Gaming

CIRSA demands that Ladbrokes offload stake in Sportium joint-venture

Thursday 02 de May 2019 / 13:40

⏱ 1 min read

(Spain).- Spanish business news source Economia Digital reports that Grupo CIRSA has sued joint-venture partner Ladbrokes (GVC Holdings) in relation to the ownership structure of its ‘Sportium’ subsidiary.

CIRSA demands that Ladbrokes offload stake in Sportium joint-venture

Economia Digital reports that, in July 2018, CIRSA governance filed a Madrid Court challenge against Ladbrokes stating that Sportium joint-venture terms and agreements had been completely altered by GVC Holdings £4 billion takeover of Ladbrokes Coral Plc (deal completed March 2018).


CIRSA, who in 2018 was acquired by US private equity group Blackstone, said that Ladbrokes can no longer fulfil its joint-venture role as its owner GVC Holdings is considered a ‘Spanish market competitor of CIRSA’.


In its court filing, CIRSA governance details that Sportium cannot maintain a 50/50 JV partnership with GVC Holdings, a company operating direct competitors Bwin.es and partygaming assets.


Blackstone and CIRSA Chief Executive Joaquim Agut have therefore demanded that the Madrid Court order Ladbrokes to sell its 50% equity in Sportium at a ‘fair price’.


GVC has branded CIRSA dispute as dishonest, underlining that the Spanish Gambling firm had changed ownership during 2018, forcing Ladbrokes to make necessary partnership adjustments.


When Sportium was launched in 2013, Ladbrokes consolidated its Spanish sports betting brand LBpuestas, while CIRSA moved to relaunch its Spanish market betting proposition under the Sportium domain. The operator has since expanded its betting network to +3,000 betting points across Spain, becoming the nation’s biggest retail bookmaker.


In further related news, Blackstone confirmed this week that it had acquired Spanish market fruit machine and gaming halls operator Giga Games, an asset that will be absorbed by CIRSA’s enlarged Spanish market portfolio.

Categoría:Gaming

Tags: CIRSA, Sportium, GVC Holdings Plc, Ladbrokes, Sports Betting, Sportsbook ,

País: Spain

Event

PERU GAMING SHOW – PGS 2026

17 de June 2026

APADELA and the Future of Sports Betting in Peru Following Regulation

(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During the Peru Gaming Show 2026, Gonzalo Rosell, President of the Peruvian Association of Online Sports Betting and Related Activities (APADELA), analyzed the current state of the Peruvian remote gaming and sports betting market following the implementation of the regulatory framework. In his presentation, “Current Situation of the Remote Gaming and Sports Betting Industry Post-Regulation in Peru,” the executive highlighted the tax challenges facing the formal industry and called for a review of the selective consumption tax.

Friday 10 Jul 2026 / 12:00

Beyond Compliance: New Challenges in Anti-Money Laundering for the Gaming Industry

(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- At Peru Gaming Show (PGS) 2026, Carlos Hermoza Horna, Founder & Managing Partner at CompliLab Legal Latam, delivered a conference focused on how anti-money laundering (AML) compliance in the gaming sector must evolve beyond regulatory obligations. His presentation highlighted the growing sophistication of financial crime, the importance of technology, and the need to build a genuine compliance culture across gaming organizations.

Thursday 09 Jul 2026 / 12:00

Matías Magallón, CEO of ALPS after PGS 2026: "The industry's conversations are becoming more mature"

(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Following its participation at Peru Gaming Show 2026, ALPS CEO Matías Magallón discusses the company's objectives in Peru, the industry's evolving priorities and the opportunities emerging across Latin America.

Wednesday 08 Jul 2026 / 12:00

SUSCRIBIRSE

Para suscribirse a nuestro newsletter, complete sus datos

Reciba todo el contenido más reciente en su correo electrónico varias veces al mes.