Scientific Games Expands Sports Betting Footprint, Acquires Don Best
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Scientific Games (SG) will expand its US footprint by acquiring sports betting data provider Don Best Sports Corporation and DBS Canada Corporation. Together, both companies are known as Don Best.
Subject to customary conditions to closing, the deal is estimated to close in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Don Best is a leading “global supplier of real-time betting data and pricing for North American sporting events.” With more than 20 years of experience, Don Best determines proper betting lines and tracks more than 100 sportsbook operators worldwide.
“When it comes to sports betting, we’ve been moving at incredible speed
,” Barry Cottle, president and CEO of Scientific Games, said in a statement. “The Don Best acquisition will add to our unraveled B2B one-stop shop sport betting solution.”
SG’s sports betting solution, OpenBet, is already live in Delaware, New Jersey and Mississippi.
Expanding the sports betting footprint
Following the repeal of the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, states and professional sports leagues have waged a new war over ownership of sports betting data.
Keith O’Loughlin, SVP Sportsbook for SG Digital, said “The impending acquisition of Don Best will be a huge win for us and all of our stakeholders. This opportunity will enhance our market position in the US while ramping up our partner relationships in more tested jurisdictions. It’s a true win-win.”
O’Loughlin said Don Best already integrates seamlessly with SG’s OpenBet platform, which will allow for a rather smooth transition.
Furthermore, once the acquisition is complete, customers will immediately benefit from Don Best’s expertise and “firm grip on real-time trading and the data it provides.”
The big picture
In July, SG and Caesars Entertainment entered into a partnership to provide sports betting in New Jersey and Mississippi.
Caesars has three casinos in Atlantic City, two of which operate sportsbooks: Bally’s and Harrah’s AC.
SG Digital also supplies Delaware sports betting.
It’s also the platform that powers much of the online casinos in New Jersey.
The only state in the south with legal regulated sports betting is Mississippi. The deal with Caesars gives SG the opportunity to offer a premier product in SEC country.
This means the Scientific Games/Don Best footprint will be in a majority of the Northeast and in the Magnolia State.
“As sports betting rapidly gains popularity in the US, we’re ready to help our customers capitalize on the new US market while solidifying our long-held leading global position,” Cottle said.
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