SBC Eurasia Editorial Team is happy to present a quick recap of the gambling industry events, news, regulations and partnerships that happened last week.
The upcoming SBC Summit will intensify its focus on equipping industry experts with top-tier payment solutions and compliance strategies with the introduction of the Payment Expert Summit. The event is scheduled for September 24-26 at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa. Additionally, SBC has announced the shortlists for the 11th edition of the SBC Awards 2024, the first ceremony to take place in Lisbon, as part of the inaugural SBC Summit.
Digitain has received all the necessary certifications to operate in Greece. The sportsbook and casino platform provider has received an A1 manufacturer license from the Hellenic Gaming Commission, allowing it to increase its presence in the regulated European market.
Sportradar has announced the integration of live sports data and betting content into video advertisements through its ad:s paid social marketing solution.
Few companies are as central to the gambling affiliate marketing ecosystem as Google. For marketers, the big news is that the “Cookiepocalypse” has been canceled (or at least mitigated), and the company’s quarterly results also hinted at the significant impact AI is having on search.
After multiple attempts and numerous offers, Standard General is finally set to acquire Bally’s. The company announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase the outstanding shares of Bally’s for $18.25 per share. While Dutch live casino supplier Stakelogic has entered into an agreement to sell 100% of its equity shares to Japanese entertainment giant Sega Sammy Holdings, through its subsidiary Sega Sammy Creation.
Apollo Global has initiated a blockbuster deal to simultaneously acquire IGT Plc’s Gaming & Digital business alongside Everi Holdings Inc. While Stake.com has confirmed its acquisition of Baldo Line SRL, the operating company of Italian sportsbook Idealbet.it.
Boyd Gaming executives have finally addressed rumors of a multi-billion dollar acquisition of PENN Entertainment. Boyd CEO Kevin Smith responded to a report from Reuters during the company’s Q2 earnings call this week. The report detailed Boyd’s interest in acquiring PENN Entertainment. The deal, which could be worth more than $10 billion, would be the largest merger in the gambling industry since Eldorado Resorts acquired Caesars Entertainment for $17.3 billion in 2020.
UAE regulators have issued a license for the country’s first officially authorized lottery. The Game LLC will operate the lottery under the UAE Lottery brand. In 2023, the UAE appointed former MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren and associate Kevin Mullaly as Chairman and CEO of the GCGRA to explore commercial gambling opportunities. The appointments of Murren and Mullaly indicated the UAE’s plan to launch exclusive tenders for casino resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai under strict conditions.
Indian gaming company BigCash has launched its entry into new markets, beginning with Brazil. While the New Zealand government has announced plans to regulate online casinos, with the new regulatory system “to be in place from early 2026”.
XLMedia confirmed in its H1 2024 earnings call that the company’s transition to a primarily North American-focused media network is close to completion. While it was a strong quarter for Sands China, which reported revenue growth of 7.7 percent to $1.75 billion.
North Korean authorities have offered casino management rights to any company willing to complete the interior work of the stalled Ryugyong Hotel project in Pyongyang.
Already Media has opened a new headquarters in Warsaw, Poland to accelerate the growth of its commercial and technology affiliate and gaming media services. WynnBet has officially stopped taking bets in New York City as of July 30. After two and a half years of operating in the Empire State, WynnBet has updated its website to add New York City to the list of 10 jurisdictions where its platform has ceased operations.
Betway and Manchester City have announced a new multi-year deal as the operator becomes the official global betting partner of the club.
BetComply provided its technical and regulatory compliance services to iCasino, facilitating the licensing of the Hard Rock Casino operator brand in the Dutch market. While BGaming has announced a partnership with First Look Games to host its gaming content portfolio on the latter’s platform.
A legal case concerning historic pre-regulation player losses in Germany has been passed to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for consideration. The case concerned a dispute between an online sports bettor and Malta-based betting operator Tipico. The player in question lost €3,719.26 (around $4,100) playing with the operator between 2013 and 2018.
Square in the Air has promoted Ben Cleminson to CEO, with Founder and former Managing Director Bill Esdaile becoming Chairman of the largest marketing and communications agency in the betting and gaming industry.
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