Playtech has kicked off 2025 with a clean break and a clear direction—B2B is now the name of the game.
In a trading update covering January to April, the gambling tech giant reported performance in line with expectations, driven by momentum in its B2B business, including standout growth in the U.S. and a crucial shift in its long-standing Caliplay partnership. The update comes just weeks after Playtech completed the €2.3 billion sale of its Snaitech business to Flutter Entertainment—a move that seals the company’s exit from B2C.
Now, with most of the proceeds going back to shareholders and just one consumer-facing business left, Playtech is going all-in on its B2B transformation.
Strong Start to 2025
Playtech pointed to solid revenue growth across its Live Casino, Platform, and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products—particularly in the U.S., where it continues to partner with top-tier operators like Bet365, Rush Street Interactive, and Hard Rock Digital. The company called its Live vertical a “key driver” of group performance.
CEO Mor Weizer said the first four months of 2025 show the company’s new direction is paying off:
“It has been a busy start to the year for Playtech as we transition to a predominantly pure-play B2B business… with a standout performance in the U.S.”
SaaS offerings, known for their scalability and lower overheads, also saw solid multi-operator and multi-region growth.
Caliplay Dispute Resolved—Finally
After years of tension with Caliente’s Caliplay venture, Playtech has now shifted from charging B2B service fees to collecting dividends on a 30.8% equity stake. The new agreement, which kicked in on March 31, ends the long-running financial spat that had seen Playtech claim €34.4 million in unpaid fees dating back to mid-2022.
With the service fees dispute now off the table, Playtech says the relationship is back on track—and more importantly, generating revenue.
Snaitech Sold, €1.8bn Headed to Shareholders
The sale of Italian-facing Snaitech to Flutter Entertainment closed on April 30 for €2.3 billion. Playtech plans to return €1.8 billion to shareholders via a special dividend of €5.73 per share on June 12.
Additionally, €150 million in senior secured notes will be redeemed ahead of schedule in June, marking another step in shoring up Playtech’s balance sheet as it sheds legacy B2C operations.
Only Germany’s HappyBet remains, with Playtech confirming that progress on its sale is ongoing.
Trouble in Latin America, But Outlook Remains Bright
Playtech acknowledged short-term challenges in Latin America, mainly due to Brazil’s ongoing regulatory overhaul and a temporary VAT introduced in Colombia. The latter caused a 30% dip in Colombian online GGR since February.
Still, the company sees strong long-term upside in these markets. “We remain positive about the opportunities these markets present to our business,” the statement read.
Playtech’s B2B Gamble Looks Like a Safe Bet
Between Live Casino growth in the U.S., a cleaner structure after the Caliplay deal, and a €1.8 billion windfall heading back to shareholders, Playtech’s reshaped strategy looks increasingly like a winning hand.
As it prepares to offload HappyBet and complete its B2B pivot, the company is making it clear where its future lies—and for online casino players and investors alike, that could mean faster innovation and more polished partnerships from behind the scenes.
