London-based Inspired Gaming, a leading supplier of server-based video lottery terminals, mobile tames and virtual sports, announced that it has bought out its 50/50 partner Merkur Gaming to assume full ownership of Merkur Inspired, a joint venture that has supplied video lottery terminals to the Italian market.
The new wholly owned VLT subsidiary will now be branded “Inspired” in line with the global brand.
Inspired and Merkur Gaming GmbH, a subsidiary of the Gauselmann Group, formed a 50/50 joint venture in January 2011 to supply VLTs in Italy. Through completing a 100 percent acquisition, Inspired has acquired all of the assets and fully incorporated them throughout its product and service portfolio, giving its Italian customers a fully integrated offering.
“This investment is testament to our ongoing commitment to Italy, which is the largest gaming market in Europe,” said Vitaliano Casalone, president of Inspired Italia. “With full brand ownership we can maintain and grow our leadership position, as well as fully integrate content and services across all platforms—from VLT and virtual sports across retail, online and mobile—enhancing performance and productivity.”
Inspired is one of Italy’s three VLT major suppliers, providing more than 95 percent of the land-based and online virtual sports. The company is the only provider that supplies virtual sports for mobile.
