CMS advises Hard Rock Digital on strategic partnership with Playtech plc

International law firm CMS has advised Hard Rock Digital on its landmark strategic partnership with Playtech, the leading platform, content and services provider to the online gaming industry.  

CMS advised on the long-term commercial agreements under which Playtech will supply casino and live dealer table games for use on Hard Rock Digital’s iGaming offerings in the US and Canada, as well as internationally.  In international markets, Playtech will also supply additional software and services solutions including the Playtech IMS player management system and certain operational services.

Established in December 2020, Hard Rock Digital is the exclusive, global vehicle for interactive gaming and sports betting for Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. The deal, which also sees Playtech acquiring a low single digit percentage minority equity ownership stake, provides a platform for HRD’s online gambling offering, currently available in a number of US states, to expand into international markets.

CMS Commercial and Gambling Regulatory partner Anna Soilleux-Mills commented: “We are delighted to have advised Hard Rock Digital on this deal. Hard Rock Digital brings together the globally recognised “Hard Rock” brand, the opportunity to deliver a global omni-channel offering and an impressive management team.  This partnership between two highly ambitious businesses will accelerate Hard Rock Digital’s growth and expansion.  We wish them all the best.”

Congratulations to the CMS team, led by Anna Soilleux-Mills, with support from Alasdair Lamb, Eliza Cohen, Abigail Atoyebi, Coralie Barker, Daniel West, Emma Burnett, Hamish Temporal and Joanna Willems (Media & Technology); Joel Vertes (IP); Melanie Lane and Molly Grace (Employment); and Robert Willis (Corporate).

The firm has advised on a number of high-profile online gaming deals in the past year, including the partnership between the Pragmatic Group and DAZN to launch DAZNBet, the sale of Roxor Gaming to Aristocrat Leisure and LiveScore’s strategic investment from Ringier, all of which Anna also worked on.