Nightly live casino to leave UK TV as Betsson pulls plug on NetPlay

Online gaming group Betsson has confirmed that it is to withdraw its NetPlay casino brands from the UK TV market when the current broadcaster contracts expire next year.

The UK office will close, with the Jackckpot247 and Supercasino TV brands instead to be operated online only, and from Malta. Betsson acquired NetPlay – whose brands have been a nightly staple of UK commercial TV since 2009 – for £26m in March, 2017.

Speaking to CasinoBeats, Betsson Group chief commercial officer Ronni Hartvig said: “Betsson acquired NetPlay in early 2017 and through that acquisition we added Jackckpot247, Supercasino and Vernons to our multi-brand portfolio.

“As part of that acquisition, we took over the TV agreements, which were in place with Channel5 and ITV. We have decided to not renew those TV contracts as we instead will apply a more digital focused strategy for those brands.”

Hartviq confirmed that the London office would close as a result. “Until the contract expires end of next year we will keep operating those brands from the NetPlay office in the UK,” he said, “however, after expiration we will move operations to our Malta office and keep operating the brands from there.”

The move affects as many as 40 members of staff in London. “All employees have been informed about these plans and in total it affects around 40 employees in the UK office,” said Hartviq.

“The affected employees will remain in employment throughout the duration of 2019 and where possible we offer alternative employment and relocation to Malta.”

The move continues a period of healing for Betsson, as the operator group progresses its corporate recovery plan and turns its attention to its native Swedish market, which re-regulates from January 1, 2019.