IMG Arena has entered into an agreement to acquire virtual sports betting and casino gaming provider Leap Gaming as it seeks to grow closer ties to the gaming industry.
Expected to close during H1 of 2023, the deal sees the sports data firm grow closer to the sports betting and gaming industry, having deals in place with MLS, PGA Championship, UFC and NASCAR for the provision of sports betting services.
Buying Leap for an undisclosed amount, IMG Arena will combine its Event Centre suite with Leap’s 3D and motion capture technologies to ‘enrich’ the fan experiences of its sportsbook operator customers.
Freddie Longe, President of IMG Arena, said: “When we invested in Leap Gaming in 2018, our aim was to create official products and unlock new revenue streams and forms of fan engagement for our clients. We are delighted to extend that partnership and officially welcome Leap into the IMG Arena team.
“The acquisition will enable us to build on the work we have already done with Leap to take the virtual sports experience to new levels and continue to enhance our sports betting content portfolio.”
Following the closure of the deal, Leap CEO Yariv Lissauer will become Senior Director & General Manager – igaming of IMG Arena, and his 58 staff members will also join the sports data firm.
Leap was founded in 2014 and has offices in Israel, Malta and Ukraine boasting 120 sportsbook operator partners globally.
Lissauer added: “Leap joining the IMG Arena business is a natural union born out of synergies in product, customer base and, most importantly, culture and vision.
“This will enable us to leverage our knowledge, strengths and resources to deliver an enhanced range of best-in-class virtual sports products.”
