Wilderland

How to play Wilderland

“As the category continues to grow, robust integrity safeguards are not simply optional; they are foundational,” Sean Conroy, EVP of rights and partnerships at Genius Sports, said of the launch.

“By bringing together official data, live streaming, league IP, integrity services and the reach of our Legend media network, we are helping Polymarket deliver a differentiated and trusted experience for sports fans across the US.” 

Genius signed deals with both Polymarket and Kalshi in August, to provide real-time event data and league integrity services, as well as streaming services. Fellow data provider Sportradar also announced similar multi-year partnerships with both Kalshi and Polymarket in June. 

How to play Wilderland

The development marks a significant move by Merkur to expand its footprint within the French regulated gambling market.

On 27 August, Merkur signed a put option agreement with GPG Groupe Philippe Ginestet and DOFA, enabling the purchase of Casigrangi.

Casigrangi is the parent company of the Le Stelsia casino group, which operates seven small to mid-sized casinos across France along with related hospitality, restaurant and entertainment businesses. 

What is Wilderland?

“That combination of proven profitability, established market share and continuity of management materially reduces the execution risk you would normally associate with re-entering a consumer-facing business.”

But, as Robinson warns, the opportunity to enter Africa doesn’t come without challenges.

“It’s profitable, it’s growing and it was for sale from a distressed vendor,” he says. “That combination rarely appears in regulated Europe, where scaling a B2C brand means paying up for customers against Flutter and Entain on thin margins.