SBTech announces French market entry

SBTech is believed to have already signed up partners in France ahead of its launch in the market at the start of next year.

The technology giant announced this morning that it has “a strong pipeline of well-known operators” ready to use its services in France. iGamingBusiness.com understands it has already signed contracts with some operators and expects to take more of its existing clients into the market in due course.

SBTech cited strong growth in the market for its determination to make France its 21st regulated market in the first quarter of 2019.

“Our strategy is to enter every leading regulated market and 2018 has seen our presence grow significantly across key regulated and newly-regulated territories,” SBTech CEO Richard Carter (pictured) said in a statement.

“France has emerged as one of the strongest and most mature online sports betting markets in Europe, delivering consistent quarterly and annual growth.

“We firmly believe, however, that there is room for further growth and that the operators which are poised to integrate our platform and technology solutions next year will reap sizeable benefits.”

Third-quarter figures released by French regulator ARJEL earlier this month demonstrated a 28% year-on-year increase in iGaming turnover to €2.78bn and a 21% rise in gross gaming revenue to €271m.

SBTech is set for a busy few months as it prepares to enter re-regulated Sweden, Pennsylvania and South Africa. It is already live in the new legal sports betting jurisdictions of New Jersey and Mississippi, having partnered with Churchill Downs brand BetAmerica, and the Golden Nugget and Resorts Casino venues in Atlantic City.