GVC prepares betting platform for imminent US launch

GVC and MGM’s joint venture Roar Digital will deploy its online betting platform from August 19, GVC group CEO Kenny Alexander confirmed this morning.

Speaking at GVC’s H1 earnings today, Alexander said he expects “to see significant uptick in market share” and for the business to “grow as fast as anybody else” following the launch.

Alexander said the firm had also established a Jersey City headquarters during the period with over 100 employees hired.

“All senior management roles are in place and hiring is progressing well,” Alexander said.

Among the new hires is director of digital media and brand, Ray Doyle who relocated to the US from the firm’s Ladbrokes Coral business in Gibraltar.

“There is a lot of noise about us being behind and the JV being the wrong deal but that is absolute nonsense,” Alexander said.

He said making a media deal was “not a necessity” for the operator and it is happy with the MGM JV as it stands.

“We have had a number of conversations around US media deals, similar to our competitors,” Alexander said.

“I wouldn’t rule it out, but I don’t think we need to do it.”

In the first half of the year the group was granted licenses in Mississippi and New Jersey, and Roar Digital received a conditional interactive gaming license to conduct business in Nevada.

The firm reported total online revenues of $1.3bn for the period, up from $1.1bn in 2018.

Sports revenues increased 19% to $560m and an 18% rise in gaming revenues to $700m.