Realignment with B2B Services
A transition phase has begun to facilitate pferdewetten.de’s finalization of the franchise contract and licensing for Happybet’s German operations. Assets not absorbed by the buyer will be phased out, marking Playtech’s operational winddown in the region.
Happybet has faced considerable challenges in Austria and Germany in the past few years. The struggles intensified in Q1 2025, when the company reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of €11.8 million, despite a 4% year-over-year increase in revenue to €18.9 million, due to rising operational costs. These challenges prompted Playtech to let go of its Austrian division in 2024 and initiate the German unit’s sale, signaling a retreat from B2C markets.
The divestment follows Playtech’s €2.3 billion sale of Snaitech to Flutter Entertainment. The deal streamlined the company’s operations, enabling intensified focus on providing B2B technology solutions and platform expansion. Shareholders have endorsed this shift, which prioritizes scalable software partnerships over capital-intensive retail ventures.
Pferdewetten Growth Plans
Düsseldorf-based pferdewetten.de—formerly sportwetten.de AG—leans on its horse racing dominance and 2022 retail expansions to absorb Happybet’s assets. The company remains confident in its ability to challenge established sportsbook rivals through its already established network. CEO Pierre Hofer confirmed, “We expect a mid-double-digit number of shops to be integrated into our network in the next three months,” projecting €7 million annual revenue and over €1 million EBITDA gains.
Hofer emphasized the importance of collaboration with Playtech for a seamless transition without disrupting operations or incurring additional compliance costs. The integration advances pferdewetten.de’s goal to surpass sportwetten.de-branded retail locations by late 2025 by merging acquired shops with its existing network of 240 outlets.
Broader Market Expansions
Alongside its restructuring efforts in Europe, Playtech is advancing its growth in the US through its partnership with Hard Rock Digital. The company intends to launch New Jersey’s first dedicated Trivia Game Show on the Hard Rock Bet platform. The real-time quizzes will offer Golden Chips and Free Spins as prizes, with operators customizing themes and languages through the Playtech platform.
