Better Collective Growth: North America Drives Revenue in Q2 2026

Global media group Better Collective continues its upward trajectory, posting a successful second quarter for the year. During this reporting period, revenue increased by 9 percent year-on-year to a total of 89 million euros. A standout feature is the profitability in North America, which has seen a marked improvement. The company, widely recognized for its sports betting content and affiliate platforms, benefited significantly from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which drove high levels of customer engagement. Cash flow from operations before special items rose 59 percent to 30 million euros, highlighting a robust financial foundation for future investments.

The current development demonstrates that the strategy focused on long-term revenue share agreements is paying off. While the industry previously focused on one-time Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) payments, Better Collective is now prioritizing recurring revenue participation. Approximately 70 percent of the 373,000 new depositing customers (NDCs) were acquired through these models. This approach ensures more stable income streams and reduces the company's vulnerability to short-term market fluctuations.

Numbers and facts

A detailed look at the figures reveals the group's economic momentum. EBITDA before special items climbed 20 percent to 27 million euros, resulting in an improved EBITDA margin of 30 percent. A particular highlight is the Value of Deposits (VoD), which reached a record 836 million euros, a 17 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The sponsorship segment also grew strongly, recording a 39 percent increase, primarily driven by commercial activities from brands like Playmaker HQ and HLTV.

In North America, now the group's most important single market, the EBITDA margin before special items rose from 5 percent in the prior-year quarter to 26 percent. This progress was fueled by prediction markets and talent-led media offerings. Despite the positive news, the company faced some hurdles. Regulatory changes in Brazil and the increase in Remote Gaming Duty in the UK impacted the results by an estimated 2 million euros each. However, the 11 million euros in additional revenue from organic growth was more than enough to offset these effects.

Background

Jesper Søgaard, co-founder and Co-CEO of Better Collective, expressed great satisfaction with the performance. The FIFA World Cup provided the expected boost, and the company is now well-positioned to maintain scalable growth.

"Q2 was a strong quarter for Better Collective, with organic revenue growth of 9% translating into 20% growth in EBITDA before special items to 27 mEUR. We are particularly encouraged by the progress in North America, where growth was driven by revenue share income, talent-led media and prediction markets." - Jesper Søgaard, Co-CEO of Better Collective

The company also launched its AI-powered platform, Playbook, in Brazil just in time for the World Cup. This product is accessible via social channels like X, Telegram, and Discord, aiming to further international expansion. Despite market volatility, Better Collective plans to remain active in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with share buybacks worth 40 million euros also in focus. The target remains a moderate debt-to-EBITDA ratio of below three times.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, companies like Better Collective are often the primary source of information regarding licensed gambling offers. Since Better Collective places high importance on regulatory compliance, their portals typically only promote operators holding an official permit from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). For users, this means a high level of security, as these casinos must adhere to the strict rules of the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). This includes the 1,000 euro monthly deposit limit monitored via the LUGAS system and the 1 euro stake limit per round for virtual slot games.

German customers benefit indirectly from the economic stability of such affiliate giants, as they are capable of providing high-quality content and transparency. A strong partner in the background ensures that only reputable providers gain reach, strengthening protection against black market offers without a GGL license. The professionalization of the industry, as exemplified by Better Collective, leads to players being better informed about their rights and available support systems like OASIS.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For German online casinos with a GGL license, collaboration with partners like Better Collective remains essential. The high requirements for player protection in Germany necessitate marketing partners who understand the complex regulations. Since Better Collective operates globally and has experience with strict regulations in the UK or the US, they are a reliable partner for local licensees. The growth in New Depositing Customers (NDCs) shows that despite strict limits in Germany, there is still high interest in legal gambling, provided the offering is attractive and secure.