Gentoo Media
{{Short description|Online gambling company}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Gentoo Media Inc.
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| type = Public company
| traded_as = {{ose|G2MNO}}
{{OMX|SSE170080|G2M}}
| ISIN = US36467X2062
| industry = iGaming, affiliate marketing, B2B
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| founded = {{Start date and age|2007}} as Rebel Penguin, rebranded to Gentoo Media in 2024 after spin-off from Gaming Innovation Group
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| hq_location_country = Malta
| num_locations = Malta, Belgrade, Copenhagen, Valencia, Norwich{{Cite web |title=Offices|url=https://www.gentoomedia.com/our-offices/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Gentoo Media}}
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| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = Jonas Warrer (CEO)
Mikael Riese Harsted (Chairman of the Board){{Cite web |last=Lindenberg |first=Sonja |date=2024-04-08 |title=GiG taps Nylander and Harstad as Platform and Media chairmen |url=https://next.io/news/people/gig-taps-platform-and-media-chairmen/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=NEXT.io}}
| products =
| brands = AskGamblers
Casinomeister
Casinotopsonline
WSN.com
Time2Play
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| revenue_year = 2024
| operating_income = €57.2 million{{Cite web |date=2025-02-18 |title=Gentoo Media's revenue up 38% in 16th consecutive record quarter |url=https://www.igbaffiliate.com/en/articles/119840/gentoo-media-s-revenue-up-38-in-16th-consecutive-record-quarter/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=IGB Affiliate}}
| income_year = 2024
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| subsid = iGamingCloud Ltd.
| website = https://www.gentoomedia.com
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}}
Gentoo Media Inc. (often referred to as Gentoo) is a publicly traded company operating in the iGaming affiliate marketing industry.{{Cite web |title=Gentoo Media (G2M) Overview |url=https://www.nasdaq.com/european-market-activity/shares/g2m/overview?id=SSE170080 |access-date=16 March 2025 |website=Nasdaq}} It manages a network of over 150 websites, directing traffic to licensed online casinos and sports betting operators. The company focuses on lead generation, content marketing, and compliance monitoring in regulated gambling markets.{{Cite web |title=Gentoo Media Profile |url=https://markets.ft.com/data/equities/tearsheet/profile?s=G2MNO:OSL |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Financial Times}}
Formerly known as GiG Media, the company was part of Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) until September 2024, when it became an independent entity.{{Cite web |last=Thomas-Akoo |first=Zak |date=2025-02-18 |title=FY 2024: Gentoo Media posts record results amid strategic shift |url=https://next.io/news/results/fy-2024-gentoo-media-record-results/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=NEXT.io |language=en-GB}}
Gentoo Media is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (ticker: G2M) and, as of early 2025, is in the process of delisting from Euronext Oslo Børs (ticker: G2MNO),{{Cite web |title=Gentoo Media |url=https://live.euronext.com/en/product/equities/US36467X2062-XOSL |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Euronext}} subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-30 |title=Gentoo Media: proposal to delist shares from Oslo Børs |url=https://view.news.eu.nasdaq.com/view?id=b1708d1ece683fcfde1db312e9b2e0c00&lang=en&src=micro |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Nasdaq Company News}}
History
=2007-2017: Origins and early development=
Gentoo Media's origins trace back to 2007, when Rebel Penguin, an affiliate marketing company, was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark.{{Cite web |date=2017-09-13 |title=Announcement |url=https://www.gig.com/news/announcement/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Gaming Innovation Group}} In 2012, Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) was established, later expanding into affiliate marketing.{{Cite web |date=2018-12-07 |title=Gaming Innovation Group Capital Markets Day |url=https://www.gig.com/news/gaming-innovation-group-capital-markets-day-summary-of-presentation/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Gaming Innovation Group}}
In 2015, GiG launched its affiliate division, Innovation Labs,{{Cite web |title=Annual Report 2015 |url=https://www.gig.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/abb97c8a-gig_annualreport_2015.pdf |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Gaming Innovation Group |page=6}} later rebranded as GiG Media.{{Cite web |last=Lindenberg |first=Sonja |date=2022-12-15 |title=GiG acquires Catena Media’s flagship site AskGamblers for €45m |url=https://next.io/news/investment/gig-acquires-askgamblers-from-catena-media/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=NEXT.io |language=en-GB}} In 2017, GiG acquired Rebel Penguin, integrating it into its affiliate marketing operations.{{Cite web |date=2017-09-11 |title=Gaming Innovation acquires Rebel Penguin for EUR 13 mln |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/technology/gaming-innovation-acquires-rebel-penguin-for-eur-13-mln-idUSASO0000PV/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Reuters}}{{Cite web |last=O'Hagan |first=Marese |date=2024-06-18 |title=GiG affiliate rebrands to Gentoo Media as spin-off rumbles on |url=https://igamingbusiness.com/strategy/gig-affiliate-rebrands-to-gentoo-media-as-spin-off-rumbles-on/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=iGB |language=en-GB}}
=2018-2023: Expansion and business separation=
Throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, GiG Media expanded its portfolio of affiliate websites, focusing on digital marketing and compliance tools for the iGaming industry.{{Cite web |date=2016-03-24 |title=GiG agrees deal to acquire OddsModel |url=https://sbcnews.co.uk/technology/2016/03/24/gaming-innovation-group-agrees-deal-to-acquire-oddsmodel/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=SBC News}}{{Cite web |date=2017-03-10 |title=GIG strengthens affiliate portfolio with €11.5 million acquisition of Casinotopsonline.com |url=https://sbcnews.co.uk/europe/2017/03/10/gig-strengthens-affiliate-portfolio-e11-5-million-acquisition-casinotopsonline-com/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=SBC News}}{{Cite web |last=O'Hagan |first=Marese |date=2022-04-01 |title=GiG closes €51.3m deal to acquire Sportnco |url=https://igamingbusiness.com/gaming/gig-closes-e51-3m-deal-to-acquire-sportnco/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=iGaming Business}}
In 2023, GiG separated its affiliate marketing and platform divisions into two independent publicly listed companies. The separation was aimed at establishing distinct business structures for each entity.{{Cite web |last=Kleiner |first=Dan |date=2023-02-15 |title=GiG launches strategic review with aim to split business |url=https://igamingbusiness.com/strategy/gig-launches-strategic-review-with-aim-to-split-business-in-two/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=iGaming Business}}
=2024-present: Formation of Gentoo Media=
In September 2024, GiG Media was officially rebranded as Gentoo Media, following its spin-off from GiG Platform & Sportsbook.{{Cite web |last=Dawson |first=Kio |date=2024-06-18 |title=GiG Media rebrands as Gentoo Media ahead of spin-off |url=https://www.gamingintelligence.com/marketing/affiliates/195896-gig-media-rebrands-as-gentoo-media-ahead-of-spin-off/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Gaming Intelligence}}
In 2023 and 2024, Gentoo Media acquired several iGaming-related websites and businesses, including AskGamblers, KaFeRocks, Time2Play,{{Cite web |last=Thomas-Akoo |first=Zak |date=2023-12-21 |title=GiG completes KaFe Rocks acquisition ahead of business split |url=https://next.io/news/investment/gig-completes-kafe-rocks-acquisition/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=NEXT.io |language=en-GB}} Casinomeister and Titan Inc.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-03 |title=GiG acquires Casinomeister for €3m to improve online gaming transparency |url=https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/25449/gig-acquires-casinomeister-for-3m-to-improve-online-gaming-transparency |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Gambling Insider}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-27 |title=Titan acquisition complete as GiG strengthens market position |url=https://sbcnews.co.uk/europe/2024/08/27/gig-acquires-titan/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=SBC News}}
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Gentoo Media reported €35.9 million in revenue, reflecting a 38% increase compared to the same quarter in 2023.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-18 |title=Gentoo Media reports Q4 2024 |url=https://view.news.eu.nasdaq.com/view?id=b7adf507d185998ecc11fd07524abdfed&lang=en&src=listed |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Nasdaq}}
On January 30, 2025, Gentoo Media announced plans to delist from Euronext Oslo Børs while maintaining its listing on Nasdaq Stockholm.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-31 |title=Gentoo to delist from Oslo Børs and transfer full shareholding to Stockholm Nasdaq |url=https://sbcnews.co.uk/europe/2025/01/31/gentoo-oslo-stockholm-move/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=SBC News}} The company cited a shift in investor focus from Norway to Sweden and limited trading liquidity on the Oslo exchange as key reasons for the decision.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-30 |title=Gentoo Media – proposal to delist shares from Oslo Børs |url=https://news.cision.com/gentoo-media-inc/r/gentoo-media---proposal-to-delist-shares-from-oslo-bors,c4098208 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Cision}} The delisting remains subject to shareholder approval at a special meeting in March 2025, followed by regulatory approval from Euronext Oslo Børs. If approved, the delisting is expected to take effect by the end of the second quarter of 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-13 |title=Gentoo Media - Minutes from Special Meeting of Shareholders |url=https://live.euronext.com/en/products/equities/company-news/2025-03-13-gentoo-media-minutes-special-meeting-shareholders |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Euronext Live Markets}}
Business model and operations
Gentoo Media operates as an affiliate marketing company, directing traffic from its websites to online gambling operators. The company’s primary activities include:
- Lead generation: Connecting players with online gambling platforms.
- Content and SEO marketing: Managing a portfolio of over 150 websites that provide reviews, betting guides, and industry insights.
- Compliance monitoring: Utilising Sitebee (formerly GiG Comply), a software designed to track marketing compliance across regulated markets.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-09 |title=Gentoo Media announces GiG Comply’s rebrand to Sitebee |url=https://affpapa.com/gentoo-media-announces-gig-complys-rebrand-to-sitebee/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=AffPapa.com}}
Gentoo Media’s digital marketing efforts span multiple channels, including search engines, social media platforms, and email marketing.{{Cite web |title=Products |url=https://www.gentoomedia.com/our-products/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Gentoo Media}}
Key Websites
Gentoo Media operates several media websites and traffic generating channels engaging the end-user, turning users into leads to operators.{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2024 |title=Prospectus regarding listing of EUR 60,000,000 and SEK 350,000,000 |url=https://www.gentoomedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Gentoo-Media-PLC-Prospectus-18-Dec-2024.pdf |access-date=March 24, 2025 |website=Gentoo Media P.L.C.}}
= AskGamblers.com =
AskGamblers.com is a casino affiliate website that features online casino information and reviews, bonus listings, online gambling news, a complaint service, and a gaming community. The company was founded by Igor Šalindrija in 2005 in Belgrade, Serbia.{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2018 |title=AskGamblers je najlepša priča na srpskoj start-up sceni + 10 saveta za pokretanje start-upa |url=https://samoobrazovanje.rs/ask-gamblers-pokretanje-startupa/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Samoobrazovanje |language=sr}} In 2009, AskGamblers launched AskGamblers Casino Complaint Service, a player complaint resolution service, with the aim of helping players file complaints against online casinos and retrieving unpaid funds. Since its launch, it has recovered more than $70m in unpaid or delayed funds to players.{{Cite web |last=Found |first=Jack |date=March 18, 2025 |title=AskGamblers Casino Complaint Service surpasses $70m in recovered funds |url=https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/28746/askgamblers-casino-complaint-service-surpasses-70m-in-recovered-funds |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Gambling Insider}}
In April 2016, the media company Catena Media acquired AskGamblers for €15 million.{{Cite web |date=2016-04-04 |title=Catena Media acquires AskGamblers.com for €15 million |url=https://sbcnews.co.uk/featurednews/2016/04/04/catena-media-acquires-askgamblers-com-for-e15-million/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=SBC News}} In January 2023, AskGamblers was acquired by Gaming Innovation Group for €45 million.{{Cite web |last=O'Hagan |first=Marese |date=2023-01-31 |title=GiG completes acquisition of AskGamblers.com |url=https://igamingbusiness.com/strategy/ma/gig-acquires-askgamblers-com-for-e45m/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=iGaming Business}}
= World Sports Network (WSN.com) =
Through its sports website, WSN.com, Gaming Innovation Group entered the regulated US sports betting market in January 2019. It was first granted a license to operate in New Jersey, followed by Indiana, Pennsylvania, Colorado and West Virginia.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-19 |title=Gaming Innovation Group approved for Pennsylvania launch |url=https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/gaming-innovation-group-approved-for-pennsylvania-launch/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=iGaming Business}}{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Chris |date=2020-07-01 |title=GiG granted Colorado license for WSN.com |url=https://sbcamericas.com/2020/07/01/gig-granted-colorado-license-for-wsn-com/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=SBC Americas}} In June 2020, WSN.com started an online gambling podcast with sports betting personality Bill Krackomberger.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-17 |title=World Sports Network Launches Sports Betting Podcast With Bill Krackomberger |url=https://news.cision.com/wsn---world-sports-network/r/world-sports-network-launches-sports-betting-podcast-with-bill-krackomberger,c3136553 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Cision}}
= CasinoTopsOnline =
GiG acquired Casinotopsonline.com in March 2017 for the amount of €11.5 million, at the time it was deemed as one of Europe's largest online casino review portals. The site focuses on news and casino reviews operating on a worldwide scale.{{Cite web |date=2017-03-10 |title=GIG agrees record affiliate acquisition |url=https://igamingbusiness.com/finance/gig-agrees-record-affiliate-acquisition/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=iGaming Business}}{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2017 |title=GIG continues M&A growth strategy with Casinotopsonline.com acquisition |url=https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/2988/gig-continues-ma-growth-strategy-with-casinotopsonlinecom-acquisition |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Gambling Insider}}
= Time2play.com =
In December 2023, Time2play.com and the company Time2Play Media was acquired by Gentoo Media.{{Cite web |last=Wojciow |first=Matthew |date=2023-12-21 |title=Gaming Innovation Group completes €35m Time2Play Media acquisition |url=https://www.egr.global/intel/news/gaming-innovation-group-completes-e35m-time2play-media-acquisition/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=EGR}} The site features data-driven reviews, guides, news, and other information on online gambling. Previously known as KaFe Rocks, the company rebranded as Time2play Media in June 2023.{{Cite web |last=Prendergast |first=Robert |date=June 27, 2023 |title=KaFe Rocks rebrands as Time2Play Media |url=https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/21593/kafe-rocks-rebrands-as-time2play-media |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Gambling Insider}}
= Casinomeister.com =
In June 2024, Gentoo Media acquired Casinomeister.com, a longstanding online casino advocacy and review platform that has been operating since June 1998.{{Cite web |last=Lindenberg |first=Sonja |date=2024-06-03 |title=Gaming Innovation Group acquires industry pioneer Casinomeister |url=https://next.io/news/investment/gaming-innovation-group-acquires-casinomeister/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=NEXT.io}} The site features an active forum where online gamblers connect and exchange opinions. It also offers a complaints service that facilitates dispute resolution between players and operators.{{Cite web |title=About Casinomeister, in operation since June 1998 |url=https://www.casinomeister.com/about-us/ |access-date=March 24, 2025 |website=Casinomeister}}
References
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External links
- {{website|https://www.gentoomedia.com/|Gentoo Media official website}}
Category:Online gambling companies of Malta
Category:Companies listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange