Belgian betting and gaming firm Gaming1 has agreed terms to acquire the holding company behind Carousel Group, strengthening its position in its home nation in the process.
The firm has purchased 100% of the shares in Pac-Man NV, the company behind Carousel Group, for an undisclosed amount. This followed a long-running partnership between Liège-based Gaming1 and Carousel Group, dating back to 2012.
Once completed, the acquisition will see Gaming1 gain Pac-Man NV’s licence and digital operations in Belgium. This will significantly expand its reach in the online casino market in the country – though this comes at a time of difficult regulatory adjustments in the nation.
Gaming1 added that the transaction does not see the transfer of any employees between the companies’ respective teams, and so it expects “smooth and effective integration”, a process which will begin imminently.
“We believe this acquisition will further strengthen our digital presence in Belgium and enhance the fun and engaging entertainment experience we offer our players,” said Sylvain Boniver, Chief Operating Officer of Gaming1.
“It will also support our ambition to provide a safe, responsible and distinctive offering in the regulated Belgian market.”
The sale marks a departure between Carousel Group and 711, one of the leading gaming firms in the Netherlands – the sixth largest in the online market by traffic, according to the Blask Index.
As reported by Dutch gaming news site Casino Nieuws, 711 is owned by the prominent Dutch business family, the De Backer’s, who are also the owners of Pac-Man NV and by extension Carousel Group.
The offloading of Carousel Group comes amid 711 embarking on its own international push, according to Casino Nieuws. The group is already active in Belgium and has been building up a foothold in international iGaming hub Malta too.
For Gaming1 – which operates 777, the fifth largest online casino brand in Belgium according to Blask – the acquisition significantly expands the group’s foothold in the online casino space.
