Betsson will pay €31 million

Gaming Innovation Group to divest its B2C Vertical to Betsson Group

Betsson has committed to keep the brands (Rizk, Guts, Kaboo and Thrills) operational on GiG's platform for a minimum of 30 months.
2020-02-17
Reading time 3:34 min
GiG's B2C assets which include the operator brands Rizk, Guts, Kaboo and Thrills. Moreover, Betsson will, through the agreement, become a long term partner of GiG, generating revenues to GiG's Platform Services.

Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has signed a Share Purchase Agreement with Betsson for the divestment of GiG's B2C assets which include the operator brands Rizk, Guts, Kaboo and Thrills.

Betsson will, through this agreement, become a long term partner of GiG, generating revenues to GiG's Platform Services. On the day of closing, Betsson will pay €31 million, consisting of a €22.3 million cash payment for the acquisition, plus a prepaid platform fee of €8.7 million. GiG will use the proceeds to repay the Company's SEK300 million 2017 - 2020 bond.

According to the companies, Betsson has committed to keep the brands operational on GiG's platform for a minimum of 30 months. For the first 24 months, Betsson will pay a premium platform fee based on NGR generated. Based on the expected platform fees, the total value of the transaction is estimated at approximately €50 million.

Betsson, listed at Nasdaq Stockholm, is one of the most dominant European companies in online gambling with a long and strong track record of brand building, both organically and via acquisitions. It offers online casino, proprietary sportsbook and other online games in a multi-brand strategy via gaming licences in twelve countries in Europe and Central Asia.

Through this acquisition, Betsson will continue to consolidate its position in key markets and open up for more opportunities with different brands in Spain and Croatia. Further, Betsson intends to integrate its own proprietary sportsbook and payment platforms with the GiG platform. This will enable Betsson to offer its technologies to potential B2B clients of GiG. Part of the acquired business is conducted in markets where Betsson already operates which allows for release of synergies.

The sale of the B2C vertical is a result of GiG's strategic review, initiated in November 2019, leading to an evolved strategic direction to reduce complexity and improve efficiency. By divesting the B2C vertical, GiG will free up resources, enabling full dedication on driving and growing its B2B business, securing stable and sustainable earnings and profit margins. GiG sees a large and sustainable addressable market for its platform business as the regulation of the iGaming industry continues and is well-positioned with the omni-channel platform offering to capitalize on the continued digital transformation of the worldwide gambling market.

GiG has, as part of the strategic review, taken a decision to make its technical platform sportsbook agnostic, and partner with other sport book providers to offer the best solutions to its customers. Betsson's sportsbook solution is intended to be integrated on GiG's platform-offering. Both GiG and Betsson will gain strategic advantage in having the possibility to sell their respective B2B solutions in an environment without conflict of their own B2C brands.

In order to keep the strategic position for its own proprietary sportsbook, GiG will seek joint ventures or other constellations with partners to release the true asset value of the sportsbook and to secure external long term funding. The ambition is to gradually grow with existing and new long term partners, including the fast-growing US market. GiG is one of the few B2B providers present with omni-channel online gambling services in multi-state jurisdictions in the US.

Pontus Lindwall, Chief Executive Officer of Betsson AB comments: "We believe this deal offers a good opportunity for Betsson to consolidate, create synergies and apply our core B2C skills and marketing insights to scale these assets to their true potential. The agreement with GiG further strengthens and expands Betsson's outreach and growth potential for its proprietary sportsbook and payments platforms in the B2B market.

Betsson has significantly invested in the development of its sportsbook and now delivers a powerful offering. A key strategy is to grow our sportsbook with B2B customers and I am excited to collaborate with GiG as a distribution channel. We share the same passion for sports betting and providing a player environment which is unique, entertaining and safe."

Richard Brown, Chief Executive Officer of GiG says: "I am very excited about this transaction as it provides multiple upsides to GiG. While putting the Company in a financially sustainable position, it gives us the ability to focus on where we see real long term shareholder value. This transaction serves as a strategic focusing of the Company's efforts towards the B2B segment. Offering both B2C and B2B services had synergies in the past, however, the current conflicting priorities of the two business areas, and increased complexity in the market, have lessened the potential offering on both fronts and our ability to sign new customers.

I am delighted to retain our brands on the platform and in the process, adding Betsson as a partner as we share the same ambition of responsibility for all stakeholders, safe play for the end-user, and entertaining user experience. I am certain that together with their specialty, focus and strong track record on driving B2C growth, it will be a fruitful partnership. Additionally, the planned integration of Betsson's sportsbook into our platform offering, not only provides cost-saving synergies, it also allows us to offer one of the most well-renowned European sportsbooks to our current and future B2B partners. We are excited to support Betsson's growth of the brands we have built and now look forward to GiG next chapter as a specialist iGaming B2B provider."

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