Latest News
FDJ launches a recommended all-cash tender offer for Kindred to create a European gaming champion
- In order to implement its ambition to become an international gaming operator, FDJ is announcing the filing of a tender offer to acquire the entire share capital of Kindred
- Kindred is one of Europe’s leading online betting and gaming companies, operating the Unibet brand
- The offer is being made at a price of SEK 130 per share in Kindred, which is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm
- This price represents a premium of 24% over the closing price on 19 January 2024 and 35% over the weighted average price for the last 30 trading days, and corresponds to an enterprise value of €2.6 billion
- This acquisition will create a European gaming champion with an enhanced financial profile
- Second-largest operator in Europe’s gaming sector
- Stronger revenue and earnings growth
- FDJ and Kindred share high standards for responsible gaming and a business model that combines performance and responsibility
- The combined Group will only operate on markets that are locally regulated or on the path of becoming regulated
- This transaction will create value for FDJ shareholders. In particular, it is expected to lead to a more than 10% accretion in dividend per share, starting from the 2025 financial year to be paid in 2026
- This offer is unanimously recommended by Kindred’s Board of Directors
- Five key shareholders, holding a combined 27.9%[1] of the capital, have irrevocably undertaken to support the transaction and tender their shares
- The transaction will take the form of an all-cash tender offer, which will be launched on 19 February 2024 for a maximum period of nine months. The completion of the tender offer remains subject to regulatory authorisations and to FDJ’s acquisition of at least 90% of Kindred’s capital
Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and CEO of FDJ Group, said: “I am pleased to announce today the proposed acquisition of Kindred. Fully aligned with our strategy, it will give the Group a diversified and balanced profile, based on several pillars: the monopoly activities, mainly the lottery, on our French historical market and, since November, in Ireland, with the acquisition of the Irish lottery operator PLI; and online sports betting and gaming activities open to competition in Europe. In this market, Kindred is one of the leading operators, combining strong brands, best-in-class technology platforms, an attractive growth profile and a committed approach to responsible gaming. Given their respective histories, strategic strengths and core values, FDJ and Kindred are highly complementary, and I will be delighted to welcome Kindred’s management team and many talented individuals into the combined Group following this transaction. The combination will result in a stronger strategic positioning and significant value creation for the benefit of our shareholders and broader stakeholders.”
Nils Andén, CEO of Kindred, said: “I’m delighted with today’s transaction announcement between FDJ and Kindred, creating a leading European gaming operator with the financial and strategic capabilities to further expand its global footprint. I believe that combining with FDJ, Kindred can accelerate the delivery of long-term strategic projects, continue to grow in core markets, and provide a trusted source of entertainment to customers. It will also speed up our path towards 100% locally regulated revenue. I’m excited to bring Kindred’s extensive experience and know-how into FDJ’s organisation, contributing to the development of a leading online gaming business. I’m also very proud that FDJ acknowledges and values the skilled employees and strong assets within Kindred.”
In order to implement its ambition to become an international gaming operator, FDJ is announcing the filing of an all-cash tender offer to acquire the entire share capital of Kindred, a company listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. This offer is unanimously recommended by Kindred’s Board of Directors.
Kindred, a leading operator in the European online betting and gaming sector
Kindred is one of Europe’s leading online betting and gaming operators:
- Kindred provides a diversified online offering (sports and horse-race betting, poker and casinos), including brands such as Unibet and 32Red.
- With revenue (after betting duties) of £893 million in 2023, Kindred is one of the top five operators in Western Europe, present in seven of the top ten European markets, including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden and Belgium.
- Kindred has been an online betting and gaming operator for over 25 years and has extensive digital expertise and proven technology platforms.
The combination between FDJ and Kindred will create a diversified European champion
This transaction will create a highly digitalised European champion that is diversified both in terms of its offering and its geographic footprint:
- The FDJ Group’s international presence will expand to account for approximately 20% of its gross gaming revenue (GGR)[2], compared to 6% currently.
- Online share of GGR will rise from 14% for FDJ to 29% for the combined Group.
- Kindred’s cutting-edge digital expertise and technology platforms will accelerate FDJ’s digitalisation for online markets.
- The combined Group will offer a wide gaming range on markets open to competition (online sports and horse-race betting, online poker and online casinos).
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- Online betting and gaming markets open to competition will account for 19% of the new Group’s GGR, versus 2% at present.
- In France, thanks to the acquisition of Unibet, the FDJ group will become the third largest operator in the online sports betting and gaming open to competition sector.
- Online betting and gaming markets open to competition will account for 19% of the new Group’s GGR, versus 2% at present.
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FDJ and Kindred share high standards of responsible gaming and a business model that combines performance and responsibility. The combined Group will only operate on locally regulated – or on the path of becoming regulated – markets
FDJ and Kindred deploy the best practices in responsible gaming and sustainable development in their respective activities. This will enable the new Group to pursue a growth model that combines performance and responsibility.
The combined Group will only operate on markets that are locally regulated or on the path of becoming regulated and plans in particular to exit the Norwegian market.
FDJ’s acquisition of Kindred strengthens the FDJ Group’s financial profile
In 2023, Kindred generated revenue (after betting duties) of £893 million and recorded EBITDA of £205 million, with an EBITDA margin on revenue of 23%. Kindred is targeting EBITDA for 2024 to exceed £250 million.
The combination of Kindred and FDJ will create a Group that is significantly more attractive financially, including:
- Accelerated growth in revenues and in free cash flow; accretion in recurring EBITDA margin – beyond FDJ’s standalone target of at least 25% by 2025;
- A significant increase in the Group’s earnings per share and earnings growth.
FDJ will finance this acquisition using a large part of its available cash and through a bridge loan with leading French banks.
The FDJ Group:
- Reiterates aiming a mid-term net debt to recurring EBITDA ratio of ≤2x;
- Will aim to refinance the bridge loan on attractive market terms and will target an investment grade rating.
FDJ’s acquisition of Kindred will create value for FDJ shareholders
- The combined Group will benefit from scale, iconic brands and proven technology platforms.
- The consolidation of Kindred into the FDJ Group will create tangible value for the Group’s shareholders with a more than 10% accretion in dividend per share starting from the 2025 financial year to be paid in 2026, based on a distribution rate of 75% of the Group’s combined adjusted net income, post completion of the transaction.
An offer unanimously supported by both Boards of Directors
The tender offer has been supported by both Groups’ Boards of Directors. Kindred’s Board of Directors recommends that Kindred’s shareholders tender their shares to FDJ’s tender offer.
- FDJ has obtained an irrevocable agreement from five Kindred shareholders, representing 27.9% of the capital, to tender their shares.
- The offer price is SEK 130 per share, representing an enterprise value of €2.6 billion based on Kindred’s financial position at the end of 2023.
- The proposed price represents a premium of 24% over the closing price on 19 January 2024, of 35% over the weighted average price over the last 30 trading days and of 36% over the last 90 trading days.
The tender offer will be launched on 19 February 2024 for a maximum period of nine months, subject to: the usual conditions precedent for a tender offer on the Swedish market; obtaining regulatory approvals, in particular from the Swedish Financial Markets Authority and the French Competition Authority; the amendment of Kindred’s articles of association to allow the implementation of a squeeze-out procedure in the event of FDJ acquiring at least 90% of Kindred’s share capital; and the acquisition by FDJ of at least 90% of Kindred’s share capital.
eSports
DATA.BET Reflects on 2024 Milestones, Growth, and Achievements
With the start of the year behind, the company reflects on the key milestones.
Business Development
In 2024, the company experienced significant expansion, reflecting the increasing demand for progressive esports betting solutions. The total volume of bets processed grew by 74.2%, aided by the efficiency and dynamic scalability of the company’s trading team, alongside new collaborations from partners and clients. Otto Bonning, Head of Sales, said: “Our new partnerships with companies such as Altenar, NuBet, Airhead Ventures, and TurboStars have significantly strengthened the portfolio. These collaborations demonstrate our expanding influence and commitment to delivering exceptional solutions in the esports betting industry”. Clients also experienced an improvement in GGR, demonstrating the impact of the solutions on profitability.
The company’s user engagement rates also reflected the sizable uplift seen in 2024, with active users rising by 97.3% and average bet size increasing by 7%. Meanwhile, DATA.BET continued to broaden its presence in key markets, including Canada, Brazil, Finland, and Poland, further strengthening its global reach.
Esports Trading and Content Coverage
DATA.BET focused on strategic growth, enhancing its esports content to offer prosperous and dynamic opportunities for clients and their users.
Making focused improvements in popular markets resulted in growth. “We’ve expanded our offerings by adding 38 new markets, creating more opportunities for bettors and driving engagement,” said Thomas Donson, Head of Trading. “Our event coverage has also grown by 11%, adding over 10,000 events to ensure a more diverse and comprehensive experience. Ensuring 24/7 trading process, DATA.BET offers the highest quality market availability.”
The trust earned through high-quality product features, including the new Scoreboard and Pitch Tracker widgets, as well as the Bet Builder based on official data, all launched in 2024, has been instrumental in enhancing the customers betting experience. Scoreboards deliver detailed statistics, interactive visualizations, and comprehensive insights, helping users make informed decisions while boosting engagement through features like live betting, analysis, and availability for LoL, CS2, Valorant, and Dota 2.
Pitch Tracker, supporting our top tier titles, offers a 2D map as a visual representation with advanced tools for data analysis and in-game tracking, delivering detailed insights that enhance user engagement and decision-making. Additionally, the Bet Builder enables personalized betting by allowing users to combine multiple selections into a single wager, meeting the demand for tailored and dynamic betting experiences.
DATA.BET also broadened the scope of disciplines, adding 6 new games, such as Deadlock, Street Fighter 6, GeoGuessr, Teamfight Tactics, Hearthstone, Apex Legends, complementing client content with distinctive choices that amplified diversity and engagement.
Customer Support & Risk Management
The company provides a seamless customer experience and robust Risk Management, continuing to deliver swift and practical assistance.
With an average response time of up to 5 minutes, the dedicated team remains extremely efficient, addressing client concerns promptly while maintaining the highest quality standards. Between Q2 and Q4, handled around 1,500 client requests and completed more than 150 technical tasks effectively and precisely, ensuring high-quality 24/7 support and maintaining consistent service standards.
This is due to our proprietary trading platform that enables the generation and customization of content – specifically, markets – to align precisely with each partner’s distinctive requirements while accommodating their existing settlement rules. This approach ensures a seamless transition to the solution, eliminating the need for adjustments or reconfiguration after working with a previous data provider.
DATA.BET’s Risk Management team efficiently handled over 1,700 client requests. Over time, the number of requests from long-term clients noticeably decreased. The team’s familiarity with clients’ audiences and operations reduces risks through proactive measures. By identifying patterns early, the team prevents issues, ensures smooth operations, reduces reactive interventions, and builds client trust while improving system efficiency.
In 2024, DATA.BET strengthened its presence in the esports betting industry by showcasing its solutions and engaging with audiences at premier exhibitions, immersing attendees into the vibrant world of esports. Moving into 2025, DATA.BET remains focused on leveraging this momentum to drive further success and prospects for everyone involved in esports betting.
The post DATA.BET Reflects on 2024 Milestones, Growth, and Achievements appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Week 3/2025 slot games releases
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Relax Gaming has kick-started the year with the launch of Kraken’s Cove, its latest cluster pays game that can see players loot up to 10,000x their stake. At the core of the gameplay is Ship Wild, a special symbol that is present on every spin that moves closer to the central hot spot with each winning spin. Upon reaching the hot spot, it expands into a 2×2 to 5×5 Wild, with a multiplier that increases every time it contributes to a cluster win.
GAMOMAT is gearing up to release the second instalment of The Book Beyond: The Quest for the Cipher Stone on Thursday 23rd January 2025. The game presents a classic 5×3 layout with 10 paylines and the possibility of two exciting Free Game levels. A shimmering gold-leafed book represents both the Scatter and Wild. An intriguing twist in the game involves the special Book Feature, where instead of ‘stamping’, the reels move up and down to uncover full stacks of bonus symbols.
ICONIC21’s just launched live slot portfolio now stands at seven titles as the provider continues to enhance its market leading offering, laying the foundation for its place at the front of a vertical set for long-term growth andsuccess. The new releases — Dao Riches, Fiesta Wilds and Vitamin Joy 25 — all take the classic slot format, which is highly sought-after by players in both real money gaming and sweepstakes markets.
Karen’s back, and she’s as greedy as ever. Nolimit City is diving headfirst into the post-apocalyptic chaos once again with xWays Hoarder 2—a sequel to the wildly popular xWays Hoarder xSplit. This game follows in the footsteps of sequels like San Quentin 2, Punk Rocker 2, and Fire in the Hole 2, proving once more that the end of the world is just the beginning when it comes to our games. When survival is the name of the game, desperation leads to chaos. Betrayal, looting, and backstabbing are all fair play in this wasteland—but it’s all worth it for that sweet, sweet loot.
Belatra Games has crafted an intriguing alchemical adventure slot titled Make it Gold. The first release of 2025 is a captivating and visually stunning slot that welcomes players into the mysterious world of alchemy on a quest for the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. Set within an alchemist’s laboratory, the game’s key feature is the cascading reels where winning combinations vanish, allowing new symbols to drop and fill the spaces.
Playson, the renowned digital entertainment supplier, guides players on an enchanted adventure in 3 Luxor Pots: Hold and Win, with the stylish new release offering bountiful opportunities to win via golden Bonus symbols, Scarab coins and the iconic Hold and Win bonus game.
Feel the rhythm of the streets in Spin City Beats, the latest slot from in-demand provider Silverback Gaming. This is a highly volatile game where players come across infamous characters including a Rapper, DJ and Skater. These characters act as Expanding Wilds and have different triggers and rewards. When a single Rapper Wild appears on the board and the Boombox symbol is present, the Rapper Wild Expands to cover reel two.
Prepare to embark on an epic battle as Play’n GO releases Tower Quest Legacy, the much-anticipated sequel to Tower Quest. This 5×3 slot with 20 paylines invites players into a mystical realm where glowing flasks, powerful Wilds, and a towering dark fortress dominate the reels. With captivating mechanics and the chance to take on the Wizard in a thrilling card-based Bonus Battle, Tower Quest Legacy delivers an unforgettable fantasy experience.
Push Gaming has leveraged its past successes to drive the creation of its latest feature-rich cluster pays slot, Dragon Hopper. Boldly combining the best elements of the hit game Fire Hopper, with a sprinkling of flavour from some of its other fan favourite slots such as Retro Tapes, Dragon Hopper provides an exhilarating journey through a far-eastern lantern festival.
Pack your safe cracking tools and get ready to raid a maximum-security vault for precious gems worth up to 3,000x the bet in Ruby Robbery – the exciting heist-themed slot from Twin Win Games that marks the studio’s third release via the SwinttStudios programme. A five-reel, 50-payline title with a medium level of volatility, Ruby Robbery takes place in a heavily fortified strongroom and features all manner of treasures among its high-value symbols, with golden crowns, Fabergé eggs and piles of cash all accounting for the base game’s biggest prizes.
Booming Games are lighting up the world of online casinos once again, turning up the heat with the January launch of the brand new Wild Wings of Phoenix DELUXE. Booming’s Wild Wings of Phoenix slot is legendary in its own right, but this sizzling sequel rises from the flames to deliver something truly iconic. This 5×3 reel, 20-payline game reaches new heights, following the Aztec theme of its popular predecessor – while delivering more features than ever before.
ELA Games is proud to announce the release of Cash of Egypt, a new mythical slot game that combines high-quality aesthetics with exciting gameplay mechanics. Players can now demo the game on ELA Games’ website to explore all the game has to offer. The 5×4 slot includes 1024 paylines, ensuring the player can enjoy frequent action both during the base game and the bonus feature.
The post Week 3/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Interviews
Fast Track CEO Shares Honest Reflections in New Interview: Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked
Fast Track, the leading SaaS technology company and CRM provider in the iGaming industry, has unveiled the second instalment of its Inside Out video series.
Titled “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” the interview features CEO and Co-founder Simon Lidzén in a candid, behind-the-scenes discussion about the company’s growth, challenges, and vision for the future.
In the 30-minute video, Simon reflects on Fast Track’s nearly ten-year journey: “Success to me is about setting goals and achieving them. This year has been intense, but incredibly rewarding. From scaling Fast Track to launching groundbreaking products like Rewards, we’re just getting started.”
The conversation explores the launch of Rewards, Fast Track’s promotional ecosystem that integrates CRM with gamification to deliver engaging and personalised player experiences. Simon also discusses the company’s rapid global expansion and the challenges of scaling leadership within a fast-growing organisation. Looking ahead to 2025, he highlights Fast Track’s focus on leveraging AI to redefine CRM and customer engagement.
Simon’s reflections also touch on the company’s culture: “Fast Track is built on relentless innovation and a team that thrives on solving challenges. Seeing how much we’ve grown and how far we’ve come makes this journey so exciting.”
For those unfamiliar with Fast Track, the company is a high-growth SaaS leader, known for pioneering the use of AI to deliver personalised experiences to customers. Its software empowers companies to automate marketing and operational workflows, enabling teams to focus on strategy and innovation. Fast Track is reshaping CRM for iGaming, setting a new standard for customer engagement.
Watch the interview here: https://2ly.link/23JyZ
The post Fast Track CEO Shares Honest Reflections in New Interview: Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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