Evoke, the operator behind renowned brands such as William Hill, 888, and Mr Green, has strategically acquired New Gambling Solutions S.R.L., the company that operates Romania’s Winner.ro. This move will see Evoke integrate its existing Romanian operations and invest €10 million ($11.12 million) for a 51% stake in the firm.
The acquisition will merge 888.ro with Winner.ro, forming a new, unified business entity. With this expansion, Romania will now become Evoke’s fifth key market, joining the ranks of the UK, Italy, Spain, and Denmark.
Per Widerström, CEO of Evoke, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, “I am thrilled to welcome Winner into the Evoke family… Romania has proven to be a dynamic and growing market for us. This merger will solidify Evoke’s leading position, and I eagerly anticipate collaborating with the Winner team to achieve continued growth, increased market share, and the delivery of exceptional products through our two strong and complementary brands.”
Nicklas Zajdel, CEO of Winner, also shared his excitement, noting, “This is a landmark transaction… Romania is a rapidly expanding market, and this partnership positions us for sustainable, profitable growth and market leadership. Winner’s strong leadership team, coupled with our localized strategy, competitive product platform, and extensive deposit network, lays a solid foundation for success.”
He added, “I am eager to work with the Evoke team to leverage these strengths across the expanded business, delivering enhanced personalization to our customers, driving our market success, and creating value.“