Acquisitions Weekly Round-up — May 19, 2017

By Brian Cullingworth, Last updated May 19, 2017

Cherry Group Gets A 25 Percent Foothold In Gaming Tech Firm

Swedish gambling group acquires 25 percent of Highlight Games Limited, with further option available

The Swedish gambling group Cherry announced Friday that it has signed an agreement to acquire a 25 percent interest in gaming technology company, Highlight Games Limited, with an option to acquire a further 26 percent.

Highlight Games offers a unique and patented product, together with multi-year rights to use footage from historical football matches to create virtual sports content, and Cherry says that the investment further strengthens its position within gaming technology.

Highlight Games was founded in 2014 and develops sports-focused, and IP-protected virtual games for online and retail gaming operators. The company’s Soccer Bet product features footage from major European football leagues. Along with exclusive football rights the company will also deploy games across other sports in line with demand, to the virtual and sports betting market in 2017 and beyond.

Cherry has an option to acquire a further 26 percent in three further tranches over the next 18 months. The purchase price for Cherry’s initial 25 percent stake amounts to GBP 2.4 million, with 20 percent for new issued shares in Highlight Games and 5 percent purchased from an existing shareholder.

Anders Holmgren, CEO of Cherry, said in a press statement:

“We believe that Highlight Games has significant development and revenue generating potential, which we can help it achieve within our Gaming Technology business area. We also believe that their unique product can compete with both virtual sports games and traditional slot games. The product is applicable to a variety of markets, which will further diversify Cherry’s revenue sources.”

Tim Green, CEO of Highlight Games added: “Cherry becomes a shareholder at an exciting phase in the company’s development and will be an important strategic partner as we continue our roll-out of Soccer Bet and our other virtual sports products into retail, online and mobile customers.”

Lucky 247 Online Casino Acquired By Broadway Gaming Group

Broadway adds Lucky 247 to a stable that includes Butlers Bingo, Dotty Bingo, Glossy Bingo and Bingo Diamond

Online punters are reporting the receipt of an advisory from the Lucky 247 online casino informing them that the company and its assets have been acquired by the Broadway Gaming Group for an undisclosed consideration.

Broadway holds licensing from the Gambling Commission and from the Malta Gaming Authority.

Punters have been advised that they will be automatically migrated to the Broadway administrative system and need take no action, as the terms and conditions are essentially the same.

In related news, the Vegas Partner Lounge online casino group has advised its players that it is adopting a multi-platform approach that will give its players access to more gaming diversity and choice.

With the new arrangement, games from Play’nGo, BetSoft, Quickspin and Spigo will be added to the Microgaming portfolio already carried.

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