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Better Collective completes acquisition of remaining shareholding in RotoGrinders Network
Driven by significant potential synergy upside and strong US business growth, Better Collective, a leading global sports betting media group, has decided to complete the acquisition of the remaining 40% share stake in the US based RotoGrinders Network at a total price of 33 mEUR. Better Collective acquired its original 60% share stake in Rotogrinders Network in 2019.
The Transaction
The acquisition of the remaining 40% of the shares will be paid through a 22 mEUR cash consideration and the remaining part in shares or cash. Both components will be transferred no later than December 31, 2021. This brings the expected transaction price for 100% of the shares in RotoGrinders Network to a total of 51 mEUR, equivalent to 7.5x the expected 2021 EBITDA. The purchase price of the remaining shares is dependent on financial performance in 2021 and the final price will be adjusted accordingly once financial results for 2021 have been announced. Better Collective and the selling shareholders had mutual options to buy and sell the shares in the period 2022-2024, however the decision has now been made to accelerate the purchase and complete it in one transaction.
Better Collective US will be further strengthened
The decision to accelerate the remaining share purchase is fuelled by the strong growth in RotoGrinders and the entire US business. The full acquisition will provide a strong platform for future growth, supported by underlying US market growth and synergies between RotoGrinders and the other BC US assets that now can be fully realised. Since Better Collective acquired the initial 60% in May 2019, RotoGrinders has seen significant growth within sports betting as well as daily fantasy sports (DFS). Sports betting is driven by sportshandle.com and the usbets.com network, whereas DFS is driven through the leading US DFS brand, RotoGrinders.com. Since the initial share acquisition, the following growth rates have been recorded:
- 2021 revenue more than doubled since 2019 (2.2x), based on a 47% compound annual growth rate
- 2021 EBITDA is 4.4x higher than 2019, growing at a 109% compound annual growth rate
The strong growth is expected to be accelerated further, both as a consequence of more states regulating online sports betting and due to synergies between the RotoGrinders Network and other Better Collective assets, such as Fantasy Labs (DFS), Action Network, vegasinsider.com and Scores And Odds. Synergies are of both product and commercial nature. The DFS and other subscription based assets (such as Action Network and VegasInsider) will continue to be key revenue generators throughout the US, also in states where sports betting remains to be regulated. The US sports betting market is, according to Vixio, expected to grow from a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of ~$2.5bn in 2021 to ~$5.8bn by 2023. By 2030 the market is expected to exceed $40bn GGR. Five of seven of the original founders and shareholders of the RotoGrinders Network, will remain employed in Better Collective and two will continue in advisory roles.
Financial Reporting
The difference between the new estimated purchase price of the shares and the contingent liability recorded in the balance sheet as of June 30, 2021 is 11.5 mEUR and will be disclosed under Special Items in the Profit and Loss account in the Q3 2021 report in accordance with IFRS. The transaction has no impact on the financial guidance for 2021.
Marc Pedersen, CEO of Better Collective US, says:
“We are pleased to settle the full acquisition of the RotoGrinders Network earlier than originally planned. Since the initial acquisition, we have been impressed with the RotoGrinders team and we are excited to now welcome them to the broader Better Collective family and pursue all synergies to the fullest. Furthermore, we are pleased to keep the now previous shareholders in Rotogrinders engaged in Better Collective with the opportunity to benefit from their competences more widely in the organisation.”
Cal Spears, CEO of Rotogrinders, says:
“Joining Better Collective a few years back helped us fully unlock the potential of the RotoGrinders network. We’re proud to announce that our significant growth has led to an accelerated acquisition and that our team of 50+ will be fully integrated into Better Collective US going forward. All seven of the original RotoGrinders network shareholders and co-founders are now assuming full time or advisory roles. Better Collective is perfectly positioned for US growth and we’re excited to help realise its potential.“
Prestigious live poker event to run August 18 through September 2 at Playground, in Kahnawake
GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, is excited to announce the launch of online satellite tournaments for the upcoming WSOP Circuit Montreal live poker festival, which runs August 18 through September 2 at Playground.
The online qualifiers launched across Canada on Sunday, June 15, with satellites expected to be made available in Ontario later today. Players can win their way into the WSOP-C Main Event for free, with multiple freeroll tournaments hosted at GGPoker.
The WSOP Circuit is one of the biggest and most popular live tournament series in the world, with more than $225M in prizes won during the most recent 2024/2025 season.
WSOP-C Montreal will be hosted at Playground, the award-winning gaming and entertainment destination located just minutes from downtown Montreal. At least $5M in prizes will be won over the course of the festival, which will be headlined by the WSOP-C Montreal Main Event:
- Buy-In: $2,500
- Guaranteed Prizes: $2.2M
- Day 1 Flights: Day 1A on August 28, Day 1B on August 29 and Day 1C on August 30
- Day 2: August 31
- Final Day: September 1
Daniel Negreanu, GGPoker Global Ambassador, expressed his enthusiasm for WSOP Circuit Montreal: “I’m always pumped when WSOP events are held in Canada and the wonderful Canadian poker community gets to share in the thrills and excitement associated with the world’s top poker experience. Win your way in at GGPoker and take aim at at least $5M in prizes – it’s going to be great!”
“We are absolutely thrilled to host not only one, but two WSOP Circuit events at Playground this year!” said Playground’s Vice President of Gaming Operations, Ryan Bevens. “Playground has always been where poker dreams come true, and we look forward to welcoming players from across Canada and around the world to experience the excitement and prestige that only WSOP-C events bring. See you soon!”
Each GGPoker WSOP-C Montreal Main Event satellite winner will snag exclusive GGPoker-branded merchandise in addition to their $2,500 Main Event ticket.
WSOP Circuit Montreal will use the recently launched WSOP+ application to ensure that players enjoy the best experience possible. The application makes event registration, player tracking, and content sharing easier than ever before.
To register for WSOP-C Montreal Main Event satellite tournaments, please log in to GGPoker.
To learn more about WSOP-C Montreal at Playground, please visit: playground.ca/poker/tournaments/wsop-c-montreal-2025
Please note that all amounts mentioned in the above press release are denominated in Canadian dollars.
The post GGPoker Hosts Exclusive Online Satellites To WSOP Circuit Montreal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation on Thursday, June 26, turned over ten Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) worth Php20 million to several local government units and a state university to enhance their emergency medical services.
During the turnover ceremony at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City, six PTVs were awarded to the municipalities of Palanan, Quezon, San Isidro, Cabagan, San Mariano, and San Pablo, all in Isabela province.
The City of Parañaque, the municipalities of Tanauan in Batangas and Balabac in Palawan as well as the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte also received one PTV unit each.
Each vehicle is fitted with a GPS navigation system and essential medical equipment such as an ambulance stretcher, oxygen tank, wheelchair, and first aid kit.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco joins officials from nine local government units and the Mariano Marcos State University for a photo opportunity during the turnover of 10 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) last June 26, 2025.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the PTV distribution is part of the agency’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery and to enhance access to medical services especially in geographically isolated communities.
“We want to ensure that even remote areas have the means to respond to medical emergencies. This is part of PAGCOR’s commitment to reach communities that need government support the most,” Mr. Tengco said.
“‘Yan po ang hangad ng PAGCOR; salamat sa pagkakataong makatulong at makapaglingkod sa inyo,” Mr. Tengco told the PTV recipients during the turnover event.
PAGCOR Vice President for the Corporate Social Responsibility Group Ramon Stephen Villaflor (2nd from left) and Assistant Vice President for Community Relations and Services Eric Balcos (far left) hand over the ceremonial vehicle key to Atty. Christopher A. Mamauag (3rd from left), Mayor of Cabagan, Isabela.
Mayor Christopher A. Mamauag of Cabagan, Isabela – a town where travel to tertiary hospitals takes several hours – expressed gratitude for the assistance and said the vehicle will significantly boost the town’s emergency response capabilities.
“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat kay President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at sa PAGCOR, sa pamumuno ni Chairman Alejandro Tengco, sa pagpapaunlak sa aming kahilingan na magkaroon ng Patient Transport Vehicle para sa aming mga kababayan sa bayan ng Cabagan.
“Malaking tulong po ito at gagamitin namin ito ng wasto,” he said.
Each patient transport vehicle donated by PAGCOR is equipped with a GPS navigation system, an ambulance stretcher with mounted restraining system, medical oxygen, a wheelchair, and a first aid kit.
The post LGUs, state university get Php20-M emergency vehicles from PAGCOR appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Evolution has announced that its first-ever live casino studio in Asia went live today.
Located in Cebu, the Philippines, the studio marks a significant milestone in Evolution’s Asia-Pacific expansion and serves the regulated Philippine online gaming market, which is the first licensed iGaming jurisdiction in Asia.
The new operation launches in partnership with One Visaya Gaming Corporation (OVG), an industry leading company which operates with strict adherence to PAGCOR’S (Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation) code of conduct. This collaboration allows Evolution to offer its trusted live casino content to operators licensed in the Philippines.
Evolution’s state-of-the-art live casino studio in Cebu will initially offer Baccarat tables. Lightning Roulette and other game shows — including Marble Race and the standout Super Color Game, designed especially for players in the Philippines — are due to launch later this year. This new studio marks a major step in Evolution’s commitment to delivering localised, fully compliant entertainment tailored to regional markets.
Gionata La Torre, Evolution’s Chief Executive Officer for Europe, said: “We’re proud to launch our first live casino studio in Asia in the Philippines and be part of its regulated online gaming market. This new studio is a major milestone in our long-term commitment to the region. Partnering with OVG allows us to deliver world-class live content tailored to local preferences through licensed operators.”
La Torre added: “With player favourites available from day one and more exciting titles on the way, our focus remains on quality, innovation, and localisation — the keys to building trust and lasting engagement in any market.”
For trade press and media enquiries, please contact:
Amy Riches, Head of Marketing, [email protected]
For investor enquiries, please contact:
Carl Linton, Head of Investor Relations, [email protected]
The post Evolution Launches First Live Casino Studio in the Philippines appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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