IMG Arena, a prominent sports data business, has announced its acquisition of Leap Gaming, a leading provider of virtual sports products. The investment aims to bolster IMG Arena’s sports betting content portfolio, building upon their existing partnership. By adding official logos, team names, venues, and branded assets, the collaboration has successfully launched virtual sports betting products featuring renowned entities such as NASCAR and EuroLeague. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory review, and is expected to be finalized in the first half of 2023.
Expanding the Virtual Sports Experience:
IMG Arena President Freddie Longe expressed his excitement about extending the partnership with Leap Gaming, stating that the acquisition would allow them to elevate the virtual sports experience and further enhance their sports betting content portfolio. The initial investment in Leap Gaming back in 2018 aimed to create official products and explore new revenue streams and fan engagement opportunities for clients. The union between IMG Arena and Leap Gaming will enable the companies to combine their expertise and resources to offer an enhanced range of best-in-class virtual sports products.
Leap Gaming’s Impressive Reach:
Founded in 2014, Leap Gaming has established collaborations with 120 sportsbook operators worldwide. Their extensive network and industry experience make them a valuable addition to IMG Arena. As part of the deal, Leap Gaming’s CEO, Yariv Lissauer, will assume the role of Senior Director & General Manager – iGaming at IMG Arena. Lissauer and his team of 58 professionals will join the IMG Arena group, contributing their knowledge and strengths to the collective effort.
Synergies and Future Prospects:
Lissauer emphasized the natural union between Leap Gaming and IMG Arena, stemming from shared product synergies, customer bases, culture, and vision. The integration of these two entities will allow them to leverage their combined expertise, resources, and market presence to deliver an expanded range of exceptional virtual sports products. This collaboration has the potential to unlock new opportunities in the rapidly growing virtual sports and sports betting market, ensuring an enhanced and immersive experience for users.
Integration into PointsBet’s Golf Event Centre:
Recently, PointsBet, a renowned sportsbook operator, integrated IMG Arena’s Golf Event Centre into its app. This integration aimed to provide users with an improved and immersive golf betting experience. Such partnerships and integrations highlight the industry’s recognition of IMG Arena’s high-quality content and its ability to enhance the betting experience for users across different sports.
The acquisition of Leap Gaming by IMG Arena marks a significant milestone in the evolution of virtual sports and sports betting content. By combining their strengths and resources, IMG Arena and Leap Gaming are poised to deliver an enhanced range of virtual sports products to a global network of sportsbook operators. With the deal expected to close in the first half of 2023, the future looks promising for both companies as they continue to innovate and shape the future of the sports betting industry.