injunction requests submitted by SPRIBE in cases directly involving Aviator Studio.

Significantly, the recent decisions relate to the direct legal contention between Aviator Studio and SPRIBE, distinct from the previously mentioned cases involving Foggo Entertainment and Betnacional.

After securing consecutive wins in Brazil related to Foggo Entertainment, Aviator Studio has now announced that courts in São Paulo have also ruled in its favor at both judicial levels of the case.

In every instance, the courts denied the immediate actions requested by SPRIBE. Consequently, Aviator Studio and its associates can maintain their operations while the wider AVIATOR trademark conflict advances through the evidential stage.

The rulings contribute to an escalating number of courtroom defeats for SPRIBE in Brazil and further bolster Aviator Studio’s legal stance in the related proceedings linked to the AVIATOR dispute, as associated cases progress in various jurisdictions.

Commenting on the development, representatives from Aviator Studio said: “These outcomes continue to confirm a clear judicial pattern. Attempts to obtain urgent injunctions against Aviator Studio and its partners in Brazil are consistently being rejected by the courts.”

The post Aviator Studio Achieves Major Legal Victory in São Paulo appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.