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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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Calling All Gamblers: Scatters Club to Host First-Ever Gambling Streamers Awards

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Scatters Club, a global community of passionate gambling streamers and players, announces the first-ever online Streamers Awards. This online event was created to spotlight the brightest stars in gambling streaming.

Scatters Club rolls out the red carpet online for top streamers. The event will celebrate the creative achievements of gambling streamers, and awards and global recognition will go to the best performers.

Nominees will vie for the ultimate prize: the audience’s love and the Scatters Crown Trophy. Everyone is welcome to nominate their favorite streamer on this website, or streamers can self-nominate in a category that highlights their flair and creativity. 

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Nominations are open from December 4 to December 30 for international applications: 

  • Most Hilarious Reaction to a Win
  • Most bright Reaction to a Lose
  • Coolest Background
  • Craziest Outfit
  • Best Streamer Collaboration
  • Community Champion
  • Rising Star in Gambling Streaming
  • Most Responsible Streamer
  • Everyone’s Favorite Gambling Streamer 
  • The Best Female Streamer

All submitted and approved applications are placed on the long list for their respective nominations, and the vote-casting period begins. Every fan of gambling can vote for their favorite streamer on a dedicated page.

After that, the TOP-5 streamers in each category will be shortlisted, and public votes will determine the leaders in various nominations.

As gambling fans cast their votes for the shortlist, the jury voting begins. The jury choice will remain under wraps and will only be revealed during live air on February 1, when the winners will be crowned as streaming legends.

The voting period wouldn’t be complete without the audience’s favorite bets. Top Five Streamers will be chosen for the Legend of the Year title based on the stats provided by Casinolytics, a Scatters Club’s partner. Everybody is invited to place bets on who they think will be crowned with the title. Predictions can be submitted from December 8, 2023, to January 30, 2024. The winners will be announced online on February 1, 2024. 

To make the award night genuine and thrilling, Scatters Club will invite a secret host. Amping up the fun, famous gambling streamers will make guest appearances to announce the nominations and winners chosen by a special jury. The names of the jury and guests will be revealed soon along with many more mind-blowing features of this event.

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Stay tuned for the Streamers Awards updates while spinning your reels!

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2rbo Affiliates Shortlisted for Best Newcomer at iGB Affiliate Awards 2024

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2rbo Affiliates, a standout casino and sportsbook affiliate program, is thrilled to announce that it has been shortlisted for the Best Newcomer category at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2024. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and strong partnerships that the team at 2rbo Affiliates has built since its launch in 2023.

Jonjo Walsh, Affiliate Manager at 2rbo Affiliates, said, “Being shortlisted for the Best Newcomer category is an incredible achievement for our team. We’ve put in a lot of effort, built strong connections with our partners, and it’s gratifying to see recognition for all our hard work. A big thank you to everyone involved, and to iGB Affiliate for shortlisting us.”

2rbo Affiliates, launched in 2023, operates under four licenses (SGA, MGA, DE, and IE) and manages seven licensed brands. The company offers a range of pricing models, flexible commissions, and no negative carryover, providing a reliable return on affiliates’ efforts. A stellar ReferOn platform ensures easy and efficient affiliate management.

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The iGB Affiliate Awards 2024 are part of the iGB Affiliate London 2024 event, designed to celebrate individuals and teams in affiliate marketing and iGaming. The awards will take place following the second day of iGB Affiliate London on 8 February 2024.

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Affiliate Industry

Summary from the Extraordinary General Meeting 2023 of Raketech Group Holding PLC

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The shareholders of Raketech Group Holding Plc gathered in Malta on 24 November 2023 to hold an extraordinary general meeting. The following resolutions were made:

It was unanimously resolved that Marina Andersson and Patrick Jonker be appointed as members of the Company’s Board of Directors for the period running until the next annual general meeting.

Marina Andersson brings over 20 years of vast senior corporate development and M&A experience from latest Stillfront Group and Deloitte. She has previously worked with financial and strategic advisory, transaction structuring, financial analysis, and company valuation at Carnegie and ICECAPITAL and will bring this expertise to the boardroom at Raketech.

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Patrick Jonker brings many years of relevant and successful experience from senior positions within international casino as well as sportsbetting operators such as Betsson Group as MD, and William Hill as International MD.

The two new members of the Board will replace Pierre Cadena who resigned from the role as director of the Company on 9 October 2023, with immediate effect, and Johan Svensson, who opted to step down from the director role on 10 October 2023, to focus entirely on his role as Chief Commercial Officer for the group, where he will continue to work closely with senior management and CEO, Oskar Mühlbach.

In light of the above, the Board of Directors is now composed of the following members, all of them appointed until the end of the next annual general meeting:

  • Rolf Ulrik Bengtsson, as member and chairman of the Board of Directors
  • Erik Johan Sebastian Skarp, as member
  • Clare Marie Boynton, as member
  • Marina Andersson, as member
  • Patrick Jonker, as member.
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