Better Collective has moved to strengthen its position in the Dutch betting and gaming market via two acquisitions, ahead of next month’s online launch. 

Separate transactions consisting of upfront payments of €5.9 million and €3.75 million has seen Better Collective acquire sports media website Soccernews.nl and ‘well established’ online sports betting community Voetbalwedden.net.

Although Better Collective anticipates a positive impact on its revenue and earnings, the firm has noted that its financial targets for 2021 remain unchanged, as it expects the financial impact in 2021 ‘to be limited’ due to the time of incorporation and the time needed for the Dutch online market to firmly establish itself.

However, the company expects the two acquisitions to attract 2.5 million monthly visitors in total, enabling Better Collective to position itself to take advantage of the anticipated arrival of international online sports betting operators in the Netherlands in 2022.

“We are excited about the regulatory opening of the Dutch igaming market, welcoming licensed operators and laying the foundation for stronger player protection,” said Jesper Søgaard, Co-Founder & CEO of Better Collective.

The Dutch market has high potential and is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. To be able to capitalize on these opportunities, we are pleased to have added two strong Dutch brands to our portfolio and welcomed Joris Dekkers and a new team to Better Collective. These moves will help us establish a leading position in the Dutch sports betting media landscape.”

The acquisitions build on the incorporation of Better Collective Netherlands B.V, overseen by Managing Director Joris Dekkers, who joined the company on 1 August after supporting the company’s preparations for its Dutch launch as an external consultant as well as bringing 10 years of igaming industry experience in media and operations to the role.

The Netherlands’ online betting and gaming market will come into effect next month under the terms of the Remote Gambling Act (KOA), putting an end to the company’s state monopoly.

Over 20 operators are expected to go live in the market by 2022 – the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) regulator received 28 licence applications by the end of April 2021 – and according to H2 Gambling Capital the country’s igaming sector is projected to increase 81% of its overall gambling industry by 2024, in comparison to 22% in 2015.

This would make the Netherlands the fifth largest igaming market in Europe, with a total gross gaming revenue for online sports betting and casino verticals of over €800 million.