Playtech CEO claims Hard Rock Digital can be a top five-operator in the US
Mor Weizer says tribal firm’s brand awareness and plans for expansion mean it is in a strong position to grow in the coming years
Playtech CEO Mor Weizer has suggested Hard Rock Digital will emerge as one of the five major brands in the US sports betting race.
Speaking to EGR following the release of the firm’s full-year 2023 earnings report, Weizer talked up Playtech’s relationship with Hard Rock Digital, in which it holds a mid-single-digit stake after ploughing $85m into the tribal operator last year.
Hard Rock Digital has had several key wins in the past 12 months, most recently with Florida’s Supreme Court denying a challenge to the group’s mobile betting monopoly in the Sunshine State.
Weizer said Playtech was committed to supporting the operator in the long term, as Hard Rock Digital looks to expand in more states and potentially internationally.
He said the Hard Rock Digital’s management were “very focused to become one of the tier-one operators” before praising the brand power the firm holds.
The CEO said: “The brand recognition and the brand awareness around Hard Rock Digital is as good as it can be. It’s an amazing brand. I think that they are extremely well positioned both in the US and other territories where they are intending to expand.
“The question about market share is for them – it’s not for us, so I can’t answer on their behalf. But I have no doubt that they will become one of the one of the largest operators among only a handful.
“I think that FanDuel and DraftKings have done extremely well, alongside BetMGM. But I think that there is still room for various other ambitious operators that will be midsized compared to the three big ones.
“I believe that, over time, there will be five major brands in the US, and I think that Hard Rock Digital will be among those, and this is why we are so excited about this opportunity,” he added.
Elsewhere, Hard Rock Digital is set to acquire 888’s US B2C assets in an undisclosed deal, bringing a swift conclusion to the latter’s strategic review.