Affiliate Announcements
Catena Media acquires the award-winning affiliate AskGamblers.com for EUR 15 million
On 3 April 2016, Catena Media acquired the acknowledged and highly regarded affiliate website AskGamblers.com for EUR 15 million and thereby consolidates its position as Europe’s fastest growing company in lead generation. The transaction is the largest in Catena Media’s history and its third strategic acquisition thus far this year.
On 3 April 2016, Catena Media plc’s fully owned subsidiary acquired the affiliate website AskGamblers.com (“AskGamblers”). AskGamblers operates one of the markets most highly visited web portals for player reviews and rankings of online casinos. The company also provides players with the unique opportunity of trying online casino-related disputes via the portal and, to date, this has resulted in more than EUR 5 million being repaid to players. Players across Europe utilise AskGamblers with the UK being the company’s largest market. At the prestigious iGB Affiliate Awards, AskGamblers has won the Best Casino Affiliate for three consecutive years, most recently in 2015. The transaction includes all affiliate accounts, domains, mobile apps and social media accounts.
AskGamblers’ sales in the first quarter of 2016 amounted to approximately EUR 810,000 with a profit margin surpassing 80%. The revenue stems from organic traffic under revenue sharing agreements and is expected to generate at least 25,000 new depositing clients each year. Revenue will accrue to Catena Media from and including 1 April 2016.
AskGamblers’ development centre is based in Serbia and comprises a team of 30 employees, all of whom will be offered continued employment by Catena Media. This will give the company access to a talent pool of skilled employees in technical development and programming. Accordingly, Catena Media now has approximately 130 employees and has offices in three countries.
“We are incredibly proud of acquiring AskGamblers which is one of the best brands in the affiliate market and whose operations are a perfect fit for Catena Media. AskGamblers is an extremely important site for casino operators and, through its stringent requirements for certified casinos, contributes to creating a better iGaming industry. The transaction is the largest in Catena Media’s history and in line with our strategy of growth through acquisitions in a fragmented market. In parallel, we are strengthening our team with a number of highly skilled individuals and this transaction provides us with the opportunity to build the office in Serbia into an extremely cost-efficient development centre for Catena Media,” says Robert Andersson, CEO of Catena Media.
The purchase price amounts to EUR 15 million, which will be paid in three tranches: EUR 3 million will be paid on completion of the transaction; EUR 8.25 million will be paid when all assets have been transferred to Catena Media and EUR 3.75 million will be paid six months after the acquisition has been completed.
“Catena Media has grown into one of the most interesting actors in our industry and it feels particularly exciting that AskGamblers will now enter the next phase together with them,” says Igor Salindrija, founder and previous owner of AskGamblers.com.
About Catena Media
Catena Media was founded in 2012 and is engaged in performance marketing and lead generation predominantly within the iGaming industry. The company thereby attracts substantial numbers of online players through various products and services, and directs them to a number of B2B customers, mainly consisting of iGaming operators. Catena Media focuses primarily on customers who operate online casinos on their own websites. Customers typically use a network of marketing partners, known as affiliates, to promote their products and services and, thus attract more online players to their websites. iGaming operators remunerate Catena Media for each online player that it generates for the operator through such websites as www.johnslots.com/sv/ and www.rightcasino.com. Catena Media’s core markets are Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The company has approximately 100 employees. The Group’s headquarter is located in Sliema, Malta.
For further information, please contact:
Robert Andersson, CEO +356 770 329 28
www.catenamedia.com
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.”
-
Affiliate Compliance2 weeks ago
Responsible Gambling Affiliate Association Announces Appointment of George Rover as Executive Director
-
News2 weeks ago
How to become a successful affiliate in The Netherlands
-
Affiliate Announcements2 weeks ago
Catena Media appoints Manuel Stan as new CEO
-
Affiliate Announcements2 weeks ago
QMRA to enter Belgium, Poland and Estonia: Game Lounge joins immediately with Belgian website, Place2bet as well
-
News1 week ago
Slotland Affiliates Running $10,000 Affiliate Contest
-
Affiliate Announcements6 days ago
Catena Media readies for online sports betting launch in North Carolina
-
News5 days ago
Golden Boomerang Awards 2024 Sees Overwhelming Response in First Month with Over 220 Teams Competing — Enter Today!
-
News5 days ago
The UK online casino market is at a crossroads