Latest News
Evolution Gaming announces a recommended public offer to the shareholders of NetEnt
Evolution Gaming Group AB (publ) (”Evolution”) announces a public offer to the shareholders of NetEnt AB (publ) (“NetEnt”) to sell all their shares in NetEnt to Evolution in exchange for 0.1306 Evolution shares for each share in NetEnt (the “Offer”). The Offer includes both the unlisted shares of series A and the shares of series B that are admitted to trading on Nasdaq Stockholm. Evolution will not increase the offered consideration.
The Offer in brief
- Evolution offers 0.1306 Evolution shares for each share in NetEnt. Evolution will not increase the offered consideration.
- The Offer values each share in NetEnt to SEK 79.93 and all shares in NetEnt to approximately SEK 19.6 billion.[1]
- The offered consideration represents a premium of 43 per cent compared to the closing price of the NetEnt share of series B on Nasdaq Stockholm on 23 June 2020 (which was the last trading day prior to the announcement of the Offer) and a premium of 72 per cent compared to the volume weighted average price per NetEnt share of series B on Nasdaq Stockholm during the 30 latest trading days up to and including 23 June 2020.
- The board of directors of NetEnt unanimously recommends the shareholders of NetEnt to accept the Offer.
- Shareholders who in total directly or indirectly control 21.02 per cent of all shares and 45.02 per cent of all votes in NetEnt have undertaken to accept the Offer. In addition, certain board members of NetEnt who in total directly or indirectly control 8.48 per cent of all shares and 23.20 per cent of all votes in NetEnt have expressed that they intend to undertake to accept the Offer.
- The completion of the Offer is conditional upon, among other things, the Offer being accepted by shareholders to such an extent that Evolution becomes the owner of more than 90 per cent of the shares in NetEnt (on a fully diluted basis) and that an extraordinary general meeting in Evolution resolves to authorise the board of directors to resolve on the issuance of the number of shares in Evolution that Evolution shall pay as consideration to the shareholders of NetEnt that accept the Offer. Shareholders who in total control approximately 32.53 per cent of all shares and votes in Evolution have expressed that they are positive to the Offer and that they intend to vote in favour of the board of directors’ proposal for an authorisation to issue shares.
- Evolution will publish an offer document regarding the Offer on or around 14 August 2020. The acceptance period of the Offer will commence on or around 17 August 2020 and expire on or around 26 October 2020.
Background and reasons for the Offer
- This is a landmark deal which will accelerate Evolution’s move towards becoming the world leader in the online gaming industry.
- The merger of Evolution’s leading position in Live Casino with NetEnt’s strong position in online slots will create a best-in-class B2B provider with capacity to drive the digitalisation of the global gaming industry (90 per cent of the global casino industry is still land-based).
- The US market has a potential to become Evolution’s largest market over time as individual states regulate. The merger of Evolution’s existing Live Casino offering through the existing New Jersey studio as well as the planned studios in Pennsylvania and Michigan with NetEnt’s strong US presence in online slots will accelerate this development and fast-track the combined company’s move into the US online gaming market.
- The combined product portfolio will include some of the world’s most popular Live Casino and online slots games and generate revenue upsides through cross-selling and improved distribution via both companies’ customer bases, with closer customer partnerships and additional geographical spread of the companies’ products as result. The range of the combined offer will provide significant upsides to customers and player experience as well as enable new collaborations between world-class development resources.
- The combination is expected to result in annual cost savings of approximately EUR 30 million, compared to the combined cost basis of NetEnt and Evolution as of the first quarter of 2020. This includes the cost savings of approximately SEK 150 million which NetEnt has already disclosed.
- The combined company will become a leading online gaming provider with a strong platform for international growth and expansion, both organic and through additional acquisitions.
Jens von Bahr, Chairman of Evolution, comments: “This strategic deal marks a significant step towards Evolution’s long-term vision of becoming the global market leader in the online casino industry. The combination of Evolution’s strong offering in Live Casino with NetEnt’s leading position in online slots will result in a world class portfolio of online games that will enable us to serve a growing customer base. Furthermore, NetEnt’s established US positioning combined with Evolution’s existing US studios and first-to-regulated-market strategy will put us in a favourable position to capitalise on the on-going regulation in North America.”
Mathias Hedlund, Chairman of NetEnt, comments: “Recently, NetEnt has vastly improved its tech and product development capabilities and thereby its growth prospects and at the same time reaching a strong position within the US states that have opened up for online casino. With this deal, there are unique possibilities to shape a leading global B2B provider of online casino, taking advantage of the market development with continued digitalisation and strong growth, especially in North America. Evolution’s position within Live Casino combined with NetEnt’s position within online slots will create a company well positioned to take significant market shares. Through this transaction, a new chapter in the development of more entertaining online casino begins, in the best interest of players, operators, employees and shareholders.”
The Offer
The offered consideration and the value of the Offer
Evolution offers 0.1306 Evolution shares for each share in NetEnt. Evolution will not increase the offered consideration.
The Offer includes both the unlisted shares of series A and the shares of series B that are admitted to trading on Nasdaq Stockholm. The Offer values each share in NetEnt to SEK 79.93 and all shares in NetEnt to approximately SEK 19.6 billion.[2]
Evolution will only pay full (and not fractions of) Evolution shares to shareholders of NetEnt that accept the Offer. If a shareholder of NetEnt tenders such a number of shares in the Offer that the share consideration that is to be paid by Evolution for such NetEnt shares does not amount to an even number of new Evolution shares, consideration for excess fractions of shares will be paid in cash.
No commission will be charged in connection with the Offer.
Premium
The offered consideration represents a premium of:
- 43 per cent compared to the closing price of the NetEnt share of series B on Nasdaq Stockholm on 23 June 2020 (which was the last trading day prior to the announcement of the Offer);
- 72 per cent compared to the volume weighted average price per NetEnt share of series B on Nasdaq Stockholm during the 30 latest trading days up to and including 23 June 2020; and
- 173 per cent compared to the volume weighted average price per NetEnt share of series B on Nasdaq Stockholm during the 180 latest trading days up to and including 23 June 2020.
Potential adjustment of the offered consideration
If NetEnt pays any dividend or makes any other value transfer prior to the settlement of the Offer, Evolution will reduce the offered consideration accordingly.
Rights under NetEnt’s incentive programs
The Offer does not include any rights granted by NetEnt to its employees under any incentive programs. Accordingly, the Offer does not include the warrants of series 2017/2020, series 2019/2022 or series 2020/2023 that certain employees of NetEnt hold under the long-term share-related incentive programs that were established by the annual general meetings of the company in 2017, 2019 and 2020, respectively. Evolution intends to procure that the holders of the warrants are afforded a reasonable treatment in connection with the Offer.
Recommendation by the board of directors of NetEnt
The board of directors of NetEnt unanimously recommends that the shareholders of NetEnt accept the Offer.
Undertakings to accept the Offer
Certain members of the Hamberg, Knutsson, Lindwall, Kling and Wattin families, who in total directly or indirectly control 21,727,000 shares of series A and 30,087,360 shares of series B in NetEnt (corresponding to 21.02 per cent of all shares and 45,02 per cent of all votes in NetEnt), have undertaken to accept the Offer.[3]
The undertakings to accept the Offer terminate if (i) Evolution withdraws the Offer, (ii) Evolution does not declare the Offer unconditional by 31 October 2020, (iii) a third party makes a competing public offer at a value (calculated at the time of the announcement of the competing offer) exceeding the value of the Offer (based on the volume weighted average price per Evolution share on Nasdaq Stockholm during fifteen consecutive trading days preceding the day of the announcement of the competing offer) by more than 5.0 per cent, or (iv) the value of the Offer (calculated at the time of the announcement of the Offer) has decreased by more than 2.5 per cent and the Evolution share has underperformed the Nasdaq Stockholm Large Cap index by more than 10 per cent during the period from the date of the announcement of the Offer until the date falling six days prior to the expiry of the initial acceptance period of the Offer, based on the volume weighted average price per Evolution share on Nasdaq Stockholm during such period.
Shareholding board members in NetEnt that intend to accept the Offer
Pontus Lindwall, Peter Hamberg and Christoffer Lundström, who are members of the board of directors of NetEnt and in total directly or indirectly control 11,837,285 shares of series A and 9,063,264 shares of series B in NetEnt (corresponding to 8.48 per cent of all shares and 23.20 per cent of all votes in NetEnt), are, as a result of NetEnt being in a so-called closed period up until the publication of the company’s interim report for the period January–June 2020, under applicable rules on market abuse prevented from undertaking to accept the Offer. However, Pontus Lindwall, Peter Hamberg and Christoffer Lundström (also on behalf of Novobis AB and StrategiQ Capital AB) have informed Evolution that they, in their capacities as shareholders in NetEnt, are positive to the Offer and that they intend to undertake to accept the Offer immediately following NetEnt publishing the interim report, which is planned to take place on 15 July 2020.
Conditions to completion of the Offer
The completion of the Offer is conditional upon:
- the Offer being accepted to such an extent that Evolution becomes the owner of more than 90 per cent of the shares in NetEnt (on a fully diluted basis);
- with respect to the Offer and the acquisition of NetEnt, the receipt of all necessary regulatory, governmental or similar clearances, approvals and decisions (including from competition authorities), in each case on terms that are acceptable to Evolution;
- no other party announcing an offer to acquire shares in NetEnt on terms that are more favourable to the shareholders of NetEnt than the terms of the Offer;
- neither the Offer nor the acquisition of NetEnt being rendered wholly or partially impossible or significantly impeded as a result of legislation or other regulation, any decision of a court or public authority, or any similar circumstance;
- no circumstances having occurred that have a material adverse effect, or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect, on NetEnt’s sales, results, liquidity, equity ratio, equity or assets;
- no information made public by NetEnt, or disclosed by NetEnt to Evolution, being inaccurate, incomplete or misleading, and NetEnt having made public all information that should have been made public by NetEnt;
- NetEnt not taking any action that typically is intended to impair the prerequisites for making or completing the Offer; and
- an extraordinary general meeting in Evolution resolving, with requisite majority, to authorise the board of directors to resolve on the issuance of the number of shares in Evolution that Evolution shall pay as consideration to the shareholders of NetEnt that accept the Offer.
Evolution reserves the right to withdraw the Offer in the event that it is clear that any of the above conditions is not satisfied or cannot be satisfied. However, with regard to the conditions set out in items
2–8, the Offer may only be withdrawn where the non-satisfaction of such condition is of material importance to Evolution’s acquisition of NetEnt or if otherwise approved by the Swedish Securities Council.
Evolution reserves the right to waive, in whole or in part, one or more of the conditions set out above, including, with respect to the condition set out in item 1, to complete the Offer at a lower acceptance level.
Approvals from authorities
Pursuant to applicable rules and regulations, in particular regarding so-called merger control, Evolution’s acquisition of NetEnt requires clearance from certain authorities, including competition authorities. Evolution will submit the required notifications of the acquisition to the relevant authorities as soon as practicably possible. In case the competition authorities, or other relevant authorities, need more time for their respective analyses than Evolution expected when Evolution determined the initial acceptance period, Evolution may extend the acceptance period (see “Indicative timetable” below).
Financing of the Offer
The consideration in the Offer consists of new shares in Evolution (see “the Offer” above). Payment of the share consideration requires that an extraordinary general meeting in Evolution resolves to authorise the board of directors to resolve on the issuance of the number of shares in Evolution that Evolution shall pay as consideration to the shareholders in NetEnt that accept the Offer. Accordingly, Evolution’s completion of the Offer is conditional upon such a resolution being passed by the extraordinary general meeting.
If a shareholder of NetEnt tenders such a number of shares in the Offer that the share consideration that is to be paid by Evolution for such NetEnt shares does not amount to an even number of new Evolution shares, consideration for excess fractions of shares will be paid in cash. Evolution will finance any such cash consideration through own funds and available credit facilities.
Extraordinary general meeting in Evolution
The board of directors of Evolution will convene an extraordinary general meeting and propose that the meeting resolves to authorise the board of directors to resolve on the issuance of the number of shares in Evolution that Evolution shall pay as consideration to the shareholders of NetEnt that accept the Offer. Evolution will publish the notice of the extraordinary general meeting by way of a separate press release.
Richard Livingstone, Österbahr Ventures AB, Joel Citron and Jonas Engwall, that in total control approximately 32.53 per cent of all shares and votes in Evolution, have expressed that they are positive to the Offer and that they intend to vote in favour of the board of directors’ proposal for an authorisation to issue shares.
Evolution in brief
Evolution develops, produces, markets and licenses fully-integrated Live Casino solutions to gaming operators. Since its inception in 2006, Evolution has developed into a leading B2B provider with more than 300 operators as customers. The group currently employs about 8,000 people in studios in Europe and North America. The parent company is based in Sweden and its shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm with the ticker EVO.
NetEnt in brief
NetEnt is a supplier within digital entertainment, which develops games and system solutions to the world’s most successful gaming operators. Since its inception in 1996, NetEnt has been a pioneer in driving the market by providing thrilling games powered by a cutting-edge platform. The company employs around 1,100 people in Malta, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Kiev, Krakow, Sofia, Gibraltar and New Jersey. The shares of series B in NetEnt are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm with the ticker NET-B.
The combined group
A combination of Evolution and NetEnt, through Evolution acquiring NetEnt, forms an attractive opportunity to combine the companies’ respective offerings. The combination creates a larger customer base, a more comprehensive product portfolio and stronger operational capabilities, which enable an accelerated growth, a stronger and more service oriented offering and higher profitability.
Synergies
The combination is expected to result in annual cost savings of approximately EUR 30 million, compared to the combined cost basis of NetEnt and Evolution as of the first quarter of 2020. This includes the cost savings of approximately SEK 150 million which NetEnt already has disclosed. The cost savings are expected to be fully realised during 2021. The primary value is, however, expected to be realised through the significant revenue synergies generated through the combination. The transaction is expected to have a positive effect on Evolution’s earnings per share in 2021.
Complementary abilities
Evolution offers a leading product portfolio of Live Casino solutions to gaming operators and NetEnt offers a leading product portfolio of online slots, which has been supplemented by Live Casino solutions in recent years. A combination of Evolution and NetEnt would enable the combined group to, with a more comprehensive product portfolio, better serve its customers and create economies of scale through cross-selling of Evolution’s and NetEnt’s respective offerings to the companies’ respective customer bases. Accordingly, the companies’ joint strengths provide good opportunities for:
- accelerated international expansion
- wider offer on growth markets
- decreased dependence on individual markets
- economies of scale in development and IT/operating costs
Senior management and employees
Evolution is confident that it will be able to build a strong group together with NetEnt’s senior management and employees. Evolution recognises the value of NetEnt’s senior management and other employees and appreciates that their talent and dedication have been, and will continue to be, integral to NetEnt’s and the combined group’s success. Evolution does not currently foresee that the combination of the companies will have any material impact on Evolution’s or NetEnt’s respective employees, including their terms of employment or the locations where the companies currently operate. Following the completion of the Offer, Evolution intends to carry out a careful review of the combined business in order to evaluate how Evolution can organise and develop the group in the best possible way.
Financial effects for Evolution
This section contains preliminary combined financial information for Evolution and NetEnt for the purpose of providing an illustration of the combined group’s earnings and financial position as if Evolution and NetEnt had been operating within the same group during the periods presented. The information is based on Evolution’s and NetEnt’s published financial reports and has not been audited or otherwise reviewed by any of the companies’ respective auditors. The information has not been prepared in accordance with IFRS and does not constitute pro forma financial information. Evolution has not made any adjustments for differences in accounting principles, effects of the Offer or transaction costs. Accordingly, the information does not necessarily reflect the result or financial position which Evolution and NetEnt together would have had if they had conducted their operations within the same group. Further, the information is not indicative of the combined group’s future result or financial position.
Evolution’s accounting currency is EUR and NetEnt’s accounting currency is SEK. For the purpose of comparability, all amounts relating to Evolution have been converted to SEK and all amounts relating to NetEnt have been converted to EUR based on an exchange rate EUR/SEK of 10.5892 for the financial year 2019 and 10.6647 for the period January–March 2020.
| Financial year 2019(millions, unless otherwise stated) | Evolution | NetEnt | The combined group | |||
| EUR | SEK | EUR | SEK | EUR | SEK | |
| Operating revenues | 365.8 | 3,873.0 | 169.3 | 1,792.9 | 535.1 | 5,665.9 |
| EBITDA | 182.9 | 1,937.3 | 80.7 | 855.1 | 263.7 | 2,792.4 |
| % margin | 50.0% | 50.0% | 47.7% | 47.7% | 49.3% | 49.3% |
| Operating profit (EBIT) | 157.5 | 1,667.5 | 49.9 | 528.7 | 207.4 | 2,196.2 |
| % margin | 43.1% | 43.1% | 29.5% | 29.5% | 38.8% | 38.8% |
| Cash flows from operating activities | 175.8 | 1,861.4 | 54.3 | 574.9 | 230.1 | 2,436.3 |
| Number of employees at the end of the period[4] | 5,554 | 1,062 | 6,616 | |||
| January–March 2020 (millions, unless otherwise stated) |
Evolution | NetEnt | The combined group | |||
| EUR | SEK | EUR | SEK | EUR | SEK | |
| Operating revenues | 115.1 | 1,228.0 | 48.5 | 517.5 | 163.7 | 1,745.6 |
| EBITDA | 64.1 | 683.9 | 21.4 | 228.6 | 85.6 | 912.5 |
| % margin | 55.7% | 55.7% | 44.2% | 44.2% | 52.3% | 52.3% |
| Operating profit (EBIT) | 57.1 | 609.2 | 11.2 | 119.1 | 68.3 | 728.3 |
| % margin | 49.6% | 49.6% | 23.0% | 23.0% | 41.7% | 41.7% |
| Cash flows from operating activities | 38.1 | 406.1 | 19.3 | 205.4 | 57.3 | 611.5 |
| Number of employees at the end of the period4 | 5,865 | 1,092 | 6,957 | |||
Pro forma financial information will be included in the offer document relating to the Offer. Such information may deviate significantly from the above information.
Evolution’s ownership in NetEnt
Neither Evolution nor any party closely related to Evolution holds or controls any shares in NetEnt or any other financial instruments which give a financial exposure equivalent to a holding of shares in NetEnt. Neither Evolution nor any party closely related to Evolution has acquired any shares in NetEnt on more favourable terms than the terms of the Offer during the last six months prior to the announcement of the Offer.
To the extent permissible under applicable laws, rules and regulations (including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “U.S. Exchange Act”)), Evolution, SEB Corporate Finance and their respective affiliates, any advisor to any such persons, and any person acting, directly or indirectly, in concert with any such persons, may from time to time make purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, shares in NetEnt other than pursuant to the Offer (before or during the acceptance period), including acquisitions on the market at prevailing prices or acquisitions in private transactions at negotiated prices. Any such acquisitions will be carried out and announced in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Statement from the Swedish Securities Council
The Swedish Securities Council has in its ruling AMN 2020:26 granted Evolution an exemption from the obligation to direct the Offer to shareholders that are domiciled in the United States. AMN 2020:26 will be available in its entirety (in Swedish) on the Swedish Securities Council’s website (www.aktiemarknadsnamnden.se).
Due diligence review
Evolution has, in connection with the preparations of the Offer, conducted a limited due diligence review of NetEnt (and NetEnt has conducted a limited due diligence review of Evolution). NetEnt has confirmed that Evolution has not obtained any inside information regarding NetEnt in connection with the due diligence review.
Indicative timetable
- Estimated date for publication of the offer document: 14 August 2020
- Estimated acceptance period: 17 August–26 October 2020
- Estimated settlement date: 2 November 2020
Evolution reserves the right to extend the acceptance period as well as to postpone the settlement date. Evolution will announce any extensions of the acceptance period or postponements of the settlement date by way of a press release in accordance with applicable laws and regulations (including Nasdaq Stockholm’s Takeover Rules).
Compulsory buy-out and delisting of NetEnt
In the event Evolution, whether in connection with the Offer or otherwise, obtains more than 90 per cent of the shares in NetEnt, Evolution intends to initiate a compulsory buy‑out procedure with respect to the remaining shares in NetEnt in accordance with the Swedish Companies Act. In connection with such a compulsory buy-out procedure, Evolution intends to promote a delisting of the shares of series B in NetEnt from Nasdaq Stockholm.
Applicable law and disputes
The Offer is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Sweden. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with the Offer shall be finally settled by Swedish courts and the City Court of Stockholm shall be the court of first instance. In addition, Nasdaq Stockholm’s Takeover Rules and the Swedish Securities Council’s rulings regarding interpretation and application of Nasdaq Stockholm’s Takeover Rules and, where applicable, the Swedish Securities Council’s interpretations of the Swedish Industry and Commerce Stock Exchange Committee’s former rules on public offers, are applicable to the Offer.
Evolution has, today on 24 June 2020, in accordance with the Swedish Act on Public Takeovers on the Stock Market, undertaken towards Nasdaq Stockholm to comply with Nasdaq Stockholm’s Takeover Rules and the Swedish Securities Council’s rulings regarding interpretation and application of Nasdaq Stockholm’s Takeover Rules and, where applicable, the Swedish Securities Council’s interpretations of the Swedish Industry and Commerce Stock Exchange Committee’s former rules on public offers, as well as to submit to the sanctions that Nasdaq Stockholm may decide upon in the event of a breach of Nasdaq Stockholm’s Takeover Rules. Evolution informed the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority about the Offer and the undertaking towards Nasdaq Stockholm today on 24 June 2020.
Advisers
Evolution has engaged SEB Corporate Finance as financial adviser and Gernandt & Danielsson Advokatbyrå as legal adviser in connection with the Offer.b
Latest News
Movers and Shakers – Beyond integration: Why system interoperability is the real game changer
“Movers and Shakers” is a dynamic monthly column dedicated to exploring the latest trends, developments, and influential voices in the iGaming industry. Powered by GameOn and supported by HIPTHER, this op-ed series delves into the key players, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes shaping the future of online gaming. Each month, industry experts offer their insights and perspectives, providing readers with in-depth analysis and thought-provoking commentary on what’s driving the iGaming world forward. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the scene, “Movers and Shakers” is your go-to source for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.
Dominic Le Garsmeur (CPO) at Fincore, says integrations without a clear interoperability strategy add technical and operational debt, hampering future growth.
System integrations are hugely important for any online sportsbook or casino, adding capabilities and features to drive growth. But integrating without considering and optimising interoperability can do more harm than good by adding technical and operational debt to the business and ultimately hitting growth.
Integrating without interoperability pushes information from one system to another, but the connection itself has no intelligence. It’s a mechanical link, and the systems remain fundamentally separate, each operating with its own distinct rules. Any real understanding, like why that data was sent or what other processes it should trigger, is lost, creating data silos that are technically connected but strategically disconnected.
System interoperability provides the intelligence the connection lacks, establishing a shared operational model for the platform so all systems can act in concert. Most importantly, it creates a future-proof foundation, allowing new capabilities and features to be added with agility and confidence, turning the platform into an engine for innovation rather than a source of technical debt.
Before looking at why interoperability is more powerful than integration, and how companies can solve it, it’s important to understand how disconnects between platforms and systems occur in the first place.
Why does disconnection happen?
Operators acquire their tech stacks in different ways, but usually through a combination of building, inheriting legacy tech, acquisition and third-party providers. This often leads to platform and system silos with little to no compatibility between them.
Ultimately, disconnected systems drag down delivery and without interoperability, companies waste time reconciling platforms and tech rather than advancing forward.
Interoperability is more powerful than integration
Integration often means linking systems at a basic level, but interoperability ensures that data, logic and workflows are aligned and extensible.
It’s critical to have a strategic data layer and shared data structures that enables standardising of data representations, aligning systems at the logic level, not just the interface, and building an architecture designed to unify and extend across platforms.
In complex industries such as gaming, where tech plays such an important role in the user experience and the trust consumers have in brands, system interoperability is the only way to scale with control. In short, integration links, interoperability empowers.
Why interoperability is such a challenge in the gaming industry
Each integration is unique. Why? Because the combination of legacy systems, niche vendors and varying regulations in markets across the world means there is no blueprint for operators to follow.
Remember, most operator platforms are now decades old and were not built with modularity or openness in mind. And even those developing new platforms and systems from scratch often lack the in-house capability to design for interoperability from the get-go.
The risk of not achieving interoperability
When systems don’t interoperate, things start to fall apart. For example, delivery can grind to a halt, with every new feature launch or market entry becoming a grind. There are compliance risks, too, especially when it comes to fractured data and an increased risk of errors and audit gaps.
Then, of course, there is the poor player experience that will be provided. This could be anything from glitchy games to failed deposits and even the wrong marketing communications being sent to the wrong player cohorts.
It also impacts an operator’s ability to develop and innovate, as IT and tech become reactive rather than proactive. And in such a competitive market, this can see a brand quickly fall behind the curve.
How to solve the interoperability conundrum
Ensuring interoperability is a complex and comprehensive undertaking, but there are some high-level things operators can do.
This starts with standardising critical data flows and logic, not just the interface. Remember, a single view of data is what ensures all the platforms, systems and networks communicate with each other in the same language.
Operators should also design for change, as architecture must support long-term growth and plug-and-play modularity. In most cases, it’s best to invest in strategic partners, not just tools.
How strategic partners can help
Partners such as Fincore can provide the strategic clarity operators need, defining what interoperability looks like for them and based on their business goals. We also bring execution muscle – we don’t just design it, we build it.
The right partner also brings compliance confidence. Companies such as Fincore are highly experienced when it comes to interoperability, and everything we do stands up to regulatory scrutiny.
This can be seen in our proven track record for delivering interoperability for everything from complex migrations to global-scale game roll-outs.
A real-world example of interoperability
Fincore worked with a US-based gaming services provider whose legacy systems across its land-based venues had created silos in payments, loyalty and in-resort experiences.
The solution we proposed saw us design and deliver a digital wallet that became the unified digital layer across the physical properties. We also integrated deeply with multiple rigid legacy systems to provide secure and compliant interoperability at scale.
The result? We delivered on time, unlocked a new digital product line and created a long-term tech foundation for the company to continue to build on.
When it comes to integrations, you can always wire systems together, but if you don’t do it in the right way, you get chaos. Interoperability is about creating order within platforms and systems, which in turn allows for unlimited scaling and growth.
And that’s why interoperability is the real game-changer.
The post Movers and Shakers – Beyond integration: Why system interoperability is the real game changer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
London fintech Yaspa, an award-winning provider of real-time payment, account verification and intelligence solutions for the iGaming industry, has announced its partnership with VIALET, the European-licensed electronic money institution. The collaboration significantly enhances Yaspa’s payment ecosystem, providing iGaming operators and platforms across the UK and Europe with expanded access to instant, multi-currency payment solutions.
The partnership builds on VIALET’s deep experience as a European fintech, offering specialised business accounts and a full suite of payment services designed for digital businesses. For Yaspa’s customers – particularly in the high-growth iGaming sector – these accounts provide a secure, compliant way to hold and manage funds, including those deposited and withdrawn through Yaspa’s instant bank payment solutions.
The result is a powerful, integrated offering that is quickly becoming a preferred choice for operators seeking seamless, multi-currency support for real-time transactions. By combining instant pay-ins and payouts with robust business banking infrastructure, the collaboration delivers a streamlined, scalable solution for managing money across the UK and Europe.
‘A single, powerful platform’
Yaspa CEO James Neville said: “Our mission at Yaspa is to provide iGaming businesses with a single, powerful platform to manage their payments intelligently.
“Partnering with VIALET not only expands our instant payment capabilities across Europe, but also reinforces our commitment to building a resilient, multi-partner ecosystem that offers our clients unparalleled choice and reliability.”
Ioannis Chatziathanasiou, Chief Business Development Officer from VIALET, said: “At VIALET, we are committed to delivering secure, fast, and scalable payment solutions tailored to the needs of digital-first industries. Partnering with Yaspa allows us to extend our reach and offer even greater value to merchants across Europe who demand flexibility, intelligence, and speed in their payment infrastructure.”
Yaspa’s instant bank payments are available across the UK and Europe, ready to integrate seamlessly into the payment systems of both current and future VIALET account holders who want to provide a real-time payment option that is quick to implement and simple for players to use.
The post Yaspa and VIALET partner to bolster pan-European payments for iGaming clients appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Premier Bet, the leading sports betting and online casino brand, has announced the renewal and expansion of its partnership with Francis Ngannou as its Pan-African Brand Ambassador. This exciting partnership will see Francis Ngannou feature in Premier Bet’s upcoming marketing campaigns, promotional activities and CSR projects.
Francis Ngannou, former UFC Heavyweight Champion, professional boxer and now Chairman of PFL Africa has signed as Premier Bet & Partners Brand Ambassador until 2027. Renowned globally for his knockout power and inspiring rise from humble beginnings in Cameroon to the pinnacle of global combat sports, Francis Ngannou embodies resilience, ambition and African pride — qualities that strongly align with Premier Bet’s identity and mission.
Alexandre Qader, Director of Operations at Premier Bet Cameroon, said: “We are thrilled to extend the collaboration with our great champion Francis Ngannou and broaden his connection to the Premier Bet family and beyond. I think we clearly share the same visions. We have the same ambitions in Cameroon and now on a Pan-African scale. Francis’ passion, drive and humility make him an ideal partner for us as we continue to grow our brand and connect with our customers.”
Francis Ngannou said: “We’ve already been working together for three years and I’m excited to move forward in this collaboration, to deepen our relationships and get to know each other better. By expanding the partnership across the entire African continent, this solidifies my trust and commitment to the brand.
“Premier Bet is a company that shares my commitment to fair play, a passion for sport and a focus on the customer and their communities.”
As Brand Ambassador, Francis Ngannou will play an active role in promoting responsible gambling, participate in exclusive events, provide expert insights and champion CSR projects that aim to uplift African communities.
This strategic partnership is a significant milestone in Premier Bet’s journey on its mission to continue as the No.1 gaming brand in Africa.
The post Premier Bet Announces Francis Ngannou as its Pan-African Brand Ambassador appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News4 weeks agoThat was unforgettable! – The Boomerang Bet “AC Milan vs. Bologna Trip” Instagram Giveaway winner shared his emotions
-
Latest News4 weeks ago
DATA.BET Rolls out Full-Service Sportsbook Solution
-
Latest News4 weeks ago
Atlaslive Analysis: European Gambling Market Enters €123.4 Billion Digital-First Era
-
Latest News3 weeks ago
Meet 22Bet Partners at iGB Live London: Tennis, Talks & Wimbledon Dreams
-
Latest News5 days ago
Current Games Activates the Nitro on Neon-Soaked Arcade Combat Racer: Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights
-
Latest News5 days ago
Soft2Bet’s brand Don.ro Becomes Main Sponsor of CFR Cluj in Multi-Year Agreement
-
Latest News5 days ago
NODWIN Gaming partners with Esports World Cup Foundation to manage media rights sales across South Asia
-
Latest News3 weeks ago
IGT Lottery Becomes Brightstar Lottery
