Merkur Sportwetten acquires 50% stake in BetCenter

Gauselmann Group-owned Merkur Sportwetten has purchased a 50% stake in Belgian sports betting company BetCenter.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it was confirmed that agreement will build on an existing relationship between BetCenter and Gauselmann.

BetCenter switched to the Gauselmann Cashpoint multichannel product platform 18 months ago and has reported 30% year-on-year growth when comparing the figures from 2016 and 2017.

In addition, as part of the new deal, three Gauselmann representatives will join the BetCenter board.

“BetCenter is a quality leader in the Belgian sports betting market which perfectly complements Gauselmann’s international business development strategy,” Merkur Sportwetten managing director Niko Steinkrauß said in a statement published by Jamma-Europe.eu.

“The combination of BetCenter’s local market expertise and the resources of the Merkur Sportwetten network will ideally position our partnership for further growth.”

Seydi Tekin, chief executive and managing director of BetCenter, added: “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.”