Last year in July, the regulatory scene buzzed with the news of the Gambling Commission’s review instigated by FS Gaming’s bold move. Owned by Kenny Alexander, former CEO of Entain, FS Gaming had just secured a 6.57% share in the prominent gaming giant, 888. The acquisition raised eyebrows, mainly due to the ramifications it held for the company’s leadership.
Emboldened by the acquisition, plans emerged for a reshuffling at the top echelons of 888. A trio of Entain’s veterans was poised to assume command, an idea that immediately triggered the Commission’s investigative gears.
888’s UK Operations Hung by a Thread over FS Gaming’s Proposed High-Profile Appointments
A veritable shake-up was on the cards, with Alexander slated to step in as CEO. Alongside him, Lee Feldman, previously at the helm of Entain’s board, was expected to mirror his role at 888, while Stephen Morana was tipped for the chief financial officer’s seat. This switch-up had the potential to push FS Gaming’s ownership past the 10% mark, a tipping point that necessitates a nod of approval from the Commission.
Facing the real possibility of a negative outcome, 888’s very license to operate in Great Britain was on the line.
However, the narrative took a sharp turn when 888 pulled the plug on talks with FS Gaming. The writing was on the wall — the proposed changes were unlikely to get the green light, putting 888’s valuable UK licenses in jeopardy. Hence, the dialogue was abruptly halted.
Today, 888 emerged with a somewhat triumphant note, as it announced the Commission’s decision to refrain from any punitive measures. In their statement, 888 has breathed a collective sigh of relief, disclosing, “The Commission has concluded the licence review without imposing any licence conditions, financial penalties or other remedies on the group after being satisfied that the risk to the licensing objectives under the Gambling Act that led to the review have been appropriately managed and adequately mitigated,” 888 said.
Matching 888’s relief, the Commission also confirmed its stance, indicating that since the proposed managerial changes were no longer on the table, the review could be discontinued with no further action against 888’s operating license. Compare Our Top-Rated Online Casinos where you can find Casino 888, Rizk, LeoVegas, Casumo and more.
“We understand from 888 Holdings the management proposals put forward by the new shareholders are no longer being pursued and have not been for some time,” the Commission relayed to iGB. They further clarified that given the circumstances, it was unnecessary to pass judgment or assess the suitability of the individuals initially proposed, thus closing the case on 888 Holdings.
Commission’s Worry Over GVC’s Past Investigated by HMRC
The undercurrents of the Commission’s concerns can be traced back to GVC — now rebranded as Entain — and its prior activities in Turkey, which had attracted HMRC’s scrutiny. During this period of unease, 888 expressed that FS Gaming had come up short in offering assurances to placate these worries, leading to the regulatory review under Section 116 (2)(c)(ii) of the Gambling Act 2005.
Since the launch of the review, the HMRC investigation into GVC’s Turkish dealings has reached a resolution. Entain has concurred to a significant settlement with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), including a hefty financial penalty and disgorgement of profits amounting to a staggering £585.0m, along with additional contributions to charitable causes and covering costs of the CPS and HMRC.
Interestingly, 888 hasn’t divulged whether Entain’s settlement has influenced the Commission’s decision to stand down following the review.
Resolution Reached in GVC’s Former Turkish Operations Case
The chapter on Turkey has now turned its last page, with Entain shouldering the costs in its 2023 financial statements, resulting in a substantial loss of £936.5m for the year. However, this closing of one chapter marks the beginning of another for 888, who can now look forward to steering their operations minus the looming shadow of regulatory repercussions.
The Intricacies of Turkey’s Case: Unearthing the Details
When we delve into the complexity of the situation in Turkey, we encounter allegations that could potentially invoke section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010. Entain, with a keen eye on the past, has acknowledged that certain discrepancies may be rooted in the actions of erstwhile third-party collaborators and employees. This murky past has not been overlooked by 888’s vigilant board, which assessed all conceivable threats linked to the investigation, gleaning insights from bygone negotiations between giants William Hill and Paf as they joined forces back in 2012 to acquire Sportingbet.
The terms of the acquisition were such that William Hill took control of the Australian wing and also got a call option for Sportingbet’s Spanish business. Meanwhile, GVC assumed the helm for the remaining portfolio, with Turkey being a significant piece of the pie. The Turkish entity, known as Headlong Limited, was eventually offloaded to Ropso Malta come 2017. To expedite this transaction and dodge regulatory snags, a whopping €150 million earn-out was generously cast aside. GVC, since rebranded, has firmly refuted any suggestion that it reaped benefits from Headlong post-sale, especially after a conspicuous denial in July 2019. Best review on gambleverdict.com.
Yet, a mere year later, the HMRC’s probe surfaced, pinpointing “potential corporate offending”, thereby expanding an investigation that originally commenced around the same time the aforementioned earn-out was dismissed in November 2019. This development coincided with the sudden departure of GVC CEO Alexander, further stirring the pot.
Charting the Course for 888 Amidst Uncertainty
For 888, this revelation may indeed be a silver lining as it strives to navigate through turbulent waters after a challenging year. Eyes are on new CEO Per Widerström, who is expected to unveil a strategic course correction any moment now.
A sobering 8% dip in revenue, amounting to £1.71 billion for 2023, was disclosed in a recent trading update, with bated breaths awaiting the detailed financial report next week. Furthermore, 888 has intimated plans for streamlining its workforce, with the objective to sharpen its focus on long-term goals, though specifics on which departments might be impacted remain undisclosed, according to a statement to iGB by 888.
Is 888 Retreating from the U.S. Market?
Moreover, 888 has initiated a strategic evaluation of its consumer business in the U.S. this month. This could potentially culminate in a partial or complete sell-off of that segment. As the company contemplates a structured withdrawal from U.S. consumer markets or other significant strategic maneuvers, it maintains that this review will not affect its ongoing B2B ventures stateside. Check our Expert Online Casino Reviews.
As of now, no finite conclusion has been reached regarding the review. However, stakeholders are likely to receive a comprehensive update during the full-year earnings report next week.
In a move that aligns with the ongoing strategic review, 888 has made the decision to part ways with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), agreeing to a settlement that could amount to $50 million, to be paid in two installments. This separation effectively ends 888’s previous arrangement to manage sportsbooks and online gaming platforms under the prestigious Sports Illustrated brand.