Scientific Games acquires Don Best to bolster US sports betting offer
Provider to combine US pricing expertise of Don Best with European sportsbook operations experience in Gibraltar
Scientific Games (SG) has acquired Don Best Sports in a bid to optimise its sports betting offering for the US market.
Las Vegas-based Don Best is best known for supplying real-time betting data and pricing for North American sporting events.
SG said it would combine Don Best’s trading platforms and expertise with its OpenBet platform, to “enhance its sports betting solution for the expanding US market and beyond”.
SG also recently announced the creation of a dedicated sportsbook operations team in Gibraltar.
“The combination will bring top-tier European sportsbook operating experience together with the leading US sports trading, data and pricing platform,” SG said.
The Don Best team will sit in the SG Digital division at Sci Games.
“The impending acquisition of Don Best will be a huge win for us and all of our stakeholders,” said Keith O’Loughlin, SVP sportsbook for SG Digital.
“Don Best already seamlessly integrates into our OpenBet platform, so they will be able to hit the ground running and guide our customers through the process of launching a sportsbook after the deal closes.
“Moreover, upon completion of the acquisition, our customers will immediately benefit from their expertise and firm grip on real-time trading and the data that drives it.
“With Don Best’s talented employee-base on board, we’ll use our global platforms and services to harness customer input and tailor our technology locally to meet their needs. This opportunity will enhance our market position in the US while ramping up our partner relationships in more tested jurisdictions. It’s a true win-win.”
Some industry insiders have questioned whether the OpenBet platform was up to scratch for the US, after SG won only one major sports betting contract following the repeal of PASPA, despite providing the online casino platform for several New Jersey operators.
SG president Barry Cottle added: “As the leading global supplier of real-time betting data and pricing for the North American sports market, Don Best will bring their unparalleled proprietary pricing services to Scientific Games.”
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.