Catena Media plc, a global iGaming lead generation company listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, acquired online sports betting and casino affiliation assets from US i15 Media, LLC.
The deal was announced in September, 2021. Of the total purchase price of USD 45m, USD 12.5m is payable in cash on closing, and a further USD 20m in three instalments as follow:
- USD 5m in cash or shares on 15 December 2021;
- USD 5m in cash on 1 June 2022; and
- USD 10m in cash on 15 December 2022.
The remaining USD 12.5m of the purchase price will be settled with 2,207,357 new Catena Media shares as soon as feasible after closing.
Led by Michael Daly, CEO, Catena Media is an online iGaming lead generation company, which has about 400 employees in the US, Australia, Japan, Serbia, the UK, Sweden, Italy and Malta (HQ). Its brands, built through organic growth and a capillar acquisition strategy, include AskGamblers.com, which is a platform to find the latest information and reviews on live casinos (including those accepting low deposit to start – EU casino 5 euro deposit accepteren) provided by its team of experts and real player ratings. Other platforms include AskTraders.com, BonusSeeker.com, Superscommesse.it, Casinobonus360.de, and EsportsBets.com.
The acquisition enables Catena Media to further strengthen its North American operations. The assets comprise more than 100 websites and domains that focus on states starting their first full American football season (such as Michigansharp.com), large upcoming states (such as NYSportsDay.com), and nationally ranking sites like bonus.com and gamblingonline.com.
The addition of i15 Media’s online sports betting and casino assets to the company’s North American portfolio will accelerate its expanding business there. In addition to i15’s national and state brands generating revenues in current markets, the additional coverage for upcoming states will further consolidate Catena Media’s leadership position in the United States.
The assets generated combined revenue of approximately USD 8m in the 12 months to 31 July 2021. The acquisition will have a direct positive effect on Catena Media’s EBITDA as of the consolidation date 9 September.
In the latest years, the company’s North American business has kept on growing. in the first half of 2021, It grew 121% and accounted for 49% of total group revenue. Regulation of iGaming in the North America continent is expected to continue during the coming years and several US states, for example Arizona, Maryland, Louisiana and Connecticut, as well as the province of Ontario in Canada, have already started their respective regulation processes.
The American market is expanding with other meaningful Merger and Acquisition deals taking place in the latest period.
At the end of August, Grover Gaming acquired the assets of Lake Zurich, IL-based Digital Dynamics Software, Inc, a gaming software company, with products including SAS Engine, SAS Gateway, Backdrop casino management software, and the GAP gaming protocol. The acquisition allows Grover Gaming to enhance its player experience and connect SAS-based electronic gaming systems and casino communications to its proprietary software.
Earlier in August, Bally’s Corporation (NYSE: BALY) acquired Telescope Inc., a provider of real-time audience engagement solutions for live events, gamified second screen experiences and interactive livestreams. Telescope’s products and services will amplify the Bally’s Interactive, Bally Bet and Bally Sports brands, enabling viewers and players to have an integrated experience that allows them to engage on a multitude of platforms and channels, including online and offline.