Affiliate Announcements
Gaming Innovation Group Inc. announces its largest affiliate acquisition to date
GIG TAKES LEADING POSITION IN THE NORDICS WITH ITS LARGEST AFFILIATE ACQUISITION TO DATE
Gaming Innovation Group Inc. has through its subsidiary Innovation Labs agreed to acquire all assets in one of the biggest affiliate networks in Scandinavia, Stk Marketing Ltd, for a total consideration of NOK 240 million (around EUR 26 million). This is GIG´s fourth affiliate acquisition in 2017 and the Company has now established itself as a Nordic market leader in the affiliate segment.
GIG expects the acquired assets to generate above EUR 7 million in EBITDA during the first 12 months after completion of the transaction. Around 70 percent of this EBITDA is expected to be generated from perpetual revenue share agreements. The network will be integrated into Innovation Labs’ BI/Data proprietary systems & marketing platforms, providing both technological and operational synergies which will improve the margins.
Including the Stk Marketing acquisition, the four affiliate transactions made so far in 2017 are in combination expected to contribute with an annual EBITDA close to EUR 13 million over the first 12 months after the respective closings.
Robin Reed, CEO of GIG: “We have set an ambition for Innovation Labs to become the largest lead generation business in iGaming and we are well underway in realizing this. Furthermore, we have now established a leading position in the Nordic affiliate market. In line with previous acquisitions and GIG´s vision, the Stk acquisition will enable Innovation Labs to refer more customers to our B2B partners and thus benefit all parties engaged in the expanding GIG iGaming eco-system“.
The acquisition will be settled primarily with proceeds from the bond issue GIG made in February 2017. The first half of the settlement is due at closing and the reminder in December 2017. The transaction is subject to a satisfactory due diligence and final board approval. Closing is expected in August 2017.
GIG’s subsidiary Innovation Labs is a fast-growing online marketing company for iGaming. It refers paying users to B2B clients primarily on perpetual revenue share agreements. It sources these paying users by obtaining competitive rankings for high-value keywords in search engines through SEO (search engine optimization), generating traffic to owned websites. These websites have guides and quality content for the gaming industry and serves as paths to operators. Innovation Labs also refer paying users through data driven media buying techniques.
About Gaming Innovation Group:
Gaming Innovation Group Inc. is an emerging gambling solutions and interactive entertainment provider. The Company offers cutting-edge cloud-based services and B2B performance marketing, and owns B2C gambling operators offering games from the best-of-breed suppliers across the online sports betting and casino industry. Gaming Innovation Group operates out of Malta and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “GIG”.
Affiliate Announcements
QMRA Launches Italian Quality Mark for Affiliates
QMRA is a Compliance Quality Mark for iGaming Affiliates, launched by XY Legal Solutions B.V. (XYLS). XYLS launched a Dutch Quality Mark, KVA (https://kva.nl/), in September 2021, now working with numerous operators (LeoVegas, ComeOn, 711, TonyBet, Hard Rock Casino) and 90+ members.
In February 2024, QMRA was launched. Affiliates from the following markets were able to apply for the Quality Mark: Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, USA Michigan, The UK, Ontario and Estonia. As of today, Italian affiliates will be able to join QMRA as well. Applicants will receive:
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- A Compliance Report, containing compliance feedback if needed, in certain cases usable for obtaining a Meta Ads License;
- A specific Online Certificate about the member website, explaining its compliance (https://qmra.eu/members/affiliates/);
- Possibility to consult the QMRA team on compliance related questions.
Several joined since launch, representing all available markets so far. Among joining companies were Leadstar, ADM Group, BetFans, Game Lounge and Gentoo. Game Lounge and Gentoo decided to make QMRA official company policy. Sitebee, a Gentoo launched Compliance Tool, announced an official partnership with QMRA on legal support last week.
Affiliate Announcements
Registration opens as ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ unveiled as creative theme for Barcelona-bound iGB Affiliate
As registration opens for iGB Affiliate, ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ (New Horizons) has been unveiled as the creative theme driving the international marketing campaign in support of the 2025 edition which will be the first to take place at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona alongside sister show ICE.
Explaining the thinking behind the creative Naomi Barton, iGB Events’ Global Portfolio Director said: “The iGaming industry is continually evolving, and our 2025 campaign invites affiliates to explore new horizons at our exciting new venue, Fira Gran Via in Barcelona.
“iGB Affiliate is the home of the igaming affiliate community, and it enables connection, growth and shared business success for our audience of affiliates, operators and tech vendors. This campaign will drive our community into uncharted territory, sparking a spirit of exploration that embraces emerging markets, innovative strategies, and untapped commercial opportunities. It equips affiliates with the tools and insights needed to adapt, innovate, and conquer new horizons.”
She added: “With our move to Barcelona we’re setting our sights on an incredibly bright future. The additional space at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, which is among the largest exhibition venues in Europe, will enable iGB Affiliate to achieve its full potential and continue to connect the best affiliates with the best operators and tech vendors.
“The 2025 edition of the show is set to feature a record 250 exhibitors and sponsors, occupying 15,000 sqm of space. The enhanced facilities in Barcelona will empower the affiliate community to forge new igaming connections, build strategic and trusted partnerships, expand their networks, and explore uncharted territories.”
Affiliate Announcements
Gentoo Media extends partnership with Betsson Group for automated brand protection tool GiG Comply
Gentoo Media is pleased to announce that the partnership with Betsson Group Affiliates (BGA) for GiG Comply has been extended for another year. The agreement marks the fifth consecutive year that Betsson will continue to use Gentoo Media’s automated compliance and brand protection tool, GiG Comply.
The extended partnership between Betsson and GiG Comply, further strengthens the ongoing collaboration between the two companies, ensuring that Betsson continues to uphold the highest standards of regulatory compliance across its extensive brand portfolio. GiG Comply’s comprehensive monitoring tool gives Betsson Group Affiliates the necessary means to ensure that their marketing efforts remain compliant, and meet regulatory demands across various markets.
Rasmus Bank Nielsen, Head of GiG Comply said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Betsson Group, one of the industry’s leading operators. The renewal of our agreement, for a fifth consecutive year, underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and the effectiveness of GiG Comply. We look forward to continuing to support Betsson in maintaining the highest standards of compliance in their marketing efforts”.
Shakyra Jonsson, Senior Affiliate Operations & Events Manager at Betsson Group Affiliates, added:
“We are pleased to extend our partnership with GiG Comply for a fifth consecutive year. As a company committed to maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance, it is crucial that we continue using tools like GiG Comply to ensure that our affiliate marketing efforts align with the diverse regulations across the markets we operate in. This partnership reaffirms our dedication to safeguarding our brand while remaining compliant in a rapidly evolving industry.”