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Degree 53 CEO launches gambling tech business after £25m investment from Betfred founder

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The founder of Manchester-based digital agency Degree 53 is to launch a new gambling technology business after securing £25m investment from Fred Done, the co-founder of Betfred.

Andrew Daniels will step aside from the day-to-day running of Degree 53 to take the role of CEO at Sharp Gaming, which provides a full suite of operational services for sports betting and gaming businesses.

The new business stems from Degree 53’s gaming division, originally set up in 2017, which has since seen over 100 staff contribute to building the platform.

Once fully operational, Sharp Gaming says its platform will offer extensive functionality to create digital and retail products.

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Richard Wagstaff (left) will replace Andrew Daniels as MD of Degree 53


Operations director Richard Wagstaff is stepping up to take over Daniels’ role as managing director at £3.5m-turnover Degree 53, but Daniels will remain a director and shareholder of the company.

Daniels said: “The online gambling industry works on various legacy technology and white label platforms that lack flexibility for operators when they’re ready to scale up. This is why I created Sharp Gaming to help leading brands to improve their processes, and provide products that not only offer a great experience to their customers, but the end users in the business too.

“The team’s effort to bring it to life and continue working on it remotely has been phenomenal. There are many more projects ahead and it’s only the beginning for us.”

Wagstaff said his focus at Degree 53 – which works with the likes of Hong Kong Jockey Club, French National Lottery (FDJ) and GBG – would be on “growing our reach, strengthening client relationships and helping to improve their products and services through our expertise”.

Sharp Gaming will share the same office but operate as a separate business from Degree 53, with some staff – including directors – moving over to the new entity.

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