Aristocrat reached an agreement to buy Awager from private equity firm Oaktree Capital Management. The deal’s price tag hasn’t been revealed yet.
Awager operates live slot streaming and casino gameplay platforms. The company runs from its Israel headquarters but has built solid ground across the US and Eastern European markets. Warren Steven joined as North American GM just last month, setting up the region before this acquisition news dropped.
The Swedish regulator approved Awager’s supplier license during Q2. That approval came months before Aristocrat entered the picture.
Why This Deal Strengthens Aristocrat’s US Position
Aristocrat needs stronger digital products for the American market. And they’re moving fast on it.
The supplier already unveiled an iGaming and sportsbook system at Michigan’s FireKeepers Hotel and Casino. This Awager purchase adds live streaming tech to that growing digital stack. It’s not their first expansion attempt this year – rumors linked them to an Interblock deal back in early 2025, though that didn’t materialize.
The timing matters too. They just became a Founding Member of UNLV’s new AI research hub last week. Digital gambling operators want AI-powered features, and Aristocrat’s positioning itself to deliver them.
What Changes Under Aristocrat’s Ownership
Awager will fold into Aristocrat’s existing portfolio once the deal closes. That should happen within the next few months, according to the supplier’s timeline.
The merger brings Awager’s streaming technology in-house. Aristocrat’s been overhauling its executive team to handle this kind of digital expansion. Former Catena Media CEO Michael Daly stepped in as SVP of Business Development last month. Dylan Slaney took over as CEO of Aristocrat Interactive around the same time.
These leadership changes happened right before the Awager announcement. Not a coincidence.
How This Affects Competitive Dynamics
Aristocrat picked up three Global Gaming Awards at yesterday’s Americas ceremony. The wins came just as they announced the Awager purchase – good timing for showing momentum.
Other suppliers will need to respond. Live streaming platforms have become essential for engaging younger players who grew up watching gaming content online. Aristocrat now controls both the content creation tools and the distribution channels.
The deal puts pressure on mid-size technology providers. If they can’t compete with integrated platforms like what Aristocrat’s building, they become acquisition targets themselves. Operators benefit from having fewer vendors to manage, but it concentrates market power among the biggest suppliers.
