Interactive

UK – ZEAL Investments launches investment fund for online lotteries

By Phil - 23 November 2016

ZEAL Network SE, an international online lottery company, has launched ZEAL Investments, an investment arm created to provide finance and support to start-ups seeking to disrupt the industry status quo.

Characterised by its financial clout and industry expertise, the new organisation aims to help unearth new lottery business models and to give existing models a significant competitive edge by employing fresh, imaginative approaches and technology.

The ZEAL Investments team is led by experienced lottery entrepreneur James Oakes, following ZEAL Network SE’s acquisition of Geonomics in March 2016.

“With only five per cent of the $300bn worldwide lottery market currently played online, this is a huge opportunity for the industry to fully digitise and build more of a presence in the online and mobile spaces” said James Oakes, Director at ZEAL Investments.

“There are thousands of fantastic start-ups out there, all with their own unique ideas, some of which could really move the industry forward. ZEAL Investments has been set up to help these entrepreneurial companies achieve their goals” he added.

Mr. Oakes launched his first entrepreneurial venture with his brother Henry. The two researched the lottery industry in great detail and saw a considerable opportunity. Together, they launched Geonomics and in so doing created an entirely new class of lottery draw game, went through four funding rounds, secured numerous industry partnerships, and reached a valuation of £50m – before an eventual exit to ZEAL Network SE.

“We don’t think of our finance as just finance: it’s a vote of confidence in your company. It’s a sign that we believe in your offering, that it can make a tangible difference to the market, and that we’re ready to help you bring it to fruition” commented Mr. Oakes. “This industry is dying for some fresh blood and some new ideas. We’re going to find the most ambitious and interesting entrepreneurs operating within the market, and we’re going to give them the financial backing they need to thrive.”