US private equity firm CVC Capital Partners has completed its acquisition of leading industry test lab Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) in what the two companies are describing as a strategic partnership.
First revealed in July 2025 by way of antitrust filings in Austria and Malta, the investment sees CVC entity CVC Strategic Opportunities take control of GLI and related entities – home to over 1,500 staff across 35 jurisdictions.
According to details released by the companies overnight, the investment by CVC will provide resources and expertise to enhance the capabilities and growth prospects of GLI while upholding its history and culture of providing world-class services to the global gaming industry.
“We are truly excited and honored to welcome CVC as a strategic investment partner,” said GLI’s CEO, James Maida. “CVC shares our vision, values, and long-term commitment to the global gaming industry. This partnership creates new opportunities for growth and innovation, allowing GLI to invest even more in the success of the future of the global gaming industry as well as investing in related and adjacent sectors.
“Our leadership, values and culture focused on customer service remain unchanged. I will continue as CEO and our leadership team remains intact. Together we will stay focused on quality, speed and the customer experience while continuing to drive innovation and outstanding service worldwide.”
Matt Turner, Partner at CVC and GLI Board Member, added, “Within CVC Strategic Opportunities, we seek to partner with exceptional businesses that have histories of consistent success, strong market positions and significant long-term growth potential. GLI fits perfectly with that approach, as over nearly 40 years James and Paul have built GLI into the clear leader in its industry.
“The company plays a critical role in the global regulated gaming ecosystem and has established itself as a trusted partner to regulators, operators and suppliers around the world. This positions the business extremely well for continued growth, and we are looking forward to working alongside James and the talented team at GLI to support the company’s future success.”
GLI, founded by James Maida and Paul Magno in New Jersey in 1989, celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2024 with the festivities doubling as the 30th anniversary of GLI Australia, where the company opened its second office – and first international office – in Adelaide in 1994.
In an interview with Inside Asian Gaming during the G2E trade show in Las Vegas in October, Maida said CVC’s involvement would provide GLI with financial security and new avenues for expansion that do not exist under its current ownership model.
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