Key Moments:
- Jumbo Interactive completed the AU$109.9 million acquisition of Dream Car Giveaways (DCG), marking its entry into the UK prize draw sector
- The transaction includes AU$75.2 million upfront, AU$10.2 million in equity, and AU$24.5 million in earn-out payments
- DCG’s management team, including all three directors and founders, will continue through the earn-out period ending 31 December 2026
Jumbo Interactive Acquires Dream Car Giveaways
Jumbo Interactive, an Australian gaming operator, has significantly expanded its international B2C presence by acquiring Dream Car Giveaways (DCG), a digital prize competition platform based in the UK. The acquisition, valued at AU$109.9 million (US$71.6 million), structures payment as AU$75.2 million in cash upfront, AU$10.2 million in equity, and AU$24.5 million in potential earn-out payments. This move provides Jumbo with direct access to the fast-growing UK prize draw sector.
Strategic Fit and Growth Potential
DCG gives players the opportunity to win high-value rewards including cars, cash, property, and various lifestyle products. Jumbo characterized the deal as a strong addition to its growth and diversification strategy, strengthening its B2C footprint in the UK and enabling engagement with a younger, digitally inclined audience. The company emphasized DCG’s sound business fundamentals, outstanding growth rate, and attractive financial results as essential factors for the acquisition.
Leadership and Integration Following the Deal
Mike Veverka, Managing Director, CEO, and Founder of Jumbo Interactive, stated:
“DCG has become a trusted leader in the UK’s B2C prize draw sector, which is meeting the rising demand from younger, internet-savvy consumers seeking unique products in an engaging digital format.”
“Jumbo’s two decades of B2C success in Australia and its world-class software, marketing, and customer management expertise provides DCG with the foundation to continue its already impressive growth.”
Marcus Hickling, Director at DCG, expressed optimism about the new partnership in light of technological changes and increased competition. He said: “With ongoing changes in technology and increased competition in the prize draw space, I’m pleased that DCG will be part of Jumbo.” The entire DCG leadership team, comprising the three directors and founders, will remain with the company throughout the earn-out period, set to conclude on 31 December 2026. They will report directly to Tam Watson, who heads UK operations at Jumbo.
| Acquisition Component | Value (AU$) |
|---|---|
| Upfront Payment | 75,200,000 |
| Equity Consideration | 10,200,000 |
| Earn-Out Payments | 24,500,000 |
| Total | 109,900,000 |
Market Context and Regulatory Factors
Jumbo’s investment positions DCG for accelerated growth in the UK market, with plans to leverage Jumbo’s technology, marketing, and customer engagement capabilities. The platform’s appeal among younger, digital-native consumers aligns with global trends in gaming experiences.
The acquisition unfolds during a period of regulatory ambiguity in the UK prize draw sector. Earlier in 2025, Baroness Fiona Twycross, Minister of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, introduced a voluntary code of conduct for prize draw and competition operators. Notably, prize draws are not regulated by the Lottery Act, exempting them from licensing requirements by the Gambling Commission.
Industry participants have raised concerns that the growth of prize draws might impact traditional lottery revenues. Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes commented during the Betting and Gaming Council AGM: “We’ve seen the growth of large-scale prize draws, and that growth has been very significant.”
Financial and Strategic Outlook
Jumbo stated that the transaction is not expected to have a material impact on its full-year results for 2025. However, it believes the deal provides a significant opportunity to expand its B2C international operations, realize growth through technology and operational integration, and pursue a leading role in the UK prize draw market. The company plans to merge its experience in Australia with the dynamic growth seen in the UK.
- Author
Daniel Williams
