Mergers, Acquisitions, & Investment Strategies in the iGaming Sector

We’re seeing a trend where companies aim for market consolidation, joining forces to create stronger, more resilient entities. The iGaming industry has seen a surge in strategic acquisitions and mergers, shaping its landscape. Thanks to a new iGaming M&A database launched by the popular UK affiliate Bojoko.com, we can now dive into these numbers in detail. While consolidation among casinos may lead to improved services and selection, concerns arise over potential monopoly effects. A few dominant online sites could limit competition, risking stagnation in innovation and potentially reducing overall benefits for players seeking diverse gaming options. Unified loyalty programs enhance player engagement by integrating rewards across multiple casinos.

This is one of the broader trends in which a private equity firm seizes the opportunity in the tech sector. Navigating the complex web of regulations in the iGaming industry is crucial for ensuring our operations remain compliant and sustainable. As we expand through acquisitions and witness market consolidation, we must prioritize regulatory compliance to foster trust and uphold our community’s shared values. Despite the immediate downturn following the crash, savvy investors are looking to iGaming stocks for their potential as defensive assets. The sector’s adaptability, driven by ongoing digital transformation, positions it well to weather economic instability. The rise of Mobile Gaming and Online Sports Betting, particularly in emerging markets like Latin America and parts of Asia, pave the way for future growth.

On May 19, 2025, Blackstone Infrastructure Partners reached an agreement to acquire TXNM Energy for $61.25 per share in cash, implying a total enterprise value of $11.5 billion (which includes net debt and preferred stock). By bringing Arcadium into the fold, Rio Tinto is set to boost its lithium production capacity significantly, targeting over 200,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate equivalent by 2028. The deal puts the company in a strong position to meet the rising demand for lithium fueled by the growth of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. The deal marks Ballymore’s fourth acquisition since 2021 and sets up its new Midwest headquarters. On July 18, 2025, Chevron formally closed the acquisition of Hess Corporation, in a deal valued at approximately $53 billion. The deal, initially announced in October 2023, finally went through after Chevron won a critical international arbitration in Paris.

As the industry gears up for 2025, operators and stakeholders face both opportunities and challenges that will shape the next phase of this dynamic sector. Below, we explore the key trends poised to dominate the iGaming landscape in the coming year. Amcor and Berry combine in all-stock transactions, creating a global leader in consumer healthcare packaging solutions. Other big names in the sports betting and iGaming industry are also looking for SPAC mergers, and many such deals are in the works. Big investors like SPACs are looking to gain a share of a lucrative new business opportunity before the market reaches saturation levels.

• A notable example is the acquisition of William Hill’s European operations by 888 Holdings in 2021 for £2.2 billion.
• The influx of new competitors alongside the consolidation of established players has led to increased innovation, technological advancements, and a focus on customer experience.
• By leveraging shared infrastructure models, casinos can offer more competitive and appealing bonus structures that enhance the overall user experience.
• This acquisition paved the way for GVC Holdings, which later rebranded to Entain, to become one of the biggest players in the industry.
• As a result, iGaming has become an integral part of the gaming industry, attracting millions of players worldwide and generating substantial revenue.

By joining forces, businesses can share resources, technology, and expertise, enabling them to effectively navigate these new landscapes. Customer experience in iGaming is profoundly shaped by how companies integrate new technologies and innovative solutions following mergers and acquisitions. As we integrate new technologies into the iGaming sector, we’re enhancing user experiences and operational efficiencies across the board. Our recent acquisitions demonstrate a commitment to embracing innovations that foster market consolidation and create a more cohesive community among stakeholders.

All of which will help boost its revenue margins once the deal is sealed in the first quarter of 2022. As M&A processes continue to evolve, it’s more important than ever for companies to stay ahead of the curve. The DealRoom M&A Platform supports mergers and acquisitions by streamlining the entire M&A lifecycle—from managing the pipeline to conducting due diligence and overseeing post-merger integration.

Benefits of iGaming Mergers & Acquisitions

Oracle’s acquisition of Cerner is big tech’s latest foray into the healthcare system, promising better outcomes. In its news release for the acquisition of Cerner, Oracle outlined some worthy goals for the acquisition, including building cloud software systems that enable doctors to spend less time on admin and more with patients. The deal is the largest closed by the Australian mining giant in over a decade, and helps expand its already significant footprint in Brazil, where most of OZ Minerals’ operations are based. The deal is yet another in a string of AI-related transactions, which should continue to grow in volume over the coming years as the new technology becomes embedded in our everyday lives. Known primarily for its pioneering use of living cells to create biologic medicines, Amgen was established in the 1980s and has since become one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies.

Like NetEnt, Evolution Gaming are market leaders in their speciality area, live casino games. Quantum Capital Group and its affiliates have acquired Cogentrix Energy, an independent power producer, from funds managed by Carlyle for approximately $3 billion. Google is more than familiar with acquisitions of this kind, but this particular deal is seen as one of the most successful. This is because 70% of global smartphone owners use an Android device as of March 2024. This infamy is because Warner-Lambert was originally to be acquired by American Home Products, a consumer goods company. American Home Products walked away from the deal, resulting in large break-up fees and Pfizer swooped in.

Top 20 Biggest Mergers And Acquisitions Of All Time (Updated

Similarly, the sports betting industry is witnessing a wave of mergers that is reshaping its landscape, with companies betting big on partnerships that can deliver scale and competitive advantage. Despite these challenges, the trend of mergers and acquisitions in the sports betting industry shows no signs of slowing down. As companies continue to “bet big” on strategic consolidations, the industry is likely to see further innovation, market expansion, and enhanced customer experiences. Ultimately, these mergers are reshaping the sports betting landscape, creating a more dynamic and competitive environment that benefits both operators and consumers. As casinos strive to navigate a volatile regulatory environment, platform aggregation has emerged as a pivotal trend in online gaming.

Brands like Party Casino, Foxy Games, bwin, Gala Bingo and many others were now under the Entain Umbrella. Discover how over two decades of bought assets, expansions and corporate purchases have helped reshape the iGaming landscape into what it is today. Although ARM was removed from the London Stock Exchange, it continues to run as an independent company. The merger led to $800M in projected annual savings by streamlining operations and reducing overlap. Shell initially aimed to achieve $2.5 billion in cost synergies by page – https://lav-hjemmeside.dk/nye-danske-casinoer 2018 but hit that target by the end of 2016 (almost a year ahead of schedule).

Utilising NetEnt’s expansive IP will allow them to further build on an already impressive portfolio. The fact that Evolution’s offer represents a premium of 43% on NetEnt’s closing share price on Nasdaq’s Stockholm Exchange the day leading up to the offer speaks volumes about the absolutely incredible potential of the deal. ONEOK will acquire Global Infrastructure Partners (“GIP”)  entire interest in EnLink Midstream for a total cash consideration of approximately $3.3 billion. However, in 2014, Verizon acquired Vodafone’s 45 percent stake in a deal that eventually was thought to total around $130 billion.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involve the transfer or combination of company ownership. A merger unites two businesses into one entity, while an acquisition occurs when one company buys another to grow its market reach, strengthen capabilities, or gain assets. Allete’s acquisition by CPP Investments and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is a highly-anticipated move for the energy sector, reflecting a shifted focus on investments in renewable energy and its infrastructure. The likelihood of the deal’s closure is high, given that it is driven by two major investment firms with strong financial positions.

It has been a year of full-on business action at Bally’s, with a string of acquisitions and mergers since its rebranding project from Twin River Worldwide Holdings at the end of last year. Perhaps one of the most notable deals over the course of 2021 was the $2bn merger between Bally’s and Gamesys. This was more of a traditional agreement that saw the power of US branding team up with European software that is already fully licensed and regulation-ready. One of the most significant betting and online casino stock deals in 2021 was the acquisition of William Hill by Caesars Entertainment. In what was seen as quite a surprise in some corners of the iGaming world, Caesars decided to snap up the famous and long-standing Will Hill for a total sum of $3.04bn. The US arm of Will Hill was quickly kitted out in full Caesars branding for new launches in various states, such as Michigan and West Virginia.

Microsoft’s roughly $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard is the largest all-cash tech deal so far. RBS pursued global expansion (especially in investment banking and Asia), Santander targeted ABN’s Latin American units, and Fortis wanted the Benelux retail operations. Unfortunately, the global financial crisis struck soon after, forcing both RBS and Fortis into bailouts. It’s a notable reminder that even a top M&A deal by value can implode if broader economic headwinds blow the wrong way. In 2016, AB InBev merged with SABMiller in a $107 billion transaction to form the world’s largest brewer, controlling around 30% of global beer sales. Regulators required divestitures of certain brands, but the resultant company dwarfed most competitors.

Through detailed reports and live events, we create a space where operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services come together to shape the future of gaming. Boston-based daily fantasy sports contest and sports betting provider Draftkings are another company worth keeping an eye on, despite seeing a slight fall in the value of their shares recently. Up until last month the company’s share price had surged after becoming a publicly traded company. Hearst will acquire QGenda from the investment firms Francisco Partners and ICONIQ Growth for $3 billion. After regulatory approval, QGenda will become part of Hearst Health’s healthcare division.

As we’ve seen, mergers and acquisitions are driving innovation, speeding up global expansion, and helping companies stay ahead in a complex, competitive market. One of the primary motivations for M&A in this sector is the acquisition of innovative technology and talent. As digital transformation continues to accelerate, companies are keen to integrate cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain into their platforms. Acquiring firms with expertise in these areas allows established players to stay ahead of the technological curve and offer enhanced gaming experiences. Moreover, M&A can provide access to skilled developers and creative teams, fostering innovation and speeding up product development cycles.