International News
Caesars Entertainment’s William Hill Acquisition: strategic move for the US market?
Caesars Entertainment’s offer for the William Hill acquisition, which began months ago, would see the company pay $376.15 for a single share which, according to Chairman Roger Devlin: “The William Hill board believes this is the best option for William Hill at an attractive price for shareholders”, as well as: “It recognizes the significant progress the William Hill Group has made over the last 18 months, as well as the risk and significant investment required to maximize the US opportunity given intense competition in the US and the potential for regulatory disruption in the UK and Europe”.
However, the offer needs antitrust and gaming regulatory approvals which Caesars is certain to secure.
Caesars will use existing cash, $2.0Bn of new non-recourse debt facilities, which it intends to secure against William Hill’s non-US businesses, such as on the Italian gambling market, as well as the proceeds of an equity capital raise.
Is Caesars the only bidder?
William Hill recently explained that after an initial proposal by Apollo Global Management received on August 27th, the online betting and gambling sportsbook then received another offer from Apollo, while Caesars made its own offer.
However, Caesars’ has a 20 percent stake in a joint venture struck by Eldorado Resorts with William Hill, which holds 80 percent, and has already stated that any William Hill acquisition agreement with Apollo Global Management would terminate William Hill’s rights to manage online sports betting operations through Caesars’ marketplace, retail sports betting at both Caesars’ and other casino properties in the United States.
New opportunities with the William Hill acquisition
Should Caesars be successful with the William Hill acquisition, it said it will go after improving the customer experience and maximizing the opportunity in the gaming and sports betting industry now that the US markets are opening up for the online gambling world.
Caesars also claims that a combined business with William Hill would help improve services for the U.S. customer base, increase its in-country market presence as well as provide a unified customer experience by consolidating portfolios and applications. The deal would give Caesars a great portfolio of assets and access to existing relationships with events and teams, including being the exclusive casino partner of the National Football League.
Should the William Hill acquisition prove successful, the company will also gain access to Caesars’ loyalty program, which would benefit loyal customers from both companies.
As Caesars’ Chief Executive Tom Reeg stated, the sports betting expertise of William Hill will complement Caesars’ offering, enabling the combined group to better serve their clients in the growing US sports betting and online market.
Mr. Reeg also added that they look forward to working with William Hill, and that they aim to support future growth in the US by providing customers with a comprehensive experience across all areas of gaming, sports betting and entertainment.
Reasons why the William Hill acquisition is taking so long
The reason behind the acquisition taking this long is that GMV and then HBK (at March 31 UK Scheme Court hearing) argued against the deal, and through a letter to the William Hill shareholders they stated their opposition is based upon their belief that shareholders voting on the Scheme did it without all the necessary information that would have allowed them to weigh up the whole agreement.
They also said that it is their idea that the terms of the joint venture agreement entered into between William Hill and El Dorado (now Caesars) dated 6 September 2018 were not fully disclosed by William Hill.
What are GMV’s and HBK’s claims?
HBK and GMV are claiming a lack of transparency related to the list of potential buyers for the William Hill acquisition that the US-based company could consider “restricted”. At the EGM/Court meeting, after being questioned by HBK, William Hill has revealed that there can be a maximum of six names on the list, and Caesars can replace one name every six months.
HBK mentioned that Caesars is moving to include private equity firm Apollo Global Management in this list. The Harrah’s operator has publicly warned William Hill against accepting Apollo’s offer, saying it could effectively end the U.S. deal with Caesars.
When should the agreement be finalized?
Caesars had previously hoped to complete the William Hill acquisition during the second quarter of 2021, and an update published on the 10th of March suggests this timetable should be correct.
William Hill added that Caesars expected to receive all the remaining approvals from the relevant US authorities and other gambling regulators before the end of March of 2021. They also had scheduled a Scheme Court Hearing on the 30th of March, at which the court will be asked to sanction the acquisition. The idea was that if Caesars Entertainment Inc. and William Hill satisfied all the conditions, and the court approved the deal, the acquisition was expected to be completed on the 1st of April with William Hill’s shares cancelled on the 6th of April 2021.
Conferences
SOFTSWISS Invites Partners to ‘Grab Success’ Together at SiGMA Europe
SOFTSWISS, an international tech company with over 15 years of experience in iGaming, announces its participation in the SiGMA Europe Summit 2024.
SiGMA Europe Summit will be held in Malta at the Malta Maritime Hub from 12 to 14 November. With 1,000 exhibitors, the event will host 27,000 delegates from the iGaming industry and beyond.
Creative Concept
After a resounding celebration of its Grand Anniversary in Portugal, SOFTSWISS is returning to Malta with the award-winning concept, ‘Grab Success in iGaming’. The campaign’s slogan fully reflects the industry’s rapidly evolving character. SOFTSWISS incorporated the Maltese crab, inspired by the region’s natural beauty, as a striking visual element in its marketing campaign. This creative approach was recognised and rewarded at the prestigious EGR Marketing and Innovation Awards 2024.
Innovations
During the SiGMA Europe Summit, SOFTSWISS will showcase three new innovative solutions alongside its other well-established products. Recently launched products include the Lotto Software, the Retail Betting Solution, and the Horse Racing Module. Additionally, Affilka by SOFTSWISS’ team will reveal a new feature for its affiliate software – Geo-Distributed Redirect Application.
Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS, shares: “Working at the heart of the industry, in Malta, for many years, SOFTSWISS see the SiGMA Europe Summit growing and constantly bringing together industry leaders, experts, and prominent players in the market. SOFTSWISS looks forward to meeting its partners and friends at the last big event of the year to finalise current projects and prepare a basis for next year’s collaborations”.
Public Speaking
During the SiGMA Europe Summit, SOFTSWISS experts will also share their profound professional experience. Vitali Matsukevich will shed light on the important theme ‘How to choose a secure and safe crypto casino’ for those who want to learn more about selecting a trustworthy crypto casino by focusing on licensing, security, and spotting red flags.
Partners and potential clients can book a meeting with the SOFTSWISS team at the company’s stand 2145 via the link to discuss mutual projects and the newest iGaming trends.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
Africa
Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Strategies for iGaming Expansion
Itai Zak, Digicode’s Executive Director of iGaming at Digicode, shares how the company seamlessly connects client needs with customized strategies.
The iGaming industry is standing on the threshold of one of the most remarkable transformations as emerging markets have become accessible. Both LATAM (Latin America) and Africa are unique opportunities but also come with special challenges for iGaming operators. In this article, promising emerging markets will be explored alongside effective strategies for entry and expansion, according to expert insights.
Promising Emerging Markets
LATAM (Latin America)
Brazil is one of the important focal points in LATAM, considering that it has a huge population base accompanied by a developing middle class. It is rewriting the regulatory landscape concerning online gambling, and recent developments in the case show a much more structured approach. With the market opening up, Brazil is on course to emerge as the iGaming hotbed of investments. However, operators have to keep a close watch on regulatory changes and be ready to tweak strategies accordingly.
Mexico and Colombia are on their way to regulated iGaming markets. In this respect, the very lucrative gaming market of Mexico and the already established regime of regulatory control over Colombian gambling make these markets quite attractive for expansion. The key to succeeding in those markets would be to tailor products according to local taste and to navigate the regulatory requirements.
South Africa: Growth of the iGaming market in this African country is leading the pace. The mature regulatory environment and quite good digital infrastructure established in the country provide a stable platform for iGaming ventures. Other than the mature regulatory environment, companies entering South Africa would benefit from its relatively easy-to-navigate regulatory framework and a growing player base.
Nigeria and Kenya: Nigeria and Kenya are the two countries that are developing as the main claimants to the African iGaming scene. With large populations and growing internet access, these markets offer huge opportunities for growth. However, the regulatory environment in these countries is at an emerging stage and can be quite challenging. While the companies at the forefront keep a close vigil on these changing times, operators have to update themselves about the new regulations and develop strategies in keeping with local conditions. Manuscript Details
Successful Strategies to Enter and Succeed in the Market
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In-Depth Research
It becomes imperative to understand local preferences and player behavior in emerging markets. Operators can then narrow down key trends from comprehensive market research and amend their product offerings accordingly to suit the local taste. This would include cultural nuances, gaming preferences, and legal requirements. Companies will want to modify their approach to make themselves more appealing and competitive within these markets; this should be aligned according to these local insights.
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Local Partnerships
Market entry is contingent upon local strategic partnerships. This could include local operators, technology providers, or regulatory experts that make it easier to navigate the regulatory environment to fast-track the entry process. The value brought about by local partners in terms of market dynamics insights is immense and could build credibility among local players. Regulatory Compliance
Now, from the legal perspective, operations in emerging markets come under the purview of local regulations. A company has to keep itself updated with changing regulations and comply with all legal requirements, such as obtaining necessary licenses, proper KYC and AML policies in place, and protection of data. If they fail to do so, they will be met not only with legal problems but also threats against their brand image.
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Localized Marketing and Customer Support
Developing marketing strategies that resonate with the local audience is the key to player acquisition and retention. It’s all about binding the player to the brand through tailored promotions, localizing payment methods, and culturally relevant content. Moreover, customer support in a local language improves the player’s rating of satisfaction and loyalty.
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Mobile Optimization
In many developing markets, mobile is the leading source of internet access. Optimizing platforms for use on mobile enables reach and engagement for players. This includes responsive design, fast load times, and ease of use. A good mobile experience is very important to retain interest and reduce player churn.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
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Innovate Constantly
In case one wants to be competitive, continuous innovation is a must. The new technologies, like AI-driven personalization and blockchain integration, advanced data analytics, shall be embraced to enhance the gaming experience. These innovations help in the offer of tailored game recommendations, provision of transparency, and gaining better insights into the player’s preferences.
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Personalization and Engagement at the Forefront
Personalized gaming experiences are core to player retention. AI and data analytics afford the potential of individual game recommendations, dynamic bonuses, and personal customer support—players feel valued and engaged. The creation of an engaging experience, through personalization, can increase substantially loyalty and lifetime value.
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Agile and Scalable Solutions
Such flexible and scalable platforms let companies quickly adapt to market changes and regulatory requirements. This forms a critical enabler for entry into new markets and competitive positioning. Scalable solutions ensure that, with growing demand, the increasing traffic and the addition of new features to the platform do not come with degraded performance.
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Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
Partnerships with industry leaders, technology providers, and creators will genuinely develop offerings and increase their reach in the market. Such strategic partnerships will fuel innovation and give a competitive edge to the entities entering into the joint venture. Collaborations can also facilitate entry into newer markets and assimilate the latest technologies into the platform.
Future Outlook
The future of iGaming in emerging markets is, therefore, bright. Regulatory environments are slowly getting their frameworks in place, and a further improvement in digital infrastructure will unleash a wide range of opportunities for those who dare to invest in these areas. With proactive positioning, embracing technology, and more locally-geared strategies, iGaming operators can navigate the challenges and maximize growth potential in these dynamic markets.
iGaming Market Expansion in Emerging Markets: A Complex yet Potential Fertile Ground. To sum it up, one has to rely on market research, develop local partnerships, and be agile in compliance with regulations while continuously innovating to best capture the ever-budding opportunities such markets bring forth.
At Digicode, we’re seizing the opportunities in emerging markets, bringing our innovative gaming solutions to new audiences around the globe. As the result – we ensure our clients can confidently expand into these exciting new markets, turning challenges into opportunities for success. So the time to turn untapped potential into real growth is now and we’re here to support you throughout this journey.
International News
Infingame strikes tie-up with Fazi to further strengthen games portfolio
Studio’s renowned content boosts aggregator’s vast offering
Infingame, a fast-growing iGaming aggregator, has secured a content aggregation partnership with prominent online casino games provider Fazi.
Following a successful integration, Infingame will help to expand the global reach of Fazi’s content, including across LatAm where the aggregator continues to cement its market presence with new operator launches. The studio’s array of titles will also benefit from Infingame’s complete suite of engagement and support tools to further enhance the user experience.
Boasting a portfolio of over 160 games live across 50 countries, Fazi has been providing premium iGaming software solutions for the past 30 years, with Infingame the latest to benefit from the studio’s immersive titles including Wild Hot 40, Golden Crown and Wild Lucky Clover.
Infingame’s platform currently boats more than 15,000 games from over 200 established providers which are designed to improve player acquisition and retention and generate profitable growth for partners.
The aggregator’s latest collaboration underlines its mission to continually develop its games offering and deliver a range of experiences which align with global player preferences.
Ernest Lewicki, Head of Sales at Infingame, said: “We’re delighted to reveal our partnership with Fazi and host the supplier’s innovative, fresh and engaging content on our aggregation platform. As we work towards strengthening our market presence across the LatAm region, delivering Fazi’s portfolio to our pool of operator partners puts us in great stead and we look forward to watching this collaboration flourish.”
Srdjan Stanojevic, Director of Commercial iGaming Division at Fazi, said: “Launching our content with Infingame shows our dedication to ensure we are constantly evolving and looking for exciting opportunities to further strengthen our reach. Infingame has achieved remarkable success in recent times, and we are confident through this partnership we will be able to further tap into the rapidly growing LatAm market.”
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