Mobile casino specialists LeoVegas have dipped their toes into the eSports betting market via the acquisition of Pixel.bet.

On Thursday, the Stockholm-listed LeoVegas announced that its LeoVenture investment arm had taken a 51% stake in Malta-based “mobile-first” eSports betting operator Pixel.bet, which made its debut earlier this year. LeoVegas said it would fund the €1.5m deal, which is expected to close in the current quarter, through a new share issue.

LeoVegas CEO Gustaf Hagman called eSports “an international and fast-growing area” and the Pixel.bet acquisition would offer LeoVegas “unique insight into a new and fast-growing segment” of the gambling marketplace.

Pixel.bet CEO Eirik Kristiansen hailed LeoVentures as a “unique partner and investor who understands and shares our passion” for eSports. Pixel.bet has made Sweden and other Nordic markets its initial geographic focus, which should help smooth its entry into the LeoVegas fold.