Resurgence in Spain’s digital betting: Q1 2024 financials

London-based B2B sportsbook EveryMatrix has acquired FSB Technology. This all-cash deal is a strategic move by EveryMatrix to enhance its sportsbook platform, OddsMatrix, and expand its market presence. The deal marks a significant milestone for EveryMatrix and is one of the largest acquisitions ever made by the company.

EveryMatrix plans to incorporate FSB’s features, such as its horseracing product, into its existing offerings. This integration will not only diversify EveryMatrix’s product portfolio but also provide its customers with a more comprehensive and high-performing product.

Ebbe Groes, EveryMatrix Group CEO, (pictured above), stated that this transaction aligns with their long-term growth strategy of entering and growing within a greater number of regulated markets, including the UK, Ireland, and Africa, where many FSB clients operate. This acquisition allows EveryMatrix to accelerate this process, diversify its customer and revenue profiles, and migrate customers to a stronger product.

FSB Technology, founded in 2007 by Sam Lawrence and David McDowell, has been a key player in the sports betting industry, offering services including Player Account Management (PAM), sports betting, and casino platform solutions. The company’s technology and market presence are expected to significantly boost EveryMatrix’s capabilities.

Adam Smith, FSB CEO, expressed his excitement about the new opportunities this deal could create. He highlighted FSB’s achievements over the last 18-20 months, including expansion into new markets and launching innovative propositions. This acquisition represents another major milestone for FSB, accelerating the growth of its existing partners through the sharing of unique capabilities.

By acquiring FSB, EveryMatrix is not only enhancing its product offerings but also positioning itself for greater market penetration. The integration of FSB’s technology will undoubtedly strengthen EveryMatrix’s position in the competitive iGaming industry.

The future looks promising for both EveryMatrix and FSB. As they merge their unique capabilities and strengths, they are poised to deliver exceptional results and redefine the sports betting sector. This strategic acquisition is a significant step towards achieving the shared vision of the two companies to provide superior sports betting solutions to a global audience.

SiGMA East Europe Summit powered by Soft2Bet, will take place in Budapest from 2-4 September 2024

Europe is in suspense. Two of the major football nations, Spain and France, are scheduled to battle it all out tomorrow for a place in the EURO 2024 finals. As summer temperatures rise, so is the EURO football fever.

France had to resort to penalties against Portugal to secure its place among the last four nations in this tournament. Meanwhile, Spain overcame the Germans in extra time in an entertaining match. Both teams played their quarter/finals last Thursday and are now preparing for this eagerly awaited semi-final.

So far in this tournament, Spain has impressed with its consistent attacking football. Youthful duo, Yamal Lamine and Nico Williams have had us all smiling in admiration for their superb talent. William Hill is offering odds of 9.00 for Nico Williams to score first.

The French have been somewhat more cautious, balancing their attacking and defending manoeuvres. It is evident that they are not wanting to be too adventurous. Kylian Mbappe has only scored one goal from a penalty in this tournament so far. Ousmane Dembele himself remarked in the post-match interview against Portugal that they were confident going into a penalty shootout. William Hill is offering odds of 9.00 for France. Should France's coach Deschamps opt for another cagey style of play in the semi-final against Spain, it could be a catastrophe for them.

The Spanish are much more agile in attack than Portugal and will probably not be are changing their strategy for this match against France. William Hill is offering odds of 2.62 for Spain to win. It will be very interesting to watch how these two teams will approach the game. Spanish defenders Carvajal and Le Normand are both suspended. Kylian Mbappe will be eager to get out there and show Europe what he capable of. But so is striker Alvaro Morata in the Spanish kit, who has surely spent this weekend thinking about the French goalkeeper Mike Maignan. William Hill is offering odds of 3.80 for Alvaro Morata to have over one shot on target

We think and hope that this will be a semi final to remember. The two nations boast some of the finest European football talents. Both nations entered this tournament determined that they can win it all for their people and their country. But now only one of them can earn the right to play the EURO 2024 final. The question remains: Will we hear the melody of ‘La Marseillaise’ or ‘Marcha Real’ in this EURO final? We will find out on Tuesday night.

SiGMA East Europe Summit powered by Soft2Bet, will take place in Budapest from 2-4 September 2024

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has endorsed a proposal to introduce "nomad visas" to attracts long-stay foreign visitors to the country.  

According to a report of the Philippine News Agency, the Private Sector Advisory Council for Tourism (PSAC-Tourism) recommended the issuance of an executive order (EO) to expedite the implementation of these visas without initial tax incentives, which could be incorporated following the passage of related legislation. 

Lucio Tan III, Vice Chairperson and Chief Operating Officer of LT Group, emphasised the urgency of introducing nomad visas to attract long-term tourists, noting that other countries in the region, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, are already benefiting from similar initiatives. 

Marcos has tasked the Office of the Executive Secretary with drafting the EO and selecting a pilot country for the nomad visa initiative. This move is seen as an interim solution to boost the tourism sector while broader legislative measures are being considered. 

Last year, the Southeast Asian country set a target of 7.7 million international visitor arrivals. In 2023, foreign tourists made up 91.9 percent of the 5,069,752 arrivals, presenting a lucrative opportunity for B2B iGaming platforms to customise their services to meet the varied tastes of international visitors.  

Moreover, PSAC-Tourism has expressed optimism about the potential growth of the tourism sector under the current administration's initiatives. The council emphasised the importance of supporting industry-specific training programs to equip individuals with the skills necessary for immediate employment in tourism-related fields. 

Joji Gotianun Yap, President and Chief Executive Officer of Filinvest Development Corporation, pointed out that a significant portion of the tourism workforce holds certifications from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). She advocated for increasing these certifications, with the private sector identifying the required skills. 

Marcos also highlighted the role of industry guidance in shaping these training efforts, stressing the need for short-term courses that enable quick job placement. 

Meanwhile, J. Prospero de Vera III, Chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), discussed the strategic approach to tourism and hospitality education. He cited numerous institutions offering four-year degrees in Tourism and Hospitality Management and emphasised the integration of TESDA certifications into these programs. 

De Vera explained that allowing top schools to run these programs ensures quality and meets current needs. TESDA certifications can now be credited towards these degrees, providing students with a flexible pathway. 

PSAC-Tourism is confident that these combined efforts will enhance the Philippines' reputation as a premier tourist destination, improve the quality of its tourism workforce, and stimulate economic growth. 

In a related development, Marcos has directed government agencies to streamline the e-visa processing for Indian nationals, aiming to boost tourism from one of the Philippines' significant source markets. The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed this directive in a statement dated July 4. 

The DOT highlighted that efficient e-visa processing for Indian visitors will simplify entry procedures and create a more welcoming environment. This initiative is expected to attract more visitors from India and strengthen the cultural and economic ties between the two nations. 

The DOT pledged to collaborate closely with all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative and called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to actively drive these e-visa reforms. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: Click here to find out all about SiGMA East Europe powered by Soft2Bet happening in Budapest, September 2024.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) recently released a performance report on BetStop, a self-exclusion program launched on 21 August 2023. The program targets individuals who want to be excluded from all licensed online and phone wagering providers in Australia.

The report revealed a surge in BetStop registrants, with 25,972 individuals signing up for the program from its launch until June 2024. New South Wales had the largest number of registrants, with 8,055 individuals, followed by Victoria with 7,020. Moreover, 1,590 new registrants were reported to join the program in June alone.

As of 30 June 2024, 21,381 individuals had active exclusions, indicating outstanding participation of individuals in the program.

The report also emphasised the program's impact on younger demographics, with 48% of BetStop registrants falling within the age range of 30 and under. This data underscores the proactive approach taken by young people in Australia to exclude themselves from gambling activities.

The report shed light on the duration of exclusions chosen by participants, revealing that 40% of registrants opted for a 3-month to 2-year exclusion from licensed online and phone wagering providers. Additionally, 39% of participants elected for a lifetime exclusion, indicating a strong commitment to self-exclusion. Furthermore, 17% chose a 3-month exclusion, 3% opted for 2-5 years, and 1% selected over five years of exclusion.

The success and reach of the BetStop self-exclusion program stresses the growing awareness and use of such initiatives among the Australian population. With a large number of individuals actively seeking to exclude themselves from gambling activities, the program demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing gambling-related issues in the country.

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