GVC Group is about to be renamed

The international sports betting and gaming group GVC Holdings PLC has made a lot of headlines lately. It wasn’t until July 2020 that Shay Segev was appointed as the new CEO. Shortly afterwards, GVC managed to acquire 4 sports betting licenses under Segev. Now the group is facing the next big change: A renaming from GVC to Entain plc should be part of the new strategic plan.

As our Online Casino Portal recently reported, Shay Segev has been leading the GVC company as the leading CEO since summer 2020 and has not only been granted 4 sports betting licenses for the GVC brands bwin, SportingBet, Ladbrokes and Gamebookers, which is considered a major milestone , but also ambitiously worked on the strategic future planning of the sports betting and gaming group.

The strategic pillars represent the core issues of sustainability and growth. Among other things, in addition to expanding corporate growth in the main markets of Great Britain and Germany, other profitable, new markets are to be opened up. A joint venture with the US-American MGM-Resorts also contributes to the goal of gaining international influence and at the same time making the range of sports betting and gambling from the USA to one’s own advantage.

The development of new target groups is the fourth area that belongs to the strategic planning in addition to leadership growth in the USA, growth in core markets and the development of new markets. Especially in the area of ​​esports, GVC hopes to bring the younger age groups together with families.

The main rule for all of this endeavor is that only regulated markets are used. By 2023, 100 percent of the company’s income should flow from regulated markets. This value is currently around 96 percent and the 99 percent mark should be reached by the end of this year.

Renamed Entain plc as a symbol

GVC is now announcing its renaming to Entain plc in an effort to do justice to the global leader in the entertainment industry with sports betting and gaming. We are currently only waiting for a commitment from shareholders. This name change is also intended to be a symbolic cornerstone for the development towards social and responsible gaming. So, by and large, it’s about building a new corporate identity. According to CEO Segev, the company’s own technology platforms should also be used to create better dynamics. Particularly good player protection should also be offered in view of the COVID-19 crisis, which has led to the closure of many gaming machines and betting offices.

Player protection is becoming more and more important

Player protection really seems to be very important to GVC. The gaming giant is even introducing the Advanced Responsibility & Care Program (ARC) to bring gaming safety and player protection to an extremely high level. From next year, even key figures for responsible gaming are to be planned. In addition, players should be checked more closely in order to better understand possible damage.

GVC has made player protection one of its priorities in the past. As a member of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the group was very much involved in implementing the Safer Gambling Commitment.

But that’s not the only positive issue that GVC likes to advocate. Even the establishment of a foundation, the Entain Foundation, is to be used to spend around 100 million pounds (around 112 million euros) for social engagement over the next five years. A pitching-in program is also to be set up to support new athletes, local sports programs and the sports communities.