Gauselmann Group has expanded its strong digital presence after acquiring a ‘significant majority stake’ in the online gaming platform Bede Gaming.
As part of the acquisition, the UK-based games studio will operate as an independent business unit within the online gaming platform, maintaining its offices in Newcastle upon Tyne, Sofia and Toronto.
Bede Gaming chairman, Joe Saumarez-Smith, expressed his “delight” in Gauselmann Group’s purchase of a majority stake, stating it would “enhance” its range of products. He said: ”We are delighted that the Gauselmann Group has acquired a majority stake in Bede.
“Gauselmann’s long-term prospects and financial strength will allow us to further enhance our range of products and services to existing customers as well as win new business partners.”
The acquisition comes with one eye on the future, as the investment creates new opportunities for the opening of the German online gaming market in 2021.
Gauselmann will further expand its presence in the North American lottery market via Bede Gaming’s partnership with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
CEO and founder of the Gauselmann Group, Paul Gauselmann, explained how the deal will evolve the company: “Bede’s technological expertise is very impressive and its highly complex solutions are first choice for leading gaming companies not only in the UK, but around the world.
“This acquisition will allow us to significantly broaden the existing technology base within the Group and at the same time enable us to offer it to our customers and partners.”
This latest deal from the German gaming group follows its slot developer, Blueprint gaming’s purchase of UK-based counterpart Livewire Gaming at the end of 2019.
As part of the agreement, Livewire remained an independent studio focused on the development of land-based games.