Gaming Operator Bet-at-Home Cuts Workforce After Giving Up on UK Market

Gaming Operator Bet-at-Home Cuts Workforce After Giving Up on UK Market.

Costfoto / NurPhoto / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) recently raised questions about the legitimacy of some of Bet-at-home’s operations, leading the gaming operator to on the UK market. That was the latest blow the company suffered. It is now handing out pink slips as it tries to stabilize its operations.

Bet-at-homeThe Bet-at-home-branded stadium at Sports Zentrum in Austria. The gaming operator continues to reduce its footprint following a series of setbacks. (Image: Sports Zentrum)

The company announced on Wednesday that it expects to lay off 45 people, 43 of them at the office in the city of Linz. The company has stated that it has a total of 168 employees, 146 of whom are active in Austria.

Bet-at-home, founded in Austria, is planning further staff cuts in the country as part of outsourcing technology components. In addition to its troubles in the UK, it has had difficulty in its home country as well, leaving the market last October because it didn’t have a license there.

There are concerns that the world is entering or has entered a recession, and many gaming operators are feeling a pinch. Last year, the company eliminated 65 jobs in Austria after falling results and several legal hurdles. In Austria, the country now only offers sports betting.

Outsourcing Talent

The latest cuts primarily affect the IT division. However, Bet-at-home says it is confident they won’t have to spend much time looking for new work.

Now calling Düsseldorf, Germany home, the company wants to outsource the development and operation of the payments platform and its customers, and the online sports betting product. In addition, it wants to use outsourcing to focus on marketing and customer relationship management.

In terms of trading, the company expects positive effects from the restructuring. This year, the impact of the changes won t show in the final numbers. However, the Board of Directors expects an annual improvement in group EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) from €6 million to €8 million (US$6.13 million to $8.17 million) beginning next year.

EveryMatrix to Boost Bet-at-home

Bet-at-home has turned to to put the company back on track. The iGaming technology company will provide the operator with a turnkey gaming solution that will replace its current proprietary platform.

EveryMatrix will deliver a platform that includes sports betting and casino gaming, player and payment management, and affiliate software. The agreement covers Bet-at-home’s active jurisdictions, including Austria and Germany. However, the operator didn’t specify how quickly it would complete the transition and didn’t specify when it would begin.

The partnership also gives EveryMatrix more customers for its OddsMatrix Data Service. As the sports betting industry evolves, bettors want more information more quickly.

OddsMatrix offers sports data feeds and APIs that deliver real-time odds, scores and settlements. As a result, bettors receive virtually instantaneous updates wherever they are.

Bet-at-home needs to save money wherever it can. It still faces a lawsuit from former customers in Austria that want their money back. They sued the company after its departure, arguing that its illegal status in the country gives them the right to seek reimbursement for their losses. That amount, according to Bet-at-home, is around €11 million (US$11.22 million).

Article Sources
Galaxy Gaming to Provide Evolution with Live Dealer Studio Games for iGaming Platforms editorial policy.
  1. NCAA College Basketball Title Favorites Duke, Louisville Meet Saturday

Compare Accounts
×
Pennsylvania Casinos See Play Cool, May Retail Revenue Totals $292.5M
Provider
Name
Description
Nevada Congresswoman Dina Titus Writes Leagues About Sports Betting  VEGAS RESTAURANT ROUNDUP: Ta-Ta Twice from Tacos & Tequila, Ice Creamery Rises, Vegan No Viva  As Oddsmakers Predicted, Lil Wayne Pardoned, But Not Joe Exotic, R. Kelly, Bill Cosby  Chicago Cop Charged in Illegal Gambling Scheme ‘Tried to Kill Me,’ Girlfriend Says  Macau VIP Gaming ‘Back to 2013-14 Levels,’ Says Junket Operator  Pennsylvania Casinos Cool in April, iGaming Continues Positive Run  Google, Apple Allow Teens and Pre-Teens to Gamble and Visit Dating Apps  British Gaming Companies Under Fire as Gambling Commission Investigates VIP Practices  Greyhound Protection Act Would End Dog Racing in West Virginia  Adelson Casino Wages Ad War Against Pennsylvania VGT Expansion