Belgian gambling group Gaming1 has taken full ownership of Pac-Man NV, the company behind Carousel Group, adding another licensed online casino operation to its domestic portfolio.
The Liège-based company acquired 100% of Pac-Man NV’s shares on 22 September for an undisclosed amount. Gaming1 and Carousel have worked together since 2012, turning a partnership of more than a decade into full ownership.
The transaction gives Gaming1 control of Pac-Man NV’s Belgian gaming licence and digital portfolio. The acquired activities are being incorporated into Gaming1 immediately, while no employees will transfer between the businesses as part of the deal. The companies’ existing teams will instead cooperate on the integration.
Gaming1 said the acquisition forms part of its strategy to strengthen its digital position in Belgium while developing a regulated offering focused on entertainment and responsible gambling. Chief Operating Officer Sylvain Boniver said the enlarged operation is expected to broaden Gaming1’s digital capabilities and support its long-term Belgian growth plans.
Carousel’s move into Gaming1 also ends its previous ownership connection with the family behind Dutch gambling operator 711. SBC News reported that Pac-Man NV had been owned by the De Backer family, which also controls 711, as that group continues to develop its own activities beyond the Netherlands.
The acquisition comes as Belgium’s online gambling sector continues to expand despite tighter regulatory conditions. Belgian Gambling Commission figures show regulated online gross gaming revenue reached approximately €964.4m in 2025, an increase of 5.4% year on year. Online casino games generated about €554.1m, up 13%, while land-based gambling revenue fell to roughly €656.1m.
Gaming1 is already one of the country’s established online operators through brands including 777. By absorbing Carousel’s licence and digital assets, the group adds further capacity in a Belgian market where licensed online gambling now represents the majority of regulated gambling revenue.