Evoke Strengthens Romania Presence with €10M Acquisition of Winner.ro

Evoke is deepening its footprint in Romania with the strategic acquisition of New Gambling Solutions SRL’s brand, Winner.ro, for a cash payment of €10.0m (£8.5m/$11.1m).

The acquisition will see Evoke plc integrate Winner.ro with its existing Romania-focused brand, 888.ro. This merger is expected to position Evoke as the fourth largest operator in the Romanian market with a 7% market share.

Upon completion of the deal, Evoke will hold a 57% stake in the business. Additionally, the group retains the option to acquire the remaining shares three years after the initial purchase is finalized.

Evoke CEO Per Widerstrom highlighted that the acquisition aligns with the company’s strategy of pursuing low-capital, high-impact investments.

“We’ve achieved remarkable growth in Romania, a market brimming with potential,” Widerstrom stated. “This acquisition will solidify our position as a major player in the region. I’m eager to collaborate with the talented team at Winner to drive continued profitable growth and capture greater market share, delivering top-tier products through two robust and complementary brands.”

Winner.ro CEO Zajdel to Continue Leadership Role Post-Acquisition

Launched in 2019, Winner.ro quickly gained traction through an omnichannel strategy that includes 20,000 retail deposit points. In the first half of 2024 alone, the brand reported gross gaming revenue of approximately €19.0m.

Following the acquisition, the combined entity will operate using the third-party Newton platform, benefitting from a localized approach to technology, product offerings, and player engagement. Nicklas Zajdel, current CEO of Winner.ro, will remain in his leadership role, overseeing the business as it integrates with Evoke’s team of over 500 employees in Romania.