BetCenter is a leading provider in the Belgian sports betting market. To enable it to achieve even stronger and faster growth on its home market in both the online and stationary segments going forward, the sports betting provider established a joint venture at the beginning of the year with the family-run Gauselmann Group from Germany, which in addition to a fresh injection of capital is also contributing its wealth of experience. The 50-per cent investment by Merkur Sportwetten will allow BetCenter to fall back on the know-how of the internationally operating group and thus drive forward the strategic expansion in the sports betting segment. The companies have cooperated in the technical field for some time.
“We are extremely happy to further deepen our very successful cooperation with BetCenter. BetCenter is a quality leader in the Belgian sports betting market which perfectly complements Gauselmann’s international business development strategy. The combination of BetCenter’s local market expertise and the resources of the Merkur Sportwetten network will ideally position our partnership for further growth,” explains Niko Steinkrauß, Managing Director Merkur Sportwetten.
One-and-a-half years ago, BetCenter switched its entire betting service over to the Gauselmann Group’s Cashpoint multichannel product platform. This collaboration has proved to be highly productive and profitable for both sides. In the interim, the business figures have developed outstandingly well, with the growth rate in 2017 up by over 30 per cent on 2016.
Seydi Tekin, CEO and Managing Director of BetCenter, points to the new growth opportunities: “This joint venture strengthens our company not only by allowing us to draw on the experience of one of Europe’s leading sports betting specialists. It safeguards our strength to enable us to implement our growth and acquisition plans faster. A long-term vision and a strict ethical business strategy are our most important assets. This represents an important milestone in our development.”
The new joint venture will also see some new faces join BetCenter’s proven management team Operational management will continue to be in the hands of Seydi Tekin, and Directors Hans van Impe (Chairman) and Carsten Schaudienst remain on the Board. In future they will be supported by Gauselmann representatives Niko Steinkrauß, Gerald Drees (both Merkur Sportwetten) and Michael Wondra (Cashpoint).
