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Gaming1 partners with CVC

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Gaming1, the entertainment branch of Ardent Group, has signed a transformational deal for their next phase of growth.

The active shareholders in the Liège-based company, the leader in the Belgian gaming market, have partnered with CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII. CVC will bring their expertise to support the group’s growth in becoming a global reference in the regulated online gaming markets thanks to the continued development of their own technology and through their unique omnichannel approach.

A strong company growing quickly

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The history of the group’s entertainment activities started in 1992 in Liège, parallel to the development of their land-based network, the company progressively developed a digital offering through their own technology platform. Today, as well as being a Belgian leader, Gaming1 is present in nine countries around the world, including Portugal, France and the United States with their joint venture Gamewise founded with the American giant Delaware North.

Only active in regulated markets, Gaming1 is exclusively positioned in legal, responsible and ethical gaming. Gaming1 strives to offer the best player experience, in a responsible way focused on regulated markets. The group has around 1,300 employees, including more than 400 in their digital hub in Liège.

To accelerate their growth and become a worldwide reference on the regulated online gaming market, the company wants to partner with a new shareholder capable of bringing global, sector and digital expertise. Emmanuel Mewissen, Sylvain Boniver and Nicolas Léonard, historical shareholders of Gaming1, will continue to be the reference shareholders in Gaming1 and look forward to post-completion partnering with CVC, once the regulatory approvals are in place. Throughout the process, Gaming1 was assisted by the financial advice of BNP Paribas Corporate Finance.

An experienced, first-class investor, fully aligned with Gaming1’s growth strategy

CVC is a leading global investment firm with US$125 billion of assets under management. CVC has experience in the sector through CVC funds’ investments in Tipico, the German sports betting company, the Italian operator Sisal, and the English business Sky Bet. They also have significant knowledge of the digital space through CVC funds’ investments such as ironSource, a leader in mobile advertising and mobile gaming technology markets, and Aleph, a leading global enabler of digital advertising.

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CVC has an international network of 25 offices, including 13 in Europe, and an established team in the Belgian market. This choice also allows Gaming1 to stay loyal to their roots and continue to contribute to the development of the country’s economic fabric, a core element of Gaming1’s mission.

Emmanuel Mewissen, CEO and Founder of Ardent Group, said: “In a rapidly changing world, the key to success is adapting. By partnering with CVC, we will benefit from their global, sector and technology expertise, which will support our company to continue on our successful growth path and further build our digital capabilities. We will stay loyal to our values and Belgian roots, as shown by our recent move to our digital hub in the heart of Liège. This desire to anchor ourselves in and to contribute to our country’s growth is an integral part of our identity and will continue to guide us daily.”

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EstrelaBet Reinforces Its Commitment to Betting Integrity Through Membership in the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA)

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EstrelaBet, one of Brazil’s leading betting operators, is now an official member of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), a global organization dedicated to promoting integrity in the regulated sports betting industry. By joining IBIA, EstrelaBet aligns itself with more than 140 brands worldwide in the fight against match-fixing. In Brazil, IBIA has a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Finance to strengthen integrity within the betting market.

This partnership is part of EstrelaBet’s broader strategy and strict match-fixing prevention policy, which ensures compliance with regulations and leverages data and strategic collaborations to detect, prevent, and investigate suspicious activities in regulated betting markets. Additionally, the company adopts internal best practices, partners with specialized monitoring initiatives, such as Genius Sports, and promotes awareness campaigns with its sponsored teams.

“Partnering with IBIA, a globally recognized institution in betting integrity, reinforces our commitment to adopting best practices and increasing oversight in preventing match-fixing and fraud. This contributes to a safer and more transparent environment for everyone’s entertainment,” said Fellipe Fraga, Chief Business Officer (CBO) and Institutional Relations (RI) at EstrelaBet.

IBIA is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting regulated sports betting markets from match-fixing. Its global integrity monitoring network enables the tracking of transactional activities linked to individual customer accounts. Currently, IBIA members generate over $300 billion in annual betting volume, representing approximately 50% of the global regulated commercial sports betting industry—covering both retail and online platforms—and more than 50% of the exclusively digital segment.

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Khalid Ali, CEO at IBIA, said: “We are delighted that EstrelaBet has become a member the International Betting Integrity Association, joining a growing list of operators licensed in Brazil committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity. This partnership enhances the reach of our world-class betting integrity monitoring network, supporting efforts to safeguard the newly regulated Brazilian online sports betting market. We look forward to working closely with Estrelabet to protect its customers and sportsbook business from the threats of betting-related corruption.”

The post EstrelaBet Reinforces Its Commitment to Betting Integrity Through Membership in the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Recap of EEGS Webinar on AI’s Transformative Power in Gaming Industry Now Available On-Demand

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Following the successful conclusion of the Eastern European Gaming Summit’s (EEGS) inaugural webinar for the year, titled “Rolling the Dice on AI: How Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping the Gaming Industry,” attendees can now access the video on demand to revisit the insightful discussions and key takeaways. The event, held on February 19, featured a distinguished panel of industry experts who explored the significant impact of AI on player protection, regulatory requirements, and innovation within the gaming sector.

Moderated by Rossi McKee, Co-founder of Telematic Interactive Bulgaria and CT Gaming, the webinar offered a deep dive into the dual-edged role of AI in gaming, discussing how it can enhance player experiences while also creating new challenges for operators.

The expert panel included:

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  • Paula Murphy – Head of Business Development, Mindway AI
  • Joseph Borg – Partner, WH Partners
  • Dr. Galia Mancheva – Founder and CEO, Ai Advy

The conversation highlighted the ongoing shift towards AI-driven solutions in gaming, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations and compliance with evolving regulations – especially with the implementation of the EU AI Act. Dr. Mancheva noted, “Operators working with personal data must understand how AI can enhance efficiency and ensure compliance with stringent legal requirements.”

Key takeaways from the webinar revealed that the future of the gaming industry hinges not only on the adoption of cutting-edge technology but also on the commitment to utilize it responsibly. “The real challenge for operators is not just adopting AI but using it ethically,” stressed the panel in unison.

For those who missed the live event, the on-demand video recaps critical insights on AI’s transformative potential in gaming, its implications for responsible gambling initiatives, and the regulatory landscape.

You can watch the entire webinar here: https://youtube.com/eegamingsummit

For more information on future webinars and events, stay tuned to EEGS’s official channels.

The post Recap of EEGS Webinar on AI’s Transformative Power in Gaming Industry Now Available On-Demand appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Bulgaria first for Push Gaming with Kaizen Gaming’s Betano

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Push Gaming has entered the Bulgarian market thanks to an exclusive deal with Kaizen Gaming brand Betano, marking a milestone in its expansion in globally regulated markets.

For 12 weeks, tier-one operator Betano will have exclusive rights to Push Gaming’s portfolio in the country as it brings the studio’s hugely popular titles to Bulgaria for the first time.

Push’s extensive back catalogue of major hits, including Razor Shark, Razor Returns, Jammin’ Jars, Big Bamboo and Wild Swarm, are now ready to be enjoyed by players in Bulgaria, with more recent releases due to roll out imminently.

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The launch enhances Push’s relationship with Kaizen Gaming, which has already seen success with its award-winning content in Greece, Denmark, and Brazil.

Agreements with over 15 direct integration partners have been achieved in 2024, and the supplier’s significant growth will be bolstered by several more announcements in the remainder of Q4.

Fiona Hickey, Chief Business Development Officer at Push Gaming, said: “Bulgaria is a territory we’ve been working on for some time, so it’s particularly pleasing to launch there with such an established and respected name as Betano.

“We know the strength of our product, and allied with Kaizen Gaming’s prominent positioning across regulated markets, we can make the most of our regional entries. They’re a fantastic strategic partner to work alongside, which breeds exceptional confidence that every launch period will perform strongly.”

Evangelos Dedoulis, Director of Product, Gaming and Rewards at Kaizen Gaming,  added: “Push Gaming is responsible for some of the finest games on the market, and as such, we have been eagerly anticipating bringing them to our Betano platform in Bulgaria too. In other markets where we have integrated Push Gaming’s titles, the reception from our audience has been exceptional, and we expect the same in this case too.”

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The post Bulgaria first for Push Gaming with Kaizen Gaming’s Betano appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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