SG Agrees Sideplay Entertainment Acquisition For iLottery And Content Expansion

Published: 26th August 2021
Author: Joe Kizlauskas
Last Updated: 10th March 2023

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Scientific Games has agreed to buy Sideplay Entertainment, an instant games studio, in order to expand its game content and advance the development of its iLottery platform.

The Nasdaq technology group chose not to reveal the financial terms of the deal, in which it will acquire Sideplay’s entire suite of +270 instant win games, bolstering its digital lottery services.

Sideplay is the UK National Lottery’s primary supplier of digital instant win games, and it previously had a commercial relationship with Scientific Games Lottery, which is the primary supplier of Sideplay games for Loto-Québec and the Pennsylvania Lottery.

Highly-experienced digital game developers

Lottery group chief executive, Pat McHugh said: “Sideplay’s highly-experienced digital game developers have a proven track record of delivering exceptional ilottery content to market quickly.

“We have already integrated Sideplay’s digital games into our ilottery platforms and combining their unique approach to game development for Scientific Games’ more than 20 ilottery customers worldwide will accelerate our ilottery offerings for our customers and their players.”

Following the acquisition of casino games studio Lightning Box last month, Scientific Games continues its M&A focus on expanding its game studio and content development capabilities.

SGC’s Lottery and Digital units achieved record results in Q2 trading, with revenues of $266 million (+27 percent) and $93 million (+27 percent) respectively.

Single vertical company

As SGC transforms into a single vertical company, the company’s leadership highlighted the value of the company’s lottery and betting units, which will be put up for sale as part of the firm’s “strategic deleveraging.”

Steve Hickson, the founder and director of Sideplay, added: “All of us at Sideplay are thrilled to be joining forces with Scientific Games, one of the world’s leading lottery suppliers.

“Our goal has always been to be the best at what we do, and this transaction shows that we have in fact achieved that level of success.“

About Joe Kizlauskas

Joe is a seasoned iGaming copywriter and speaker who has been in the business since 2015. He's written more words on all elements of iGaming than he likes to remember, and he's contributed material to a number of well-known brands. Joe may be seen playing 5 a side, at the gym or playing games on his Playstation when he is not writing.