Greek gambling executive George Daskalakis is in advanced negotiations with Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown to acquire a minority stake in the English football club, according to Sky News.
Daskalakis, who is the co-founder and chief executive officer of international gaming company Kaizen Gaming, is working alongside investor Sanford Loudon on the potential transaction. Sources revealed on Wednesday that the pair have been pursuing an investment in the Championship side for some time and are now close to securing a formal agreement with Lansdown.
Loudon operates through his advisory firm Oakvale Capital, which has built a portfolio advising on multiple transactions across the sports and gaming industries.
Ownership Structure and Future Control
It remains unclear whether the ongoing negotiations feature a contractual clause allowing Daskalakis and his investment group to increase their holdings later to secure majority control of the club. Such buy-in options have become increasingly common in football team sales.
Sky News reported that a similar majority option clause was structured into the recent deal for a 35 percent stake in Liverpool Football Club, involving a consortium that features Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Lansdown has been involved with Bristol City for nearly 30 years, overseeing the club's development while financing operations through his personal fortune. He has poured 280 million pounds into the team, drawing from the wealth generated as co-founder of retail investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown.
Kaizen Gaming Global Expansion
Kaizen Gaming has established a major presence in global sports wagering through its flagship commercial brand, Betano. The operator functions across 20 international markets, including the United Kingdom, and reports a customer base of 13 million worldwide.
Betano was the front-of-shirt sponsor for English Premier League side Aston Villa until last season. The company expanded its global profile further by serving as the first official betting partner for world governing body FIFA during the recent World Cup, following a similar sponsorship contract with European governing body UEFA for Euro 2024.
Beyond international tournaments, Kaizen Gaming maintains club sponsorship partnerships across Europe and South America. Its portfolio includes commercial agreements with German champions Bayern Munich, Portuguese side Benfica, Czech club Sparta Prague, and Argentine team River Plate.
