The Visualize Group has agreed to acquire eCOGRA from Hanover Investors Management LLP, in a deal that adds another gaming testing, inspection, certification, and compliance (TICC) business to Visualize’s portfolio. The transaction was announced from New York and London and remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and clearances.
eCOGRA will continue under its existing leadership, with Chief Executive Officer Will Shuckburgh staying in the role. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in London, eCOGRA provides compliance and certification services for iGaming customers, serving suppliers, platform operators, and online gaming regulators across more than 50 jurisdictions, according to the company.
Visualize said the acquisition is its second investment in the gaming TICC space after BMM Testlabs, which closed earlier this year. Visualize positions the two assets as complementary, with BMM spanning broader testing and certification and eCOGRA focused on digital gaming. Visualize said both businesses will continue to operate as independently accredited organizations with their own standards, methodologies, and decision-making.
Will Shuckburgh, CEO of eCOGRA, said, “For more than two decades, eCOGRA’s mission has been to ensure that players can trust the games they play and that operators can meet the highest standards of compliance. As regulated gaming expands into new markets around the world, the demand for fast, rigorous, and reliable certification has never been greater. Partnering with Visualize gives us the resources to serve our customers better — to invest in our people, our technology, and our capacity — while continuing to operate with the independence and integrity that our accreditation partners and customers expect.”
Financial terms were not disclosed. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Greenberg Traurig advised Visualize. Macquarie Capital was financial advisor to Hanover and eCOGRA, with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP acting as legal advisor to Hanover and eCOGRA.
