Playtech has transferred its HappyBet franchise operations in Germany to NetX Betting Ltd, a subsidiary of Frankfurt-listed operator pferdewetten.de AG.
Under the agreement, NetX gains the right to negotiate new terms with existing HappyBet franchise partners, pending regulatory approval. Pferdewetten.de also acquires specific hardware from HappyBet’s German retail shops as part of the transaction.
A transition period is now underway to complete licensing procedures and finalize franchise negotiations with German authorities.
Good to know: Playtech confirmed that any remaining HappyBet assets not acquired by pferdewetten.de will cease operations and be wound down.
This strategic shift comes just days after Playtech finalized the €2.3 billion ($2.6 billion) sale of its Italian business, Snaitech, to Flutter Entertainment. The sale marks a key milestone in Playtech’s plan to realign its portfolio around B2B operations. As part of this transition, the company plans to return €1.8 billion to shareholders via a special dividend next month.
Playtech reported a strong start to 2025, with trading between January and April meeting expectations. Growth came primarily from its Live Casino and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) segments, especially in the US and Mexico.
However, the company continues to face headwinds in Latin America, citing regulatory uncertainty in Brazil and a temporary VAT charge in Colombia.
In Germany, Playtech has operated HappyBet’s retail betting shops since acquiring the brand in 2021. With this latest move, the company formally ends its retail presence in the German market as it sharpens focus on B2B growth and reduces exposure to European retail operations.
