Bwin Acquires Italian Online Gambling Operator

Bwin Interactive Entertainment announced last week that it will acquire Gioco Digitale, Italy's leading online poker and gaming operator.

Gioco Digitale generated a total income of 20.1 million Euros ($29.4m) in the first half of 2009, well up on 2008, when it generated 13.7 million Euros ($20.1m).

The deal represents a significant gain for the powerful Austrian-based online gambling company, which has long set its sights on Italy.

Last January, Bwin became the first operator to receive permission from Italy's gambling regulatory authority to offer real-money skill games such as solitaire, blackjack, three-card poker, backgammon and eight-ball billiard.

Bwin, which was established in 1999, already had a large presence in Italy due to its sponsorship of soccer powerhouse AC Milan.

Italy is one of the most lucrative gambling markets in the European Union. The value of bets in Italy rose 10.8 percent in the first half of 2009, compared to the same period the previous year, reaching a total of 26.3 billion Euros ($38.5b).

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