The Biggest iGaming Mergers and Acquisitions in Recent Years

The gambling industry has undergone some major changes in the last year or so, from overhauls at the best online casinos in PA, NY, and NV, to new companies, new rules, and more.

Some of the biggest changes have occurred as a result of mergers and acquisitions. As the industry expands, the biggest players are seeking to increase their share and claim as much as they can. These are some of the biggest mergers and acquisitions to have occurred recently.

Caesars, Eldorado Resorts, William Hill, and 888 Holdings

In the past 2 years, some of the biggest mergers have all revolved around Caesars Entertainment.

In 2020, Eldorado Resorts had a bid approved to acquire Caesars and within a year, the new company had also acquired William Hill, a major international betting brand. William Hill’s US properties were then rebranded as Caesars Sportsbook and within a few months, the European properties were sold to 888 Holdings.

Combined, 888, William Hill, and Caesars are three of the biggest gambling brands in the world, ones that are worth tens of billions of dollars and have a global reach. The money, properties, and platforms that changed hands in these deals have had a staggering effect on the US and European gambling markets.

It didn’t stop there, either. Caesars sold all of its European and African casinos to an affiliate of Silver Point Capital and then signed multiple deals that would see its sponsorship and mobile offerings increase.

To say that it has been a busy few years for Caesars would be an understatement!

Gamesys and Bally’s

Gamesys and Bally’s merged in 2021 in a deal thought to be worth $2 billion. It meant that the European software powerhouse joined forces with an established US brand, allowing them to put their resources together to tackle the emerging US online gambling market.

Just like the deal that brought William Hill and Caesars together, this Euro-US partnership should have a significant impact on the US gambling market. It means that US gamblers will be offered established platforms and proven software as soon as gambling laws relax in their region.

Evolution Gaming and Others

Most online gamblers have heard of Evolution Gaming, It’s a brand best-known for its Live Casino offering and one that is constantly releasing new titles and entering emerging markets.

NetEnt is just as famous and well known, and most gamers have spent some time with slots like Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst.

What many don’t know, however, is that these companies are owned by the same brand.

A couple of years ago, Evolution Gaming acquired both NetEnt and Red Tiger Gaming, giving it access to a vast catalog of games and to some of the most prized licenses in the industry. It’s also why Evolution’s Live Casino offerings now include Live NetEnt Slots and why there have been crossover slots combining licenses from Red Tiger and NetEnt.

If these acquisitions are anything to go by, we’ll likely see Evolution acquire even more brands and licenses in the coming years. It’s already a player favorite and is well on its way to becoming an industry giant.