The Gauselmann Group in Germany yesterday confirmed the speculation which this newsletter published last week.
The group has bought software specialist Betcom. The British company is one of the most notable creators of Category C (AWP) products in the UK and has developed a number of winning games for reel-based machines and multi-game cabinets.
It is based close to Birmingham, within reach of Gauselmann Group’s other UK software development house at Blueprint Gaming, which is based in Newark, Nottinghamshire.
Gauselmann said: “The Betcom acquisition moves the positioning of the Gauselmann Group in the UK market further forward. The group is active in both the arcade and bingo segments as well as the pub market thanks to the acquisition of Praesepe (2012), the adult gaming centres operator, and participation in Sceptre Leisure (2013), the major pub operator.”
The company added: “Betcom opens up new perspectives for market development in the UK and beyond. Thus, a global network of 16 development teams is constantly working on new content for gaming entertainment made by Gauselmann.”
Board member Jürgen Stühmeyer said: “Alongside the increase in development capacities, this acquisition mainly offers important new synergy effects and expansion possibilities with the know-how that is already available at Blueprint Gaming.”
The managing director of Gauslemann’s UK subsidiary, Blueprint Gaming, Simon Barff, welcomed the acquisition of Betcom as “a key part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its position in the UK machines market. Betcom’s track record in the development of Category C games is second to none and adding their creative skills to our content portfolio will strengthen the market development of Gauselmann product in the key Category C sectors within the pub, AGC and bingo markets.”
The managing director at Betcom, Alastair Harris, said that he was proud that the company was to join forces with the “internationally active Gauselmann Group.” He added: “This is a great opportunity for Betcom to advance its own expansion and develop new market potential. I believe that this partnership will in future offer enormous growth opportunities for the company.”
