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FDJ launches a recommended all-cash tender offer for Kindred to create a European gaming champion
- In order to implement its ambition to become an international gaming operator, FDJ is announcing the filing of a tender offer to acquire the entire share capital of Kindred
- Kindred is one of Europe’s leading online betting and gaming companies, operating the Unibet brand
- The offer is being made at a price of SEK 130 per share in Kindred, which is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm
- This price represents a premium of 24% over the closing price on 19 January 2024 and 35% over the weighted average price for the last 30 trading days, and corresponds to an enterprise value of €2.6 billion
- This acquisition will create a European gaming champion with an enhanced financial profile
- Second-largest operator in Europe’s gaming sector
- Stronger revenue and earnings growth
- FDJ and Kindred share high standards for responsible gaming and a business model that combines performance and responsibility
- The combined Group will only operate on markets that are locally regulated or on the path of becoming regulated
- This transaction will create value for FDJ shareholders. In particular, it is expected to lead to a more than 10% accretion in dividend per share, starting from the 2025 financial year to be paid in 2026
- This offer is unanimously recommended by Kindred’s Board of Directors
- Five key shareholders, holding a combined 27.9%[1] of the capital, have irrevocably undertaken to support the transaction and tender their shares
- The transaction will take the form of an all-cash tender offer, which will be launched on 19 February 2024 for a maximum period of nine months. The completion of the tender offer remains subject to regulatory authorisations and to FDJ’s acquisition of at least 90% of Kindred’s capital
Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and CEO of FDJ Group, said: “I am pleased to announce today the proposed acquisition of Kindred. Fully aligned with our strategy, it will give the Group a diversified and balanced profile, based on several pillars: the monopoly activities, mainly the lottery, on our French historical market and, since November, in Ireland, with the acquisition of the Irish lottery operator PLI; and online sports betting and gaming activities open to competition in Europe. In this market, Kindred is one of the leading operators, combining strong brands, best-in-class technology platforms, an attractive growth profile and a committed approach to responsible gaming. Given their respective histories, strategic strengths and core values, FDJ and Kindred are highly complementary, and I will be delighted to welcome Kindred’s management team and many talented individuals into the combined Group following this transaction. The combination will result in a stronger strategic positioning and significant value creation for the benefit of our shareholders and broader stakeholders.”
Nils Andén, CEO of Kindred, said: “I’m delighted with today’s transaction announcement between FDJ and Kindred, creating a leading European gaming operator with the financial and strategic capabilities to further expand its global footprint. I believe that combining with FDJ, Kindred can accelerate the delivery of long-term strategic projects, continue to grow in core markets, and provide a trusted source of entertainment to customers. It will also speed up our path towards 100% locally regulated revenue. I’m excited to bring Kindred’s extensive experience and know-how into FDJ’s organisation, contributing to the development of a leading online gaming business. I’m also very proud that FDJ acknowledges and values the skilled employees and strong assets within Kindred.”
In order to implement its ambition to become an international gaming operator, FDJ is announcing the filing of an all-cash tender offer to acquire the entire share capital of Kindred, a company listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. This offer is unanimously recommended by Kindred’s Board of Directors.
Kindred, a leading operator in the European online betting and gaming sector
Kindred is one of Europe’s leading online betting and gaming operators:
- Kindred provides a diversified online offering (sports and horse-race betting, poker and casinos), including brands such as Unibet and 32Red.
- With revenue (after betting duties) of £893 million in 2023, Kindred is one of the top five operators in Western Europe, present in seven of the top ten European markets, including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden and Belgium.
- Kindred has been an online betting and gaming operator for over 25 years and has extensive digital expertise and proven technology platforms.
The combination between FDJ and Kindred will create a diversified European champion
This transaction will create a highly digitalised European champion that is diversified both in terms of its offering and its geographic footprint:
- The FDJ Group’s international presence will expand to account for approximately 20% of its gross gaming revenue (GGR)[2], compared to 6% currently.
- Online share of GGR will rise from 14% for FDJ to 29% for the combined Group.
- Kindred’s cutting-edge digital expertise and technology platforms will accelerate FDJ’s digitalisation for online markets.
- The combined Group will offer a wide gaming range on markets open to competition (online sports and horse-race betting, online poker and online casinos).
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- Online betting and gaming markets open to competition will account for 19% of the new Group’s GGR, versus 2% at present.
- In France, thanks to the acquisition of Unibet, the FDJ group will become the third largest operator in the online sports betting and gaming open to competition sector.
- Online betting and gaming markets open to competition will account for 19% of the new Group’s GGR, versus 2% at present.
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FDJ and Kindred share high standards of responsible gaming and a business model that combines performance and responsibility. The combined Group will only operate on locally regulated – or on the path of becoming regulated – markets
FDJ and Kindred deploy the best practices in responsible gaming and sustainable development in their respective activities. This will enable the new Group to pursue a growth model that combines performance and responsibility.
The combined Group will only operate on markets that are locally regulated or on the path of becoming regulated and plans in particular to exit the Norwegian market.
FDJ’s acquisition of Kindred strengthens the FDJ Group’s financial profile
In 2023, Kindred generated revenue (after betting duties) of £893 million and recorded EBITDA of £205 million, with an EBITDA margin on revenue of 23%. Kindred is targeting EBITDA for 2024 to exceed £250 million.
The combination of Kindred and FDJ will create a Group that is significantly more attractive financially, including:
- Accelerated growth in revenues and in free cash flow; accretion in recurring EBITDA margin – beyond FDJ’s standalone target of at least 25% by 2025;
- A significant increase in the Group’s earnings per share and earnings growth.
FDJ will finance this acquisition using a large part of its available cash and through a bridge loan with leading French banks.
The FDJ Group:
- Reiterates aiming a mid-term net debt to recurring EBITDA ratio of ≤2x;
- Will aim to refinance the bridge loan on attractive market terms and will target an investment grade rating.
FDJ’s acquisition of Kindred will create value for FDJ shareholders
- The combined Group will benefit from scale, iconic brands and proven technology platforms.
- The consolidation of Kindred into the FDJ Group will create tangible value for the Group’s shareholders with a more than 10% accretion in dividend per share starting from the 2025 financial year to be paid in 2026, based on a distribution rate of 75% of the Group’s combined adjusted net income, post completion of the transaction.
An offer unanimously supported by both Boards of Directors
The tender offer has been supported by both Groups’ Boards of Directors. Kindred’s Board of Directors recommends that Kindred’s shareholders tender their shares to FDJ’s tender offer.
- FDJ has obtained an irrevocable agreement from five Kindred shareholders, representing 27.9% of the capital, to tender their shares.
- The offer price is SEK 130 per share, representing an enterprise value of €2.6 billion based on Kindred’s financial position at the end of 2023.
- The proposed price represents a premium of 24% over the closing price on 19 January 2024, of 35% over the weighted average price over the last 30 trading days and of 36% over the last 90 trading days.
The tender offer will be launched on 19 February 2024 for a maximum period of nine months, subject to: the usual conditions precedent for a tender offer on the Swedish market; obtaining regulatory approvals, in particular from the Swedish Financial Markets Authority and the French Competition Authority; the amendment of Kindred’s articles of association to allow the implementation of a squeeze-out procedure in the event of FDJ acquiring at least 90% of Kindred’s share capital; and the acquisition by FDJ of at least 90% of Kindred’s share capital.
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Esports organisation G2 returns to Kings League Germany with G2 FC, building on a groundbreaking debut
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- G2, one of the world’s leading global esports and entertainment brands, is back in Kings League Germany for its second season
- G2 FC, the football team created by G2, finished 3rd in Kings League Germany in its debut season and qualified for the Kings League World Cup
- G2’s competitive DNA, innovation, and storytelling has made them the number 1 supported esports team by German fans, with 46.33% naming the team their favourite, according to recent findings from Esports Bund Deutschland
- Season 2 brings back leadership with Ron Stublla as Team Manager and Malik Hadziavdic as Head Coach, building on the strong foundation established in Season 1
- New presidents for 2026 – Mohammed ‘MoAuba’ Harkous – professional EAFC player (World Championship winner and 5x German champion) and Konygebony – German lifestyle influencer and rapper
- By bridging traditional football and esports, G2 FC continues to expand the boundaries of sports entertainment and engage audiences across platforms and generations
G2, one of the world’s leading esports and entertainment brands, has announced the return of its football team, G2 FC, to Kings League Germany for its second season. The team officially kicked off the season on October 12th, building on a debut that saw them finish 3rd in the league, qualify for the Kings League World Cup and were the second most watched team in Germany (via Esports Charts). Quickly winning over fans across Germany, G2 FC blends high-level performance, innovation, and storytelling to deliver a unique football and esports experience.
Kings League Germany officially launched its second season on October 12, 2025, in Cologne with an event announcing the new rosters and pro kits for teams competing in the tournament. Part of the global 7-a-side Kings League, founded in 2022 by former FC Barcelona and Spanish national team player Gerard Piqué, the German league features two groups of four teams competing throughout October and November at MMC Studios Cologne, culminating in the Final Four on November 15. The German Kings League Cup winner will advance to the European Final in Berlin on November 22, facing teams from Spain and Italy at the Velodrom.
This season, G2 FC returns with continuity, tactical expertise, and renewed energy as it enters its second season. The team continues to showcase G2’s commitment to innovation and cross-cultural sports experiences, providing a platform to merge traditional football with esports and entertainment. By engaging fans across live and digital channels and exploring new media genres and formats, G2 FC is helping position Kings League as the future of sports entertainment, where esports meets football.
G2 FC is bringing back Team Manager Ron Stublla, whose background in Sports Management and experience in the Youth Bundesliga provide strong leadership on and off the pitch, alongside Head Coach Malik Hadziavdic, a former member of the German National Futsal team and player for FC Liria Berlin in the Futsal Bundesliga, who combines tactical knowledge with hands-on playing experience. The presidents for the club have changed, however, and G2 FC welcomes Mohammed ‘MoAuba’ Harkous, a professional EAFC player who’s a World Championship winner and 5x German champion, and Konygebony, a German lifestyle influencer and rapper. Tarik Haadziavdic, Kevin Moreira, Ahmed Omeirat and Cihan Ucar return to the squad for another season alongside a line-up of exciting new players that qualified for the team after a series of trials in Berlin.
2025 marks G2’s 10-year anniversary, highlighting a decade of growth into a global esports powerhouse with teams across multiple regions and long-standing partnerships with brands such as Mastercard, Red Bull, Ralph Lauren, Jägermeister and Herman Miller. Expansion into traditional sports remains a key pillar for G2, and its strong connection to fans is clear, with 46.33% of German esports fans naming G2 their favourite team. This connection drives its approach in Kings League, offering a fresh way to experience football by blending sport, entertainment, and digital innovation while bringing competitive excellence, creativity, and a fan-first mindset to engage the next generation of sports fans.
Alban Dechelotte, CEO of G2, comments: “Our debut season in Kings League Germany demonstrated the potential of combining esports and traditional sports. For Season 2, we are focused on delivering new content, connecting with fans in innovative ways, and pushing the boundaries of what sports entertainment can achieve. G2 FC perfectly aligns to our long-term vision of blending competitive performance with storytelling and digital innovation for the next generation of sports fans.”
G2 FC’s return reinforces the organisation’s commitment to redefining sports and esports. With returning leadership, fresh talent, dynamic content, and a passionate fanbase, the team is ready to make Season 2 its most exciting chapter yet.
The post Esports organisation G2 returns to Kings League Germany with G2 FC, building on a groundbreaking debut appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Featuring cinematic storytelling and powerful visuals, the content reinforces Parimatch’s passion for pushing boundaries alongside UFC
Parimatch’s latest campaign brings cinematic flair and raw intensity to the screen, capturing the emotion and energy required to compete in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation. The campaign builds on major sports partnerships that have made Parimatch a global backer of professional sports, with a strong presence across Asia and the MENA regions. Released ahead of UFC 321: ASPINALL vs GANE, it sets the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable event.
The innovative campaign labelled “Get Closer. Feel Everything” redefines fan connection, bringing audiences closer than ever to the intensity of the Octagon®. Raw energy. Elite strikes. Heart-stopping moments. Experience what TV screens can never capture.
“UFC has always been personal – first for me, then for Parimatch,” said Sergey Portnov, CEO of Parimatch. “I grew up dreaming of becoming a pro fighter, training Muay Thai twice a day to the extreme. That passion never left me, and it evolved into years of partnership with the UFC. As someone who lives and breathes combat sports, I know fight fans want more than watching through screens – they want to feel the cage shake, to experience raw, unfiltered access to the Octagon®. This is only the beginning. Campaigns like this will drive our fan engagement strategy as we expand into new regions and strengthen our global presence.
Video: youtube.com/watch?v=T-fTXXrkwCY
Beyond the Screen: Where Real UFC Lives
Most fans watch fights through a screen and miss the thunderous roar of the crowd, the powerful force behind every strike, and the electric tension that fills inside the arena – now Parimatch is changing the game entirely. The campaign delivers cinematic-quality content that brings viewers closer to the Octagon® for every jaw-dropping knockout, lightning-fast dodge, and emotional victory celebration.
The high-octane video captures:
- Recreations of UFC events, showcasing the raw power and precision that makes champions
- Unfiltered athlete emotions – from the focused intensity before the fight to the explosive celebrations after victory
- Crowd energy that makes your pulse race and adrenaline surge
- Music-synced editing that amplifies every moment of impact and triumph
The post PARIMATCH REVEALS ACTION-PACKED NEW UFC AD CAMPAIGN appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Regulating the Game (RTG) has announced Evive Australia as the first innovation to take the stage at Pitch! – part of the annual RTG gathering in Sydney in March.
The event will take place at the famous Sydney Opera House on 9 March 2026, as part of the sixth edition of the international regulatory and industry conference.
Evive is an app designed to help people change how they play or seek support for gambling harms. Created by Sam DeMello, a tech specialist drawing on his lived experience of gambling harm, and supported by Jay Robinson, a safer-gambling expert with over two decades of harm-minimisation and prevention experience, Evive Australia aims to deliver personalised tools, resources and pathways for anyone seeking to reduce risk or access help.
“Evive brings together real-world experience, clinical expertise and technology to create an accessible and credible platform for change. Pitch! was conceived to spotlight exactly these kinds of innovations – ideas that challenge convention, improve safeguards and reimagine the future of regulation and industry practice,” said Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game.
“Evive isn’t just another app, it’s a bridge between lived experience, behavioral science and practical support. It shows that compliance and compassion can coexist, and when they do, everyone benefits. The app gives regulators and operators confidence in credible harm reduction tools, while giving people a safe, stigma free path to change,” Robinson said.
The post RTG Announces Evive Australia as the First Innovation to Take the Stage at Pitch! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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