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Las Vegas-based Scientific Games announced today that it will be selling its sports betting and lottery businesses. The sale, which does not have a buyer yet, is the central part of a decision by the company to focus on developing games and content for the industry.
The board of directors for Scientific Games has approved the strategy, which will result in a leaner company targeting internet games and content, enabling the company to expand into the digital market. Scientific Games indicated that it is ” targeting our digital businesses to be comparable in size to the land-based gaming business within three years.”
“[T]he new company will consist of leading Gaming, iGaming and SciPlay businesses, all of which have great momentum and will collectively deliver great value,” Barry Cottle, President and Chief Executive Officer of Scientific Games, said in the announcement press release.
Scientific Games And Sports Betting
Scientific Games joined the growing sports betting industry with its purchase of NYX Gaming Group in January 2018. The purchase included OpenBet, which NYX had acquired before the SG merger. This led to the development of the company’s OpenSports platform.
Major sportsbooks use OpenSports in various capacities, including FanDuel, William Hill, WynnBET, and Caesars. The platform is also used by sportsbook companies in Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Scientific Games And Casino Betting
Scientific Games is known for its production of gaming assets, namely: computerized and mechanical slot machines, electronic card shufflers, instant lottery games, and gaming terminals. After the increase in popularity of online gaming, the company added gaming apps, server-based interactive gambling terminals, gambling control systems, social gaming, and online sports betting to its line of products through various mergers and acquisitons.
The announced divesture of the company’s sports betting and lottery lines will free the company to specialize in igaming and land-based products.
Pioneer In Lottery Systems
In 1974, Scientific Games introduced the first secure instant lottery ticket, and quickly became the lottery industry leader in hardware and technology. Under their lottery division, the company provides lottery POS systems for Mega Millions, Powerball, and other popular games.
With their announcement today, Scientific Games is pivoting the company. “These steps will accelerate our path to become a content-led growth company focused on leading in both land-based and digital markets,” says Cottle.
