Hanzbet merges with BigBet following clash with licence owner
Summary
After a dispute with its Brazil licence holder EA Entretenimento e Esportes Ltda (EA) that briefly halted operations, Hanzbet has entered a strategic partnership with BigBet to operate jointly in Brazil. The move formalises Hanzbet operating alongside one of the three brands under Big Brazil’s licence, which also holds Apostar and Caesars Sportsbook. Both companies say the merger will strengthen their regulated-market presence; further operational details will be announced soon.
Source
Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/strategy/ma/hanzbet-bigbet-partnership-licence-holder-clash/
Key Points
- • Hanzbet ceased operations earlier in July after a conflict with its licence holder EA.
- • Hanzbet has agreed to operate alongside BigBet, part of Big Brazil’s licence group.
- • Big Brazil also licences Apostar and Caesars Sportsbook in Brazil.
- • Founder Eduardo Peres accused EA of excluding Hanzbet teams from communications, diverting customers to BateuBet and withdrawing liquidity, which allegedly blocked withdrawals.
- • Hanzbet’s leadership say the brand retains credibility and will continue under the new partnership; the exact operational structure is not yet clear.
- • Both companies stress commitments to compliance and responsible gaming and will share more details soon.
Content Summary
Hanzbet announced a strategic partnership with BigBet following a high-profile dispute with its Brazilian licence holder, EA. The disagreement led to Hanzbet temporarily halting operations; founder and CMO Eduardo Peres said he and his team were removed from internal channels and accused EA of steering users to another of its brands, BateuBet, and of withdrawing liquidity that prevented customer withdrawals. iGB contacted both Hanzbet and EA for comment but had not received responses at the time of reporting. The new partnership places Hanzbet under BigBet/Big Brazil’s operational umbrella in the regulated Brazilian market, though whether Hanzbet will be fully absorbed or operate as a distinct brand within BigBet’s licence framework remains to be clarified.
Context and Relevance
The story is relevant to operators, affiliates and regulators watching Brazil’s fast-evolving regulated betting market. It highlights the influence licence holders exert and the operational risks brands face when those relationships break down. The deal also points to consolidation under big licence groups like Big Brazil and may affect how other operators structure local partnerships to protect customers, liquidity and compliance obligations.
Why should I read this?
Because this is a neat snapshot of how messy licence relationships can get in Brazil — and how a brand can survive (and even reboot) by teaming up with a stronger licence holder. If you work in iGaming, payments or compliance, this saves you scrolling through LinkedIn drama: Hanzbet’s back in play, but keep an eye out for the operational fine print coming soon.
Source
Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/strategy/ma/hanzbet-bigbet-partnership-licence-holder-clash/