Evoke expands Romania presence with €10m Winner.ro acquisition

Evoke plc will combine Winner.ro with its Romania-facing 888.ro business. This, it said, will establish the fourth largest brand by market share (7%) in the region.

Once finalised, the deal will see Evoke own up to 57% of the business. The group can exercise the option to acquire the remaining stake three years after the acquisition closes.

Evoke CEO Per Widerstrom said the deal was consistent with its M&A strategy to combine low-capital, high-impact opportunities.

“We have enjoyed significant success in Romania, which is an exciting growth market,” he said. “This combination will cement a leading position for Evoke.

“I am looking forward to working with the whole team at Winner to deliver ongoing profitable growth and market share gains, as we deliver exceptional products through two incredibly strong and complementary brands.”

Evoke confirms Zajdel to remain as Winner.ro CEO

The Winner.ro brand was established in 2019 via an omnichannel approach that featured 20,000 retail deposit points. In the first six months of 2024, Winner delivered gross gaming revenue of approximately €19.0m.

The combined business will operate on the third-party Newton platform, benefitting from a highly localised technology, product, and player platform. Winner.ro CEO Nicklas Zajdel will continue at the helm. The business will join with Evoke’s 500-strong staff in Romania.

More details to follow…