Private equity giant CVC Capital Partners is set to acquire 100% of Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) — a global leader in testing and compliance services — along with its affiliates, Worldwide Laboratories LLC and Kobetron LLC. The acquisition was announced via antitrust filings in Austria and Malta, with the process beginning on July 3, 2025, and set to conclude by July 31, 2025. The move signals CVC’s renewed interest in the iGaming sector.
A Strategic Acquisition in a Booming Sector
CVC Capital Partners, ranked as the sixth-largest private equity firm globally by Private Equity International, is acquiring GLI through its UK-based entity, Avalon Buyer Limited. The deal, detailed in filings with Austria’s Federal Competition Authority and Malta’s Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, involves taking sole control of GLI and its affiliates, though financial terms remain undisclosed.
GLI, founded in 1989 by James Maida and Paul Magno, plays a critical role in helping new entrants to the iGaming market gain approval from regulators. Often, regulators partner with GLI to conduct independent testing of gaming equipment and perform on site evaluations of gaming facilities. GLI’s testing scans for fairness, software security, payout accuracy, and overall jurisdictional compliance.
This acquisition follows a trend of private equity interest in gaming, marking the second time in the last four months that a PE firm has acquired a compliance testing company — the former being Visualize Group’s purchase of GLI’s rival, BMM Testlabs on April 15.
CVC’s Gaming Portfolio
CVC’s move to acquire GLI signals a recommittment to the iGaming industry, building on its history of strategic bets in the sector. The firm previously held stakes on the operator side, acquiring parts of Sky Bet, William Hill, and Tipico. In each case, CVC focused on increasing digital offerings for each platform.
By acquiring GLI, CVC positions itself at the heart of the industry’s regulatory apparatus — a move that signals a move away from operators and toward their governing bodies as the industry matures.
The Austrian filing notes that the acquisition “concerns testing, inspection and certification services for the gaming industry,” a segment seeing heightened demand as new jurisdictions, particularly in the US and Latin America, introduce stricter compliance requirements. GLI’s expertise in emerging markets makes it a valuable asset for CVC, which aims to leverage its global network to drive growth in this mission-critical area.
What Does this Acquisition Mean For the iGaming Industry
The acquisition of GLI by CVC, alongside Visualize’s purchase of BMM Testlabs, signals a consolidation trend in the testing and compliance sector. As noted by CC Melvin Ike of Visualize:
“the need for safe and compliant gaming continues to rise.”
This deal could enhance GLI’s resources, enabling it to expand its services and maintain its edge over competitors. However, questions remain about whether founders Maida and Magno will retain stakes, as seen in BMM’s deal, or if CVC will pursue full ownership.
For the broader industry, this move underscores the growth opportunities in the compliance space. As gaming markets evolve, CVC’s acquisition of GLI positions it to shape the future of regulatory standards in iGaming.
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