The iGaming Sector Has Set Back-to-Back Acquisition Records
The iGaming industry has experienced a surge in acquisitions, with 2021, 2022, and 2023 setting all-time records for individual acquisitions with 53, 57, and 77, respectively.
This is revealed by UK comparison site Bojoko.com through their new iGaming acquisition database, covering every iGaming acquisition ever reported.
Bojoko’s data shows that iGaming companies have been bought and sold for well over 100 million pounds and highlights that the number is likely to be notably higher as many deals are private, with the actual sales price not publicly reported.
This trend reflects the sector’s ongoing expansion and competitive dynamics, highlighting its position as a prominent player in the digital entertainment sector.
Notably, Silver Lake’s recent acquisition of Endeavor Group Holdings in April 2024, valued at $13 billion, stands out as one of the largest transactions in iGaming history.
The scale of this acquisition eclipses other notable deals, such as the 2015 Paddy Power and Betfair merger, valued at £5 billion, and Brookfield Business Partners’ acquisition of Scientific Games’ US Lottery division for 5.8 billion US dollars in 2022.
Commenting on the trends, Joonas Karhu, CEO of Bojoko, remarked, “The data reveals a consistent upward trend in iGaming acquisitions over the years. This reflects the industry’s resilience and the way the largest companies in the industry continue to consolidate their market shares.”
Karhu added, “Bojoko’s database will continue to serve as a valuable tool for industry stakeholders, providing insights into market trends and facilitating informed decision-making. Investors, analysts, and industry professionals can utilise this resource to navigate the dynamic landscape of iGaming and assess market opportunities.”
Before the last record-breaking years, the previous record for individual iGaming acquisitions was held by 2017 and 2018, each having 28 deals reported. The number of acquisitions in 2023 alone is close to three times more.
The record for most money spent on iGaming acquisitions in an individual year was set in 2022, with an estimated total of 15 billion pounds spent on acquisitions. However, with the recent mega purchase by Silver Lake, 2024 is already in second place.
“It is very likely that 2024 will set a new all-time record, both in terms of individual acquisitions and especially in the overall reported money spent on the deals. This is a very exciting and fast-paced time to be observing the industry, and the future can seem unpredictable”, Karhu elaborates.
“We saw the first-ever two-digit billion-dollar acquisition this year. The importance of this cannot be overstated. What types of deals will we see tomorrow? Could there be more record-breaking deals this very year? It is impossible to predict this with accuracy, but through our database, we can at least track the industry as it is moving ahead in real time”.
