Interactive
US – Boyd buys Pala Interactive for $170m
By Phil - 29 March 2022
Boyd Gaming is buying Pala Interactive, a North American iGaming software and services supplier, owned by the Pala Band of Mission Indians, for $170m.
Pala Interactive, founded by the Pala Band of Mission Indians in 2013, has built an innovative online gaming technology company that provides real money and social gaming solutions on both a business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) basis in regulated markets across the United States and Canada.
Keith Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming, said: “The acquisition of Pala Interactive marks the next phase in the ongoing execution of our iGaming strategy, providing us full control over the technology, development and customer experience. By integrating online casinos with our existing land-based operations, we will be able to further leverage and monetise our expansive customer database and the amenities of our nationwide portfolio of properties, driving growth in both our land-based and iGaming operations.”
Mr. Smith continued: “Given our nationwide geographic distribution, significant database and established loyalty program, it makes sense for us to pursue a direct approach with our iGaming operations. By engaging directly with our guests and having the ability to personalize the customer experience, we are confident in our ability to create a cost-effective and profitable regional iGaming business. While the acquisition of Pala Interactive supports our iGaming strategy, we remain fully committed to our sports-betting partnership with FanDuel, which has allowed us to participate in the nationwide expansion of sports-betting. We look forward to welcoming the Pala Interactive team to our Company and building a highly successful online gaming business in the years ahead.”
The Pala Interactive technology includes a player management system, casino, poker, integrated sports, social casino and poker platforms, complemented by a full suite of managed services. Pala Interactive currently provides B2B services in eight U.S. states and in Canada and operates B2C and B2B2C offerings in New Jersey and Canada, respectively.
“Our tribe was at the forefront in creating an online gaming platform,” said Robert Smith, Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians. “We brought together the best minds in the business to build and ultimately transact, what has become a very successful business.”
Jim Ryan, CEO of Pala Interactive, said, “This is the result of a considerable capital investment and lot of hard work by the Pala Tribe and Pala Interactive employees to build a modern-age online gaming platform and business tailored to the North American regulated gaming market. Boyd Gaming’s acquisition of the Pala Interactive business, positions the enterprise for the next growth phase, which includes the development and execution of an iGaming strategy for Boyd Gaming and a continued commitment of investment and development in Pala’s B2B business.”
The acquisition comes after Pala Interactive recently received its Ontario Gaming Related Supplier (GRS) Manufacturer License. Securing the GRS license marks another milestone for the Company in the North American regulated iGaming market, and positions the business for further growth in the Canadian marketplace.
