Industry News
Aspire Global Publishes Interim Report for Q1 2021
Aspire Global has posted a 42.6% year-on-year increase in revenue in Q1 2021. The Malta-headquartered firm saw revenue increase from €33.7m in Q1 2020 to €48.1m in Q1 2021, with the acquired BtoBet business helping to drive growth by adding €2.4m in Q1 revenue.
Comments from CEO Tsachi Maimon:
Aspire Global reports yet another record quarter with strong growth of 42.6% and robust profitability well above our financial target. This consistent performance demonstrates Aspire Global’s ability to execute its growth strategy and create value. All segments reported strong development in the quarter, and the Group made significant progress, especially in the US and the UK with new deals and the receipt of new licenses.
Revenues increased by 42.6% to €48.1 million with organic growth of 35.6%. Growth was particularly strong in the UK and Ireland in both the casino and sports verticals. The solid growth in the quarter is particularly impressive, given that the first quarter is historically the weakest of the year.
EBITDA increased by 64.2% to €8.6 million with an EBITDA margin of 17.8%, well above our financial target of 16%. This improved profitability is driven by the revenue growth across all segments as well as strict cost control. It is also satisfying to see that both BtoBet and Pariplay, acquired in 2020 and 2019 respectively, contribute significantly to Aspire Global’s profitability.
STRENGTHENED PRESENCE IN THE US
Establishing a strong footprint and building our brands in the fast-growing US market are key objectives for us this year, and we have already made significant progress on this front. In January, Pariplay, the leading game studio and game aggregator, was granted an Interim iGaming Supplier License for the state of West Virginia. Shortly after, Pariplay’s games went live in New Jersey with Rush Street Interactive, a market leader in online casino and sports betting in the US.
In April we took yet another key step in the US by signing a striking deal with the platform provider GAN. The partnership will see Pariplay expand its footprint through GAN’s platform, which is available to operators in three states – New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan. By partnering with GAN, a well-established supplier with leading operator partners, we will get Pariplay’s games in front of a significant audience across numerous states.
The US iGaming market is growing at an impressive rate with more states currently considering legalising online gaming. Our objective is to be at forefront of these developments. Aspire Global has already filed applications for accessibility in Pennsylvania and Michigan, with the objective to file in all accessible states.
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN THE UK
The Sports market represents an important growth area for us. Until the acquisition of BtoBet, a leading sportsbook provider, sports constituted a minor part of Aspire Global’s revenues, representing only 7.6% of revenues in Q1 2020. One year later, sports now represents 15.2% of revenues.
BtoBet has established a strong position in Latin America and Africa. In the quarter, BtoBet further expanded its global footprint by being awarded certification in the UK. The UK is the biggest European iGaming market, and this license marks an important strategic step in expanding our Sports vertical to new markets. Just a few days after obtaining the license, BtoBet announced a strategic partnership with the UK-based operator Small Screen Casinos, covering the UK, Ireland and Ghana. The agreement underlines BtoBet’s ability to configure its technology to meet the needs of any operator.
Pariplay also strengthened its position in the UK in the quarter by going live with Betfred, the largest independent betting brand in the UK.
BTOBET SPORTSBOOK NOW INTEGRATED
The acquisition of BtoBet and its proprietary sportsbook has created an offering that covers the main elements of the B2B iGaming value chain and gives Aspire Global control of the IP in the full value chain. We have recently accomplished the integration of BtoBet’s sportsbook to Aspire Core’s cutting-edge technology platform. This, in combination with Pariplay’s leading game offering, provides Aspire Global with crucial competitive advantages. Aspire Global is a powerhouse for iGaming operators and is ready to compete for any deal, anywhere, at any time.
In addition to the huge growth opportunities we see by entering new regulated markets and gaining new customers, there are substantial opportunities to expand our business with existing partners. We have just kicked off the first sports related projects where partner brands will improve their offering by replacing their existing sports solution with the BtoBet sportsbook. This shift of partner brands to the BtoBet proprietary platform will positively impact our revenues and margins throughout 2021.
We are proud to add Grupo Televisa, the biggest media house in Mexico, as a partner via our local operator/partner. Grupo Televisa, which has a market cap of over USD 7 billion, migrated recently to our gaming platform and sports solution from its previous provider. We also support Grupo Televisa with new casino tabs and our knowledge about the region.
CORE PLATFORM ENHANCEMENTS
A key strategic area for Aspire Global is the continuous improvement of our offering and enhancements of our core technology platform. The recently launched Aspire Engage – the most advanced CRM tool in the market – along with additional payments methods and KYC processes – have been very well received in the market. The strong development for our Pay N Play solution, launched in December 2020, has also continued in this quarter. These new features and improvements are important contributions to Aspire Global’s robust performance.
STRONG B2C PERFORMANCE
The B2C segment continued its strong growth from Q4 2020. As announced in March 2021, we have initiated a review of the role of the B2C segment within the Group structure. We are pleased with the growth recorded by the B2C segment, but we think a review will assist us to better assess our options to further accelerate growth. Such a move could help improve Aspire Global’s overall margins and EBITDA and potentially support us in accelerating new B2B initiatives and enter fresh markets. The review is still ongoing and we will provide more information about the outcome in a timely manner.
OUTLOOK
Aspire Global consistently demonstrates its ability to execute its growth strategy and create value. In addition to continuous improvement of the offering, geographic expansion and good organic growth, we are of course especially happy with the outcome of our M&A activities. Pariplay has doubled its revenues since Q1 2020 and reports an EBITDA margin of almost 30%. BtoBet has also developed favourably since the acquisition with revenue growth of 51.0% compared to Q1 2020 and reports similar EBITDA margins to Pariplay.
We see tremendous growth opportunities for Aspire Global. With our complete iGaming offering, we will target both new customers and broaden our presence with existing partners. We have proven our ability to gain tier 1 operators as customers with names such as Rush Street Interactive (RSI), Betfair, William Hill and 888casino. The strategy to grow in regulated markets is proven efficient, and we will continue to license our offering in more regulated markets and enter new markets.
We remain confident in our ability to deliver on our 2021 financial targets and are truly excited by Aspire Global’s future prospects.
Industry News
Americas Online Gambling Market To Soon Eclipse Europe’s, Finds Vixio Forecasts

- Vixio forecasts that regulated online GGR in North and Latin America will grow at a compound annual rate of 3 percent from US$22.3bn in 2023 to US$56.3bn by 2028, drawing level with regulated European market.
Vixio, a leading provider of regulatory intelligence solutions, ahead of SBC Americas forecasts that the regulated online gambling market in the Americas to be worth US$32.5bn by 2026, compared to US$15.6bn in 2022, more than doubling in size in a period of four years. This growth rate is more than double the equivalent in Europe, with the European regulated online gambling market projected to be worth €37.3bn in 2026, up from just under €30bn in 2022.
By 2028, regulated online gambling markets in the U.S., Canada and Latin American countries are expected to generate US$56.3bn, drawing level with Europe or potentially surpassing it depending on currency fluctuations.
“Prior to 2018, the regulated online gambling market was highly euro-centric but legalization of sports betting and iGaming in various U.S. states as well as the major markets of Ontario and Brazil has coincided with stricter regulations in European countries that has restricted growth in a number of cases,” said James Kilsby, Chief Analyst, Vixio.
Vixio will be showcasing its data forecasting and regulatory intelligence solutions in more detail at the SBC Summit Americas 2026 at stand B175, with additional information in its Latin America Online Outlook report, available at vixio.com/research/latin-america-outlook-2025.
Vixio forecasts that regulated online GGR in North and Latin America will grow at a compound annual rate of 20.3 percent from US$22.3bn in 2023 to US$56.3bn by 2028, drawing level with regulated European market.
Providing further insight into one of the most closely watched online gambling markets globally, Kilsby, Vixio’s award-winning analyst, will be speaking during a panel session titled “Brazil 2025: A Surge in Licensing and Lessons So Far.” James was recently recognized as a Silver Stevie® Award Winner for Thought Leader of the Year in the 2025 American Business Awards®. The panel will take place on Wednesday, May 14, at 11 a.m. in conference room four.
In addition, Vixio has been shortlisted for Compliance Solution of the Year at the 2025 SBC Awards, which will be announced on the second day of the conference.
Visit us at stand B175 at SBC Summit Americas to learn more about how Vixio can help your business navigate the regulatory challenges of the gaming industry.
For more information, or to book a meeting with a Vixio representative at SBC Americas, visit vixio.com.
The post Americas Online Gambling Market To Soon Eclipse Europe’s, Finds Vixio Forecasts appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
CasinoWebScripts Enables Direct Provider Connections and Eliminates the Need for Aggregators

CasinoWebScripts, a leading provider of iGaming software solutions, is drawing attention to a powerful infrastructure model already in use by several clients — one that enables direct integration between online casino operators and game content providers. As the industry evolves, the company is now actively promoting this approach as a smarter alternative to traditional aggregation.
In the conventional model, aggregators act as intermediaries between content providers and casino platforms. While convenient, this structure often limits operators’ control over technical and commercial aspects, introduces latency and adds additional costs. CasinoWebScripts’ model removes the need for an aggregator by enabling operators to connect directly to game providers using a simplified and consistent integration method.
“Our goal is to simplify the way operators work with game studios, regardless of the type of casino they operate — whether it’s real-money, crypto, or social sweepstakes. By providing the tools and infrastructure for direct connections, we empower both sides to negotiate directly, optimize performance, and reduce third-party dependencies,” said Oscar Stevens, Head of Business Development at CasinoWebScripts.
Key Features of the Model Include:
• Direct Integration: Operators connect with game providers through a unified framework, without using an aggregator.
• Faster Load Times and Lower Latency: The streamlined architecture improves game performance and platform responsiveness.
• Independent Commercial Agreements: Operators and providers manage their own contracts, pricing and terms with full autonomy.
• Easy Expansion: The system supports the quick addition of new providers, with minimal integration overhead.
• Technology-Only Role: CasinoWebScripts supplies the infrastructure but does not interfere in commercial relationships.
This infrastructure shift reflects growing demand from operators looking for more autonomy in their business models. It also addresses concerns about transparency and technical bottlenecks that often arise with aggregator-based systems.
“Our platform is designed to serve those who want to scale fast and retain control over their operations. With this model, operators no longer have to compromise on performance or commercial independence,” added Stevens.
The post CasinoWebScripts Enables Direct Provider Connections and Eliminates the Need for Aggregators appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Exclusive Commentary from Vixio On Their AML Outlook Findings

Your recent AML Outlook report highlights over €36 million in fines issued across Europe in just one year. What recurring weaknesses or compliance gaps are regulators most commonly identifying in payments and e-money firms?
John Gidla (JG): Regulators continue to flag underinvestment in anti-financial crime controls as a key concern for payments and e-money firms. Common themes include weak governance, limited oversight, and fragmented controls, all of which increase vulnerability to financial crime. There’s a growing expectation that firms scale their compliance frameworks in line with their risk exposure and growth trajectory
The report mentions that AML compliance can be costly—yet the reputational and financial risks of non-compliance are even greater. What are the most cost-effective measures firms can implement today to strengthen their AML frameworks without overwhelming their budgets?
JG: While not all firms can afford advanced compliance tools, strong governance remains one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce risk. Practical steps such as training staff on emerging threats, embedding a culture of accountability, and regularly updating frameworks as the business grows can go a long way in strengthening AML resilience without major spend.
With the creation of the EU’s new AMLA authority, do you expect a more consistent and centralized enforcement approach across Europe? How might this change how firms prepare for inspections and adapt their compliance strategies?
JG: AMLA has the potential to bring greater consistency to AML enforcement across the EU, addressing long-standing issues caused by fragmented supervision and uneven implementation by national authorities. Its impact will depend on how much direct oversight it gains, how assertively it acts on cross-border risks, and whether it can close the regulatory gaps that have permitted high-profile scandals. Firms should expect more rigorous and standardised inspections and will need to ensure their compliance programmes are not only locally robust, but scalable across jurisdictions.
Vixio emphasizes the importance of a proactive rather than reactive compliance culture. In your view, what does a ‘proactive’ AML strategy look like in 2025, and what technologies or best practices are leading firms adopting to stay ahead?
JG: A truly proactive AML strategy in 2025 extends beyond technology to encompass a strong compliance culture at every level of the organisation. Leading firms understand that combating financial crime isn’t just the responsibility of the compliance team — it’s integrated into day-to-day operations, with senior leadership driving risk awareness across departments. In terms of technology, firms are increasingly adopting AI, machine learning, and automated monitoring systems to detect suspicious activity early and reduce human error. However, culture plays a critical role; firms that foster a compliance-first mindset and invest in ongoing staff training are better positioned to adapt to emerging threats and ensure that their compliance frameworks evolve in step with business growth and digital transformation. A proactive approach also means constantly reassessing risk and using data to predict and prevent issues, rather than just reacting to them. With regulations in constant flux, and regulators ramping up enforcement, proactive compliance looks like implementing strategies to anticipate regulations, not just react to them. In Vixio’s PC Outlook Report, we found that a clear majority of firms surveyed are using some form of outsourcing for their compliance functionality, turning to firms like Vixio to get ahead of regulatory change.
Thanks to John Gidla, Head of Payments Compliance at Vixio, for his insightful responses.
The post Exclusive Commentary from Vixio On Their AML Outlook Findings appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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