Golden Age of Sports M&A to Take Place Over Next 24 Months

2024-2025 Global M&A Trends Report: Positive Outlook for Mid-Market Dealmaking

By identifying these patterns, companies can proactively implement measures to keep players engaged. For instance, personalized recommendations tailored to individual preferences help enhance the gaming experience, while dynamic bonuses, offered at strategically timed intervals, can reignite interest among lapsed users. Additionally, AI-driven tools allow for the creation of highly targeted campaigns that resonate with specific player segments, increasing the effectiveness of retention efforts. Playtika expanded its footprint in the mobile gaming sector with the acquisition of SuperPlay. The $700 million upfront payment, coupled with performance-based earn-outs, could push the roobet deal’s total value to $1.95 billion.

Regulatory changes reshape the landscape

This enables them to cater to specific segments of the market and enhance customer loyalty. Furthermore, consolidation within the industry is accelerating as companies aim to achieve economies of scale and increase their market share. Larger companies are acquiring smaller competitors or merging with equals to strengthen their positions and leverage synergies.

For the year ahead, our new survey indicates that pivots, shifts, and innovation are the tactics most likely to be embraced by dealmakers as they adapt to current trends. For 2025, we anticipate that macroeconomic tailwinds will likely prompt increased M&A activity, building on the measured rebound we forecasted, and then experienced, during 2024. Unlike, the global trend of moderate deals taking place, India, since the start of 2024, revived from the sluggish 2023 M&A environment. Emerging players demand differentiation, focusing on niche markets or unique offerings to maintain a competitive edge.

**”Navigating the M&A Landscape: Key Trends and Drivers in the iGaming and Sports Betting Industry”**

• As technology continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing user experiences and operational efficiencies, companies are keen to acquire firms with cutting-edge platforms and solutions.
• This trend towards embracing digital transformation underscores the importance of technology in driving future growth and enhancing user experiences.
• Unlike, the global trend of moderate deals taking place, India, since the start of 2024, revived from the sluggish 2023 M&A environment.
• In 2024, desktop platforms command a 56.17% market share, but mobile betting is on the rise, boasting a projected CAGR of 13.87% from 2025 to 2030.
• Strategic acquisitions also enable companies to strengthen their positions in regulated markets.

Enormous amounts of investment capital have been pumped into esports in recent years. But the disruption has not really led to consolidation within the business—at least not yet (save GameSquare Esports’ recent purchase of Jerry Jones’ Complexity Gaming). Russo suspects some could take place within the next months, as businesses hurt by the absence of live events look to be swallowed up. Since 1985, the sector has witnessed 5,724 M&A transactions totaling USD 1.7 trillion, illustrating the sports industry’s sustained and gradual growth trajectory. The chart below breaks down investment flows by buyer region (Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA) and destination region, offering insights into where capital is being deployed, both domestically and internationally.

Winning strategies for dealmakers

Online sports betting encompasses wagering activities conducted through internet-based platforms and mobile applications. The platforms enable users to place bets on multiple sports categories, including football, cricket, and basketball, through pre-match and live betting functionalities. The digital infrastructure facilitates immediate access to betting options, real-time odds monitoring, and results verification.

There is no clear winner when we look at growth through mergers and acquisitions versus organic growth. For Lottomatica, this move allowed them to reach new markets and create a corporate powerhouse that could more easily provide lottery services to players all over the Western world. Tabcorp saw that the influx of off-shore betting companies could pose a threat to their business, and creating a large single entity would prevent this. Having a well-known sole betting service available could sway the public to trust their domestic company over the off-shore options.

The integration of different company cultures and technologies can spark new ideas and approaches, leading to innovative products and services that might not have been possible independently. Additionally, the acquisition of niche companies with specialized expertise can provide larger firms with unique capabilities that enhance their overall offerings and appeal to a broader audience. Additionally, there’s a growing focus on the acquisition of niche and specialized providers. As consumer preferences become increasingly diverse, companies are targeting acquisitions that allow them to offer unique and tailored products, such as specialized slot studios or platforms with unique betting options.