Entain Extends Light & Wonder Contract
Leading betting and gaming operator Entain has agreed to extend its contract with software provider Light & Wonder until 2030. The renewed contract will see Light & Wonder continue to provide Entain with gaming terminals, which will be fitted across the group’s high-street retail outlets. The deal is significant for Light & Wonder, which has just rebranded from Scientific Games following the sale of its lottery business.
Entain and Light & Wonder will continue to work together until 2030. ©Pixabay/Pexels
New Slot Titles
Entain has renewed its contract with Light & Wonder through to 2030. The pair first started working together in 2018, when a landmark deal was signed with Light & Wonder. That contract was the biggest to date for Light & Wonder’s UK operations. Now the agreement has been extended, as the two gaming firms seek to build on their successful relationship.
Light & Wonder will continue to provide Entain with more than 10,000 terminals for its licensed betting offices, via the operator’s Coral and Ladbrokes retail stores. The technology and software provider will also offer the best titles from its industry-leading portfolio of games.
This will include titles from its Manchester Studio, which recently launched hotly awaited games like 777 High & Mighty. Players can also look forward to trying out the new Lord of The Rings slot, based on the global blockbuster which is currently being dramatized for TV.
Light & Wonder, the trading name of Scientific Games Corporation, also boasts a leading content aggregation platform with a comprehensive library of more than 3,000 titles. Entain will have access to this impressive asset, which includes titles from many of the top studios in the world. Fans can expect cutting-edge game mechanics and innovative features, alongside responsible gaming tools.
Retail Managing Director for Entain’s UK and Ireland division, Andy Hicks, was happy to announce that the partnership would continue. Over the last four years of working together, Light & Wonder’s UK retail server-based gaming solution has proven to be a great asset to Entain. Remarking on the success of the collaboration, Hicks stated:
“Our stores provide an engaging and differentiated experience for our customers. Light & Wonder enhances that with the industry’s best gaming machines backed up by a great range of leading games, service infrastructure and support.”
Long-Term Partnership
In addition to Light & Wonder’s technology and software provisions, Entain will also benefit from the firm’s highly regarded operational field service support, cutting edge content and dynamic platform functionality. New features include intelligent menu enhancements.
Top management at Light & Wonder were just as delighted to continue the partnership. Speaking on behalf of the company, Senior Vice President and Managing Director Simon Johnson had glowing words for Entain. Both firms are hopeful that they will be able to continue to work together long into the future. Johnson said:
“We are delighted that Entain has chosen to continue our partnership through to 2030. Our teams have more than 20 years of history together and we’re excited about supporting Entain through their next phase of growth and innovation. The future is exciting for both Entain and L&W.”
Entain is one of the world’s leading sports betting and gaming groups, and is best known for its portfolio of established brands. Amongst the most popular are Ladbrokes, Coral, PartyCasino, bwin, Neds, Gala, Eurobet and Sportingbet. Entain recently unveiled its futuristic new offices in East London.
The innovative workspace in Stratford can host up to 500 of the operator’s creators, traders and branding teams. The building has been designed to support collaborative working and boasts the latest technological advancements. The hub includes an e-sports player zone, cutting edge media studio and a sports café for staff to enjoy.
The offices also boast well-being and accessibility facilities, and will operate entirely on renewable energy. Last year, Entain committed to reducing its carbon emissions to net-zero by the year 2035. CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen is keen for Entain to lead the way in making the industry more ethical and sustainable, while helping to combat the climate crisis.
Company Rebrand
For Light & Wonder, the extension of the contract is a major gain following its recent rebranding from Scientific Games Corporation. Through creating a new identity for itself, Light & Wonder has sought to promote itself as a cross-platform games supplier for the global gaming industry.
Earlier this month, Light & Wonder finalized the sale of its lottery business to private investment fund Brookfield Business Partners. Talks that have been ongoing since last October have concluded, as the fund acquired the lottery assets for $5.8 billion. The lottery business kept the Scientific Games name, as the company rebranded to Light & Wonder.
Speaking at the time, Chief Executive Officer Barry Cottle explained the company’s new direction. There are also plans to sell the company’s sports betting business, as the company seeks to refocus its efforts on producing the best games on the market. The capital raised through the sales will go a long way to strengthen the company’s balance sheet and support its new direction. According to Cottle:
“The Lottery Business sale closing is a significant step towards streamlining our portfolio and strengthening our balance sheet as we execute on our strategy to transform our business with a singular focus on building great games and franchises to entertain our players wherever and whenever they want to play. The convergence of land-based and digital continues to gain momentum and we are strongly positioned to be a leader in the industry.”
Light & Wonder employs 5,000 people across six continents, connecting its land-based and digital channels with unrivalled technology and distribution. The company’s OpenGaming platform is responsible for powering the largest digital gaming network in the industry. Light & Wonder is committed to achieving the highest standards when it comes to promoting responsible gameplay and sustainable practices.
