Affiliate Announcements

Catena Media acquires all affiliate related assets in Baybets Ltd

Published

8 years ago

December 4, 2017

Catena Media acquires all affiliate related assets in Baybets Ltd (“Baybets”), one of Europe’s leading affiliate marketing players in the sports betting segment, with a total of 50 websites, primarily focused on the German market.

The purchase price amounts to an upfront payment of EUR 26.5 million together with earn-out payments in the maximum amount of EUR 63.5 million, based on the performance of the acquired assets over a period of 24 months from the 1st of December 2017. The acquisition is expected to generate quarterly sales of approximately EUR 2.25 million with an operating margin of approximately 70 percent.

Through the acquisition of all affiliate related assets in Baybets, Catena Media will strengthen its offering within the sports betting segment and the very important German market. The integration of Baybets into Catena Media will commence immediately following completion of the transaction, which is expected to occur in mid-December 2017 (subject to certain customary conditions being fulfilled, such as the acquired assets being duly transferred to Catena Media). In addition to 50 websites and other affiliate related assets, the acquisition also includes a current team of 23 employees who will form part of Catena Media’s Sports division, based at its offices in Malta.

“We are proud to announce the largest acquisition made by Catena Media since company inception, making us one of the strongest sports betting affiliate players on the market. We have set ambitious financial targets for the company, and the acquisition is fully in line with those targets. We are excited about being able to complete this deal, given the upcoming sports year of 2018, which will have both the Winter Olympics and the World Cup”, says Henrik Persson Ekdahl, Acting CEO, Catena Media.

“I would like to thank all the people that have been involved in the company’s journey so far, bringing us to where we are today. We now look forward reaching new heights together with Catena Media on a long-term basis, both from an operational perspective and as shareholders. We are excited for all the upcoming opportunities that await”, says Jan Steffen, CEO, Baybets.

The initial purchase price, payable at closing of the transaction, amounts to an upfront payment of EUR 26.5 million of which EUR 13.25 million will be paid with newly issued shares in Catena Media and the remainder in cash. The shares will be issued at market value, calculated as the volume-weighted average price for Catena Media’s shares on Nasdaq Stockholm during a period of 30 trading days measured in connection with the signing date. The shares will be subject to a lock-up period of 24 months.

In addition to the initial purchase price, the seller may receive two earn-out payments based on the performance of the acquired assets over a period of 24 months from the 1stof December 2017. Catena Media may choose to pay any earn-outs in cash or in newly issued shares in the company. Any new shares issued will be issued at market value, calculated as the volume-weighted average price for Catena Media’s shares on Nasdaq Stockholm during a period of 30 trading days measured in connection with the relevant payment date.

The maximum amount of the first earn-out payment is EUR 20.0 million and is payable 45 business days after the 30th of November 2018. If paid in shares, a lock-up period of 12 months apply.

The maximum amount of the second earn-out payment is EUR 43.50 million and is payable 45 business days after the 30thof November 2019. If paid in shares, a lock-up period of 6 months apply.

In a reasonably expected scenario, the total cost of the acquisition would be approximately EUR 57.0 million, i.e. the upfront payment of EUR 26.5 million and earn-out payments in the total amount of EUR 30.5 million. In this scenario the acquired assets of Baybets needs to generate revenue growth of above 40 percent per year during the earn-out period of 24 months.

About Baybets:

Being one of the leading actors in lead generation, Baybets’ core business is developing and maintaining comparison sites for the iGaming industry by driving traffic through high quality content and offers. Baybets’ portfolio includes sites such as sportwetten.org and sportwette.net, and the business is concentrated on the German-speaking (DACH) markets. The team consists of 23 employees based in Malta.

About Catena Media:

Catena Media plc is an online performance marketing company that has established a leading position through strong organic growth and acquisitions. The business was started in 2012 and the group has approximately 245 employees in the US, Australia, Japan, Serbia, UK, and Malta, where the Head Office is situated. In 2016, revenues reached approximately EUR 40 million. The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Mid Cap.

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Affiliate Announcements

Management Buyout Successfully Completed at ReferOn

Published

1 week ago

May 11, 2026

George Miller

ReferOn, an affiliate management platform for the iGaming sector, today revealed the successful conclusion of a management buyout. Former General Manager Alex Bukin purchases the platform, moving the company into its next stage of independent growth. Bukin will take on the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to advance the company.

Assessing the platform’s path three years after its launch, Alex Bukin, CEO of ReferOn remarked: “This is a significant moment for ReferOn and marks the start of a new phase for the company.” The management buyout offers us the long-term perspective needed to consistently enhance the platform. We uphold our dedication to product development, enhancing our solutions for partners, and facilitating ReferOn’s ongoing expansion in significant markets.

The acquisition comes after a significant phase of advancement for the firm. Established on a base of operational effectiveness and scalable technology, ReferOn persists in expanding its footprint throughout the industry. In its initial year, the platform announced 35.7 million clicks, 2.4 million sign-ups, 18,000 affiliates, and 136,000 active trackers. The company’s extensive range of tools enhances flexibility for operators and affiliates, generating momentum that recently led to ReferOn being recognized as the “Best Affiliate Platform” in 2025 and 2026 by key industry players.

This change will not impact daily operations; assistance and current collaborations will continue as normal. As part of its continuous growth strategy, ReferOn is enhancing its product lineup with the introduction of new features, such as Refie, the integrated interface layer of the platform. The platform continually improves user experience and security via dynamic reporting, Company Grouping, Sub-Affiliation, Independent Deal Calculation (IDC), two-factor authentication (2FA), and thorough mobile optimization.

To maintain operational continuity, the current leadership team stays intact, guaranteeing stability as the company moves into its next phase of growth. With Bukin’s appointment as CEO, Vlad Bondarenko has moved from Head of Product to Chief Product Officer, and David Harris, who was previously Operations Lead, has become Chief Operations Officer. As the organization embarks on its next phase, it continues to prioritize equipping operators with top-tier tools and a dedication to providing the future of affiliate management.

Affiliate Announcements

Tiki Taka Play Partners with NetRefer for its Affiliate Marketing Platform

Published

2 months ago

March 10, 2026

George Miller

Tiki Taka Play enhances its affiliate marketing strategy by partnering with NetRefer, driving growth and engagement in the gaming industry.

Spanish online casino operator Tiki Taka Play has partnered with NetRefer, the industry’s leading data-driven, AI-powered affiliate marketing platform, to power and manage its affiliate programme as the brand continues to grow its presence in Spain’s regulated online gaming market.

First launched in early 2025, Tiki Taka Play marked a significant step in the digital expansion of Grupo Tiki Taka Games, a national company with more than 50 years of experience in the land-based gaming sector. Originally established as a family-run gaming machine business, the group has grown into a recognised operator within Spain’s leisure and entertainment industry, with operations spanning gaming halls, betting venues, and amusement activities.

With Tiki Taka Play, the group extends that experience into the digital environment. The platform has been developed to bring the standards of its land-based operations online, offering players a structured and reliable gaming experience built around accessibility, trust, and long-term engagement.

The operator’s online catalogue includes a wide selection of slots alongside classic table games such as blackjack and roulette, as well as immersive live casino experiences. This curated offering allows Tiki Taka Play to cater to a broad spectrum of player preferences while maintaining a professional and consistent gameplay environment.

Operating within Spain’s regulated gaming framework, Tiki Taka Play holds the relevant licences granted by the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ). Compliance, transparency, and responsible gaming therefore, sit at the centre of the operator’s approach, reinforcing the standards that have guided Grupo Tiki Taka Games throughout its decades-long presence in the industry.

Affiliate marketing forms a central pillar of Tiki Taka Play’s growth strategy as the brand establishes its presence in the competitive Spanish online gaming market. By selecting NetRefer, the operator gains access to a platform designed to deliver performance clarity, reliable tracking, and efficient partner management. Through NetRefer’s API technology, Tiki Taka Play benefits from seamless data transfer and real-time integration, allowing the operator to manage affiliate data accurately while maintaining operational efficiency across its programme.

Beyond these integrations, NetRefer’s broader ecosystem provides additional capabilities designed to support affiliate programme performance at scale. Solutions such as NetRefer BI Analytics enable advanced and customisable reporting, while NetRefer CoPilot AI enhances access to performance insights and operational knowledge through intelligent, data-driven assistance.

Reflecting on the process of selecting an affiliate platform, Marc De Rueda Colomés, COO of Tiki Taka Play, said, “When preparing the launch of Tiki Taka Play, we spoke with a number of our affiliates to understand which platforms they trusted most. NetRefer consistently stood out as one of the most balanced solutions in terms of service and value. The platform’s reporting and analytics tools are already proving valuable for our team, and the professionalism and dedication shown by the NetRefer team from the beginning of our collaboration have reinforced our confidence in the partnership.”

Greice Bezerra, Regional Acquisitions Specialist at NetRefer, commented, “Tiki Taka Play’s partnership with NetRefer represents an exciting step in the digital evolution of Grupo Tiki Taka Games. We’re proud to support their team with reliable technology and flexible integrations that provide the transparency, performance insights, and operational confidence needed to build and scale a successful affiliate programme in the competitive Spanish online gaming market.”

As Tiki Taka Play continues to expand its presence in Spain’s regulated online gaming market, the partnership with NetRefer provides the technology and operational foundation needed to support the growth of its affiliate programme. With greater performance visibility, advanced reporting capabilities, and scalable affiliate infrastructure, the operator is well-positioned to strengthen its partner network and drive sustainable digital growth.

Affiliate Announcements

IZIGROUP Partners with PartnerMatrix to Expand Global Reach

Published

7 months ago

October 22, 2025

George Miller

IZIGROUP Partners with PartnerMatrix to Expand Global Reach

A new chapter of innovation begins as PartnerMatrix, one of the industry’s leading affiliate marketing software providers, partners with IZIGROUP to strengthen its global presence and enhance player acquisition through smarter, data-driven, and fully compliant marketing technology.

The collaboration will empower affiliates promoting IZIGROUP’s online brands, IZIBET and Dragonara Online Casino with cutting-edge tools to manage, track, and optimize campaigns more efficiently. This partnership reflects a shared vision for growth, innovation, and regulatory excellence within the evolving iGaming landscape.

PartnerMatrix, part of the EveryMatrix group, is known for delivering flexible, secure, and high-performing solutions that enable operators to scale their affiliate programs globally while maintaining compliance and transparency values deeply aligned with IZIGROUP’s operational philosophy.

“PartnerMatrix’s platform is the best in the industry, robust, reliable, and designed for performance,” said Cristian Rachieru, Head of Online Operations for IZI Interactive Limited, the company licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) to operate IZIGROUP’s online gaming brands.

“With PartnerMatrix and the full suite of EveryMatrix products powering our operations, we’re ready for a full house. This partnership will further strengthen our ability to connect with players globally while remaining compliant and delivering exceptional online gaming experiences.”

Hasmik Movsisian, Chief Commercial Officer at PartnerMatrix, added: “We are delighted to partner with IZIGROUP, a company that shares our dedication to innovation and responsible growth. By combining our advanced affiliate management technology with IZIGROUP’s strong brand portfolio, we’re confident in driving higher engagement, stronger performance, and lasting success within regulated markets.”

This collaboration marks an important milestone in IZIGROUP’s continuous journey of innovation and expansion. By uniting PartnerMatrix’s affiliate marketing expertise with IZIGROUP’s trusted brand portfolio and the EveryMatrix ecosystem, the partnership sets the stage for long-term success and sustainable growth.