Better Collective Crisis: Mass Layoffs and COO Departure in November 2026

The gambling industry is experiencing a phase of deep uncertainty in late 2026. Danish affiliate giant Better Collective, which was long considered an undisputed growth champion, is now forced to make drastic cuts. The company has launched a wave of redundancies affecting approximately 85 employees worldwide. Locations like the hybrid office in Farringdon, London, are reportedly hit hard. However, the unrest is not limited to the workforce, as the top management tier is also seeing a significant drain of talent.

The departure of Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sofie Ejlersen carries particular weight. The executive, who was promoted to COO in March 2025, left the company in October. This exit comes at a highly inopportune time, as Better Collective is scheduled to present its official third-quarter financial results on November 18, 2026. The firm's current silent period leaves little room for detailed commentary, providing additional fuel for market speculation.

Numbers and facts

The economic reasons for the cuts are substantial. The catalyst was the situation in Brazil, where President Lula pulled the plug on regulated online gambling prematurely in September. Better Collective had originally expected to generate approximately 45 million euros in revenue from the Brazilian market in 2026. This would have represented about 12 percent of the total group revenue. Due to the sudden halt, an estimated 15 million euros in expected revenue for the remainder of 2026 has evaporated.

"Brazil was the straw that broke the camel’s back." - Anonymous source at Better Collective

In addition to COO Sofie Ejlersen, other prominent figures are jumping ship. Business development directors Guy Harding and Gloria Cereda have already departed. Furthermore, the exit of long-serving SVP Technology Riley Bryant is imminent at the end of November. Bryant had been with the company for nearly eight years after joining Better Collective through the 2019 acquisition of RotoGrinders. The firm responded to this crisis as early as September 27 with a profit warning and suspended its share buyback program to preserve financial flexibility.

Background

The case of Better Collective is not an isolated incident. In 2026, other industry giants such as Flutter Entertainment, bet365, and affiliate rival Catena Media have also conducted layoffs. The industry is struggling with rising taxes in mature markets and unpredictable regulatory shifts. While Brazil was seen as a future growth engine, the local moratorium has shaken the business models of many firms that relied heavily on South American expansion. The reduction of guidance for revenue and EBITDA was the logical consequence of the loss of the Brazilian business.

Why it matters for German players

For German players who use Better Collective portals to inform themselves about sports betting or casinos, little changes regarding the service itself for now. However, the crisis demonstrates the importance of stability. In Germany, the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) regulates the market very strictly. German players benefit from a high level of protection here, as only providers with a license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) are allowed to operate legally. The turbulence at an affiliate giant like Better Collective highlights that global corporations are often more vulnerable to international market fluctuations than specialized providers who strictly adhere to local rules like the 1,000 euro deposit limit or the 1 euro stake limit per spin.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos with a GGL license operate in a controlled environment monitored by LUGAS (Cross-State Gambling Supervision System). While companies like Better Collective suffer from the loss of unstable markets like Brazil, the German market offers legal certainty through the GGL whitelist, protecting against such sudden shutdowns. For operators, however, the weak phase of large affiliates means that marketing budgets must be used more efficiently. Advertising portals must prove they deliver high-quality leads that comply with strict German player protection rules rather than just aiming for mass volume in unregulated markets.