Latest News

Kambi Group plc acquires front end specialist Shape Games

Published

3 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.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

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.

BiS SiGMA Americas 2025

All set for the start of the 2025 edition of BiS SiGMA Americas

Published

8 hours ago

April 7, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

all-set-for-the-start-of-the-2025-edition-of-bis-sigma-americas

The wait is over! The 2025 edition of BiS SiGMA Americas is already underway and promises to be historic, accompanying a moment of intense transformation and consolidation of the iGaming scene in Brazil.

For this reason, the largest betting event in Latin America is ready to welcome and meet the demands of the national and international community. This year, the organization decided to expand the physical space by 50%, from 20 thousand square meters to 32 thousand square meters distributed in 5 halls of the Transamerica Expo Center, in São Paulo.

In addition to the trade fair and conferences with more than 300 prestigious experts from around the world, BiS SiGMA Americas offers a diverse program, including award ceremonies, exclusive networking dinners, a poker tournament, an electrifying night with MMA fights and a grand closing party.

Expectation of record attendance

In addition to the categories that have always been present at the event, such as Online Betting Operators, Software and Technology Providers, Affiliates and Digital Marketing, Payment Methods and Financial Solutions, this edition draws attention to the presence of new technology companies that add value and provide innovative resources for the industry.

This means that the betting market is evolving, with new branches emerging to strengthen the ecosystem. KYC (Know Your Customer) companies, Consulting and Compliance, Information and Database Management, AdTechs and Digital Advertising Networks are making their presence felt with solutions to ensure security, regulatory compliance and more efficient growth strategies.

Furthermore, the recent regulation of sports betting and online gaming in Brazil represents a milestone for the market. BiS SiGMA Americas therefore serves as a platform for experts, regulators and industry leaders to assess the challenges and opportunities of this time of adaptation, as well as explore global trends that may impact the local industry.

Given this, the event organizers predict that the 2025 edition will reach a record number of attendees and participating brands. The estimate is that more than 18,000 people will pass through the Transamérica Expo Center by Thursday (10).

Event map

In order to facilitate visitors’ movement, the BiS SiGMA Americas organization is providing a map of the event, with all confirmed exhibitors and the location of their respective stands. You can check out the full map HERE.

BiS SiGMA Americas General Schedule

Monday, April 7th

02:00pm – 10:00pm – Early collection of badges at Canvas Bar & Restaurant – Hilton Morumbi
06:00pm – 10:00pm – Welcome Reception at Hilton Morumbi
07:30pm – 10:30pm – iGathering Dinner at Armazem Terrace – Hilton Morumbi
08:00pm – 11:00pm – SiGMA Awards at Tokio Marine Hall

Note: There will be no event at Transamerica Expo Center on this day

Tuesday, April 8th

09:00am – 06:00pm – Exposição: Exhibition: Day 1 at Transamerica Expo Center
09:00am – 06:00pm – Conferences: Day 1 at Transamerica Expo Center
06:00pm – 08:00pm – Networking Cocktail
07:00pm – 11:00pm – BiS Awards at Tokio Marine Hall
07:30pm – 10:30pm – iGathering Dinner at Pobre Juan – Morumbi Shopping Mall
07:30pm – 10:30pm – iGathering dinner at Caulí Lounge Bar

Wednesday, April 9th

10:00am – 06:00pm – Exhibition: Day 2 at Transamerica Expo Center
11:00am – 06:00pm – Conferences: Day 2 at Transamerica Expo Center
06:00pm – 08:00pm – Networking Cocktail
07:00pm – 12:00pm – Centurion MMA fight at VIP Station
07:00pm – 12:00pm – SiGMA Poker Tour Satellite Opens at Monte Carlo Poker Club
07:30pm – 10:30pm – iGathering Dinner at Armazem Terrace – Hilton Morumbi

Thursday, April 10th

11:00am – 06:00pm – Exhibition: Day 3 at Transamerica Expo Center
11:00am – 06:00pm – Conferences: Day 3 at Transamerica Expo Center
06:00pm – 08:00pm – Networking Cocktail
07:30pm – 10:30pm – iGathering dinner at Caulí Lounge Bar
05:00pm – 12:00pm – Main event SPT 1A hosted By Jon VLogs at Monte Carlo Poker Club
10:00pm – 04:00pm – Closing of BiS SiGMA at Tokio Marine Hall

The post All set for the start of the 2025 edition of BiS SiGMA Americas appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

AGCO

Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license

Published

10 hours ago

April 7, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

playnetic-granted-ontario-supplier-license

Global B2B iGaming content provider secures first Canadian market entry following the successful submission and approval of its gaming-related supplier application

Playnetic, the in-demand global B2B iGaming content provider known for its quality games, reliable delivery and outstanding customer service, has announced the approval of its gaming-related supplier application by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

With the AGCO licensing process being recognised in the industry for its rigorous standards and thorough due diligence, the new certification confirms Playnetic was able to meet the high levels of integrity and regulatory compliance needed to legally distribute its content within the province.

As a result of the approval, Playnetic has now secured its first Canadian market entry and will be able to provide its library of innovative games to licensed operators in the Ontario region – with this starting point paving the way for further expansion into other regulated provinces in future.

Given signs of change emerging within the Canadian market and Alberta making progress toward a regulated online model – likely drawing from Ontario’s framework – this license positions Playnetic strongly to expand its footprint in the country and further solidifies the company’s ambitious growth plans.

In the meantime, Playnetic has already begun making groundwork with key operators in the Ontario region and is looking forward to going live with some exciting brands over the coming months. The company will also be attending SBC’s Canadian Gaming Summit from June 17-19, where both existing and new potential partners alike are welcome to stop by and meet the team.

Dan Phillips, Chief Executive Officer at Playnetic, said: “Acquiring AGCO approval for our gaming-related supplier application is undoubtedly a big step for Playnetic. The new license not only secures our first Canadian market entry, but also reaffirms Playnetic’s position as a trusted provider in iGaming and underlines our commitment to compliance and operational excellence.”

Julian Borg-Barthet, Chief Commercial Officer at Playnetic, said: “We’re very excited to now be in a position to offer our library of innovative gaming content in Ontario, and the groundwork to do that with some of the region’s biggest licensed operators is already underway. Over time, we’re confident this license will also help us expand further into current markets and emerging regulated provinces, such as Alberta.”

The post Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Compliance Updates

Vixio Delighted To Be Shortlisted For An ICA Compliance Award for Technology Partner of the Year

Published

11 hours ago

April 7, 2025

George Miller

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Vixio, a leading provider of regulatory intelligence solutions, has been shortlisted for an International Compliance Association (ICA) Compliance Award for Technology Partner of the Year. The ICA Compliance Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements, collaboration, and innovation of the compliance and financial crime prevention teams across the globe.

Following a thorough judging process, Vixio was shortlisted ahead of the official awards ceremony which will be held on 26th June 2025.

The Technology Partner of the Year category entry detailed the outstanding work of Vixio, showcasing an innovative solution that helps compliance teams cut through the noise to understand the complex, ever-changing regulatory environment to mitigate risk and uncover growth opportunities.

Mike Woolfrey, CEO, Vixio commented, “Vixio has been offering comprehensive, actionable compliance intelligence for over two decades now and we are delighted to be recognised for our RegTech platform, which combines cutting-edge technology with the deep industry knowledge of our experts. We are honoured to be shortlisted for this award and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the outstanding Vixio team for their hard work and expertise.”

ICA’s President, Pekka Dare added, “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Vixio on being shortlisted as a finalist in the category of Technology Partner of the Year. On behalf of ICA, I would like to thank everyone who entered the ICA Compliance Awards personally. All of the entrants represent the very best of what our industry has to offer, and I am looking forward to welcoming all our finalists to the awards ceremony on the 26th June.”

The judging panel was made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the compliance and financial crime prevention community. This includes Lisa Bennett, Legal Compliance Director, Mastercard; Caroline Braddock, Civil Ethics and Compliance Officer, Rolls-Royce; Samer Jannoun, Head of Regional Ethics and Compliance Special Oversight, Meta; Dane Pedro, Presiding Justice and Magistrate, Ministry of Justice, UK; Chris Watkins, Head of Compliance & ESG, Renewable Power Capital; Ben Westwood, Head of Compliance & DPO, Motor Insurers Bureau.

The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster, London on 26 June 2025.

The post Vixio Delighted To Be Shortlisted For An ICA Compliance Award for Technology Partner of the Year appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.