Investment & Holding

• AL

  Alpha Merchant Bank

  Lagos, Nigeria

  Alpha Merchant Bank Plc was a Nigerian merchant bank that operated from the late 1990s until its license was revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on August 14, 1998, as part of a broader regulatory crackdown on distressed banks during the Nigerian banking crisis. The bank was founded by a consortium of investors drawn from diverse professional backgrounds including medicine, banking, manufacturing, commerce, administration, and law. It provided corporate banking, investment banking, and asset management services to a targeted clientele. However, the bank faced severe financial difficulties, leading to its collapse. Subsequently, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) was appointed as the official liquidator. Over the years, the NDIC has made payments to uninsured depositors and shareholders, with the latest distribution concluded in 2024. The bank’s operations have fully ceased, and its legacy is managed by the NDIC's liquidation process. There is no current active business, website, or leadership.

• 11

  111 Holdings

  Ta’ Xbiex, Ta’ Xbiex, Malta

  111 Holdings is a venture capital firm based in Ta’ Xbiex, Malta, founded in 2007. The company focuses on seed‑ and growth‑stage investments across a range of technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, fintech, entertainment, gaming, and clean energy. Its investment model follows a "Seed – Grow – Reap" approach, guiding portfolio companies from concept through scaling to structured exits such as IPOs or trade sales. Despite the inclusion of "gaming" among its areas of interest, extensive research confirms that 111 Holdings does not operate any iGaming or gambling platforms, nor does it hold gambling licences. The firm maintains a small team of between two and ten employees and does not publicly disclose specific portfolio companies or financial performance. Its official website provides only high‑level investment stages, with no mention of proprietary products or branded services. For a B2B news database focused on gambling operators, 111 Holdings does not qualify as a relevant subject company.

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  People Inc.

  People Inc. is a digital media company that operates as the publisher of a portfolio of lifestyle and entertainment brands including PEOPLE, Food & Wine, and others. Formerly known as Dotdash Meredith, the company rebranded to People Inc. under the ownership of IAC/People Incorporated. It focuses on creating and distributing content across print, digital, and social platforms, reaching a large consumer audience. While not involved in the iGaming or gambling industry, People Inc. has a significant presence in the media and publishing sector. The company's business model relies on advertising revenue, subscriptions, and content licensing. Its digital properties generate substantial traffic, making it a key player in the lifestyle media space.

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  Connection Holdings

  Hallandale Beach, Florida, USA

  Connection Holdings, LLC is a privately held performance marketing company headquartered in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Operating as a managing entity for multiple brands, the company specializes in comprehensive lead generation services across several verticals, including solar energy, financial services, insurance, and home services. Describing itself as a "dynamic service entity," Connection Holdings provides back-end support to over 15 entities within the performance marketing industry, emphasizing a values-driven approach built on integrity, self-sufficiency, positive energy, humility, and a relentless drive for excellence. The company’s mission is to deliver lead generation that positively impacts its people, partners, and families, with a vision to become a global leader in performance marketing through meaningful partnerships. Connection Holdings operates with an estimated workforce of 51–200 employees, as indicated by its LinkedIn profile. While the firm’s official website prominently displays a 2026 copyright, no specific founding year has been publicly disclosed. The leadership team is currently represented by Chief Executive Officer Edmond Pain and Chief Revenue Officer David Stodolak. The company continues to expand its presence in the competitive lead generation landscape by leveraging data-driven strategies and a focus on ethical, high-converting leads.

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  Discerning Capital

  United States

  Discerning Capital is a US-based specialist investment firm providing growth capital and private credit to companies at the intersection of regulated gaming, sports, media, and technology. Founded by experienced institutional investors with deep domain expertise in wagering, the firm deploys long-term, focused capital into businesses reshaping the future of online gambling and its surrounding ecosystems. The firm operates two core strategies: Growth Equity, investing in proven, scaling companies, and House Advantage, a private credit strategy offering non-dilutive revolving credit lines of $5–25 million to online sportsbooks and casinos for user-acquisition financing. With a lean team of around 10–15 employees and a network of former operators and regulators as advisors, Discerning Capital has made notable investments in Picklebet, SlotCycle, Midnite, and Yaspa. The firm claims to review over 175 potential deals annually while making only a handful of investments, consistent with its focused, discerning ethos.

• FO

  Four Winds Ventures

  South Bend, Indiana, USA

  Four Winds Ventures, LLC (FWV) is a wholly owned investment and consulting firm established by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana. The company focuses on pursuing, developing, managing, and operating commercial gaming, hospitality, and related businesses. Leveraging the Pokagon Band's extensive experience through its Four Winds Casinos brand, FWV offers casino and hospitality management and development, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships. Formed to diversify the Band's economic portfolio, the company operates as a separate entity from Four Winds Casinos. Headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, FWV is led by CEO Kathy George, a seasoned hospitality executive with over 30 years of experience in tribal gaming. The company began active operations and leadership appointments in 2024–2025, positioning itself to expand its footprint in the commercial gaming sector beyond the Band's existing properties.