Cartamundi Deals a Digital Hand, Boosting Global Revenue by 37%

LITITZ, Pa. – May 27, 2026 – Cartamundi, the centuries-old Belgian company behind iconic brands like Bicycle® Playing Cards, is proving that even the most traditional businesses can win big in the digital age. The global leader in playing cards and board games has announced a staggering 37% year-over-year increase in cross-channel revenue, a direct result of a strategic partnership with the personalization platform Listrak to fuel its international e-commerce expansion and master modern marketing channels.

The collaboration, which began after an e-commerce platform overhaul in May 2025, centers on leveraging sophisticated technology to bring classic tabletop games to a global digital audience, all while navigating the complex web of international marketing regulations.

From Heritage to Hyper-Growth

Founded in 1765 and officially named Cartamundi in 1970, the family-owned company is a giant in the world of "play," with its products sold in over 185 countries. Its portfolio includes heritage names dating back to 1848, with Bicycle® Playing Cards standing as a cultural touchstone for over 140 years, appearing everywhere from kitchen tables to Hollywood film sets. Yet, in an era of accelerating digital commerce, even a legacy brand with a powerful physical presence faces the challenge of translating its market leadership into online growth.

This digital pivot is not a superficial marketing effort but a core component of the company's forward-looking strategy. Cartamundi has been implementing a new business model, dubbed "Organization & Business Model 3.0," which restructures the company into distinct units, including a "Digital Ventures" division. This unit is specifically tasked with exploring synergies between the physical and digital worlds, making the partnership with Listrak a clear manifestation of this long-term vision. The goal is to manage the e-commerce complexities of multiple beloved brands across numerous countries and unlock new avenues for growth.

"Playing cards and board games are timeless ways to connect people of all generations," said Natalie Monte-O'Hare, Director, NA eCommerce Entertainment, Cartamundi, in a statement. "At Cartamundi, we are honored to hold the future of these beloved products in our hands, and are dedicated to finding new ways to bring the power of playing cards and games to people worldwide."

The 37% Hand: A Cross-Channel Playbook

The remarkable 37% revenue growth is the result of a meticulously orchestrated multi-channel strategy. With Listrak's platform, Cartamundi coordinates its customer outreach across email, new web domains, and, most significantly, a "supercharged" SMS program. This move into text-based marketing represents a particularly innovative step for a company rooted in tangible products.

By building out its SMS capabilities, updating contact segmentation, and developing a targeted re-engagement strategy, Cartamundi is now able to connect with its audience directly and immediately. For a product category driven by new releases, collector's editions, and promotions, the high open rates and immediacy of SMS provide a powerful lever for driving sales and fostering loyalty. This channel bridges the gap between the physical deck of cards in a customer's hand and the ongoing digital relationship with the brand, a crucial link in today's market.

The success of this strategy is amplified by the booming online market for toys and games. Industry reports show the global e-commerce market for these products is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 8%, with the "Games and Puzzles" category itself seeing explosive growth of nearly 39% in the U.S. market in the first half of 2025. Cartamundi's digital acceleration places it at the forefront of this trend, capitalizing on surging consumer demand with a newly refined digital toolkit.

Navigating the Global Maze with a Compliance Edge

Perhaps the most critical element of Cartamundi's international push is its focus on regulatory compliance. Expanding an e-commerce footprint across continents means confronting a daunting patchwork of data privacy and marketing laws, such as Europe's GDPR and various regional SMS regulations. A misstep can lead to significant fines and damage to a brand's reputation.

This is where the consultative aspect of the partnership has been pivotal. Listrak provides what it calls a "region-aware infrastructure," a system designed to help its clients expand into new markets with confidence that their marketing activities adhere to local laws. By acting as a "trusted growth advisor," the tech firm enables Cartamundi to personalize customer experiences across email, web, and SMS without running afoul of complex international rules.

"It's a privilege to collaborate with the innovative team at Cartamundi, a powerhouse in the world of cards and games," said Ross Kramer, co-founder and CEO of Listrak. "As Cartamundi enters new markets, together we navigate compliance complexities, while powering personalized customer experiences across email, web and SMS." This focus on compliant growth is a key differentiator in a competitive landscape filled with marketing platforms, providing a secure foundation upon which to build a global digital empire.

A Blueprint for Legacy Brands in the Digital Age

The success of the Cartamundi-Listrak collaboration offers a compelling blueprint for other legacy brands seeking to thrive in the modern economy. It demonstrates that a rich heritage and a forward-thinking digital strategy are not mutually exclusive but can be a powerful combination for market domination. By embracing new channels like SMS and prioritizing the technical and legal infrastructure needed for global scale, Cartamundi has dealt itself a winning hand.

The partnership underscores a broader trend: the most successful digital transformations are not just about adopting new technology, but about integrating it strategically to solve core business challenges—in this case, expanding reach, personalizing engagement, and ensuring compliance. As the company continues to find new ways to bring play to people worldwide, its digital playbook will likely be studied by brands across all industries looking to master their own global expansion.