Sunday, October 4, 2026

Scientific Games to Divest Sports Betting Unit

  • Scientific Games is changing its hand under new management.
  • The company is looking to divest its lottery and sports betting businesses.
Scientific Games/Design: Alex Brooks

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Scientific Games, a provider of gambling products and services, is making big changes under new management, according to Bloomberg.

The slot machine maker is looking to divest its lottery and sports betting businesses through a sale, initial public offering, or merger with a blank-check company. 

The sports betting unit of the Las Vegas-based company is worth just under $1.3 billion while its lottery business could be worth as much as $5 billion.

Scientific plans to shift its focus to physical and online gambling games. 

Since purchasing gaming device manufacturer Bally Technologies in 2014 for $5.1 billion, Scientific has continued to prioritize acquisitions.

  • Signed cross-licensing agreement in March with International Game Technology 
  • Used its technology to deliver over 50 million bets in April during the three-day Grand National Racing Festival in England, a 60.5% increase compared to 2019. 
  • Acquired SportCast in June, a London-based leader in sports betting player engagement.

Despite the growth, Scientific is more than $9 billion in debt — divesting its lottery and sports betting businesses could alleviate some of the pressure. 

The company generated $729 million in revenue for Q1 2021, compared to $725 million for the same period a year prior. Net losses reached $9 million for the quarter, compared to $155 million in Q1 2020.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark Out for WNBA All-Star Game, 3-Point Contest With Injury

Clark and Satou Sabally will miss the game with injuries.
Exclusive

WNBA Players Reject League’s First CBA Offer

Players felt the initial proposal wasn’t “entirely responsive” to their request.

Mercury Star Criticizes WNBA Commissioner Over Heavy Schedule

WNBA teams are playing a record 44 regular-season games this year.

Dallas Teams Ditch RSNs for New Models. Will Others Follow?

The Metroplex is a crucible of a broader wave of industry change.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Randy Levine on the Yankees’ $2.6B Apollo Deal and the Protect College Sports Act

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”

Female Athletes Rail Against Sydney Sweeney Nude Novig Ad

Pro and amateur female athletes say the spot sexualizes women in sports.
September 9, 2026

Prediction Market Ad Blitz Gets Backlash

Platforms are trying to capitalize on the start of the NFL season.
September 10, 2026

Novig CEO: Sydney Sweeney Ad Puts Us in ‘National Discourse’

Sweeney got equity in the company, and the racy ad went viral.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
LeBron James acknowledges the crowd's reaction as he takes the stage for the I PROMISE Family Reunion event to welcome him home on Friday at InfoCision Stadium in Akron. The event was hosted by the LeBron James Family Foundation.
September 5, 2026

LeBron James Jumps to Polymarket From DraftKings

His endorsement deal with DraftKings expired earlier this summer.
First at FOS
September 3, 2026

Three Big Tennis Tournaments Are in Prediction-Market Talks

Players are not allowed to partner with betting operators.
Aug 13, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; Detailed view of the NFL logo on the football during a joint scrimmage between the New Orleans Saints and the Jacksonville Jaguars during at Ochsner Sports Performance Center
August 27, 2026

NFL Won’t Reach Prediction-Market Deals Before Start of Season

“I would be incredibly shocked if anything at all happens this season.”
Sports are shown on TVs behind a bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in Ohio.
August 7, 2026

DraftKings, FanDuel Downplay Prediction-Market Cannibalization

Traditional sportsbooks have a new set of competitors.