While the economy of the UK is struggling to survive the effects of the global pandemic, it would seem that the only advertisers out there are the gambling firms, as several brands compete for the same set of audience.

However, when you take a closer look, you will find out that most of these firms are owned by the same corporations, as there are 6 big firms that own most of the betting brands out there.

GVC Holdings

This firm has its headquarters in the Isle of Man. It was established in 2004, and has developed into one of the biggest firms in the gambling sector of the UK. The firm owns a lot of high street sporting betting brands including Coral and Ladbrokes. They also own and operate the popular bingo brands Foxy Bingo and Gala Bingo, plus one of the oldest online casino brands out there, named the PartyPoker and PartCasino.

Flutter

The Ireland based firm is the owner of the very popular Betfair and Paddy Power sports betting platforms. Many people out there may try to see the competition between the two firms, not knowing that they are owned by one and the same company. The firm also owns the US based fantasy sports brand Fan Duel, and the well-known sports betting brand, TVG.

888 Holdings

It was in 1997 that the web based 888 was established. 888 Online was able to turn itself into one of the most popular online betting brands through its top notch digital advertising practice. Most of the biggest brands under the 888 Holdings maintain its 888 branding, and they include the 888bingo, 888poker, 888sport and 888casino. However, 888 Holdings also owns some brands that are not too obvious and popular, including the Wink Slots and Wink Bingo.

The Stars Group

This firm was established in Canada in 2001, and it owns and operates the popular and classy BetStars and PokerStars brands. However, in the UK, the firm is known mostly for its brand, Sky Betting and Gaming, which it acquired in 2018. Now, it should be noted that it was the agreement or contract with Sky Television that brought the SkyPoker, SkyBingo, SkyVegas and SkyBet to the limelight and made them household names in the UK betting industry.

The Rank Group

This is based in the UK and it stands as the oldest firm on this list. The origin of this firm could be traced back to 1937, long before the internet was ever conceived. This group undoubtedly owns and operates some of the biggest and oldest brands in the online gambling sector of the UK. The platforms include Aspers casino, Regal Wins casino, Mecca Bingo and the very popular Grosvenor casinos.

The Kindred Group

This was established in 1997 in Malta. It is among the biggest names in the industry and owns and operates popular brands like bingo.com casino website, the Unibet sport betting platform and the 32Red online casino brand. The brands operated by this group are more popular in Scandinavia, but that does not diminish their popularity in other parts of the world.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the online gambling industry witnessed a sort of a Wild West. But currently, that has given way for some form of consolidation and huge growth in the past few years.

Though better welcome bonuses and incentives may be doled out by the new competitors, many players prefer to go with brands that are backed by these big firms, due to the integrity, security, and reliability they think will be difficult for the newer ones to build.

Editing by Rachel Hu

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