Playtech is now firmly established as one of the world’s leading iGaming software suppliers. The company was founded in 1999 by an Israeli entrepreneur named Teddy Sagi. Since day one, Sagi and Playtech have sought to deliver best-in-class iGaming experiences.
Playtech was initially headquartered in the Estonian capital of Tallinn. The company’s senior management boasted a wealth of knowledge from the iGaming, multimedia and software sectors.
Lift-off for Playtech in 2004
Within two years of launch, Playtech secured the first licensee of its iGaming software. In 2004, Playtech decided to launch a dedicated online poker network. The online poker “boom” was rife and the iPoker network was subsequently born. It would become the world’s most popular online poker network, with tournaments hosted across multiple operators.
Stock Market Listing
By 2006, Playtech was eventually floated on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. The firm was valued by the stock market at approximately £550 million. In 2008, Playtech made its first major splash in the UK and Italian iGaming markets, securing licences with well-established operators.
Sensible Acquisitions
Ever since, the company has made sound, strategic acquisitions. Playtech has brought considerable iGaming know-how and expertise in-house. Online casino game developer Quickspin was a major acquisition for Playtech in 2015, followed by Best Gaming Technology (BGT) in 2016.
All these acquisitions were closed with the aim of scaling up operations. Today, Playtech is a household name in the European iGaming market. It’s starting to make waves elsewhere too. Earlier this year, Playtech entered the retail sports betting scene in the US market. Playtech is now operational in 30 regulated iGaming jurisdictions and it’s also making inroads in Africa too.
Africa is one of the latest target markets for well-established iGaming software suppliers. With mobile devices and connectivity becoming ever more prevalent and reliable, iGaming is really starting to take off here. Playtech has been at the forefront of the iGaming scene in Nigeria for some time. It’s listed as one of the leading online casino providers for Nigeria-licensed operator, Betano, including popular titles such as Age of the Gods and Great Blue.
Immersive Gaming Driven by Popular Culture
Playtech was one of the first iGaming software suppliers to spot a gap in the market for branded, officially licensed slots too. In 2017, the company sealed a multi-year agreement with Warner Bros. This allowed Playtech to design and build a library of DC-branded slots, delivering omni-channel user experiences.
Playtech’s Evolution into a Turnkey iGaming Tech Giant
As the years have elapsed, Playtech is no longer a supplier of gaming experiences. It has since become a turnkey provider of all the underlying technology needed to run licensed online casinos. Whether it’s hosting services, managing payment and game networks, or marketing games and sites via affiliates, Playtech handles it all today.
The Playtech One platform is undoubtedly the firm’s biggest development to date. It brings all its pioneering iGaming technology under one roof. This gives operators the power to offer seamless play across gaming segments on any device. Whether it’s live dealer games, poker, slots or sports betting, Playtech One is a fully responsive solution. It also delivers real-time automation to enable brands to make sensible commercial decisions.
Playtech also has a reputation for its laser-focused responsible business practices. It takes its role as a responsible technology supplier with the utmost seriousness. In 2017, Playtech purchased BetBuddy, an analytics-driven portal aimed at improving the monitoring of bettor behaviour in real time.
BetBuddy is now one of the most cost-effective responsible gaming solutions. It helps operators to meet their safer gaming commitments using the power of artificial intelligence. This too is incorporated as part of the Playtech One package.
In October 2023 alone, Playtech penned new deals advancing into the Canadian live casino market. It’s also collaborating with brands in the Georgian and Armenian betting markets.
It’s very clear Playtech is serious about delivering complete iGaming solutions to change the fortunes of the biggest gaming brands in local and regional markets.
