Latest News
Paysafe to Acquire SafetyPay
Paysafe (NYSE:PSFE) (“the company”), a leading specialized payments platform, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire SafetyPay for USD 441 million in an all-cash transaction. SafetyPay is a leading payments platform that enables eCommerce transactions via an unrivalled choice of open banking and eCash solutions, operating primarily in Latin America. For Paysafe, this latest deal strengthens its strategic foothold in Latin America, building on its recently announced acquisition agreement with Peruvian payments platform, PagoEfectivo. Together the two acquisitions set Paysafe up to be the leading open banking and eCash solutions provider in Latin America, one of the world’s fastest-growing online markets.
Paysafe’s core purpose is to enable businesses and consumers to connect and transact seamlessly through industry-leading capabilities in payment processing, digital wallets, eCash and online banking solutions. It offers over 70 payment types in over 40 currencies around the world.
SafetyPay was founded in 2007 as an eCommerce payments platform with the mission to enable millions of consumers to use alternative payment methods (APMs), most notably bank transfer and eCash solutions, to make online purchases. It now has a presence in 11 Latin American countries (with additional coverage in Europe, see below*), and operates via an unparalleled network of banks, with over 90 per cent bank coverage, and over 180,000 cash collection points. It serves nearly 300 merchants primarily in the travel, entertainment, and digital goods industries.
Upon completion of the transaction, Paysafe will have scale and a leading presence in the fast-growing Latin American eCommerce market, where merchants and consumers alike are showing an increasing appetite to use open banking and eCash solutions to transact online. Further, with SafetyPay having established relationships with more banks in Latin America than any other payments provider, Paysafe will be uniquely positioned to capture share of the nascent open banking market by integrating further Paysafe services and solutions into the region’s payments ecosystem including its digital wallet and gateway capabilities.
On completion of the deal, the SafetyPay team will transition into Paysafe’s expanding eCash and online banking solutions’ team which is headed up by Paysafe eCash CEO, Udo Mueller. At that time, SafetyPay’s CEO, Gustavo Ruiz Moya, will become CEO, eCash for Latin America and Global Head of Open Banking, reporting into Mueller. The enlarged Paysafe eCash business will be able to offer eCash and open banking solutions in over 60 countries with over one million distribution points.
“We are very excited to welcome SafetyPay into the Paysafe family. The team has successfully built a market-leading payment platform that has become the de facto open banking solution for Latin America. We look forward to partnering with Gustavo and the team to continue to build eCash and online banking solutions across LATAM and beyond.
Furthermore, by combining the capabilities and open banking network of both SafetyPay and PagoEfectivo with our existing solutions in processing, digital wallets and eCash, along with our deep expertise in specialized verticals such as iGaming, travel and digital goods, we can become the true market leader in the region and provide merchants with unique and powerful combinations to grow their business,” commented Philip McHugh, CEO of Paysafe.
“We are really pleased to see SafetyPay and PagoEfectivo become part of Paysafe and expand our payment solutions across card payment processing, digital wallets, eCash and online banking payments with a strong foothold in high growth Latin American markets. We see exciting synergies in key industry verticals like iGaming where we want to win. From the start, we have had a plan to grow in areas where we can achieve scale through operational efficiency. It is great to see the team execute and create more opportunities for growth,” commented Bill Foley, Chairman of Paysafe’s Board of Directors.
The SafetyPay transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter, 2021. Paysafe’s banks have provided financing commitments and Paysafe intends to refinance these bridge facilities with new debt contemporaneously with the completion of the acquisition.
RBC Capital Markets, LLC served as exclusive financial advisor and Greenberg Traurig, LLP served as legal advisor to Paysafe. PJT Partners served as exclusive financial advisor and Quarles & Brady served as legal advisor to SafetyPay.
Latest News
A Decade in iGaming: From Newcomer to a CMO
Wow, time flies! Can’t believe it’s been ten years since stepping into the exhilarating world of online gambling – a field that initially seemed like a short-term stint quickly turned into a new-found passion.
Moving to Malta, and eventually finding a home in Tallinn, I’ve had the privilege to watch the highs and lows as well as the many progressions and transformations. Today, I am proud to form part of the Mr. Gamble team that is ambitiously expanding into new markets, and pushing the boundaries.
From Customer Support to CMO
My journey in iGaming kicked off in Customer Support at Betsson – a leap from my telecom sales management role back in Finland. While this move puzzled my family and friends alike, it was a necessary step. Over the months and years, I worked my way up through various roles including Affiliate Coordinator, Affiliate Manager and Head of Affiliates, learning the various intricate parts of the industry, while at the same time adapting to new technological changes.
One thing is for sure, the iGaming industry is a fast-paced one, and each role has helped me to thrive and adapt to the various changes. Flexibility is key when working in this industry.
Venturing into Entrepreneurship: My Own Affiliate Business
Following many years of corporate experience, I took the leap to start up my own affiliate business with the aim of creating my own business from scratch. Handling everything from SEO and content strategy to fostering brand partnerships and growth strategies gave me an overall view of the affiliate industry’s many complexities. This entrepreneurial journey instilled insight and resilience, especially in terms of the value of the diverse skill sets found within a team.
By 2023, I joined Mr. Gamble as CMO, bringing my own entrepreneurial experience into this company’s growth strategy. Drawing on my background in SEO, content management and brand development and alongside a knowledgeable team, we have successfully strengthened Mr. Gamble’s presence in established markets, while also setting our sites on new markets.
New Markets and New Possibilities
Since the online gambling industry is continually evolving and expanding, it also brings with it a surge in growth when it comes to new and emerging markets. While we have made huge strides in launching Mr. Gambe USA, we are also eyeing promising regions in Asia, Latin America and Africa, where digital adoption and regulations are evolving creating new opportunities.
As we continue to solidify our presence in the US, these emerging markets represent the next frontier.
An Ever-Changing and Evolving Gambling Industry
Over the past decade, the online gambling industry has quickly evolved from a somewhat fragmented field to a high-powered professional space. Conferences and expos, once informal gatherings have become hubs for talent.
Events such as SiGMA, SBC, iGB, NEXT.io and Hiphter Events today celebrate the progression of iGaming, while highlighting the various advances in technology and market inclusivity.
The shift toward hybrid work in recent years has also paved the way for industry shakeups. While digital operations are convenient, the importance of face-to-face meetings and connections remains. In an industry highly reliant and built on personal relationships, meeting in person strengthens partnerships and opens doors to new opportunities.
A Bright Future for Mr. Gamble
As CMO of Mr. Gamble, I along with the team are committed to expanding our brand’s influence, not only in traditional markets, but also in new and emerging ones. iGaming is constantly evolving and our strategies must evolve too, adapting and driving on the windy road to success. This entails adapting to changes in technology, user behaviour and experience, and most importantly navigating regulatory landscapes.
Of course, Google’s frequent algorithm updates keep us our our toes, pushing us to refine our approach to stay competitive and ever more relent.
Reflecting on the last 10 years, I am energised and optimistic for the future. With a talented team and untapped markets in tow, Mr. Gamble is well-prepared for substantial growth and impact. Here is to the journey ahead and to everyone – mentors, peers, and friends who have been part of this rewarding path. The next decade holds great potential, and I look more than forward to what is yet to come.
Latest News
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SELECTS SPORTRADAR TO TRANSFORM PLAYER TALENT SCOUTING FOR ALL 30 CLUBS
Sportradar today announced a multiyear agreement with Major League Baseball (MLB) to offer unparalleled sports performance analysis of amateur baseball prospects, through its Synergy Coaching and Scouting solution, to the league and its 30 Clubs. This new partnership will revolutionize player talent scouting through Sportradar’s advanced, proprietary technology and highlights Sportradar’s commitment to delivering innovative and game-changing solutions to the league.
Under the agreement, MLB and its 30 Clubs will gain access to an unprecedented depth of player analysis and insights with event coverage expanding significantly, from 3,300 to more than 20,000 games – an over 600% increase. This includes college, international, professional partner leagues and leading amateur leagues, such as the MLB Draft League, the Appalachian League and MLB Develops events, and, for the first time, top high school events.
The Synergy Coaching and Scouting solution is uniquely positioned to address the player evaluation needs of MLB as it leverages Sportradar’s expertise ingesting and transforming millions of data points from video into detailed metrics, actionable insights and dynamic visualizations. This, combined with Sportradar’s AI-powered sports performance technology, enables Synergy to provide unparalleled, in-depth analysis of every player, play and game situation, and equips MLB and Club scouts with the information and insights they need to streamline the evaluation process, guide draft decisions and support the development of future MLB players.
“Sportradar’s cutting-edge technology, alongside our reputation as a trusted partner to leading US sports leagues, is driving the transformation of sports performance analysis,” said Eduard Blonk, Chief Commercial Officer, Sportradar. “Through Synergy we are pleased that we are expanding our relationship with MLB, equipping them with the deep data and insights they need to identify the next generation of players. We are eager to continue bringing innovative solutions to MLB.”
“We are excited to expand our relationship with Sportradar and ensure equal access to the Synergy video and data services for all 30 MLB Clubs. This platform has become a key resource for Clubs in the domestic and international scouting process and we look forward to continuing our work with Sportradar in the coming years,” said John D’Angelo, MLB’s Sr. Vice President of Amateur and Medical Operations.
Financial reports
Commercial Gaming Revenue Growth Continues in Q3 2024, Driving Industry’s 15th Consecutive Quarter of Growth
U.S. commercial gaming revenue reached $17.71 billion in Q3 2024, the industry’s highest-grossing Q3 on record, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. This makes Q3 2024 the industry’s 15th consecutive quarter of annual revenue growth, with September marking the 43rd straight month of rising year-over-year commercial gaming revenue.
Through the first nine months of the year, nationwide commercial gaming revenue stands at $53.24 billion, pacing 8.0 percent ahead of 2023 and putting the industry on track for a fourth straight record revenue year.
In Q3 2024, 29 of the 35 commercial gaming jurisdictions operational last year saw increased year-over-year revenue. This growth resulted in an 8.9 percent year-over-year increase in state and local taxes tied directly to gaming revenue, with commercial gaming operators contributing $3.79 billion in taxes across the quarter.
Quarterly revenue from land-based gaming – encompassing casino slots, table games and retail sports betting – totaled $12.56 billion, 0.62 percent lower than Q3 2023. Meanwhile, combined revenue from online sports betting and iGaming totaled $5.14 billion in Q3 2024 as online gaming made up 29.0 percent of commercial gaming revenue, a significantly higher share than in Q3 2023.
Looking at each sector in Q3 2024:
- Traditional Gaming: Traditional brick-and-mortar casino gaming generated quarterly revenue of $12.38 billion, a contraction of 0.9 percent year-over-year.
- Legal Sports Betting: Americans legally wagered $30.3 billion on sports, generating $3.24 billion in quarterly revenue (+42.4% YoY). Recent market launches in Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina and Vermont contributed to this growth.
- iGaming: iGaming generated $2.08 billion in revenue, marking a 30.3 percent year-over-year increase.
“Q3 2024 continued gaming’s momentum from the first half of the year, with online casino and sports betting driving strong growth. At the same time, new brick-and-mortar casino openings bolstered traditional gaming, which still accounts for the bulk of industry revenue,” said AGA Vice President of Research David Forman. “More than a quarter of commercial revenue now regularly comes from online sources, raising the importance of continued sustainable growth with consumers in those states.”
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