WMS augments online gaming capabilities through Jadestone acquisition

WAUKEGAN, Ill. -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- WMS Industries has acquired Jadestone, a leading developer, publisher and distributor of online gaming content and entertainment for online game companies. This tuck-in acquisition is of a strategic technology enabler that augments and enhances the existing WMS portfolio of gaming content, online products and content distribution capabilities for customers looking to expand their brand with online interactive offerings. The terms of the transaction, which will be funded from cash on hand, were not disclosed.

Jadestone has established itself as a leading B2B platform integrator and online game publisher, serving customers primarily in Europe. The company provides end-to-end development and distribution services for casino games and other popular online games for a wide range of high-profile customers including Betfair, Betsson, bwin.party, Gioco Digitale, Microgame, Nordic Gaming Group, Paf and Unibet Group, among others. Jadestone offers games in 25 languages, reaches over 50 million potential players across Europe and, most recently, has become one of the leading providers of multi-player skill games in the newly regulated online gaming market in Italy.

Orrin J. Edidin, President of WMS, said, “With a proven management team and a decade of experience in development and platform integration for online gaming industry leaders, Jadestone brings a complementary mix of expertise and technology solutions to WMS. Jadestone’s online expertise accelerates our efforts to develop a comprehensive suite of interactive products, managed services and content distribution capabilities. Since their first foray into web-based gaming in 2002, Jadestone has amassed a wealth of knowledge, built a strong customer-centric focus and integrated their platform with a veritable ‘who’s who’ in the online gaming industry. Combining Jadestone with WMS’ internally developed solutions enables the near-term creation of a robust portfolio of successful B2B iGaming solutions that will help our traditional casino customers move forward with confidence to stay connected to their players, wherever and however players find it most convenient to seek out gaming entertainment today and in the future.”

Robert Henrysson, CEO of Jadestone, said, “We are excited to join WMS and take full advantage of the many new opportunities available to develop leading end-to-end interactive solutions. Combining our entrepreneurial creativity with WMS’ culture of innovation sets an exciting next stage in our business development. By integrating WMS’ great game content with our platform, we expect to create many exciting new ways to enhance our product suite and performance for our customers in our existing business while taking advantage of a much broader audience. We’re focused on applying our collective experience to the creation of great content, intuitive interfaces, rewarding experiences and social behavior for websites, mobile apps and social platforms.”

Edidin added, “Global gaming markets are rapidly moving toward content convergence and multi-channel distribution as consumers demand ready access to their favorite engaging entertainment content across multiple platforms. With our early stage success and growing experience in online and interactive gaming – through our award-winning UK-based JackpotParty.com online casino; our popular, player-appealing Lucky Cruise™ social casino found on Facebook; and, our classic slot content for mobile and other casual play users – WMS has established a successful online presence and proven track record of responsible gaming and compliance in regulated markets. Our more-than-60-year legacy of creating great games, which we’ve now demonstrated to work on iGaming platforms, positions WMS as a premier partner for casinos and gaming companies seeking a proven and integrated strategic approach; and to that effort, we recently noted our agreement to host an online casino in collaboration with Groupe Partouche for residents in Belgium. WMS’ focus on leveraging our understanding of players’ entertainment preferences with our expertise for creating compelling content sets the Company apart in its development of a technology and entertainment content base to offer value-creating online solutions that will help our customers unlock emerging online opportunities.”