Entain has unveiled plans to take over the leading Polish sports betting operator STS Holding in an acquisition deal estimated at approximately £750 million. The British gambling giant, which owns a number of popular gambling brands such as Ladbrokes and Coral, also confirmed that the two largest shareholders of the Polish company who collectively own a majority 70% stake in the sportsbook – Zbigniew Juroszek and Mateusz Juroszek – have already given the green light to the takeover offer.
As part of the agreement, the Juroszek family is set to reinvest part of the proceeds received under the terms of the STS Holding sale into Entain CEE – a unit that is currently responsible for the British gambling giant’s operations in central and eastern Europe. Such an investment will provide them with a 10% stake in the aforementioned division and will demonstrate their long-term commitment to the industry.
For the time being, STS Holding dominates the sports betting sector in Poland. The company’s existing network consists of 400 brick-and-mortar betting outlets across the country, making it the biggest network in the retail gambling industry in the country. It also has about 783,000 active users.
Apart from that, STS Holdings holds operating permits not only in Poland but also in the UK and Estonia, being well-positioned to bring opportunities for further growth to Entain, especially when it comes to full online casino liberalization in the Polish gambling sector.
STS Holdings Takeover to Provide Entain with New Opportunities for Future Growth
The Chief Executive Officer of Entain, Jette Nygaard-Andersen, has confirmed her company’s plans to acquire STS Holding and shared her enthusiasm for the takeover deal, saying that the purchase of Poland’s leading sports betting operator would provide the UK gambling giant with a bunch of opportunities for the future. She explained that the Polish gambling market was quite dynamic since it was rapidly expanding, and described the recently unveiled takeover deal as an exceptional opportunity for Entain, as it was set to acquire a well-established brand with a strong presence in the region.
According to Ms Nygaard-Andersen, the acquisition of the leading Polish sportsbook would be a great addition to Entain’s assets thanks to the experienced CEO and management team of the company and the appealing omnichannel experience it offered to its customers.
Gambling market experts have noted that the successful completion of the STS takeover deal will enhance the market presence and operations of Entain in central and eastern Europe. The well-established position and market expertise of the sports betting company in the Polish gambling market, on the other hand, would help Entain consolidate its operations in the region and continue its planned expansion throughout Europe in the months and years to come.
Entain has been on the way to further growth lately. Recently, it successfully took over the global sports media company 365scores in an acquisition deal estimated at $150 million. The deal is aimed at cementing the British gambling giant’s position by using the expertise of 365scores in data-driven sports media content. The company has also unveiled a broader global strategy to seek growth through mergers and acquisitions.
- Author
Olivia Cole
