NEWS
2 January 2018
Better Collective finalises eighth acquisition of 2017
By Caroline Watson
ts final deal of 2017, Better Collective has acquired the assets of Goal.pl Group in a bid to extend its presence in the regulated Polish market. The final acquisition marks the eighth major deal of the year, concluding the company’s strong M&A strategy in 2017.

The company stated that the acquisition of the popular polish group will help further its long-term strategy of expanding its presence within European regulated markets.

Although many sports betting companies pulled out of the Polish market last year, Better Collective want to capitalise on the region’s growing economy and recent regulation of the sports betting industry.

Founded back in 2002, the Goal.pl Group consists of over 15 domains, boasting over a million visitors per months due to the engaging bettor content it offers, such as bookmaker information, iGaming communities and sports betting tips.

Michal Kopec, Head of M&A at Better Collective, commented: “We are very excited to announce this acquisition. We see a lot of potential in the sports betting sector in Poland, and we are confident that with the 2018 World Cup around the corner, and new operators applying for Polish sport betting licences, we will be able to drive this business forward.

“Goal.pl Group’s previous owner has done a great job in developing their network, and we are keen to add our own expertise to bring the sites to the next level. Plus, after making seven other acquisitions across Europe in 2017, I’m personally very happy to close out the year with a deal being reached in my home nation of Poland.”

Meanwhile in Poland, it has been announced that National public prosecutor, Bogdan Święczkowski, has decided to reopen a 2006 – 2011 investigation into gambling tax irregularities that had been closed during the Tusk administration.