Merger Announced: Livespins will be obtained by Evolution
In a groundbreaking move, iGaming giant Evolution Gaming (now Evolution AB) has announced the acquisition of Livespins, a B2B provider specializing in bet-behind live streaming for operators in the online gaming industry. This strategic move is set to revolutionize the way players experience live casino entertainment.
Livespins offers an innovative social casino experience that combines live slot gameplay with interactive viewer participation. It allows viewers to place bets alongside their favourite streamers in real time, creating a shared, community-driven atmosphere that enhances player engagement and retention. This unique bet-behind feature enables viewers to cheer or groan together over wins and losses, fostering higher interactivity during the game.
Originally a distinct product, Livespins will now become a part of Evolution AB's portfolio of brands, which includes NetEnt, Red Tiger, Ezugi, Big Time Gaming, and Nolimit City. The integration of Livespins will expand the social category of live entertainment in Evolution's online gaming portfolio.
The acquisition, which will cost Evolution a total of EUR 5 million upfront, is planned for Q2 2024, subject to certain closing conditions. The transaction aligns with Evolution's "Product Leap" strategy, aiming to bring innovation to end users.
Livespins leverages Dolby OptiView’s real-time streaming technology to deliver seamless, low latency, immersive, and socially engaging live video streams focused on slots gameplay. This technology will now be available to Livespins, providing it with access to games from top-tier game studios within the Evolution portfolio in addition to the 40+ studios already integrated.
The integration of Livespins with Evolution's portfolio is seen as a strategic move that aligns with Evolution's growth momentum and ability to innovate in live and social casino entertainment. This move is expected to increase average player session times and reduce player churn rates by fostering community interaction and entertainment beyond traditional gambling formats.
Chris Scicluna, CEO of Livespins, is pleased that his company has attracted the attention of Evolution, particularly given that Livespins is still in the start-up phase. He believes the integration of Livespins will revolutionize the industry. Martin Carlesund, CEO of Evolution, shares this sentiment, stating that Livespins will be a great addition to the Evolution portfolio.
Todd Haushalter, Evolution's Chief Product Officer, believes the integration of Livespins will provide a new way to play online casino games. He also states that this integration will provide Livespins with unparalleled distribution power via Evolution's One Stop Shop (OSS) integration.
The acquisition of Livespins by Evolution is seen as an unprecedented milestone for Livespins. An earn-out based on Livespins' performance in 2026 will also be paid. Livespins will continue as a brand within the Evolution Group post-acquisition.
In summary, the acquisition of Livespins by Evolution Gaming marks a significant step forward in the online gaming industry. By combining advanced streaming technology with a social betting model, Livespins is poised to revolutionize online slot play, and under Evolution’s ownership, it enjoys strong growth potential by addressing evolving player preferences and leveraging a large operator footprint worldwide.
Technology will play a pivotal role in revolutionizing online gaming with the use of Dolby OptiView’s real-time streaming technology, employed by Livespins, to deliver immersive and socially engaging live video streams. This innovative technology will allow for real-time streaming of live slot gameplay and continuous growth potential in the online gaming industry.
