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Cola Group to invest $14.5M to accelerate Cola.bet expansion strategy
Cola Group, a world-class games and entertainment specialist, is expanding the iGaming arm of its company, Cola.bet, with a $14.5m investment.
This substantial investment follows on the back of Cola.bet securing a fourth African gambling license in the continent’s second largest gambling market, Nigeria. This new addition adds to Cola.bet’s current stable of highly successful African operations; Zambia (cola.com.zm), Kenya (cola.ke) and Ethiopia (cola.et).
This latest sports betting license was granted by the Lagos State Lotteries Board to a locally incorporated, Cola.bet subsidiary company, Cola Games Limited. The Nigerian market is similar to Ethiopia’s in that both are very retail centric rather than internet based. It was a strategic move for Cola.bet to leverage its blueprint and successes in Ethiopia to successfully expand into Nigeria.
The betting operator delivers a modern, mobile-first proprietary platform tailored for both established and fast-developing markets. The Cola.bet platform is easily adjustable, customisable and provides seamless integrations. All local payment methods are also integrated onto the platform where partners can find a vast selection of sports events, esports and casino games. To further support Cola Group’s partners there is a complete consulting service, including a licensing brokerage, that provides access to localised knowledge and best practice in each operating region.
As Cola.bet continues to expand its sports betting and iGaming offering, responsible gaming remains a core focus. Cola.bet excels at providing resources to enable customers to enjoy gaming responsibly. Aside from aforementioned licenses, Cola.bet also holds a Curaçao gambling license and is in the process of obtaining licenses in the regulated markets of Africa, LATAM and Europe. This will facilitate the expansion plans of the company.
Dinu Bors, Cola.bet’s COO said: “Cola.bet delivers an exceptional customer-first experience and the launch augments our global ambitions within the iGaming space. The platform is highly customisable and grants B2B partners instant access to curated content for a plethora of markets. We’ll be rolling-out several innovative features over the coming months, we’re only just getting started.”
Dana Varnytska, Cola.bet’s CMO followed: “Our strategy is built on a localised programme which has been developed through thorough research into market nuances and player preference. Players will benefit from bespoke bonus promotions and extremely competitive odds on the most popular events”.
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Michael Gauselmann at 70: Entrepreneur, Innovator and Chairman of Merkur Group’s Supervisory Board
Reading Time: 3 minutes
“Everything I do, I do with great passion.” A glance at the life of Michael Gauselmann quickly reveals why the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Merkur Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gauselmann Family Foundation chose these words. He can look back on 70 years dedicated to businesses, products and people – shaped by his passion for gaming, entrepreneurial courage and clear, forward-looking decisions.
Born on 28 November 1955 as the second son of company founder Paul Gauselmann, Michael Gauselmann became familiar with the world of vending machines early on. From the age of 13, he spent every school holiday working in his father’s company – always in different departments. This early mix of hands-on experience and an understanding of processes and figures laid the foundation for his later career.
After completing his A-levels, he studied Business Administration at the University of Hamburg, specialising in IT, statistics and marketing. As a graduate, he combined numerical expertise, technical affinity and market awareness – a combination that would later fuel numerous innovations within the Group. In 1982, he joined Nova-Apparate in Hamburg as Executive Assistant, before becoming Commercial Manager of Franken-Automaten Südvertrieb a year later. With the company’s integration into what was then the Gauselmann Group, his true journey within the family business began.
The years that followed were characterised by rapid advancement and significant responsibility. From 1984 to 1986, Michael Gauselmann served as Commercial Manager of today’s adp Merkur as well as CFO of the Group. He then took over management of the former Merkur Spielothek, now Merkur Operations, until 1992 – during a period of strong expansion with around 250 arcades in Germany.
A year later, his focus increasingly shifted to international markets. The “game designer at heart”, as he describes himself, played a pivotal role in developing the Group’s global activities. He acquired Atronic and turned it into a key business unit for the development, production and distribution of casino machines, drove the acquisition of Bell-Fruit Games in the UK and established Stella Electronic for the European market. His passion for games and keen sense for innovation significantly accelerated the Group’s internationalisation.
From 1994 to 2004, Michael Gauselmann was Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Gauselmann AG. From 2004 until the establishment of the Gauselmann Family Foundation, he and his father Paul acted as co-spokespersons of the Management Board. While he was mainly responsible for the international business and his father concentrated on domestic operations, their shared responsibility for the Group continued to grow.
At the same time, Michael Gauselmann consciously sought new perspectives. He earned a pilot’s licence and enjoyed the vastness of the skies. He became a hunter and now takes care of wildlife conservation in his adopted home of Austria. Today, he lives in Graz in the province of Styria.
Since 2016, he has been a member of the Advisory Board of the Gauselmann Family Foundation. And when his father stepped down from the top of the Group last year, it was clear who would take the helm: since October 2024, Michael Gauselmann has been Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gauselmann Family Foundation. He sees his role as that of motivator, overseer and adviser. He knows the industry “inside out” – it is in his blood. At the same time, he does not want to “bring back the Gauselmann face” to the company. The focus today, he says, should be on the Merkur brand, the Management Board and the teams.
Above all, he wants a Management Board made up of strong personalities “who don’t just say ‘Yes, Mr Gauselmann’”. “We are a fantastic corporate group with countless opportunities,” he says. “We create entertainment – and that is something to be proud of.” Restoring this sense of pride among employees is one of his key aspirations. Looking ahead, Michael Gauselmann has set himself a clear personal goal: he plans to step back from his roles no later than the age of 75. Until then, he intends to actively support the continued development of the Merkur Group as a modern, internationally positioned entertainment provider.
The post Michael Gauselmann at 70: Entrepreneur, Innovator and Chairman of Merkur Group’s Supervisory Board appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Three online casinos in five months from Ganadu – Meet Berriez
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Ganadu Gaming Ltd. has announced the launch of Berriez, its third online brand launch within the unprecedented timeline of five months. The operator is showing no signs of slowing down, either, with plans already underway for the next product launches, prompting industry stalwarts to wonder what’s behind this rapid growth mindset and what’s coming next.
Sustainability through growth
The three casino brands, Flamez, Speedz and now Berriez have all been built, tested and launched in an incredibly tight time frame, each with its own selection of games, bespoke welcome offers and distinct branding. The releases turn the concept of online casino marketing on its head: that a brand launch should be a dedicated focus that lasts for months, if not extending to years, rather than the Ganadu style of business that has focused on rapid deployment and market penetration. This methodology, according to the team, is exactly what will lead to sustainability.
What to expect from Ganadu
The primary focus for Ganadu is one of rapid growth, with more brands, product offering expansion and increased market penetration all on the cards for 2026. Having laid the foundations, the leadership team is confident that these goals are all attainable.
Adam Kamiar, Commercial Director, Ganadu offers some insights into this explosive marketing activity: “Ganadu is your archetypal multibrand: we have industry experts able to create products that target segmented markets, so we’re able to diversify our products at a rapid pace. Our platform architecture has been created with this in mind, allowing us to replicate certain elements while ensuring that the branding is fresh and appealing for different audiences.
He continues: “We’re aiming for a vast suite of products and brands that reach every conceivable market segment; more than that, we’re looking to dominate in those segments and marketplaces in which players are accessing our brands. Time is one of the factors that provides us with the means to do this. Our tightly-knit teams have perfected efficiency when it comes to product development and deployment, so we’re always working on the next ideas in conjunction with our current product focuses. Historically, operators have spent way too long in product development. We’ve specifically reduced the steps it takes to get from product conception to launch. This allows us to start achieving revenue at an earlier time, so the timeline from business development to profitability is reduced. It’s a win-win for us”.
Ganadu has close relationships with the world’s leading game providers as well as payment providers, so the organisation can leverage those partnerships to great effect for the benefit of customers, existing and new players alike.
The Berriez experience
Berriez is designed to offer a slick user experience with plenty of special promotions and bonus opportunities to sweeten the deal.
Players can look forward to easy registration processes, rapid deposit and withdrawals across secure payment systems that include selected credit cards, e-wallets, or online banking to suit player preferences, with the peace of mind of knowing that world-class encryption and security technology is in place to safeguard their personal data.
There are thousands of games to choose from, including familiar favourite slot games, Live casino action and table games. Game providers like Hacksaw Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO and Evolution are all present, so players can browse the games lobby at their leisure for the themes, titles and experiences they enjoy. Berriez is optimised for both desktop and mobile play.
To kick off the fun, there’s a generous Welcome Offer, and regular promotions across popular game titles are bound to keep players engaged. A Daily Cashback offer has proven to be successful at Flamez and Speedz: this attractive proposition welcomes players to Berriez, too.
The entire Berriez experience is a sweet one!
Ganadu Gaming has assured customers that every product enhancement and new brand release comes with a commitment to player enjoyment; there will be even more exciting releases to look forward to in the near future.
Licensed and regulated
Berriez Casino is operated by Ganadu, under a strict license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC), ensuring fair play and regulatory compliance. The platform employs state-of-the-art encryption to safeguard personal and financial data. Berriez is equipped with the prestigious ISO 27001 certification, underscoring the company’s commitment to information security.
Note: Certain games are restricted within certain territories due to regulatory requirements.
The post Three online casinos in five months from Ganadu – Meet Berriez appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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eGaming Integrity Celebrates Two Years of Independent Compliance and Audit Expertise
Reading Time: < 1 minute
eGaming Integrity Ltd marks its two-year anniversary, celebrating a period of growth, trust, and continued delivery of independent regulatory, compliance, and audit expertise to eGaming operators, suppliers, and Corporate Service Providers.
Founded by former regulators and senior compliance leaders, eGaming Integrity was established with a clear mission: to help protect licences and reputations through practical, regulator-ready assurance. Two years on, the firm continues to provide objective, expert support designed to strengthen governance and reduce regulatory risk.
A Trusted Partner for Assurance
In just 24 months, eGaming Integrity has become a trusted partner for organisations seeking confidence in their control environments. The team delivers:
- mock regulatory audits and inspection readiness;
- independent internal audit programmes;
- targeted remediation and advisory support.
Emma Shilling, Director, highlighted the firm’s commitment to meaningful, independent assurance: “Reaching our second anniversary is a proud moment. From day one, our focus has been to provide independent assurance that adds real value. We help embed governance and compliance into everyday operations to protect licences and reputations for the long term.”
Robert Penfold, Head of Internal Audit, highlighted the importance of objective insight in strengthening client operations: “Over the past two years, eGI has shown how truly independent audit and compliance support can reduce risk and give boards confidence that controls are working as they should. Our role is to provide clear, workable solutions that prepare businesses for scrutiny and support their ongoing success.”
Looking Forward
As it enters its third year, eGaming Integrity remains committed to delivering expert,
impartial, and commercially practical assurance. Whether preparing businesses for regulatory engagement, providing independent internal audit services, or supporting targeted remediation, the firm’s goal remains simple: to be the trusted partner that helps protect licenses and reputations.
The post eGaming Integrity Celebrates Two Years of Independent Compliance and Audit Expertise appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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