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Bet365 Selects Optimove as CRM Marketing Solution to Maximize Player Lifetime Value
The world’s largest online bookmaker is set to partner with the retention marketing leader to scale marketing personalization and drive growth through AI-mapped CRM journeys
Optimove, the leading CRM Marketing solution, announced it has been selected by bet365, the world’s largest online sports betting brand, to orchestrate and optimize all CRM marketing activities. The powerhouse partnership between the two industry leaders demonstrates bet365’s strategic investment in scaling retention marketing efforts and maximizing player lifetime value as a growth driver for the business.
Optimove’s AI-mapped CRM journeys will allow bet365 to transform its CRM Marketing efforts empowering the sportsbook giant to scale and manage hundreds of player segments, orchestrate realtime and scheduled multichannel campaigns, and measure the incremental value of each player interaction. For the first time since its founding in 2000, the global iGaming leader has turned to a third-party vendor to support its CRM Marketing efforts.
With a Customer Data Platform (CDP) at its core, Optimove offers marketing teams direct access to their customer data to build, test, and optimize hundreds of CRM campaigns weekly. Optimove allows brands to reach their customers with the right message on the right channel by personalizing thousands of campaigns to hundreds of segments. Unlike other technologies that rely on common, rule-based orchestration, Optimove’s AI-driven solutions autonomously determine the next best action for each customer, eliminating marketers’ need to manually map every customer journey.
The scientific approach embedded in Optimove’s CRM Marketing platform will empower bet365 to measure the incremental value of each player interaction. bet365 will gain key capabilities via Optimove:
· Enriched customer profiles: Unifying all historical, predictive, and realtime customer data from sources such as CRM, service clouds, and data warehouses via Optimove to create a comprehensive single customer view.
· Multichannel personalization and orchestration: Orchestrating hundreds of campaigns seamlessly by leveraging Optimove’s AI-mapped CRM Journeys to deliver personalized customer communications across any channel.
· A continuous optimization loop: Leverage Optimove’s productized experimentation tools to measure the incremental uplift of each campaign, journey, and strategy to continuously optimize CRM Marketing performance.
Already working with one in three operators in the EGR Power 50 Ranking, the new partnership demonstrates Optimove’s continuous growth and strong momentum in recent months. In July 2022, the company announced the acquisition of Graphyte, a cloud-based personalization platform built for the sports betting and iGaming industry. In March 2022, Optimove acquired Kumulos, a personalized mobile marketing solution, following its September 2021 $75 million investment led by Summit Partners.
“bet365 continue to build an industry leading sports and gaming product, and the business believes the time is right to complement the platform with best of breed third party technology,” said Alex Sefton, Chief Marketing Officer at bet365. “With Optimove we have done just this. This deal heralds a change in direction for bet365, but also the start of a long-term partnership working with Optimove to grow our business. We are at the start of something genuinely exciting for bet365 and I don’t think we could have found a better partner.”
“We’re thrilled to be selected by bet365 as their CRM Marketing solution,” said Motti Colman, Senior Director of Sales at Optimove. “Working together, this is a true super team. As a company that is known for keeping most of its tech in-house, this is a huge move by bet365 to go out to a third-party provider. We’re proud to have been chosen and humbled by bet365’s belief in our ability to deliver. I am certain that the work we accomplish together over the coming years will be groundbreaking and will help catapult bet365 into a new era of growth.”
- How did this partnership come to be?
Motti Colman: “We’ve been speaking to bet365 on and off for 5 years, but they’ve always had other priorities and now the time is right.”
- What are the goals for bet365 working with Optimove? What are they looking to achieve?
Motti Colman: “Their primary driver was the desire to put their customer first. In doing so they are looking to learn more about their customers and improve all the related KPIs. The upshot of that will lead to increased customer loyalty.”
- Do you think this partnership will impact the iGaming space as a whole?
Motti Colman: “Clearly bet365 investing time and money into MarTech will definitely have an impact. Despite all the M&A activity around them, they still remain the biggest brand in the industry and other companies definitely take note when they make big strategic moves.”
- What’s next for Optimove in the industry? Is there room for growth still?
Motti Colman: “Despite our huge presence in the space, the area where we see the most opportunity is at the top end of the market. It’s the traditional Tier 1s that are often a lot slower to adopt advanced technologies, but as we have shown with this collaboration, if an operator is open minded to the possibilities that exist, we can dramatically enhance their customer marketing capabilities.”
Optimove will be exhibiting at SBC Barcelona, September 21-22, Stand F7.
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Leading igaming operators ComeOn Group and evoke, one of the world’s leading betting and gaming companies with internationally renowned brands including William Hill, 888 and Mr Green, are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to bring the 888 brand to the regulated Dutch market.
evoke has selected ComeOn Group to operate the 888 brand in the Netherlands. The partnership will see ComeOn Group operate 888.nl under a local Dutch license, leveraging its proprietary casino and sportsbook platform to deliver a world-class gaming experience to the Dutch audience.
Players can look forward to a wide range of slots, exclusive games, leading sportsbook odds and an immersive selection of live casino tables, ensuring a premium and diverse gaming experience.
Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer at ComeOn Group, said: “evoke is one of the biggest betting and gaming companies in our industry, and we are honoured to be entrusted with the operation of 888, one of the most iconic consumer brands in gaming. Our proprietary technology, strong market expertise, and commitment to responsible gaming will ensure that Dutch players enjoy a best-in-class experience with the 888 brand.”
Davide Marchisio, Director of Corporate Development at evoke, said: “888 is an incredibly strong global brand, and partnering with a world-class operator gives us the opportunity to provide the amazing 888 experience to our Dutch fans. We are excited about launching 888 to Dutch customers and further expanding into regulated markets with a high-impact, low-capital partnership aligned to evoke’s strategy. The partnership highlights ComeOn Group’s commitment to expanding its presence in key regulated markets alongside the recognised and trusted brand 888, while reinforcing 888’s position as a premier gaming brand globally.”
The post 888 to launch in Netherlands with strategic partnership between evoke and ComeOn Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Brightstar Lottery PLC has reported the financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025.
“We achieved several important milestones over the last few months. We secured the Italy Lotto license through November 2034, closed the sale of our Gaming & Digital business for $4 billion in cash, and announced plans to return significant capital to shareholders. With a singular focus on lottery and unmatched industry expertise, we are well positioned to create value for all stakeholders with our mission to elevate lotteries and inspire players around the world,” said Vince Sadusky, CEO of Brightstar.
“Our second quarter results reflect sustained global demand for instant ticket and draw games. We are investing in key initiatives to drive sustainable, long-term growth, while also delivering structural cost reductions to right-size the business. The Company’s attractive profit profile and strong, predictable cash flows support our balanced approach to capital allocation,” said Max Chiara, CFO of Brightstar.
Key Highlights
• Successful completion of Gaming & Digital sale for approximately $4.0 billion of net cash proceeds on July 1, 2025.
• Secured several meaningful contract wins and extensions including a nine-year Lotto operator license in Italy, an eight-year contract in Missouri which includes a fully-integrated OMNIA retail and digital solution, and several multi-year instant ticket printing contract extensions.
• Expanding OPtiMa 3.0 cost reduction programme to $50 million to right-size the business following the Gaming & Digital sale.
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights
Second quarter revenue was $631 million, up 3% or stable at constant currency.
• Instant ticket & draw same-store sales increased across geographies with Italy increasing 3.7%, U.S. higher by 0.6%, and Rest of World climbing 8.4%.
• Product sales rose 59% on higher instant ticket printing and terminal sales.
• Foreign currency translation had a positive impact on growth.
• Growth from the drivers above was partially offset by elevated U.S. multi-state jackpot activity and associated LMA incentives in the prior year.
Loss from continuing operations was $60 million compared to income from continuing operations of $84 million in the prior year period.
• Incurred a foreign exchange loss versus a foreign exchange gain in the prior year, primarily reflecting the non-cash impact of fluctuations in the EUR/USD exchange rate on debt.
• Operating income was lower, driven by the high profit flow-through from elevated U.S. multi-state jackpot sales and associated LMA incentives in the prior year and restructuring charges related to the expanded OPtiMa 3.0 cost reduction programme in the current year.
• Increased provision for income taxes.
• Dynamics noted above were partially offset by reduced interest expense.
Adjusted EBITDA was $274 million compared to $290 million in the prior-year period, demonstrating resiliency despite incremental investments in the business and multi-state jackpot and LMA dynamics.
• Prior year results include the high profit flow-through from elevated U.S. multi-state jackpot sales and associated LMA incentives.
• Selling, general, and administrative costs were modestly higher as ongoing investments in the business were partially offset by OPtiMa cost savings.
• The Q2’25 period benefited from positive foreign currency translation.
Diluted loss per share from continuing operations was $0.47 compared to diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.21 in the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.12 compared to $0.20 in the prior year, primarily driven by lower operating income.
YTD 2025 Financial Highlights
Year-to-date revenue of $1.2 billion compares to $1.3 billion in the prior-year period.
• The decline was due to higher U.S. multi-state jackpot activity and associated LMA incentives in the prior year.
• Global instant ticket & draw same-store sales rose 1.2%.
Loss from continuing operations was $52 million compared to income from continuing operations of $200 million in the prior year period.
• Lower operating income, primarily due to the items affecting Adjusted EBITDA as noted below.
• Foreign exchange loss versus foreign exchange gain in the prior year, primarily reflecting the non-cash impact of fluctuations in the EUR/USD exchange rate on debt.
Adjusted EBITDA of $524 million compares to $617 million in the prior-year, primarily driven by high profit flow-through from elevated U.S. multi-state jackpot sales and associated LMA incentives in the prior year, partially offset by positive foreign currency translation.
Diluted loss per share from continuing operations was $0.59 compared to diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.56 in the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.20 compares to $0.47 in the prior year primarily driven by lower operating income, partially offset by reductions in net interest and income tax expense.
Net debt was $5.2 billion compared to $4.8 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by an approximate $340 million impact from fluctuations in the EUR/USD exchange rate. Net debt leverage was 3.0x pro forma for $2 billion debt reduction completed in July.
Cash and Liquidity Update
Total liquidity was $2.9 billion as of June 30, 2025 with $1.3 billion in unrestricted cash and $1.6 billion in additional borrowing capacity from undrawn credit facilities.
Other Developments
The Company plans to launch a $250 million accelerated share repurchase programme (ASR) by entering into an accelerated share repurchase agreement with a counterparty bank. The Company plans to execute the ASR as part of its $500 million share repurchase authorization outlined below and in accordance with the share repurchase authorisation provided by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s 2025 Annual General Meeting. The Company has been informed by De Agostini S.p.A., that it does not intend to participate in the ASR.
The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per common share with a record date of August 12, 2025 and a payment date of August 26, 2025.
Completed the sale of the Gaming & Digital business on July 1, 2025. The Company received approximately $4.0 billion of net cash proceeds that are expected to be allocated in the following manner:
$2.0 billion used to reduce debt (completed in July 2025).
• Redeemed in whole the 4.125% Senior Secured U.S. Dollar Notes due April 2026 and the 3.500% Senior Secured Euro Notes due June 2026.
• Prepaid €300 million of the Term Loan Facilities due January 2027.
• The remaining amount was allocated to prepay the Revolving Credit Facilities due July 2027.
$1.1 billion to be returned to shareholders.
• The Company’s Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend to common shareholders in the amount of $3.00 per share. The record date of the distribution was July 14, 2025, and it is payable July 29, 2025.
• In addition, the Board authorized a $500 million, two-year share repurchase programme. The new authorisation replaces the Company’s existing share repurchase programme.
$500 million to partially fund upcoming Italy Lotto license payments.
$400 million to be used for general corporate purposes.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of distributions by the Company will depend, in part, on whether the Company has current or accumulated earnings and profits (“E&P”), as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Based on preliminary estimates, the Company does not expect to have current E&P for fiscal year 2025 or accumulated E&P from prior fiscal years that would offset the current year expected E&P deficit. Accordingly, the Company anticipates that the special dividend, the Q1 dividend paid on June 12, and any future dividends paid in the current fiscal year will be treated for U.S. income tax purposes as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s basis in its shares, and thereafter as capital gain, although no assurances can be provided because the determination of E&P is a full-year calculation which depends upon facts that are not known as of the date hereof.
FY’25 Outlook: Adjusted EBITDA Reaffirmed, Cash Flow Improved
• Revenue of approximately $2.50 billion; adjusting revenue down $50 million compared to the previous outlook to reflect a timing shift in product sales and increased amortization related to Italy Lotto upfront license fee (which is treated as contra-revenue).
• Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1.10 billion, in line with the previous outlook as incremental benefit from foreign currency translation is offset by higher-than-expected U.S. multi-state jackpot and LMA impacts.
• Net cash used in operating activities of approximately $275 million reflects a $75 million improvement versus the previous outlook driven by interest, income taxes, and other working capital items.
• Capital expenditures of approximately $375 million, a $75 million improvement from the previous outlook to reflect timing shifts related to recent contract extensions.
• Increasing FY’25 EUR/USD assumption to 1.12.
The post Brightstar Lottery Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Dodo, the newest player in the iGaming space, officially launches as a dedicated network built entirely around the fast-rising crash and instant games. Created to meet rising player demand, it offers top game reviews, trusted casino listings, and free demo play—all in one place.
Dodo answers a clear market need: a centralized destination designed specifically for crash gaming enthusiasts. Dodo network spans 8 specialized verticals: CrashDodo, WheelDodo, CoinflipDodo, DiceDodo, HiloDodo, LimboDodo, MinesDodo, and PlinkoDodo—each dedicated to a specific instant game format.
“We created Dodo because it was time for a site that treats crash games as a category of their own — not a subgenre or a passing trend. With the format’s rise in popularity, players need a dedicated space where they can explore, compare, and play,” said Ethan Thompson, content lead at Dodo.
Dodo also reflects a wider trend—the growing intersection of crash mechanics and crypto gambling. As localisation and hybrid formats expand, Dodo steps in as a natural platform for discovery, guidance and connection between players and operators.
Dodo’s Key Features:
• Curated crash and instant game selections with a free play option
• Game reviews, expert tips, and easy-to-follow player guides
• Trusted casino listings tailored for crash games fans
• Designed with crypto players in mind, offers crypto-related insights.
The post Meet Dodo: The New Home for Crash Gaming Fans appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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