STS seals deal to buy betting tech firm Betsys

Polish bookmaker STS has agreed to buy the Czech betting software firm Betsys.

Czech Republic.- Poland’s STS has sealed a deal to buy its main IT solutions provider, the Czech betting software firm Betsys, as it looks to continue its European expansion.

Betsys provides IT solutions for the Polish giant’s online and retail channels, as well as for Czech lottery operator Sazka.

STS controls 47 per cent of the market in Poland, making it the country’s biggest bookmaker. It began to expand into other European markets in February 2019 and now has a presence in the UK, Germany, Malta, Gibraltar, Slovenia, Slovakia, Iceland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Andorra and San Marino. 

The company has grown revenue more than 10-fold in the past six years from PLN 220million to PLN 2.41billion (€539million). It broadcasts nearly 5,000 sports events each month for STS TV.

STS said Betsys generates revenue of “several million euros per year”.

CEO Mateusz Juroszek, said: “We have finalised a takeover of Betsys, in which STS already holds the majority of shares. It is a significant investment which secures our further development. The proprietary bookmaking system, and the possibility for its in-house development, constitute a key advantage in our industry. 

“We have already been generating more than 85 per cent of revenues via online channels, so further growth in IT solutions is of strategic value to us. Only the best European bookmaking companies can boast of their own technology and platform. This is another area that clearly distinguishes us from other operators both in Poland and in Europe.”

Betsys CEO Jiri Najman said: “The integration of Betsys and STS is not only a confirmation of the high quality of our services but above all, it allows us to expand our competence in the sector of IT solutions for the bookmaking industry, which is growing dynamically. 

“Betsys, as part of the STS Group, is guaranteed stable growth and the possibility to create and develop significant competitive advantages for the bookmaker in terms of technology.”

STS is the official sponsor of the Polish national football team and the main sponsor of Jagiellonia Białystok.

The latest figures from Poland’s Ministry of Finance show the country’s newly regulated online casino and arcade verticals have helped mitigate a decline in revenue over the past 12 months.