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Better Collective acquires leading US sports betting media platform, Action Network, for 240 mUSD

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With the acquisition of Action Network, Better Collective gains clear market leadership within sports betting media and affiliation in the US and now expects to increase its revenues in the US to more than 100 mUSD by 2022.

Sports betting media group, Better Collective, today announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Action Network, Inc. (“Action”) for 240 mUSD (198 mEUR) on a cash and debt free basis. Founded in 2017 and launched in 2018, Action is uniquely positioned in the US market as the premium sports content and product destination for US sports bettors. A trusted source for sports fans, Action’s media platforms provide an enhanced experience for its users through original sports news content, premium insights, deep menus of odds and proprietary betting tools and data. Action’s diverse revenue model includes a rapidly-growing affiliate marketing business focused on customer acquisition for betting operators in the US as well as subscription products, anchored by Action Pro, Action Labs and Fantasy Labs.

Action continues to benefit from the expanding legal sports betting market in the US. In 2021, Action is expected to achieve revenues approaching 40 mUSD, an increase of over 100% year-on-year, while also generating positive operational earnings in 2021. As more states legalize online sports betting, the potential to further deepen and expand Action’s commercial partnerships with large US-based sportsbooks such as BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel and PointsBet   is significant. Action is headquartered in New York, and has approximately 100 employees.

The Transaction

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The purchase price amounts to 240 mUSD (198 mEUR) on a cash and debt free basis and will be settled in a cash payment and a 12 mUSD issuance of new Better Collective (BETCO.ST) shares to Action’s management, key employees and certain other individuals. 10 mUSD of the cash payment will be paid on a deferred basis as settlement of certain existing share options in Action. The number of Better Collective shares issued will be determined by the volume-weighted BETCO.ST share price 5 trading days prior to the date of this announcement. Further, the issued Better Collective shares will be subject to a lock-up of between 6 and 24 months following completion of the transaction.

The cash component of the purchase price will be provided through bank financing.

The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in Q2 2021.

Better Collective in the US 
While the US sports betting market has grown rapidly since the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) removed a federal ban on online gambling, only 13 states have legalized online gambling at this point. Many more are expected to follow in the coming years, with the addressable market significantly expanding as a result. Total online sports betting revenues in the US are forecasted to reach 4 bnUSD in 2022 and amount to nearly 40 bnUSD in 2033*.

Following the execution of Better Collective’s acquisition strategy and ongoing investments in the US market, Better Collective’s US business has developed successfully, with high growth and a rapid increase in profitability. The acquisition of Action consolidates Better Collective’s leading position in the affiliate and customer delivery verticals within online sports betting, enabled through a number of strong product platforms. In light of this, and given the continued pace of new states regulating, Better Collective expects the US market to continue growing and its US revenues to surpass 100 mUSD by 2022, with positive and increasing operational earnings.

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Action will become an integral part of Better Collective US and will continue to operate as a separate business unit with its current brands, management team, and employees, led by CEO Patrick Keane who will report to Group Management through US CEO, Marc Pedersen. Action will integrate with Better Collective’s current organization where relevant in order to generate efficiencies.

Jesper Søgaard, CEO of Better Collective, says:
“I am thrilled to welcome Action and its employees to Better Collective. This acquisition, which is the largest in Better Collective’s history, gives us a leading position within affiliation in the US and a strong foundation for profiting from the continuous regulation of the US betting market. We add three new, very well positioned US sports media brands to our portfolio and welcome around 100 new colleagues, together representing an invaluable pool of knowledge and expertise on the US sports betting media market. By all accounts, this is a great day for Better Collective.”

Patrick Keane, CEO of Action, says: 
“Today marks a great achievement in the history of Action. In just a few years, our team has managed to build a leading sports betting product and media business in the US market, making us attractive to a leading international player. I am thrilled about this outcome for our employees and investors and we look forward to continuing to forge great relationships with our league, media and sportsbook partners. Under Better Collective’s ownership, we become part of a company with many years of experience and all the resources necessary to further grow our position and develop our offering, to ultimately enhance the betting and entertainment experience for sports fans. We gain new colleagues, career paths and perspectives. I’m looking very much forward to the journey ahead. ”

Financial Targets
Better Collective will consolidate Action into the Better Collective Group from the time of closing. In connection with the acquisition, Better Collective is updating its Financial Targets for 2021:

  • Total group revenue is now expected to exceed 180 mEUR (previously more than 160 mEUR); and
  • Operational profit is now expected to exceed 55 mEUR (previously more than 50 mEUR).

Better Collective will share more details in connection with its Q1 2021 earnings report that will be released on May 12, 2021.

The acquisition of Action will bring Better Collective’s estimated debt leverage (Net Interest Bearing Debt/EBITDA) above the company’s financial target of <3.0. Due to Better Collective’s strong operating cash flow, the Board of Directors has decided that for the time being, it is acceptable for the company’s debt leverage to exceed the financial target of 3.0, which target remains in place for 2021. The Board will therefore decide upon any potential changes to the company’s long term capital structure in due course.

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Advisors
Morgan Stanley acted as sole financial advisor, Bruun & Hjejle and GreenbergTraurig acted as legal advisors, and PwC acted as accounting and tax advisor in connection with the acquisition for Better Collective. Nordea Bank will be providing financing to facilitate the closing of the transaction.

Moelis & Company LLC acted as sole financial advisor and Venable LLP acted as legal advisor to Action. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acted as advisors to The Chernin Group, the largest shareholder of Action.

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Amusnet Announces Partnership with Onlandia.org.ua

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Amusnet, a top-tier gaming provider, has announced a new partnership with Onlandia.org.ua, a prominent Ukrainian iGaming affiliate. This collaboration is designed to leverage Onlandia’s extensive market reach and dedicated platform to amplify Amusnet’s brand presence and effectively drive engagement within the Ukrainian market.

The partnership will utilise Onlandia’s platform to feature exciting game content, exclusive interviews and run various activities. It will also ensure Ukrainian players have direct access to the latest news and updates from Amusnet.

“We are excited to partner with Onlandia.org.ua. By combining their expertise in audience engagement with our top-tier portfolio, we can drive substantial regional growth and strengthen brand visibility in this key focus market for Amusnet. This collaboration represents a strategic step toward expanding our footprint and delivering long-term value to operators and players,” said Liliya Chatalbasheva, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Amusnet.

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“We are delighted to begin this partnership with Amusnet. We see them not just as developers, but as reliable partners who strive to ensure their games are presented fairly and transparently. This collaboration will allow us to continue providing high-quality content for Ukrainian players, helping them navigate the world of the gaming industry,” said a representative of onlandia.org.ua.

This partnership marks a significant step for Amusnet in reinforcing its commitment to the Ukrainian market and shaping the future of online gaming in the region.

The post Amusnet Announces Partnership with Onlandia.org.ua appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Nikita Lukanenoks Brings Slotsjudge Into Spotlight With Affiliate Leaders Awards 2025 Nomination

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Content Manager’s commitment to clear, reliable casino reviews earns recognition in one of the most competitive categories at the Affiliate Leaders Awards 2025.

Nikita Lukanenoks, Content Manager at Slotsjudge, has been nominated for Affiliate Content Manager of the Year at the Affiliate Leaders Awards 2025. The nomination highlights his contribution to the platform’s growth and puts Slotsjudge alongside some of the most recognised names in the iGaming industry.

Being shortlisted in such a competitive category as Affiliate Content Manager of the Year only highlights the growing influence of Slotsjudge in the iGaming space. The platform has steadily moved from a niche review site to a recognised industry player, attracting a wider audience and building trust among players. This growth has been driven by a clear focus on high-quality, informative content that keeps readers coming back and helps them make better decisions when choosing where and what to play.

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Slotsjudge stands out for the way it combines clear, practical casino reviews with helpful guides that even beginners can easily follow. This approach has not only improved how players choose casinos, but has also boosted user engagement across the platform. In addition, strict editorial standards keep every review accurate, up to date, and written in plain, straightforward language, giving readers confidence in the information they find.

“For me, it is all about creating content that is genuinely useful to players. Whether someone is completely new or already experienced, they should find clear, honest information that helps them make better decisions. In an industry that is constantly changing, I believe staying transparent and adapting quickly is the best way to keep our readers’ trust.” — Nikita Lukanenoks, Slotsjudge.

A strong work ethic in content creation has always been central to Slotsjudge’s growth and solid reputation. By providing readers with relevant information, practical tips, and regular updates, the site continues to attract new visitors, while also rewarding returning players with regular perks like Wheel of Fortune. This approach has made Slotsjudge a trusted destination for players seeking the latest insights from the iGaming world.

High-quality content has become one of the main drivers of success in affiliate marketing. In a competitive space where players have countless options, clear and trustworthy information can make a significant difference. The nomination highlights how valuable a strong editorial approach is for building credibility, driving engagement, and building trust with readers.

The post Nikita Lukanenoks Brings Slotsjudge Into Spotlight With Affiliate Leaders Awards 2025 Nomination appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ReferOn Earns Dual Nominations for Innovation and Marketing Excellence at SiGMA Euro-Med Awards 2025

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The company continues its growth in 2025 with key industry recognition

ReferOn, a next-gen affiliate management platform has been shortlisted for the “Affiliate Product Innovation” and “Best Marketing Solution Provider” categories at the upcoming SiGMA Euro-Med Awards 2025.

These nominations come after an important year for the company, defined by strong market traction, continuous product development, and an increased demand from operators and affiliate managers looking to transition from outdated legacy platforms to a more agile, transparent, and scalable solution.

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Since its launch, the ReferOn team has demonstrated its commitment to solving real problems for affiliate teams. At the core of its value propositions is creating a simple and accessible platform that’s built for modern needs. Core developments like full-cycle automation, customisable dashboards, instant postbacks, and real-time data visibility help to reduce chaos and boost performance. Additionally, tools like the Sub-Affiliate System, No Bundling Model, and dynamic variables assist with increased operational control.

Vlad Bondarenko, ReferOn’s Head of Product, commented on the nominations, “We didn’t build ReferOn to compete with legacy platforms — we built it to replace them. Every development, addition, and decision is guided by the goal of empowering our users to move faster, make more insightful decisions, and scale efficiently. These nominations have shown us that we’re moving in the right direction and that our incredible team is working towards something truly impactful.”

ReferOn’s roadmap remains ambitious and future-focused, with numerous investments in product developments, customer-facing services, and initiatives that help affiliate teams act faster and move smarter.

Voting for the SiGMA Euro-Med Awards 2025 is now open.

The post ReferOn Earns Dual Nominations for Innovation and Marketing Excellence at SiGMA Euro-Med Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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