Entain completes SuperSport acquisition, eyes more CEE expansion

Entain has completed the acquisition of the SuperSport Group, a Croatian gaming and sportsbook operator, as it seeks to expand in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

In August, the company said it had partnered with EMMA Capital, an investment firm to create Entain CEE, a vehicle to drive growth in the CEE market. This unit, of which Entain holds 75 percent of the economic rights, bought SuperSport from EMMA.

Entain agreed to pay EUR 600 million at completion and a further consideration of about EUR 90 million early next year, based on SuperSport’s EBITDA for 2022. EMMA will contribute its stake in SuperSport to Entain CEE at an implied valuation of EUR 200 million.

The transaction values SuperSport at about EUR 920 million, according to the U.K.-listed company’s August statement. 

Further M&A opportunity

Entain says the CEE is a highly attractive growth market, currently valued at EUR 5 billion. It’s to grow at a rate of at least 10 percent a year through 2025. It said the region is dominated by local operators, which have struggled to scale, providing compelling opportunities for Entain.

SuperSport has a leading share of about 50 percent of the regulated Croatian market. Entain CEE is led by SuperSport’s CEO, Radim Haluza, who has significant experience in this region.

“We are very pleased to have completed the acquisition of SuperSport, which is the first by the newly created Entain CEE,” Entain CEO Jette Nygaard-Anderson said. “SuperSport expands our operations into the highly attractive and regulated Croatian market, as well as establishing Entain CEE as a strategic growth platform into the wider region.”  

 On 19 October 2022, the company announced  the successful issuance of a $1bn new term loan that will be partially used to finance the acquisition of SuperSport.  

2023 – A calendar of events

The SiGMA Group prides itself on its broad horizons, drawing on some of the most vibrant, entrepreneurial and fast-growing industries in the global economy. The Group has announced that is will hold six world class, bi-monthly summits next year – with events taking place across 5 continents: Nairobi, Dubai, Sao Paulo, Manila, Limassol, and Malta. Coming up, SiGMA Group will launch their inaugural event in Africa, with  set to take place next January.