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Allwyn acquires $1.6B stake in PrizePicks to fuel U.S. gaming expansion

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European lottery operator Allwyn announced it will buy a 62% majority stake in U.S.-based daily fantasy sports company PrizePicks in a deal valuing the firm at $1.6 billion. The acquisition marks a major step in Allwyn’s efforts to move beyond traditional lottery games and tap into the fast-growing U.S. digital gaming market.

The deal, set to close in the first half of 2026, positions PrizePicks as Allwyn’s flagship platform in the U.S. PrizePicks CEO Mike Ybarra said Allwyn’s backing would help accelerate nationwide growth: “We are in 45 states now. It’s my prediction that we will be in 50 states across the board, and this will be broadly accepted and regulated in the United States.”

Allwyn, part of Czech billionaire Karel Komarek’s KKCG investment group, has been diversifying aggressively. Beyond running lotteries in the UK, Italy, Austria, Greece, and the Czech Republic, it holds stakes in Kaizen Gaming (Betano brand) and Novibet, and manages the Illinois State Lottery through its U.S. arm. Earlier this year, it also announced a partnership with Formula One.

The PrizePicks acquisition reflects a push into higher-growth digital sectors, even as 90% of Allwyn’s revenues still come from lotteries. The transaction structure includes performance-based milestones that could raise PrizePicks’ enterprise value from $2.5 billion to $4.15 billion over three years.

Industry analysts note the move comes amid rapid U.S. gaming expansion since the 2018 repeal of PASPA, which legalized sports betting. Unlike sports betting, daily fantasy sports (DFS) are classified as a “game of skill,” allowing PrizePicks to operate in more states. The company is also exploring non-sports prediction markets, such as music and entertainment awards, and is investing in AI tools to enhance user decision-making.

Still, regulators have raised concerns about consumer protection as gamified platforms drive higher engagement, especially among younger users. Some U.S. states have imposed fines or opened inquiries into compliance practices. Bankers advising on the deal highlighted that iCasino (online casino gaming), still restricted to a handful of states, could eventually double the size of the regulated market if more states legalize it.

Allwyn plans to finance the PrizePicks stake with cash and debt, signaling its commitment to becoming a more diversified global gaming powerhouse.

TSMC CEO Highlights U.S. Investment Driven by Strong Customer Demand

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Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC (2330.TW) announced that its increased investment in the United States is primarily driven by strong customer demand, with production lines already fully booked for this year and the next two years. CEO C.C. Wei revealed the company’s expansion plans during a press conference at Taiwan’s presidential office on Thursday. Wei emphasized that TSMC’s $100 billion investment plan, unveiled this week, would not affect its ongoing expansion efforts in Taiwan, despite concerns that overseas investments might harm the island’s semiconductor industry.

TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, plans to construct five additional chip facilities abroad, including in the U.S., Japan, and Germany. This expansion comes in response to demands from major U.S. clients like Apple, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. While TSMC is planning three new production lines in the U.S. over the coming years, it is also set to build 11 new production lines in Taiwan this year, a sign that Taiwan remains crucial to the company’s global operations.

Wei’s comments follow ongoing pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized Taiwan for taking U.S. semiconductor business and has advocated for bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to U.S. soil. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te assured that Taiwan has not faced external pressure from the U.S. during TSMC’s investment decisions and pledged government support for the company’s domestic expansion.

While Taiwan maintains its dominance in the global semiconductor industry, concerns about over-reliance on the island, particularly amid rising tensions with China, have prompted discussions about diversifying production sites. TSMC’s expansion into the U.S. is seen as a potential solution to address supply chain risks for American technology companies.

Despite these developments, Trump recently called for the repeal of the 2022 bipartisan law that provides $52.7 billion in U.S. subsidies for semiconductor manufacturing, suggesting the funds should instead be used to pay off national debt.

Panasonic Boosts Battery Unit Outlook, Unveils Profitability Reform Plan

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Panasonic Holdings has raised its full-year earnings forecast for its energy division, which supplies batteries to Tesla, citing strong sales of energy storage systems and improved profitability at its U.S. battery plant. The revised outlook increases the segment’s expected earnings by 14% to 124 billion yen ($798.35 million), following a 39% rise in operating profit during the third quarter.

The company also announced a new management reform plan, aiming to boost group profitability by over 300 billion yen ($1.93 billion) and achieve a return on equity above 10% by the fiscal year ending March 2029. It plans to improve profitability by 150 billion yen by fiscal 2026 and another 150 billion yen by fiscal 2028.

Panasonic’s energy unit benefited from higher sales of energy storage systems and lower material costs, offsetting an overall decline in automotive battery sales. Reduced production in Japan and increased costs related to a new U.S. battery plant and a renovated facility in Japan’s Wakayama prefecture impacted operations.

Expanding its North American footprint, Panasonic Energy currently operates a battery plant in Nevada supplying Tesla and is set to open a second U.S. facility in Kansas this year. The segment reported third-quarter operating income of 42 billion yen ($270.46 million).

Despite industry-wide concerns over slowing EV demand, Panasonic has retained its full-year profit forecast of 380 billion yen for the entire group. It continues to compete with major Asian battery makers, including China’s CATL and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution, the latter of which recently announced plans to cut capital expenditure by up to 30% due to weakening EV demand.