2024: A busy year for Sweden’s gambling sector

The Juroszek family, known for their former majority ownership of STS Holdings, has recently increased their stake in the Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) to 25.06 percent. This strategic move marks a .

The shares are distributed among various entities controlled by the Juroszek family. These include MJ Foundation Fundacja Rodzinna, ZJ Foundation, Betplay Capital Sp. z o.o., Betplay Capital Foundation, Juroszek Holding Sp. z o.o., and MJ Investments Sp. z o.o. Collectively, these entities now own a total of 33,722,302 shares in GiG, representing approximately 25.06 percent of the total registered share capital and voting rights in the company.

The transaction was initiated by MJ Foundation, a company related to Mateusz Juroszek, a primary insider and Board Member of GiG. The foundation agreed to purchase 6,069,375 shares in GiG at a price of SEK 27.00 per share. Following this transaction, MJ Foundation now holds 11,088,810 shares, representing approximately 8.24% of the total registered share capital and voting rights in GiG.

Mateusz Juroszek, (picutred on left, above), expressed his family’s long-standing involvement in GiG, stating, “GiG is one of the most attractive and interesting iGaming companies on the public market. We see great potential in this company and in the industries in which it operates. As a family, we should be the ones to stand up and show our commitment – we want to be the biggest shareholders as we believe in the businesses.”

The Juroszek family’s representation in the company’s top management is evident through Mateusz Juroszek’s board seat on the recently rebranded Gentoo Media arm. His brother, Tomasz Juroszek, is also a board member of the sportsbook & platform division.

The shares were partly purchased from New Zealand casino group SkyCity Holdings, which sold its 10 percent share in GiG to the Juroszek family. SkyCity stated that the proceeds of the sale, totaling $55 million after brokerage and legal costs, would be used to pay down debt as part of its ongoing prudent approach to capital management.

SkyCity with GiG through its involvement with the SkyCity Online Casino, operated from Malta. However, it decided to divest its shareholding in GiG as it is non-core to its ongoing operations and is now not considered strategically necessary for SkyCity.

The Juroszek family became the largest GiG shareholders in July 2023 after purchasing an 11.08 percent stake in the business, which they considered undervalued. This followed the family selling their 70 percent stake in STS for £750 million in June 2023.

The purchase comes ahead of GiG’s plan to divide its Media and Sportsbook & Platform segments into two separate entities in Q3. As of now, Gaming Innovation Group Inc. (GIGSEK.ST) is trading at SEK28.80, marking a 1.05 percent increase.

The Juroszek family, led by Zbigniew Juroszek, has a rich history and a significant presence in the business world. Zbigniew Juroszek, with a real-time net worth of $1.7 billion, ranks #1888 on today's global rich list.

Zbigniew Juroszek, 61, (pictured on right, above), is the founder of Atal S.A., a real estate developer listed in Warsaw, Poland. He first established Atal in 1990 as a supplier to clothing manufacturers. However, recognizing the potential in real estate, he shifted his focus and began investing in this sector. His first residential projects were built in 2003, and since then, Atal has been developing properties in Katowice, Warsaw, and other major Polish cities.

Today, Zbigniew Juroszek runs his business with his son, Mateusz Juroszek. significantly contributed to the family’s wealth.

He resides in Cieszyn, Poland, and holds Polish citizenship. His journey from founding Atal as a supplier to clothing manufacturers to becoming a billionaire real estate developer and owner of a successful gambling company is a reflection of his business acumen.

The Juroszek family’s increased stake in GiG and their diverse business interests reflect their strategic vision and commitment to growth in various sectors.Their recent investment in GiG further demonstrates their belief in the potential of the iGaming industry and their commitment to its growth. With their diverse business interests and strategic investments, the Juroszek family is bound to continue making significant impact in the iGaming industry.

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Governor Ron DeSantis of has enacted a new law () that exempts personal information about members of the Florida Gaming Control Commission from public records requests. This legislation, which passed unanimously, aims to protect the personal details of current and former commissioners and their families, including home addresses, telephone numbers, and dates of birth.

Proponents of the bill argue that releasing such information could endanger commission members and their families. They stated: “the release of such personal identifying and location information might place the commission’s current or former commissioners and their family members in danger of physical and emotional harm from disgruntled individuals whose businesses or professional practices have come under the scrutiny of the commission. In addition, such personnel may be subject to threats or acts of revenge because of the duties they perform.”

The Florida Gaming Control Commission was established in 2021. It oversees the state's gambling industry, ensuring compliance with laws and standards. Given the potential contentious nature of gambling regulation, DeSantis argues that commission members could face scrutiny and backlash from industry stakeholders.

Governor DeSantis’s administration has a history of controversial issues surrounding public records and transparency. Florida has a long-standing tradition of granting public access to records and meetings, established by state law and a 1992 constitutional amendment. There is a continual struggle between the imperative for government transparency and Governor DeSantis's desire to safeguard sensitive information and the privacy of public officials.

In a notable case, a court debated a ruling that "executive privilege" exempts DeSantis's administration from releasing certain records. This case originated from a public records request seeking information about individuals involved in discussions regarding the appointment of Florida Supreme Court justices. The “executive privilege” has been contested by media organisations and open-government advocates, who argue that it undermines Florida’s public records law.

More recently, a senior Florida law enforcement official decided to sue DeSantis, claiming he lost his job for whistle-blowing on issues related to public records.

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has recently banned three new offshore websites from operating in the country. It requested that the Australian Internet Service Provider block access to the three operators: A Big Candy, Jackpoty, and John Vegas Casino. These sites were found to be in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which regulates online gambling activities in Australia.

Operators who wish to run online gambling services in Australia must hold the appropriate licenses. This regulation ensures that all operations are legal, taxes are paid, and customer protections are in place.

ACMA has made a habit of to protect Australian bettors. In 2017, the ACMA began enforcing rules against illegal offshore gambling. Since then, 220 illegal services have exited the Australian market. Additionally, since November 2019, the ACMA has issued blocking requests for nearly 1,000 illegal gambling and affiliate websites. In 2024 alone, the ACMA has blocked over 30 sites found to be running illegal operations.

disclosed data on how much Australians spend annually on overseas gambling websites. They also calculated the economic impact, noting that these unlicensed sites do not contribute to the Australian tax system.

They stated: “Around $1.016 billion is spent by Australians each year on overseas gambling websites which offer online pokies and other casino games. As these sites are unlicensed, they operate illegally and don’t pay taxes like Australian wagering service providers do. Illegal offshore gambling sites are expected to cost the Australian economy more than $3 billion from 2022 – 2027.”

ACMA continues to remind consumers about the risks of using illegal gambling services. “Even if a service looks legitimate, it’s unlikely to have important customer protections”, warns ACMA. “This means Australians who use illegal gambling services risk losing their money”, they explained. ACMA advises consumers to check the register to ensure a wagering service is licensed to operate in Australia.

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SkyCity’s decision reflects its dynamic business strategy that continually adapts to the evolving market conditions. The company has clarified that the proceeds from this sale will be utilized towards reducing its debt, thereby aligning with its capital management plan. This move is indicative of and ensuring long-term financial stability.

SkyCity, a renowned casino operator, has recently made headlines with its decision to sell its stake in the Gaming Innovation Group (GiG), a prominent online gaming platform headquartered in Europe. This move is not just a business decision, but a strategic maneuver that is expected to bring about a net return of approximately $55 million, post the deduction of brokerage and legal costs.

The stake in question, which represents 10 percent of GiG, was initially procured in April 2022 for a sum of around $40 million. The sale, therefore, marks a substantial profit for SkyCity, further solidifying its position in the industry.

Despite the divestment, SkyCity continues to maintain its business relationship with GiG through the SkyCity Online Casino. The online casino, which operates out of Malta, is a testament to the company’s digital footprint in the online gaming industry. This continued association ensures that both companies can leverage each other’s strengths while pursuing their individual business objectives.

The decision to sell its stake in GiG comes as part of SkyCity’s strategic realignment. The company has stated that its shareholding in GiG is no longer deemed strategically necessary. This implies that SkyCity is continually reassessing its investment portfolio and making decisions that best align with its strategic objectives.

SkyCity’s decision to sell its stake in the Gaming Innovation Group is a strategic move that underscores its commitment to financial optimization and strategic realignment. By divesting its stake and realizing a significant gain, SkyCity is not only strengthening its financial position but also paving the way for future growth and expansion. This move is a clear indication of SkyCity’s dynamic business strategy and its ability to adapt to changing market conditions. It will be interesting to see how this decision impacts SkyCity’s future business trajectory and its position in the global gaming industry.

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