Virgin Games Acquired By Gamesys Group

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In a joint statement released on Monday, January 7, Gamesys and Virgin Games confirmed that the Gamesys group had acquired Virgin Games. The consideration at which the transaction took place was not disclosed. Virgin Games was owned by Virgin of Sir Richard Branson fame. It had a spectacular launch in London in 2004. Virgin Games offers an online casino, an online poker room and an online bingo hall. Gaming content from the leading software providers like WagerWorks and Microgaming is offered at Virgin Casino. At its web site, Virgin Casino had referred to a makeover but no mention was made of it being acquired.

The joint statement further revealed that Gamesys would continue using the Virgin brand and would leverage the brand equity to internationally develop social and real money gaming options. In the social gaming arena, Gamesys already has a partnership with Facebook for the Bingo Freindzy and Slots Friendzy online gambling project in the United Kingdom. The announcement will be followed by a consultative process in which the two companies will work out the details of the changes. For example, since Gamesys has a large and highly experienced staff it may not retain all Virgin Games personnel. However, it was revealed that Gamesys would alter the underlying platform to better integrate it with Gamesys’ own proprietary technology. Once these changes are done with Virgin Games will re-launch in a new avatar before the end of March 2013.

Gamesys has also shown remarkable growth in the industry. It was founded in 2001 by current chief Noel Mayden, Robin Tombs and Andrew Dixon, along with four software developers. Its flagship brand Jackpotjoy was launched in 2002. It achieved instant popularity to the extent that Gamesys was able to franchise 250 white label versions to many major companies. The Gamesys group now consists of Gamesys Limited, Mice and Dice Limited, Profitable Play Limited and Leisure Spin Limited. It undertakes its own software development and group marketing, and has UK and non-UK online gambling site operations. The offshore operations are based in Gibraltar.

In 2011 Gamesys gross revenues rose 27% to £ 125 million fuelling rumors that the company could be the target for a big-money acquisition by unnamed suitors. However, these rumors have been so far unfounded. In 2012 Jackpotjoy added sites in Belgium and Sweden to its Spanish operations styled Botemania. Botemania was launched five years earlier and is doing well in the newly liberated Spanish market. The Bingo and Slot Friendzy deal with Facebook also enhanced the reputation of Gamesys, which was already known for its professionalism and integrity-driven conduct.

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