Clarion Gaming Digital acquires Global Gaming Business
The purchase includes GGB magazine’s annual publications, Casino Style, Tribal Government Gaming and Progressive Products Preview (P3). The deal also includes GGB’s online assets, totalling more than 26,000 subscribers via GGB News.
The deal will extend iGamingBusiness’ and Clarion Gaming Digital’s global reach as the North American market enters a crucial phase. Clarion plans to provide its clients with access to a significantly bigger audience through GGB’s range of marketing services products.
Founded in 2002, GGB is a trusted title with a reach beyond sports betting and igaming into commercial and tribal gaming. Given GGB’s extensive US heritage, the deal will broaden Clarion’s ability to provide a comprehensive range of news, analysis and data across North America.
Data and audience development in the works for Clarion
The acquisition is a cornerstone of a wider multimillion pound investment to enhance Clarion Gaming Digital’s data and audience development.
Clarion Gaming is a division of Clarion Events, one of the world’s largest organisers of digital and in-person events.
The gaming division is responsible for organising world leading annual business-to-business events comprising iGB L!VE, iGB Affiliate and ICE. In total, these combined events attract 60,000+ gaming industry professionals from 150 nations.
Commenting on the acquisition, Alex Pratt, managing director of Clarion Gaming, said: “This is a major milestone for our digital business as we unlock the benefits of our investment. We are acquiring a business with deep industry heritage and with it the opportunity to build on their solid foundations in the US.”
Big plans for the US and Canada
Robin Harrison, global content director, B2B, at Clarion Gaming Digital, said the acquisition came amid changes to state regulation, as well as new land-based and online developments across the US and Canada.
He added: “We are delighted to seal this deal, which brings in new industry expertise to the team, expands our reach and consolidates our presence in a crucial region.
“We will build an offering that acts as the final word on key industry developments and GGB’s authority and relationships takes us a step closer to that goal.”
Roger Gros, GGB publisher and CEO of its parent company Casino Connection International LLC, also added: “We have had lengthy discussions with Clarion Gaming Digital in recent years and believe Clarion shares our passion and vision for serving our readership in a way that will maintain the quality of the publications for decades to come.
“As the gaming industry continues to grow in many different ways, our relationship with Clarion will make certain that our pivotal role in the industry remains unchanged and we can continue our important work going forward.”
Clarion Gaming Digital plans to further accelerate its North American expansion by leveraging unique partnerships on offer through the wider Clarion Events portfolio. This includes the DigitalPlay Summit at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention over 10-11 April 2024.