List of mergers and acquisitions in online gambling explained

The online gambling industry has seen an increase of mergers and acquisitions in recent years.^[1] This has been caused by a number of factors including saturation of the market, consolidation in fragmented markets, the repeal of PASPA in the U.S.^[2] and a greater desire for economies of scale.^{[3] [4]} Below is a list of notable deals.

2023

• David Portnoy acquires Barstool Sports from Penn Entertainment^[5]
• betFIRST acquired by Betsson^[6]
• Penn Entertainment acquires Barstool Sports^[7]
• Flutter acquires MaxBet^[8]
• Entain CEE (Entain + Emma Capital) acquired STS Holding for £750m ^[9]

2022

• William Hill International acquired by 888^[10]
• Supergroup (Betway) merges with Sports Entertainment Acquisition Corporation^[11]
• LeoVegas acquired by MGM^[12]

2021

• William Hill acquired by Caesars Entertainment^{[13] [14]}
• Entain acquires Enlabs^[15]

2020

• Zecure Gaming Limited, the B2C subsidiary of Gaming Innovation Group acquired by Betsson^[16]
• Bet.pt acquired by GVC^[17]
• Eldorado Resorts acquired Caesars Entertainment, retain Caesars Entertainment name.^[18]
• The Stars Group (including Sky Betting & Gaming) acquired by Flutter^{[19] [20]}
• SBTech acquired by Draftkings^[21]
• Evolution Acquiring NetEnt^[22]

2019

• CG Technology acquired by William Hill^[23]
• Stride Gaming acquired by Rank Group^[24]
• Costa Bingo, City Bingo and Sing Bingo acquired by 888^[25]
• Betbright acquired by 888^[26]
• Adjarabet acquired by Flutter^[27]
• Mr Green acquired by William Hill^[28]

2018

• Neds.com.au (Australia) acquired by GVC^[29]
• FanDuel acquired by Paddy Power Betfair^[30]
• Sky Bet acquired by The Stars Group^[31]
• Ladbrokes Coral acquired by GVC^[32]
• Crystalbet acquired by GVC^[33]
• William Hill Australia acquired by The Stars Group^[34]
• Crownbet acquired by The Stars Group^[35]
• IPS acquired by LeoVegas^[36]

2017

• Tabcorp merger with Tatts Group^[37]
• Mondogoal acquired by Global Daily Fantasy Sports^[38]
• Royal Panda acquired by LeoVegas^[39]
• NYX acquired by Scientific Games^[40]
• Forbet acquired by Fortuna^[41]
• Winga.it acquired by LeoVegas^[42]
• RCS Gaming (gazzabet.it) acquired by Sportpesa^[43]
• Football Pools acquired by OpCapita^[44]
• Touchbet acquired by Sporting Index^[45]
• NetplayTV acquired by Betsson^[46]
• Premier Casino acquired by Betsson^[47]
• 32Red acquired by Kindred Group^[48]
• Dansk Underholding Limited acquired by Mr Green^[49]
• Draft acquired by Paddy Power Betfair^[50]
• Hattrick Sports Group acquired by Fortuna^[51]

2016

• Betfair merged with Paddy Power (now Flutter Entertainment)^[52]
• Ladbrokes merged with Gala Coral (now Ladbrokes Coral)^[53]
• Bwin Party acquired by GVC^[54]
• Sisal acquired by CVC Capital Partners^[55]
• Tipico (majority stake) acquired by CVC Capital Partners^[56]
• Best Gaming Technology (BGT) acquired by Playtech^[57]
• Grand Parade acquired by William Hill^[58]
• SBAT acquired by Catena Media
• Open Bet acquired by NYX Gaming^[59]
• Inspired Gaming acquired by Hydra Industries (renamed Inspired Entertainment Inc)^[60]
• TonyBet acquired by Betsson^[61]

2015

• Sky Betting and Gaming (majority stake) acquired by CVC Capital Partners^[62]
• International Game Technology acquired by GTECH (later renamed IGT)^[63]
• Chartwell and Cryptologic (sold by Amaya) acquired by NYX Gaming^[64]
• HRTV (now TVG2) acquired by Betfair^[65]
• Stan James acquired by Unibet^[66]
• Gala Bingo (sold by Gala Coral) acquired by Caledonia Investments plc^[67]
• iGame Group acquired by Unibet^[68]
• Yoyo Games acquired by Playtech^[69]

2014

• Rational Group (PokerStars) acquired by Amaya^[70]
• Probability Plc acquired by GTECH^[71]
• Betstar acquired by Ladbrokes^[72]
• Oranje Casino and Kroon Casino acquired by Betsson^[73]

2013

• Betdaq acquired by Ladbrokes^[74]
• Gaming Investments (Bookmaker.com.au) acquired by Ladbrokes^[75]
• Tom Waterhouse acquired by William Hill^[76]
• Centrebet and Sportingbet (Australia) acquired by William Hill^[77]
• Sportingbet acquired by GVC.^[78]
• Blue Square acquired by Betfair^[79]
• Gala Casinos acquired by Rank Group^[80]

2012

• American Wagering Inc acquired by William Hill^[81]
• Cryptologic acquired by Amaya^[82]
• Nordic Betting (Bet24) acquired by Unibet^[83]
• Ongame (sold by Bwin) acquired by Amaya^[84]

2011

• PartyGaming merged with Bwin (to create Bwin.Party)^[85]
• Centrebet acquired by Sportingbet^[86]
• Betsafe acquired by Betsson^[87]
• Cayetano acquired by Paddy Power^[88]

2010

• Sportsbet.com.au acquired by Paddy Power^[89]
• Virtue Fusion acquired by Playtech^[90]

2009

• TVG acquired by Betfair^[91]
• World Poker Tour (WPT) acquired by Party Poker^[92]

2008

• Betterbet.com acquired by Stan James^[93]

2007

• Oddschecker acquired by BSkyB (now Sky Betting and Gaming)^[94]
• Sponsio acquired by Ladbrokes^[95]
• Maria Holdings acquired by Unibet^[96]

2006

• Bowmans.com acquired by Bet365^[97]
• GTECH acquired by Lottomatica (later renamed GTECH)^{[98] [99]}
• Timeform acquired by Betfair^[100]

2005

• Gala merged with Coral Eurobet (to create Gala Coral)^[101]
• PokerChamps.com acquired by Betfair^[102]
• Ongame acquired by Bwin^[103]

2004

• Casino Club acquired by GVC

2003

• Blue Square acquired by Rank^[104]

2001

• Flutter.com merged with Betfair^[105]

2000

• Sports Internet Group acquired by BSkyB (now Sky Betting and Gaming)^[106]

See also

• List of largest mergers and acquisitions

Notes and References

1. News: Gambling industry bets on mergers and acquisitions. Thomas. Daniel. 2015-09-22. BBC News. 2017-06-18. en-GB.
2. Web site: Sports betting set to become legal across US after supreme court decision. Washington. Associated Press in. 2018-05-14. the Guardian. en. 2018-06-03.
3. News: The biggest bets bookies are making are on their own futures. 2015-09-19. The Independent. 2017-06-21. en-GB.
4. News: Place your bets: Which gambling companies will strike the next deal?. The Telegraph. 2017-06-18. en-GB.
5. Web site: 8 August 2023 . PENN Entertainment and ESPN Enter into Long-Term Exclusive Strategic Alliance for U.S. Online Sports Betting .
6. News: 2023-06-15 . La marque belge de paris sportifs betFIRST (IPM) passe sous pavillon suédois : "Nous sommes très fiers d'avoir créé cette belle entreprise . fr . La Libre .
7. Web site: 17 Feb 2023 . PENN Entertainment Completes Acquisition of Barstool Sports .
8. News: 2023-09-27 . Flutter eyes Balkan expansion with acquisition of Serbia's MaxBet . en . Reuters . 2023-10-12.
9. News: 2023-06-13 . Entain Cee Acquisition of STS in Poland . en . LSE . 2023-12-13.
10. News: M . Muvija . Peters . Chris . 2021-09-09 . 888 stakes $3 bln to buy William Hill businesses . en . Reuters . 2023-10-12.
11. Web site: News . 2023-10-12 . sghc.com.
12. Web site: Leovegas becomes a part of MGM Resorts . 2023-10-12 . LeoVegas Mobile Gaming Group . en-GB.
13. News: 2020-09-30 . William Hill agrees $2.9bn takeover by Caesars Palace-owner . en-GB . BBC News . 2020-11-10.
14. Web site: Sep 30, 2020 . Caesars Entertainment to Acquire William Hill for £2.9 Billion.
15. Web site: Enlabs brings further market growth to Entain . 2023-10-12 . Entain . en-US.
16. News: Betsson completes acquisition of GiG’s B2C assets. 2020-04-16. iGaming Business. 2020-04-16. en.
17. Web site: 2020-10-08. GVC eyes Portuguese top spot with Bet.pt takeover. 2020-12-11. SBC News. en-US.
18. News: 2020-07-20. Eldorado Completes Caesars Deal, Becoming New Casino Powerhouse. en. Bloomberg.com. 2020-11-10.
19. Web site: Online betting merger brings Paddy Power and PokerStars together. Ziady. Hanna. CNN. 2 October 2019. 2019-10-02.
20. News: FanDuel Owner Buys PokerStars in $6 Billion Deal. Walker. Katherine Sayre and Ian. Wall Street Journal. 2 October 2019. en-US. 2019-10-02.
21. News: DraftKings to go public in 2020 at $3.3 billion valuation. https://web.archive.org/web/20191223214422/https://in.reuters.com/article/us-draftkings-diamond-eagle-idINKBN1YR19F. dead. December 23, 2019. 2019-12-23. Reuters. 2019-12-23. en.
22. News: 2020-06-24 . UPDATE 1-Evolution Gaming offers to buy NetEnt in $2 bln online casino deal . en . Reuters . 2023-10-12.
23. Web site: William Hill to Purchase CG Technology Sports Book Assets. 2019-11-21. www.businesswire.com. en. 2019-11-25.
24. Web site: Rank Group completes acquisition of Stride Gaming. 2019-10-04. iGaming Business. en. 2019-10-07.
25. Web site: 888 completes £18m Mandalay acquisition. 2019-03-13. SBC News. en-US. 2019-05-28.
26. News: Dublin based Betbright acquired by 888 in £15m deal. Reddan. Fiona. The Irish Times. en. 2019-03-04.
27. News: Paddy Power Betfair buys €116m stake in Georgian company. Gleeson. Colin. The Irish Times. en. 2019-02-03.
28. News: William Hill buys online platform Mr Green for post-Brexit base in the EU. Gill. Oliver. 2018-10-31. The Telegraph. 2018-12-08. en-GB. 0307-1235.
29. Web site: Ladbrokes' parent company GVC buys bookmaker Neds International. 2018-11-22. Australian Financial Review. en. 2019-01-19.
30. News: Paddy Power Betfair merging U.S business with FanDuel. Halpin. Padraic. U.S.. 2018-06-03. en-US.
31. News: Stars Group set to buy Sky Bet brand in £3bn deal. Isaac. Anna. 2018-04-21. The Telegraph. 2018-04-22. en-GB. 0307-1235.
32. News: Ladbrokes Coral bought by online rival. 2017-12-22. BBC News. 2017-12-22. en-GB.
33. Web site: GVC Buys Initial Crystalbet Majority Stake With Remainder To Follow. MorningstarUK. 2018-03-06.
34. News: Stars Group Gets a Piece of William Hill After Failed Merger. 2018-03-06. Bloomberg.com. 2018-03-06. en.
35. Web site: The Stars Group acquires CrownBet in $117.7m deal. www.gamblinginsider.com. en. 2018-03-06.
36. News: LeoVegas to acquire Intellectual Property & Software for £65m. 2018-01-12. iGaming Business. 2018-01-21. en.
37. Web site: Tabcorp Tatts Group $11.3bn merger begins. www.gamblinginsider.com. en. 2017-12-22.
38. News: B2B Daily Fantasy Sports Acquisition Targets Growth In Europe. Heitner. Darren. Forbes. 2018-11-01. en.
39. News: LeoVegas completes the acquisition of the gaming operator Royal Panda - NASDAQ.com. NASDAQ.com. 2017-11-01. en-us.
40. Web site: Scientific Games acquires NYX in $631m deal. www.gamblinginsider.com. en. 2017-09-21.
41. Web site: Fortuna completes operator acquisition from Forbet deal. www.gamblinginsider.com. en. 2017-09-06.
42. Web site: LeoVegas acquire Italy's Winga, vow more acquisitions in store. 2017-02-21. CalvinAyre.com. 2017-09-10.
43. News: SportPesa acquires majority shareholding in RCS Media's gambling division. 2017-07-18. SBC News. 2017-07-18. en-US.
44. Web site: Press Release. www.sportechplc.com. en. 2017-06-26.
45. News: Sporting Index Group acquires Touchbet. 2017-06-19. iGaming Business. 2017-06-19. en.
46. News: Betsson completes £26 million acquisition of NetPlay TV. 2017-03-31. SBC News. 2017-06-18. en-US.
47. News: Betsson enters Spain with Premier Casino acquisition. 2017-03-06. iGaming Business. 2017-06-18. en.
48. News: Kindred completes 32Red deal. 2017-06-07. iGaming Business. 2017-06-18. en.
49. News: BRIEF-Mr Green buys Danish online gaming company Dansk Underholdning. 2017-02-06. Reuters. 2017-06-26.
50. News: Paddy Power Betfair enters fantasy land on back of US sports acquisition. The Telegraph. 2017-06-18. en-GB.
51. Web site: Fortuna Entertainment to pay up to €135m for Hattrick Sports. 2017-02-23. CalvinAyre.com. 2017-06-18.
52. News: Paddy Power and Betfair agree to create new FTSE 100 gambling giant. Telegraph.co.uk. 2017-06-18. en.
53. News: Ladbrokes finalises merger with Coral. 2016-11-01. iGaming Business. 2017-06-18. en.
54. News: GVC finalises acquisition of bwin.party, appoints non-executive directors. 2016-02-03. iGaming Business. 2017-06-18. en.
55. News: CVC Capital to buy Italian gaming firm Sisal in 1 billion euro deal. https://web.archive.org/web/20180923075019/https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-sisal-cvc-buyout-idUKKCN0YL0PT. dead. September 23, 2018. Reuters UK. 2017-06-18. en-GB.
56. News: CVC takes majority stake in betting firm Tipico. Reuters UK. 2017-06-18. en-GB.
57. Web site: Playtech acquires Best Gaming Technology - RNS - London Stock Exchange. www.londonstockexchange.com. en. 2017-06-18.
58. News: William Hill acquires Grand Parade for £13.5m. 2016-08-02. iGaming Business. 2017-06-18. en.
59. News: NYX Gaming Group completes acquisition of OpenBet. 2016-05-23. iGaming Business. 2017-06-18. en.
60. News: Inspired Entertainment, Inc. Announces Successful Business Combination With Inspired Gaming Group. MarketWatch. 2017-06-20. en-US.
61. Web site: Betsson Acquire Tony G's TonyBet Brand Online Gambling News. 2016-09-08. CalvinAyre.com. 2017-06-19.
62. News: Sky sells betting business to CVC private equity. Telegraph.co.uk. 2017-06-18. en.
63. News: GTECH completes IGT acquisition. 2015-04-08. iGaming Business. 2017-06-26. en.
64. Web site: Amaya Sells Cryptologic, Chartwell to NYX Gaming Group Online Gambling News. 2015-04-09. CalvinAyre.com. 2017-06-30.
65. News: Betfair buys US HRTV network for £47m to add to its US TV hoseracing. 2015-02-18. Evening Standard. 2017-06-18. en-GB.
66. News: Unibet buys Stan James' online business for £19m. Hall. Joe. 2015-07-10. 2017-06-18. en.
67. News: Gala Bingo Chain Sold In £240m Caledonia Deal. Sky News. 2017-06-18. en-GB.
68. Web site: Unibet completes €59m acquisition of iGame - Gaming Intelligence. Administrator2. www.gamingintelligence.com. 15 February 2017. en-gb. 2017-06-18.
69. News: YoYo Games sells to PlayTech for $16.4 million. GamesIndustry.biz. 2017-06-18. en.
70. News: Amaya Gaming In Deal To Buy PokerStars For $4.9 Billion. Vardi. Nathan. Forbes. 2017-06-18.
71. News: GTECH strikes deal to acquire Probability Plc. 2014-02-18. iGaming Business. 2017-09-10. en.
72. News: Ladbrokes set to buy Eskander's Betstar. Stensholt. John. 2014-04-09. The Sydney Morning Herald. 2017-06-18. Gardner. Jessica. en-US.
73. News: Betsson AB acquires leading casino operator on the Dutch market. AB. Betsson. GlobeNewswire News Room. 2017-06-19. en-US.
74. News: Ladbrokes acquires Betdaq betting exchange for €30m. 2013-01-25. 2017-06-18.
75. Web site: Ladbrokes agree Gaming Investments acquisition. www.gamblinginsider.com. en. 2017-06-27.
76. News: Fears of 'predatory' tactics after Waterhouse takeover. 2013-08-11. ABC News. 2017-06-18. en-AU.
77. News: Sportingbet, Centrebet and Tom Waterhouse brands to disappear from Australia as William Hill moves in. Gardner. Jessica. 2015-01-20. The Sydney Morning Herald. 2017-06-18. en-US.
78. Web site: GVC completes acquisition of Sportingbet - GVC Holdings Plc - 19 March 2013 - GVC Holdings PLC. www.gvc-plc.com. en. 2017-06-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20150803013237/http://www.gvc-plc.com/html/investor/news/archive/2013/190313c.asp. 3 August 2015. dead.
79. News: Betfair sweeps up troubled Blue Square bookie from Rank Group. Titcomb. James. 2013-04-03. 2017-06-19. en.
80. News: Rank completes Gala Casinos acquisition. 2013-05-13. iGaming Business. 2017-06-19. en.
81. William Hill Agrees to Acquire American Wagering, Inc. and Cal Neva Sportsbook Operations. William Hill PLC; American Wagering. www.prnewswire.com. en. 2017-06-18.
82. Web site: Amaya Gaming Group Inc. - Closing of the offer. www.morningstar.co.uk. 2017-06-30.
83. Web site: Unibet Completes Bet24 Acquisition - European Poker News. www.cardplayer.com. 2017-06-19.
84. Web site: Amaya Gaming Group closes acquisition of Ongame Network. www.newswire.ca. en. 2017-06-20.
85. News: PartyGaming to merge with online gambling rival. Moya. Elena. 2010-07-29. The Guardian. 2017-06-18. en-GB. 0261-3077.
86. Web site: Sportingbet completes Centrebet acquisition - Gaming Intelligence. Administrator2. www.gamingintelligence.com. en-gb. 2017-06-18.
87. News: Betsson acquires Betsafe. 2011-05-13. iGaming Business. 2017-06-19. en.
88. News: Paddy Power purchases Cayetano. 2011-11-17. iGaming Business. 2017-06-19. en.
89. News: Paddy Power to buy out Sportsbet. 2010-12-23. BBC News. 2017-06-18. en-GB.
90. News: Playtech buys Virtue Fusion. 2010-02-18. iGaming Business. 2017-06-18. en.
91. Web site: Betfair and Macrovision Announce Betfair's Acquisition of TVG Network. www.businesswire.com. en. 2017-06-18. 2009-01-27.
92. Web site: It's finally official, the WPT joins the PartyGaming Family partypoker.com blog. Party Poker Blog. 2017-06-20. 2009-11-09.
93. News: UK Bookmakers. ukbookmakers.info. 2017-06-30.
94. Web site: People are requesting a much more personalised experience. 2013-04-10. Marketing Week. 2017-06-19.
95. News: BBC NEWS Business Ladbrokes bets on Nordic market. news.bbc.co.uk. 2017-06-27. 2007-01-22.
96. News: Unibet's acquisition of Maria Holdings finalised. Plc. Unibet Group. GlobeNewswire News Room. 2017-06-19. en-US.
97. https://www.gamblingsites.org/history/bet365/
98. News: Operator of Italian Lottery to Buy Gtech for $4.6 Billion. Timmons. Heather. 2006-01-11. The New York Times. 2017-06-26. en-US. 0362-4331.
99. News: Lottomatica to change name into GTECH. https://web.archive.org/web/20180923074944/https://uk.reuters.com/article/lottomatica-gtech-idUKL6N0ATEC220130124. dead. September 23, 2018. Reuters UK. 2017-06-26. en-GB.
100. News: Exclusive: Betfair set to buy Timeform for £15m. McGrath. J A. Telegraph.co.uk. 2017-06-19. en.
101. News: BBC NEWS Business Casino group Gala snaps up Coral. news.bbc.co.uk. 2017-06-18. 2005-10-07.
102. News: PokerChamps sold to Betfair. Poker History. 2017-06-20. en.
103. News: PokerRoom & Ongame sold to Bwin. Poker History. 2017-06-20. en.
104. News: Rank gambles on £65m Blue Square. Gibson. Owen. 2003-01-20. The Guardian. 2017-06-27. en-GB. 0261-3077.
105. News: Betfair buy spells the final flutter. Goodley. Simon. Telegraph.co.uk. 2017-06-19. en.
106. Web site: BBC News BUSINESS BSkyB buys Sports Internet. news.bbc.co.uk. 2017-06-19.