The LeoVegas Mobile Gaming Group has launched a new game studio, Blue Guru Games. This new studio will be used to develop new and innovative games in the casino and betting markets. Their initial plan for the studio is to develop titles exclusively for Leo Vegas but they also have their sights set on offering unique games to other operators in the industry.
The new studio
According to their press release, the team at Blue Guru Games are planning to have their first titles released in late 2021. Leo Vegas has an 85% share of ownership of the new game studio through their LeoVentures investment portfolio.
They have a significant talent base behind the new studio. The team at Blue Guru Games has more than 20 years of experience in game development and they will be able to draw on the combined knowledge and experience of the rest of the LeoVegas team. The studio will develop and offer games both for the Group’s own brands and for other game operators. They have also stated that their entitled goal for the fledgling game studio is to produce at least 20 games in the coming 24 months through Blue Guru Games.
Comment from Leo Vegas
Gustaf Hagman, Group CEO, LeoVegas, spoke about their new game studio and the flexibility that it provides their company:
“For a long time we have created exclusive games with the help of external providers, but now the time is right to take the step to do game development entirely on our own. Drawing from our data and casino knowledge we will be able to drive innovation and create games that our customers truly enjoy. These may be everything from niche, local games for individual markets to broad international games. In addition, we will create games and unique characters that can be used in our marketing, which will build stronger loyalty to our brands. Having great flexibility in producing games is a competitive advantage, and it will also give us a new revenue stream over time.”
The future for LeoVegas
The new games that end up being produced by Blue Guru Games will complement the games from the other 60 casino game providers that LeoVegas has access to today. This is part of the ongoing plan at LeoVegas to expand their market share. They have also made some other major investments in recent months.
LeoVegas, through their LeoVentures investment fund, has invested €1.1 million for 25% of the shares in SharedPlay with an option to increase its ownership in the future. SharedPlay is a new company that enables players to share their gaming experiences with each other.
LeoVegas had also announced that they have acquired Expekt Nordics Ltd and related assets (“Expekt”) from Betclic Group. Under this agreement, they will take over all assets related to the Nordic facing betting brand. This new acquisition will strengthen LeoVegas’ brand portfolio with a better foothold in the world of sports betting, especially in the north of Europe. They will take control of the Malta-based Expekt Nordics brand.
