I'll spend to get Sportingbet's US operations! - Ayers

The Costa Rican-based online gambling and entertainment group Bodog says that the acquisition of Betcorp's US-facing operation BetWWTS, is just the start of an ambitious acquisition trail.

Calvin Ayre, billionaire founder of Bodog.com, says, “This purchase, which speaks directly to the current strength of our business, is the first of many possible international acquisition targets under consideration. We couldn’t be better positioned to build upon our current success and growth and to continue our aggressive push towards international expansion into markets such as Europe and Asia.”

In the take-over, the Bodog.com Entertainment Group acquired the company’s international infrastructure, which includes its international customer base, a comprehensive package of gaming products, licenses, technology and the group’s offices in Antigua. The press release claims that the agreement is conditional only on the approval of shareholders and is another step in Bodog.com’s long-term strategy to expand its brand presence into international markets.

Bodog.com says its acquisition of Betcorp’s international infrastructure will also have many implications for the industry and its international player-base. “Our latest move has been part of our long-term strategy and only represents good news for the industry and for the many existing and prospective Bodog.com customers,” says Ayre.

“It is in times such as these that players gravitate towards the strongest, most successful and most reputable companies. We’re confident in the strength of our brand and we’re confident that our players are, too.”  There is added benefit in this deal to host countries such as Costa Rica and Antigua & Barbuda, as Bodog.com will be growing its operations in both countries.

Media reports this week that Bodog was interested in acquiring the discarded Sportingbet interests in the US for considerably more than the nominal $1 for which they were sold to Jazette Enterprises have been read with interest by the London market. The reports are that Bodog's Calvin Ayre contacted Sportingbet's Andy McIver to announce an interest, and that Ayre was prepared to talk in the millions, but the exchange was not fruitful.

Bodog.com employs hundreds of employees in Costa Rica and its purchase of Betcorp’s Antiguan offices will effectively save a number of jobs from being lost.

Back to Lastest Gambling News
Back to Gambling News Archive
Back to Gambling News - November 2006 Archive