Sisal Group to Separate Payments Division from Gaming Operations

The Italian lottery and gaming business, Sisal Group, has declared its intention to separate its payments division, Mooney Group, from its consumer-facing gaming operations.

Sisal presently holds a 70% stake in Mooney Group, but these shares will be transferred to a new holding company, SG2 S.p.A, which will be under the ownership of CVC Capital Partners, the private equity firm that currently owns Sisal.

The remaining consumer-facing gaming business, currently under the control of Sisal S.p.A, will be transferred to Sisal Group. At present, Sisal Group serves as the parent company for both Sisal S.p.A and Mooney Group.

The separation is anticipated to be finalized in November 2021, and Sisal is seeking approval from regulatory authorities.

This news comes as Sisal aims to secure the bid for the fourth UK National Lottery license, having entered the bidding process in April. The operator is participating in the bidding process in partnership with telecommunications giant BT, with the goal of utilizing new technologies to enhance the appeal of lottery games.

The UK Gambling Commission initiated the bidding process for the fourth license in August 2020, with the objective of announcing a preferred applicant in September 2021.

The Sazka Group, a prominent European lottery and gaming enterprise, was the initial entity to express interest in obtaining the license in October 2020. Shortly thereafter, Sugal & Damani, India’s leading lottery company, also indicated their desire for the license. The current license holder, Camelot, concluded the inquiries in October but did not disclose their intentions regarding retaining the license.