Scientific Games acquires Sideplay Entertainment

Scientific Games Corporation has acquired digital content studio Sideplay Entertainment to expand its portfolio of iLottery content and accelerate the global market penetration of its iLottery business, subject to final regulatory approval. Since 2003, Sideplay has launched more than 270 instant win games for leading lottery and gambling operators around the world.

Through this acquisition, Scientific Games Lottery Group, which is the leading provider of lottery interactive games, mobile apps, player loyalty programs and other interactive products and services in the U.S. lottery industry, expects to expand its share in digital lottery markets while bringing Sideplay's library of innovative content to iLottery programs around the globe. The addition of digital game server content distribution technology to Scientific Games' existing digital tech stack will also allow for increased speed-to-market. As part of the deal, Steve Hickson, Founder and Director of Sideplay, and the entire Sideplay team will join Scientific Games Lottery. "We're excited to welcome Steve Hickson and the entire Sideplay team to Scientific Games Lottery Group to help us advance our strategy as a growth company delivering the best retail and digital content, platforms and game category services that maximize proceeds for our lottery customers," stated Pat McHugh, Lottery Group Chief Executive for Scientific Games. "Sideplay's highly-experienced digital game developers have a proven track record of delivering exceptional iLottery content to market quickly. We have already integrated Sideplay's digital games into our iLottery platforms, and combining their unique approach to game development for Scientific Games' more than 20 iLottery customers worldwide will accelerate our iLottery offerings for our customers and their players."