In a strategic move to bolster its presence in the Romanian online gambling sector, Evoke, the parent company of renowned betting brand William Hill, has announced the acquisition of New Gambling Solutions (NGS), the operator behind Winner.ro. The deal, revealed on August 25, 2024, positions Evoke to significantly enhance its market share in Romania’s thriving digital gaming landscape.
Merger to Create Fourth-Largest Player
Evoke plans to integrate its existing Romanian operations with Winner.ro, currently the country’s seventh-largest online betting and gaming platform. This fusion is expected to catapult the combined entity to the fourth position in Romania’s competitive betting market, commanding an estimated 7% market share. The London-listed company will invest €10 million for a 51% stake in the merged business, with options to increase its ownership to 57% by 2026, contingent on performance metrics.
Tapping into Romania’s Growth Potential
The acquisition aligns with Evoke’s strategy to capitalize on high-growth markets. Romania’s online betting sector, valued at approximately €1.1 billion in 2023, is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13% through 2026. Winner.ro, launched in 2019, has rapidly gained market traction, making it an attractive target for Evoke’s expansion plans.
Technological Synergies and Market Elevation
Post-acquisition, the merged entity will operate on Evoke’s Newton platform, leveraging advanced data management and automation capabilities. This integration elevates Romania to Evoke’s fifth core market, alongside the UK, Italy, Spain, and Denmark. The deal, pending regulatory approval, is expected to close in Q3 2024 and contribute to Evoke’s earnings by 2025, without impacting the company’s financial leverage or 2024 fiscal guidance.
Leadership Perspectives
Per Widerström, Evoke’s CEO, highlighted the strategic importance of the acquisition: “Integrating Winner into our portfolio marks a pivotal moment for Evoke. This move aligns perfectly with our goal of establishing robust, market-leading positions in key regions. It exemplifies our M&A strategy of pursuing high-impact, capital-efficient combinations that accelerate our strategic objectives.”
Widerström emphasized Romania’s potential: “This merger solidifies our leadership in an exciting growth market. I’m eager to collaborate with the Winner team to drive profitable growth and expand our market presence. With our complementary brands, we’re poised for significant value creation.”
Nicklas Zajdel, Winner.ro’s CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “This merger is thrilling, uniting our strong local brand with a global casino leader. Romania’s high-growth market offers immense potential, and this combination positions us for sustainable leadership. We’re excited to leverage our strengths, enhance personalization, and drive market success alongside Evoke.”
This strategic acquisition underscores Evoke’s commitment to strengthening its position in Europe’s dynamic online gambling landscape, setting the stage for continued growth and value creation in the Romanian market.
In a move to expand its European influence, renowned online gaming developer Wazdan has forged a partnership with Italian operator CasinoMania. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Wazdan’s ongoing efforts to penetrate established gaming markets across the continent.
The alliance will introduce over 40 of Wazdan’s premier games to the Italian market, including fan favorites such as 25 Coins™ and Mighty Wild™: Panther. Players in Italy will now have access to Wazdan’s innovative game mechanics, like the immersive Sun of Fortune™ and Black Horse™ Deluxe, which have garnered acclaim for their ability to boost player engagement.
CasinoMania, a rising star in Italy’s online casino scene since its 2021 launch under the Cristaltec Group, will integrate Wazdan’s offerings into its already diverse game portfolio. This move will bolster CasinoMania’s competitive edge in the bustling Italian iGaming market.
Andrzej Hyla, Wazdan’s Chief Commercial Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Teaming up with CasinoMania aligns perfectly with our European expansion strategy. We’re excited to introduce our cutting-edge software to a new audience in this key region.”
Technological Innovation Driving Growth
At the heart of Wazdan’s expansion strategy lies its commitment to technological innovation. The company has gained recognition for its proprietary Volatility Levels™ feature, which allows players to adjust the volatility of games in real-time, providing a customized gaming experience. This adaptability has proven particularly attractive to operators looking to cater to diverse player preferences. Furthermore, Wazdan’s recent foray into AI-driven personalization has set new industry standards. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, the company can now offer tailored game recommendations and promotional offers, significantly enhancing player retention and lifetime value. These technological advancements not only differentiate Wazdan in crowded markets but also position the company as a forward-thinking leader in the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.
Wazdan’s Transatlantic Growth
While cementing its position in Europe, Wazdan is simultaneously making waves across the Atlantic. The company has recently expanded its presence in New Jersey, USA, by adding its game catalogue to Caesars Palace Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino. This expansion, facilitated by Light & Wonder’s aggregation platform, brings popular titles like 9 Coins™ Grand Gold Edition and Sizzling Kingdom™ Bison to American players.
The introduction of Wazdan’s signature features, including Cash Infinity™ and the Hold the Jackpot™ bonus game, is anticipated to resonate strongly with the New Jersey market. Hyla commented on this development, stating, “We’ve observed a growing appetite for Wazdan games in New Jersey. We’re keen to see how our globally successful features perform with Caesars’ player base.”
By pursuing growth opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic, Wazdan is positioning itself as a global force in the iGaming industry. This dual-market approach underscores the company’s ambition to expand its reach and influence in the evolving landscape of online gaming.
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A Record-Breaking Jackpot
In an extraordinary turn of events, BetMGM has set a new benchmark in the US online casino industry with a record-breaking jackpot win. On the morning of August 19, 2024, a New Jersey player claimed a staggering $6.4 million jackpot, making it the largest online casino jackpot ever won in the United States.
The lucky winner secured the colossal prize by placing a $200 bet on the popular slot game Fruit Blaster, part of BetMGM’s exclusive progressive jackpot network known as “The Big One.” This win marks a historic moment not only for the player but also for BetMGM, further solidifying its position as a leader in the iGaming industry.
Growing Anticipation and a Summer of Excitement
The jackpot, which initially rose to a record high of $4 million in the spring of 2024, continued to swell throughout the summer. As anticipation grew, so did the excitement among players, culminating in this historic win.
Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, commented on the monumental win: “BetMGM and one lucky player made iGaming history. It’s been a summer filled with anticipation watching the progressive jackpot grow quickly to record levels. This win is the latest proof that BetMGM Casino is the premier destination for progressive jackpots and unforgettable experiences.”
The Aftermath: What Comes Next?
With the jackpot now reset to its base level, “The Big One” currently stands at $1.2 million, ready to reward the next fortunate player. In addition to the jackpot prize, the winner will enjoy a luxurious trip to an MGM Resorts International property, a perk reserved for those who win over $500,000 on BetMGM platforms.
Angus Nisbet, Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM, added: “BetMGM congratulates the winner on this historic jackpot. It’s these ‘you never know when’ moments that make progressive jackpots especially thrilling. In addition to the jackpot, we hope the player enjoys their trip to an MGM Resort in the near future.”
BetMGM’s Continuing Success
This record-breaking jackpot is just one of many milestones for BetMGM in 2023 and 2024. The platform has seen a 32% year-over-year increase in progressive jackpot payouts, totaling over $138 million in 2023 alone. The majority of these payouts came from exclusive titles developed by Entain, including Bison Fury and MGM Grand Million Megaways.
As the home to one of the largest state-by-state exclusive jackpot networks in North America, BetMGM continues to lead the way in providing players with thrilling, high-stakes experiences. Recognized as the Casino Operator of the Year by several prestigious organizations, BetMGM’s commitment to excellence remains unwavering as it continues to break records and set new standards in the industry.
Borgata’s Recurring Issues with Promo Credit Reporting
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has imposed a $75,000 fine on Borgata Casino following an audit that uncovered significant discrepancies in the reporting of iGaming promotional gaming credits (PGCs) on the BetMGM platform. The audit, covering the period from October 2023 to May 2024, revealed that Borgata had overstated its PGCs by over $4.5 million, leading to an underpayment of $365,161 in gross revenue taxes.
This fine marks the second time in less than 18 months that Borgata has faced penalties for similar violations, raising concerns over the casino’s compliance with state regulations.
Second Violation in 18 Months
Borgata’s latest infraction echoes a previous issue in March 2023, when the DGE discovered that the casino had overstated its iGaming promo credits by nearly $10 million, resulting in an underpayment of over $787,000 in taxes. The recurrence of such a significant error within a short timeframe has led the DGE to take more stringent action.
In a letter addressed to Borgata’s Senior Vice President and Legal Counsel, Patrick Madamba, DGE Interim Director Mary Jo Flaherty expressed serious concerns over the repeated nature of these violations. “The Division views this matter as serious,” Flaherty wrote, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The DGE’s July 10, 2024, audit report pointed out that the overstatement was due to a software upgrade on the BetMGM platform, which inadvertently allowed for the deduction of promo credits in amounts exceeding the bonuses awarded to players. The DGE stressed that such discrepancies are a clear violation of New Jersey’s gaming laws.
Despite Borgata’s swift correction of the underpayments, the repeated violations have prompted the DGE to consider additional regulatory actions. Flaherty noted that the original violation resulted in the assessment of additional taxes, penalties, and interest totaling over $1.3 million. The DGE’s audit findings make it clear that further violations could lead to more severe penalties.
Wider Enforcement by the DGE
Borgata and its iGaming partner, BetMGM, are not the only operators to have faced penalties from the DGE in recent months. In July 2024, DraftKings was fined $100,000 for significant reporting errors that led to incorrect sports betting tax returns over a three-month period. Additionally, earlier in August 2024, the DGE ordered bet365 to pay over half a million dollars to New Jersey bettors following an investigation that found the sportsbook had been altering odds on events without notifying the DGE.
The DGE’s actions reflect a broader effort to enforce strict compliance with gaming regulations, particularly in the rapidly growing online gambling sector. As the industry continues to expand, operators are under increasing scrutiny to ensure accurate reporting and adherence to state laws.
The recurring issues with Borgata and other operators highlight the challenges the industry faces in maintaining compliance and the significant financial consequences of failing to do so.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is boosting its efforts to protect Australian consumers by directing internet service providers (ISPs) to block additional illegal gambling and affiliate marketing websites. These actions stem from investigations revealing that several platforms were operating in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, offering unlicensed and prohibited gambling services to Australian users.
Expanding the List of Blocked Sites
In its latest enforcement wave, the ACMA has targeted multiple online platforms that were found to be offering illegal gambling services. These platforms were involved in providing services such as online casinos, slot machines, and in-play sports betting—all of which are illegal under Australian law when offered without a proper license.
The ACMA’s action aligns with its overarching mission to safeguard Australians from the dangers posed by unregulated online gambling. According to the authority, website blocking is a crucial enforcement tool used to prevent access to illegal gambling services. This measure is implemented when a service is found to be offering prohibited interactive gambling services, operating without a valid Australian license, or promoting such illegal activities through advertisements.
Since the ACMA began issuing blocking requests in November 2019, it has successfully blocked 1,026 illegal gambling and affiliate websites. Furthermore, the ACMA’s strict enforcement of offshore gambling regulations has led to over 220 illegal services voluntarily withdrawing from the Australian market. These efforts underscore the ACMA’s commitment to maintaining a safe and regulated online gambling environment in Australia.
Enhancing Consumer Protection
The ACMA has repeatedly stressed the importance of consumer awareness when engaging with online gambling services. Even if a site appears legitimate, it may still be operating illegally and lack the consumer protections that licensed services must provide. Without these safeguards, Australians are at risk of losing their winnings or being subjected to other unfair practices by unregulated operators. To assist consumers, the ACMA offers a register where Australians can verify the licensing status of wagering services operating within the country.
Protecting Australian Consumers
The ACMA continues to encourage Australian consumers to take proactive measures in protecting themselves from illegal gambling operators. The authority’s website provides valuable resources and guidance on identifying and avoiding unregulated gambling services. Additionally, the ACMA offers clear instructions on how consumers can file complaints against illegal gambling sites, ensuring that these sites are promptly addressed.
The ACMA’s ongoing actions to block illegal gambling websites are part of a broader strategy to enforce compliance with Australian gambling laws. The authority is dedicated to ensuring that all gambling services operating within Australia are properly licensed and adhere to the legal framework designed to protect consumers. By continuing to block illegal sites and removing unlicensed operators from the market, the ACMA aims to create a safer online environment for all Australians.
