iGB Affiliate Monitor November 2022 | Page 4

4

Affiliate Monitor Executive summary

Executive summary

WELCOME

With Catena Media on the verge of announcing the outcome of its strategic review , this latest edition of Affiliate Monitor takes a look at what could be a signal moment for the whole of the igaming affiliate sector .

WHERE THE SECTOR STANDS
Investors posit that we are now in the third age of the sector , one that has matured in line with the wider European igaming market and is eyeing growth opportunities in newer markets .
While there are more listed companies than ever before , the second wild period of acquisition within the space would appear to have come to a conclusion , with the potential breakup of Catena Media – and its refocusing on the US – sure to provide a moment ’ s pause .
SECOND QUARTER CONCLUSIONS
The latest financial reports from the sector ’ s leading names show that a sea change has taken place at the top of the market in the past year or so as Better Collective has more clearly asserted itself as the standalone leader at the expense of the aforementioned Catena . The progress of
“ A sea change has taken place at the top of the market in the past year or so ”
Better Collective shows that one route for the bigger companies is diversification of earnings , with esports being a particular area of focus .
THE EARNINGS TELL A TALE
Within the various results statements , one standout development is GiG ’ s success in paid media . The company ’ s media arm continues to go from strength to strength , and not only is this due almost entirely to organic growth but the drive is also coming from a burgeoning paid sector which could soon outstrip the rest of the business .
MORE NAMES TO REMEMBER
The affiliate sector has also seen a number of names added to the listed roll . These include Gambling . com Group , which listed on the Nasdaq in the summer of 2021 , as well as Playmaker and American Affiliate , the latter going public through a merger with FansUnite .
These increase the diversity of the listed affiliate sector and point to its likely future dominance by the US and other parts of the world as the European market is more hemmed in by regulation . iGB Affiliate Monitor