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The Biggest iGaming Mergers and Acquisitions in Recent Years

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

Industry News

CasinoWebScripts Enables Direct Provider Connections and Eliminates the Need for Aggregators

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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.

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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.

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• 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.

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Compliance Updates

Exclusive Commentary from Vixio On Their AML Outlook Findings

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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

 

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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.

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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.

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The post Exclusive Commentary from Vixio On Their AML Outlook Findings appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 28-May 4

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Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Bragg Gaming Group announced it has reached an agreement with its lenders, certain entities controlled by Doug Fallon, to repay USD 5 million of its outstanding USD 7 million secured promissory note and to extend the maturity of the remaining USD 2 million until June 6, 2025 (the Note). The company is in the process of securing a new revolving credit facility from a third-party lender. This facility is expected to offer more favourable terms than the existing Note, including lower borrowing costs and improved drawdown flexibility. All other terms of the original Note remain unchanged.

PENN Entertainment Inc announced plans for an expected $180–$200 million project to relocate its Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs (Ameristar) riverboat casino operations to a new, state-of-the-art land-based property to be rebranded as Hollywood Casino Council Bluffs (Hollywood Council Bluffs). The proposal is approved by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in conjunction with a 15-year extension of Ameristar’s partnership with the nonprofit Qualified Sponsoring Organisation (QSO) Iowa West Racing Association. All commercial operators in Iowa are required to have an operating agreement with a QSO licensed to conduct gaming operations. Under the proposed plan, the new Hollywood Council Bluffs is expected to include roughly 125,000 square feet of new development with approximately 58,000 square feet of gaming space.

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PENN Entertainment Inc announced that it intends to nominate Johnny Hartnett and Carlos Ruisanchez for election to its Board of Directors following discussions with HG Vora Capital Management LLC (HG Vora). Ron Naples has informed the Board that he will retire from the Board, effective immediately. Barbara Shattuck Kohn and Saul Reibstein have notified the Company that they will not stand for reelection at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board now comprises eight directors, seven of whom are independent.

Partnerships

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Genius Sports Limited have announced a significant extension of their long-term partnership, reinforcing their shared commitment to innovation, transparency and the integrity of college athletics. Under the expanded agreement, Genius Sports has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of official NCAA data to licensed sportsbooks for all post-season tournaments, including March Madness, through 2032. This long-term agreement ensures the delivery of fast, accurate and secure data to the regulated sports betting market.

PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, announced that it has been named the Official Daily Fantasy Partner of the San Francisco Giants. The new partnership strengthens the DFS leader’s presence in professional baseball and features digital and in-park activations at Oracle Park. As part of the multi-year partnership, PrizePicks branding will be showcased prominently throughout Oracle Park with rotating signage behind home plate and LED signage on each baseline. PrizePicks logos will be featured across the K-Counter in right field, creating an interactive experience for fans in the ballpark. Fans seated on top of the right field wall near the strikeout counter will have the opportunity to flip over the PrizePicks branded signs, revealing a “K” for each strikeout earned by a Giants pitcher.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 28-May 4 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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