Key Moments:
- Winvia Entertainment has begun trading on the London Stock Exchange AIM under the ticker WVIA
- The company raised £40m through its IPO, achieving a £205m valuation
- A voluntary code for Prize Draw Competitions is set to be introduced this year, with no immediate regulation
Winvia’s Market Debut and Strategic Direction
Winvia Entertainment has officially started trading shares on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM), under the ticker symbol WVIA. The prize draw and igaming operator generated £40m from its initial public offering, entering the market with an estimated valuation of £205m. The AIM provides a platform with more flexible regulatory standards compared to the main exchange.
Leadership at Winvia indicated that the newly raised capital will fuel expansion targets. The company aims to leverage ongoing consolidation opportunities within the competitive UK prize draw industry and anticipates that its public listing will enhance both its market presence and operational discipline for the future.
Company Structure and Brand Portfolio
Established in 2024 through the merger of Crowd Entertainment and its subsidiaries, Winvia has rapidly expanded its UK portfolio to include BOTB, Dream Car, and Click Competitions, the latter two of which joined the group earlier in 2025. In Romania, the company operates the Princess Casino and Luck.com brands, and also offers technology platforms and B2B services.
Executive Commentary
CEO Mihai Manoila described the stock market listing as a pivotal milestone. “We’ve built a profitable technology-led business across two dynamic markets,” he said. “Listing provides the visibility and momentum to accelerate our next phase of growth”.
UK Prize Draw Sector Trends
The British prize draws and competitions market has seen significant activity, such as the acquisition of Dream Car Giveaways (DCG) by Australia’s Jumbo Interactive. At the same time, certain stakeholders have voiced concerns about the sector’s lack of regulation. Currently, prize draws and competitions operators are not required to obtain a gambling license, a situation that regulated lottery operators argue gives rise to unfair competition and allows for varying levels of contributions to good causes.
Regulatory Developments
The Gambling Commission has acknowledged that Prize Draw Competitions (PDCs) might be impacting lottery revenues negatively. In July, gambling minister Baroness Fiona Twycross confirmed that PDCs will not face new regulatory requirements for now; instead, a voluntary code will be implemented this year. This approach matches the preferences expressed by PDC operators.
The minister of state for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport told the House of Commons that the voluntary code for PDCs would be introduced this year. She didn’t provide details of what it will cover but said the results will define whether the government decides to introduce legislation further ahead.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Ticker | WVIA |
| IPO Proceeds | £40m |
| Initial Valuation | £205m |
| UK Brands | BOTB, Dream Car, Click Competitions |
| Romania Brands | Princess Casino, Luck.com |
| Regulation | Voluntary code to be introduced this year |
- Author
Daniel Williams
