Gaming1 partners with CVC
Gaming1, the entertainment branch of Ardent Group, has signed a deal with CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII.
CVC will support the group’s growth in becoming a global reference in the regulated online gaming markets thanks to the continued development of their own technology and omnichannel approach.
Gaming1 is currently present in nine countries around the world, including Portugal, France and the United States with their joint venture Gamewise founded with the American giant Delaware North. The group has around 1,300 employees, including more than 400 in their digital hub in Liège.
To accelerate their growth, Gaming1 wants to partner with a new shareholder capable of bringing global, sector and digital expertise. Emmanuel Mewissen, Sylvain Boniver and Nicolas Léonard, shareholders of Gaming1, will continue to be the reference shareholders in Gaming1 and look forward to post-completion partnering with CVC, once the regulatory approvals are in place.
CVC is a global investment firm with US$125 billion of assets under management. CVC has experience in the sector through CVC funds’ investments in Tipico, the German sports betting company, the Italian operator Sisal, and the English business Sky Bet. They also have significant knowledge of the digital space through CVC funds’ investments such as ironSource, a leader in mobile advertising and mobile gaming technology markets, and Aleph, a global enabler of digital advertising.
Emmanuel Mewissen, CEO and founder of Ardent Group, said: “In a rapidly changing world, the key to success is adapting. By partnering with CVC, we will benefit from their global, sector and technology expertise, which will support our company to continue on our successful growth path and further build our digital capabilities. We will stay loyal to our values and Belgian roots, as shown by our recent move to our digital hub in the heart of Liège. This desire to anchor ourselves in and to contribute to our country’s growth is an integral part of our identity and will continue to guide us daily.”
