EGR Power 50: 31 - 40 (2017)
Welcome to the EGR Power 50 rankings of the online gambling industry’s most powerful operators
31. Gamesys (29)
A relatively quiet year for Gamesys saw the company relinquish strategic control of the Jackpotjoy bingo brand after Jackpotjoy plc completed the largest parts of the earn-out payments. With bingo taking a backseat, the focus has been on casino, with Virgin Games thought to be one of the top performing brands in the market. The company also appears to still be working on its sportsbook offering, with operations and marketing staff being recruited for it.
32. Tabcorp (32)
The Melbourne-based wagering giant is currently fighting to get its merger with fellow Australian operator Tatts Group over the line. However, the deal, which was initiated in part to help it compete more effectively with online-focused foreign bookmakers, has hit a number of roadblocks, including a ruling by the Federal Court against the proposed tie-up. Omni-channel is likely to be a cornerstone of its strategy regardless of whether the merger gets the green light.
33. Intouch Games (30)
Despite consistently reporting year-on-year revenue growth, Intouch Games is one company in the egaming sector that prefers to keep a relatively low profile. Last year, the firm increased its headcount to 200 following its previous move to a newly refurbished and purpose-built headquarters near Birmingham, while it also expanded its product portfolio with the launch of its third online casino brand, Mr Spin. Online casino mFortune, which celebrated its 10th birthday this year, continues to be the company’s flagship brand.
34. ZEAL Network (37)
CEO Helmut Becker has gone on the record as saying he wants ZEAL Network to become the Airbnb or Netflix of the digital lottery sector – and this ambition is reflected in the company culture it has created in recent years. London-based ZEAL feels more like a start-up than a business founded in 1999, and it is aiming to tap into a market worth $300bn but which has a global average of only 5% online penetration. International expansion is key to its growth strategy following its expansion into the Netherlands, Norway and Ireland.
35. Paf (33)
Åland-based operator Paf’s 2016 financial report in April revealed something of a mixed bag for the government-owned firm after reporting a 7% YoY fall in profits to €15.2m. Its online business, however, appeared in relatively good health, with revenues up 7% to €81.9m, while the company is looking to tap into the strengths of its retail arm and exploit multi-channel opportunities. Paf also moved into a new €14.5m sustainable HQ earlier this year, in line with its quest to become the world’s “most responsible gaming company”.
36. Gaming Innovation Group (38)
Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has had another monumental year, complete with new product launches, geographic expansion, plans to open a new headquarters and more acquisitions. However, its M&A activity this year has mainly been confined to the egaming affiliate space in which it has completed five deals to-date, bolstering the Malta-based company’s performance marketing Innovation Labs division. The firm’s B2C revenues are also growing strongly, up 213% to €20.2m in Q2 2017.
37. Danske Spil (45)
Despite holding nearly 30% of the market, Danske Spil’s leading position in Denmark is now more precarious than ever before. The operator has witnessed new companies like LeoVegas enter the market, while the European Commission has also given the green light to liberalise Denmark’s online bingo and horseracing betting markets, thus ending Danske Spil’s monopoly. However, after recording gross gaming income of DKK4.9bn in 2016, it is still a force to be reckoned with.
38. 188BET (35)
Asia-facing 188BET has racked up a number of sponsorship deals with sports teams over the last few months, including an extension of its contract as shirt sponsor of English Super League club Wigan Warriors. The operator also struck a one-year deal with Durham County Cricket Club to become the club’s official betting partner and enhanced its UK-facing gaming business via a deal with EveryMatrix.
39. Sisal (25)
While Sisal’s online division still pales in comparison to its substantial land-based presence in Italy, digital growth was surprisingly strong in H1 2017. Online revenues amounted to €33.3m during the six-months, up 16.6%, compared to the same period in 2016, following a solid performance in slots and strong sports betting turnover helping to offset a weaker sports margin. The CVC-owned firm still has a slightly bigger share of the Italian online casino market than it does in sports.
40. Intellectual Property & Software (N/A)
One of just a handful of new entries in this year’s EGR Power 50, Intellectual Property & Software (IPS) has been operating slightly under the radar despite running some well-known online bingo and casino brands. The Alderney-licensed firm, which is understood to be on course to record a handsome full-year EBITDA, is predominantly focused on the UK, Ireland and Sweden markets. Its growing product portfolio includes brands such as of Slot Boss, Bingo Godz and Health Bingo.