Affiliate Industry
BALLY’S ENTERS INTO MERGER AGREEMENT WITH AFFILIATES OF STANDARD GENERAL L.P.
Bally’s Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement (the “Merger”) pursuant to which Standard General L.P. (“Standard General”), the Company’s largest common stockholder, will acquire the Company’s outstanding shares for $18.25 per Bally’s share (the “Cash Consideration”). The price represents a 71% premium over the Company’s 30-day volume weighted average price per share as of March 8, 2024, the last trading day before the public disclosure of Standard General’s initial cash acquisition proposal of $15.00 per share. In lieu of receiving the Cash Consideration, Bally’s stockholders may elect to retain all or a portion of their Bally’s stock by means of a rollover election. Bally’s stockholders electing to retain all or a portion of their Bally’s investment will continue as stockholders of the Combined Company (as defined below). The transaction values Bally’s at approximately $4.6 billion in enterprise value. The Combined Company will remain a publicly traded registrant under the Securities Act of 1934.
Pursuant to the Merger, Bally’s will combine with The Queen Casino & Entertainment Inc. (“QC&E”), a regional casino operator majority-owned by funds managed by Standard General (together, the “Combined Company”). QC&E is a regional gaming, hospitality and entertainment company that currently owns and operates four casinos across three states, including DraftKings at Casino Queen in East St. Louis, IL, the Queen Marquette in Marquette, IA, and the Queen Baton Rouge and the Belle of Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge, LA. QC&E is in the process of executing on transformational redevelopment projects at two of its four properties which are expected to be completed in 2025 and generate meaningful organic growth. The combination will expand the Company’s Casino & Resorts segment to 19 gaming, entertainment and hospitality facilities across 11 U.S. states and enhance the Company’s development pipeline with several exciting projects.
Jaymin Patel, Chairman of the Special Committee, said, “After a detailed consideration by the Special Committee, with the assistance of our outside financial and legal advisors, it was determined that the Cash Consideration from Standard General delivers a meaningful and immediate value to stockholders. We look forward to working with the team at Standard General and QC&E as we move through the process to complete the merger.”
Robeson Reeves, Bally’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our team is well positioned to continue to execute on our initiatives to drive growth across all our segments including in our International Interactive business, North America Interactive and our Casinos & Resorts (“C&R”) segments, while proceeding with our development pipeline, including construction of our permanent casino resort in Chicago, for which we recently announced a comprehensive financing plan. The addition of four complementary properties through this merger to our existing 15 domestic casino properties will add further geographic and market diversity to our portfolio. With QC&E’s development pipeline recently completed or already well underway, we see a path toward additional revenue and EBITDAR growth and value accretion as those projects are completed in 2025. We look forward to bringing our ultimate vision to bear and to working closely with the Standard General team to execute on that vision.”
Soo Kim, Managing Partner of Standard General, said, “The Transaction provides Bally’s stockholders with a significant cash premium along with certainty of value for their investment or, if they elect to retain their shares, the opportunity to participate in the longer-term growth prospects of our expanded portfolio and significant development pipeline. The addition of the complementary QC&E assets builds upon the Company’s attractive growth profile. We look forward to working with the Board of Directors and the Company’s senior management team as they continue to execute on their business plan.”
In connection with the transaction, in addition to Standard General, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (“Sinclair”), and Noel Hayden have committed to support the Merger and to make rollover elections. As a result, at least 47% of Bally’s outstanding fully-diluted equity interests will be rolled over into the Combined Company.
A special committee of independent and disinterested directors (the “Special Committee”) of Bally’s Board of Directors, which has been advised by its own independent financial and legal advisors in evaluating the Merger and the Cash Consideration, determined that the Merger is in the best interest of Bally’s and its stockholders (aside from Standard General, Sinclair and Noel Hayden) and unanimously recommended that the Company’s Board of Directors approve the Merger. Acting upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, Bally’s Board of Directors approved the Merger and recommends that stockholders approve the Merger. The factors considered by the Special Committee in arriving at its unanimous decision will be outlined in public proxy filings to be made by Bally’s. The Bally’s Special Committee and Board of Directors are making recommendations with respect to the Cash Consideration and are not making recommendations with respect to the rollover election.
Tech-driven affiliate and media company Already Media has acquired Live Casino Comparer for an undisclosed sum.
Live Casino Comparer is a well-established review portal focused on the live dealer niche. It was founded in 2014, and its team brings more than 30 years of casino experience to every review it publishes.
The site’s founder, Neil Walker, will stay on both as an advisor and an active part of the content team, helping to scale Live Casino Comparer’s output across both the B2C and B2B verticals.
Already Media will also rebuild the site’s platform and has plans to enter into new geos and content formats.
The deal was brokered by Corfai, the specialist M&A advisory founded by Ben Robinson.
Alina Famenok, CEO at Already Media, said: “This is another landmark for Already Media, as we continue to acquire brands that expand our reach and can benefit from our technology. We’re excited to get to work alongside Neil to take Live Casino Comparer to new heights. Huge thanks to Ben and the Corfai team for helping us close this deal in just two weeks, which is surely the fastest M&A deal in iGaming history.”
Neil Walker, founder at Live Casino Comparer, added: “I couldn’t be more excited to begin this new chapter for Live Casino Comparer as part of the Already Media team. They bring the technical and operational firepower to scale globally, while keeping the spirit of honest, expert-driven reviews at the core.”
The acquisition aligns with Already Media’s strategy of acquiring trusted affiliate brands and elevating them through its technology-led approach.
Last year, the company acquired PokerListings, and has since migrated it to a new platform, entered new regions and developed a vibrant community around the brand.
The post Already Media acquires Live Casino Comparer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Boomerang is a contender for Sportsbook Operator of the Year and Bonus Offer of the Year
Boomerang, a rapidly growing global brand behind the annual Golden Boomerang Awards, has been shortlisted for the AffPapa Awards 2025 in 2 categories: Boomerang Bet on Sportsbook Operator of the Year and Boomerang Partners on Bonus Offer of the Year.
Inclusion in the Sportsbook Operator of the Year nomination is a testament to Boomerang’s success in the online betting industry. Over 2024-2025, the brand has achieved great results: the betting segment has grown fivefold (5x), and the number of sports betting offers surged more than 6 times. Six new brands were added to Boomerang’s portfolio in 2024, contributing to an almost 1.5-fold increase in end-users. In addition, Boomerang is the Official Regional Betting Partner of AC Milan, one of the world’s most famous and titled football clubs.
The Bonus Offer of the Year nomination confirms the high level and detailed elaboration of Boomerang’s bonus policy. Its portfolio includes more than 15 brands, each operating in strict compliance with the Terms and Conditions, including Bonus rules. Boomerang ensures fairness, transparency, and visibility of key bonus information for partners and users. It regularly collects feedback to improve its bonus policy and make it consistent with the expectations of its audience.
Boomerang actively develops community and works on building long-term trusting relationships with partners. This is demonstrated, among other things, by the second annual tournament for affiliate teams – Golden Boomerang Awards 2025. It will run until May 11. The top 30 teams on the leaderboard will be invited to Milan. There, the best of the best will be named, and 11 awards will be presented, including the main one – the Grand Prix.
The voting phase of the AffPapa Awards has started and will run until May 11. Users can choose their favorites in the nominations and influence the final results. Vote on the AffPapa Awards 2025 website. The award ceremony will take place on May 28 in Malaga during the AffPapa – iGaming Club Conference Malaga 2025.
About Boomerang
Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global brand offering a wide range of services. Boomerang is the Official Regional Betting Partner of AC Milan and collaborates with women’s football star and influencer Alisha Lehmann. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards 2024, the first annual global affiliate tournament. Boomerang Partners’ betting segment surged 5x, and gambling — 2x in 2024. Its affiliate program demonstrated a 120% increase in partners, and the number of sports betting offers surged more than 6 times. Six new products were launched by Boomerang in 2024, which contributed to an almost 1.5-fold increase in product users.
Boomerang’s portfolio contains 15+ gambling brands, including sportsbooks. They cover over 35 GEOs and offer a wide range of betting options with favorable odds. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.
The post Voting is open: Boomerang nominated in 2 categories at the AffPapa Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
As affiliates strive to expand their reach and build deeper player connections, SBC Summit Malta offers the ultimate platform to learn how to diversify marketing channels, gain access to game-changing technologies, and strengthen their market position.
Education will be a key pillar of the event, with 250 industry experts taking the stage to share their insights. The dedicated ‘Affiliation‘ conference track will take place on Wednesday, 10th June, at the InterContinental Hotel in St. Julian’s. The speaker lineup will feature affiliate professionals, marketing specialists, and operator-side representatives who work closely with affiliates.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, said: “With changing regulations, evolving player behaviours and preferences, and a constant wave of new tech and marketing channels, having the right insights and strategies is crucial to staying ahead in the region.
“If you’ve attended what was formerly CasinoBeats Summit, you already know how dedicated we are to driving progress in the affiliation space. Now, with SBC Summit Malta serving as our gateway to Europe, you can expect to hear from some of the region’s leading affiliates as they tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges.”
Attendees can look forward to a range of sessions addressing key opportunities and pain points for European affiliates, including integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into SEO strategies, leveraging affiliate networks to enhance growth, diversifying content output, and drawing lessons from outside the industry.
The track opens with the ‘Diversify Your Channels Before It’s Too Late!’ panel, which will explore how affiliates can future-proof their strategies in an unpredictable digital landscape. Featuring experts Jarl Modén (CPO, Dilanti Media), Johan Svensson (CEO, Raketech), Mathew Symmonds (CEO, Web Analysis Solutions Limited), Richard Dennys (CEO, Game Lounge) and John Wright (CEO, Statsdrone), the session will examine the shifting social media landscape, the growing influence of AI, and how to manage diverse content types.
The session ‘Explore How Affiliate Networks Drive Growth for Start-Up Affiliates and Operators’ will highlight how affiliate networks can serve as powerful catalysts for growth for both emerging affiliates and operators. Experts Joshua Gamble (Managing Director, Activewins), Vadim Aidlin (CEO, Mamuta Media), Johan Styren (CEO & Co-Founder, Dilanti Media Ltd), Clinton Cutajar (CTO, MediaTroopers) and Brendon Spiteri (Head of Partnerships, AffiliationSpace) will discuss how these networks can be leveraged to help build strategic partnerships, expand market reach, and boost overall performance.
The panel ‘Game Changers: Lessons from Other Industries to Transform Affiliation in 2026’ will explore how the gaming industry can adapt and innovate by drawing inspiration from sectors such as e-commerce, dating, and Nutra. Speakers will examine successful strategies from these industries and discuss how these insights can be applied to reshape and strengthen affiliate models heading into 2026 and beyond.
Additionally, the track will feature a dedicated ‘SEO Trilogy‘, hosted by SEO expert Ivana Flynn. This series of SEO-focused panels will cover key developments, including crafting strategies for optimising AI-driven systems, protecting players against blackhat SEO tactics, and ensuring seamless operations across multiple platforms.
Affiliates looking to dive deeper into the latest marketing trends shaping the European landscape can attend the dedicated ‘Marketing’ conference track on Thursday, 11th June—the second day of the summit. Sessions will cover how to harness AI to create unique content, navigate advertising restrictions, and use data to boost player retention and loyalty.
The post SBC Summit Malta: Empowering Affiliates with Strategy & Market Insight appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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