Affiliate Announcements
Better Collective acquires Soccernews.nl and Voetbalwedden.net to gain leading position in the Dutch online sports betting market
The acquisitions
Global sports betting media group, Better Collective, today announces that it has acquired Soccernews.nl, one of the most visited Dutch online sports media, and Voetbalwedden.net, a well-established Dutch online sports betting community, in separate transactions for total upfront payments of 5.9 mEUR, with maximum deferred and earnout payments of 3.75mEUR.
The two acquisitions form a strategic move that will establish Better Collective with a leading position in the Dutch online sports betting market. It is expected that revenue in Better Collective Netherlands will exceed 3 mEUR in 2022, which will be the first full fiscal year in that market. As a new market, the Netherlands is expected to produce high growth for several years.
A new market for on-line gambling
The Dutch ‘Remote Gambling Act’ will come into effect on October 1, 2021, fully regulating online gambling, which until now has been operated as a state monopoly. With the act, iGaming operators will be given the opportunity to apply for a license to operate in the market and more than 20 operators are expected to be licensed by 2022. According to the international betting and gaming consultancy firm, H2 Gambling Capital, Dutch onshore iGaming is projected to increase from 22% of the country’s total iGaming in 2015 to 81% in 2024. As a result, the Dutch iGaming gross gaming revenue (GGR) for online casino and sports betting combined is expected to reach more than 800 mEUR in 2024, making it the fifth largest iGaming market in Europe.
Together, Soccernews.nl and Voetbalwedden.net attract more than 2.5M monthly visitors. The two media platforms will enable Better Collective to take advantage of the Dutch market opportunity from day one and be well positioned to gain from the expected arrival of larger international sports betting operators in the market in 2022.
Financial targets for 2021 remain unchanged
It is expected that the two acquisitions will have a positive impact on Better Collective’s revenue and earnings for 2021 and onwards. The financial impact in 2021 is however expected to be limited due to the time of incorporation and the time needed for the new Dutch market to establish itself. The financial targets for 2021, therefore, remain unchanged.
Better Collective Netherlands
Better Collective has recently incorporated Better Collective Netherlands B.V and the acquisitions add an experienced team to the Dutch business unit. To manage its Dutch operations, Better Collective has hired Joris Dekkers as Managing Director from August 1, 2021. Dekkers knows Better Collective’s business well as he has supported the company’s preparations for the market opening as an external consultant. He brings a strong background and close to ten years of experience from the iGaming industry, where he has worked on both the media and the operator side.
Jesper Søgaard, Co-Founder & CEO of Better Collective, says:
“We are excited about the regulatory opening of the Dutch iGaming market, welcoming licensed operators and laying the foundation for stronger player protection. The Dutch market has high potential and is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. To be able to capitalize on these opportunities, we are pleased to have added two strong Dutch brands to our portfolio and welcomed Joris Dekkers and a new team to Better Collective. These moves will help us establish a leading position in the Dutch sports betting media landscape.”
Affiliate Announcements
Catena Media readies for online sports betting launch in North Carolina
Catena Media is well positioned to record a solid launch of online sports betting affiliation in North Carolina when the state opens for licensed sports wagering.
The group’s national brands, led by LegalSportsreport.com, are attracting North Carolina bettors with dedicated content, as is Catena Media’s state-focused NCSharp.com website. Alongside Catena Media’s own brands, the group has also published content in collaboration with media partners including Advance Local, owner of NJ.com and other news websites.
In the countdown to launch day, Catena Media held several top rankings for key organic search terms used by potential bettors to find relevant sports-betting-related content and offers.
Prior to the official go-live, the group has deals in place with five major operators offering sports betting platform access to North Carolinians. The customer agreements in North Carolina consist of a mix of revenue share and cost-per-acquisition (CPA) agreements.
North Carolina, with an adult population of 8.5 million, allows anyone aged 21 and over to place sports bets online.
Ryan Harper, Catena Media Vice President North America, said: “We have had a solid run-up to the launch date and are pleased with our efforts so far. We also expect the March Madness NCAA college basketball tournament later this month to be a big driver of new depositing customers in North Carolina.”
North Carolina expands Catena Media’s operational footprint in North America to 29 state and regional markets.
Affiliate Announcements
QMRA to enter Belgium, Poland and Estonia: Game Lounge joins immediately with Belgian website, Place2bet as well
QMRA was launched recently. QMRA is a Quality Mark for international iGaming affiliates, servicing the following markets initially: The UK, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Spain and USA Michigan.
Various websites joined already. Among which Leadstar Media with 4 German websites, BetterWorldCasinos.Com (UK, launching member), Unilead with a Swedish website and the Gaming Innovation Group with websites for three markets (UK, Germany, Sweden).
As of now, QMRA will be active within the following three markets as well: Poland, Estonia and Belgium.
For Belgium, the situation is interesting. All advertising, including affiliation, was initially banned under a Royal Decree. Recently though, the government decided to allow search engine affiliation (https://gamingcommission.be/nl/operatoren/kb-reclame) under the terms of article 10 of the named Royal Decree.
Compliance will be of high importance within the Belgium market. QMRA received applications for this market immediately.
Two new QMRA applicants:
Game Lounge, a well-known and large iGaming affiliate company (over 200 employees), applies with GuideCasino.Be. Place2Bet applies to QMRA as well, with Place2Bet.Be.
Affiliate Announcements
Catena Media appoints Manuel Stan as new CEO
Catena Media’s board of directors today announces the appointment of Manuel Stan as CEO, an experienced business executive in the online sports betting and casino gaming industry.
Manuel will lead Catena Media’s North American and global market operations from Las Vegas, where he is based. He will assume his position on July 1, 2024.
A veteran of almost 20 years in the industry, Manuel spent 16 years at Kindred Group, where he led marketing teams and served as Senior Vice President North America. At Kindred, Manuel led marketing teams for six years and played a core role in shaping the group’s affiliate marketing programme. He also has experience of customer marketing, business development, financial planning and analysis, and corporate governance.
Manuel holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Economics from Bucharest University of Economic Studies and an Executive Management Programme Diploma from Yale School of Management.
He said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to drive Catena Media forward on the next stage of its journey as the group takes on new challenges while further advancing its presence in North America. This is a strong business with talented employees and I look forward to working with the teams to capitalise fully on the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Göran Blomberg, Catena Media Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “Manuel was the outstanding candidate for this position among the names considered and we are extremely pleased that he is joining us. He is a leader with proven leadership skills and wide-ranging experience within our industry. His close knowledge of the North American market and of both the operator and affiliate sides of the business will be a significant asset for Catena Media and our North America-focused organisation as we begin this new chapter for the group.”
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