Rank Group Plc has praised the UK Government's White Paper on gambling legislation, stating that the long-awaited review has reached the objective of striking the right balance between “consumer freedoms and choice on the one hand, and protection from harm on the other.”

Esports Technologies has taken its first steps into the UK market as it secures access to a UK gaming licence through an operator services agreement via its recently sealed Aspire Global B2C acquisition. 

Following on from the $75.9m completion, the UK gaming licence will see Esports Technologies gain 1.25 million deposited customers, the majority of them from UK-focused online sportsbook and casino brands Karamba, Hopa, and Griffon Casino

“Gaining access to this UK gaming licence is a massive strategic milestone for Esports Technologies,” explained Bart Barden, COO, Esports Technologies.

“We’re thrilled about this highly lucrative gaming market, and we look forward to bringing our portfolio of esports products to the UK.”

Other brands acquired include BetTarget, Dansk777, and GenerationVIP, which recorded collective wagering of $1.86bn and $183m in cash deposits in the most recent 12-month period ending September 2021.

According to the UK Gambling Commission, Great Britain’s gaming revenue from April 2019 to March 2020 was approximately $19.2bn. Online gaming has become the largest sector, accounting for roughly 40 per cent of that total.

As aforementioned, earlier this month Esports Technologies completed the acquisition of Aspire Global’s B2C assets, with the former stating that it will look to leverage this increased market access to “cross-sell esports wagering opportunities” in a bid to increase revenue, player bet transactions, and customer base.

It has been reported that in the most recent 12-month period ending September 2021, Aspire Global’s B2C revenue was $78.3m and its EBITDA was $7.9m – a 43 per cent and 30 per cent gain over the same period the year before.