Greek gaming and lottery operator OPAP Group has signed technology agreements with three major gaming solutions providers as it embarks on an aggressive growth strategy that will see it invest US8 million to improve technology.
The Athens-listed operator has partnered with Playtech’s BGT Sports division (BGT), Genius Sports Group and Novomatic Lottery Solutions (NLS) following a strategic review of its existing technology, with the aim of building “a world-class portfolio of products and services.”
“Leveraging the latest digital and technology capabilities is one of OPAP’s stated strategic priorities within our 2020 Vision,” OPAP CEO Damian Cope said. “After a long and careful review we have now identified how we intend to do this and with whom.”
Cope said the selection of these key partners demonstrates OPAP’s focus on working with the industry’s leading providers while also retaining an element of control and flexibility over the fast-moving digital world. “Our board of directors has also approved a significant investment in people, systems, solutions and infrastructure,” he added.
The Genius Sports deal, agreed with its Betgenius subsidiary, will give OPAP an integrated digital sports-book service with fully automated pricing for around 130,000 events each year over the next two years.
This will be supported by a revamped lottery offering from NLS, which takes over as OPAP’s key technology partner for numerical games such as Kino, Tzoker, Lotto and Proto.
OPAP will migrate these products to the NLS platform in 2018, and will also adopt Novomatic’s Player Account Management solution to help drive digital sales.
OPAP’s retail betting system is also in line for an overhaul, with Playtech’s BGT sports division selected as its key supplier of self-service betting terminals and a full sports-betting solution for its agencies network. The rollout of new terminals will begin in OPAP stores during the first half of this year, with an over-the-counter sports betting solution to follow in 2018.
Playtech BGT Sports chief executive Dr. Armin Sageder described the deal as “a milestone” for the division.
“We are proud to be supplying such an important lottery supplier with our solutions,” he said. “There are multiple opportunities to further develop our relationship as OPAP looks to enhance its digital retail offering, and we believe today’s agreement marks the start of a long and successful relationship.”
Shares in OPAP SA closed up 0.7 per cent at €8.26 per share in Athens the day of the announcement, while shares in Playtech plc closed up 1.9 per cent at 850 pence per share in London.
