Kindred Group has secured an expanded strategic partnership with Stats Perform, allowing it to access additional data and statistics for sports betting.
Under the deal, Kindred can utilise the full RunningBall and Opta product suite from Stats Perform. This includes a range of real-time official sports data feeds and statistics.
Kindred said the additional content will improve players’ experience when betting on sports via the Kindred Sportsbook platform. It added the expanded deal will ensure a “frictionless” in-play betting experience.
RunningBall from Stats Perform delivers official in-play sports data feeds. Meanwhile, the Opta brand focuses on player statistics across a range of sports.
Kindred’s director of sportsbook Andreas Reimblad said that the partnership will set new standards in sports betting.
“This collaboration is a testament to our unwavering commitment to building the Kindred Sportsbook platform with the best data available on the market,” Reimblad said.
“We firmly believe that Stats Perform, with its expertise, trusted brands, consistent and unique data points, will be an ally as we continue to develop and roll out our proprietary sportsbook platform.”
Stats Perform chief betting officer Andrew Ashenden also hailed the expanded deal. He said it will help unlock new value for both Kindred and Stats Perform.
“This new agreement deepens a long-standing and highly productive partnership with Kindred,” Ashenden said. “We are excited to help take Kindred to great heights through our market leading, built-for betting RunningBall and Opta products.
“We are delighted that Kindred recognise the value we will unlock together in this exciting new partnership.”
FDJ eyes Kindred acquisition
The deal comes after new broke last week of La Française des Jeux (FDJ) tabling an offer to acquire Kindred. The proposed offer from French lottery and gaming giant FDJ is valued at SEK27.96bn (£2.10bn/€2.48bn/$2.68bn).
Kindred “unanimously” recommended shareholders accept the offer, with an acceptance to begin on or around 20 February and expire on 19 November. Five key Kindred shareholders, which collectively hold 27.9% of all shares, have undertaken to support the offer.
The deal, however, remains subject to a host of closing conditions. These include 90% of Kindred shareholders accepting the offer, regulatory approvals and no other party tabling an improved proposal.
FDJ said the deal would create the second largest operator in Europe’s gaming sector. It added the combination would result in a “European gaming champion” with stronger revenue and earnings growth.
Kindred expects revenue and EBITDA growth in 2023
After the offer was confirmed, Kindred also posted a preliminary set of results for its 2023 financial year. These reveal an expected rise in both revenue and underlying EBITDA during the 12-month period.
The update shows revenue of £1.21bn, which would be 13.3% more than £1.07bn in 2022. Gross winnings revenue from B2C activities is set to increase 12.4% to £1.17bn. Meanwhile, Kindred said other revenue from the B2B segment will rise 49.6% to £38.6m.
Revenue growth meant more spend on sales, with total cost here rising 9.5% to £530.7m.
However, such is the expected impact of revenue growth that underlying EBITDA for the year is set to hit £204.5m. This, Kindred says, will be 58.3% higher than 2022.
FDJ also published a trading update in the wake of the offer. This revealed a 6.5% increase in revenue.
