LCKY Group has entered into an agreement to acquire RoyalCasino, a Denmark-focused online casino operator, as announced on Thursday. This acquisition is set to bolster LCKY Group’s market position within Denmark’s regulated gambling market, promising an immediate increase in group revenue by 18–20% and a boost to EBITDA by 29–31% on a pro-forma basis. The move underscores LCKY’s strategic focus on expanding within regulated markets, aiming for sustainable growth in regions with robust regulatory frameworks.
Denmark’s gambling sector demonstrated strong performance with gambling revenue reaching DKK714 million in August, marking a 25.1% year-on-year growth. According to Richard Brown, CEO of LCKY Group, the acquisition of RoyalCasino is a strategic fit, enhancing the group’s competitive stance and offering avenues for operational synergies and long-term value creation. The integration of RoyalCasino into the LCKY portfolio, which includes brands like LuckyCasino, HappyCasino, and Vera&John, represents a significant expansion of LCKY’s footprint in the Danish market.
RoyalCasino’s local expertise complements LCKY’s international scale, making the acquisition particularly advantageous in navigating Denmark’s mature and heavily regulated market. The jurisdiction is known for its stringent regulatory oversight, which necessitates a strong compliance framework for operators. LCKY’s increased revenue share from regulated markets aligns with its broader business strategy aimed at building a sustainable and compliant market presence.
Per Petersen, CEO of RoyalCasino, expressed optimism about the merger, noting that RoyalCasino’s local market knowledge paired with LCKY’s global reach and industry expertise constitutes a promising partnership. He emphasized the potential for enhanced service delivery to the Danish customer base under the expanded brand umbrella.
Completion of the acquisition is contingent upon approval from regulatory bodies, with the transaction expected to be finalized in the latter half of 2026. Although the specifics of the transaction, including financial terms and funding strategies, remain undisclosed, RoyalCasino was advised by Partis during the deal-making process.
This acquisition comes on the heels of Denmark’s recent implementation of Spilpakken 1, a set of new regulatory measures designed to tighten control over the gambling sector. Key components include a ban on betting advertisements during live sports events, stricter regulations around outdoor promotions, and limitations on free-to-play bonuses. These regulatory developments present both opportunities and challenges for operators like LCKY, who must navigate the evolving compliance landscape while seeking to leverage market opportunities.
As LCKY Group awaits regulatory approval, the focus remains on integrating RoyalCasino’s operations and aligning them with LCKY’s existing business strategy. The market will be watching closely to see how the combined entity will perform under Denmark’s rigorous regulatory environment and whether it will successfully capitalize on the potential synergies envisaged by the management teams. The acquisition’s completion and subsequent integration will be critical in setting the stage for LCKY’s future operations within the Danish market.
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