32Red snaps-up rival UK business
Gibraltar-based operator acquires Go Wild's UK customer database ahead of new licensing regime
32Red has this morning finalised a deal to acquire the UK customer database of casino rival Go Wild for an undisclosed fee as the market continues to adjust ahead of the UK’s adoption of a Point of Consumption (PoC) regime.
Go Wild’s 60,000 UK customers will be migrated across to the 32Red platform no later than 15 September “ the same day the UK licence application window is set to close.
According to Malta-based Go Wild, the decision to sell its UK business was made following an internal review of its operations before the UK switches to a PoC regulatory framework on 1 October.
“Further to announcements detailing the proposed new licensing, regulatory and taxation regimes we undertook a thorough review of our UK business going forwards,” Lior Gabay, Go Wild COO, said.
“Further to that review we have decided to focus on our successful international operations and have withdrawn from the UK market. We were happy to find an agreement with 32Red Plc who have purchased our UK database,” he added.
The deal will provide a boost to 32Red’s UK operations, with the addition of the Go Wild’s UK business adding to the 72,000 active customers the operator reported at the end of 2013.
Both operators are powered by Microgaming’s casino platform which 32Red said should enable a swift and seamless customer transition process.
“This acquisition fits well with our strategy into the UK market,” Matt Booth, 32Red commercial director said.
“The migration of these players from Go Wild to 32Red is a low-risk and seamless transfer as both businesses utilise the Microgaming platform and games content.
“Players will continue to use the same login and passwords to access their accounts and we will be active in showcasing the 32Red experience to these newly acquired players,” he added.
Go Wild’s decision to withdraw from the UK market comes after a trio of offshore operators last week announced they were to withdraw from the UK market due to the new regulatory and tax landscape.
SBOBet, 12Bet and Mansion all said they were to close part or all of their UK businesses with 12Bet CEO Rory Anderson attributing his company’s decision to withdraw its UK sportsbook to a “business decision”.
This week’s poll asks whether we should expect a further flurry of offshore operators to withdraw products from the UK market ahead of the new regulatory regime.