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Gentoo Media

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Gentoo Media Inc.
Company typePublic company
OSE: G2MNO
Nasdaq StockholmG2M
ISINUS36467X2062
IndustryiGaming, affiliate marketing, B2B
Founded2007; 18 years ago (2007) as Rebel Penguin, rebranded to Gentoo Media in 2024 after spin-off from Gaming Innovation Group
Headquarters
Number of locations
Malta, Belgrade, Copenhagen, Valencia, Norwich[1]
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Jonas Warrer (CEO)[2]
Mikael Riese Harsted (Chairman of the Board)[3]
BrandsAskGamblers
Casinomeister
Casinotopsonline
WSN.com
Time2Play
Revenue€124.5 million[4] (2024)
€57.2 million[5] (2024)
SubsidiariesiGamingCloud Ltd.
Websitehttps://www.gentoomedia.com

Gentoo Media Inc. (often referred to as Gentoo) is a publicly traded company operating in the iGaming affiliate marketing industry.[6] 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.[7]

Formerly known as GiG Media, the company was part of Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) until September 2024, when it became an independent entity.[8]

Gentoo Media is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (ticker: G2M)[6] and, as of early 2025, is in the process of delisting from Euronext Oslo Børs (ticker: G2MNO),[9][10] subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.[9]

History

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2007-2017: Origins and early development

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Gentoo Media's origins trace back to 2007, when Rebel Penguin, an affiliate marketing company, was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark.[11] In 2012, Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) was established, later expanding into affiliate marketing.[12]

In 2015, GiG launched its affiliate division, Innovation Labs,[13] later rebranded as GiG Media.[14] In 2017, GiG acquired Rebel Penguin, integrating it into its affiliate marketing operations.[15][16]

2018-2023: Expansion and business separation

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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.[17][18][19]

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.[20]

2024-present: Formation of Gentoo Media

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In September 2024, GiG Media was officially rebranded as Gentoo Media, following its spin-off from GiG Platform & Sportsbook.[2]

In 2023 and 2024, Gentoo Media acquired several iGaming-related websites and businesses, including AskGamblers,[14] KaFeRocks, Time2Play,[21] Casinomeister and Titan Inc.[22][23]

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.[5][24]

On January 30, 2025, Gentoo Media announced plans to delist from Euronext Oslo Børs while maintaining its listing on Nasdaq Stockholm.[25] 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.[26] 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.[27]

Business model and operations

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Gentoo Media operates as an affiliate marketing company, directing traffic from its websites to online gambling operators.[6] The company’s primary activities include:

  • Lead generation: Connecting players with online gambling platforms.[6]
  • Content and SEO marketing: Managing a portfolio of over 150 websites that provide reviews, betting guides, and industry insights.[7]
  • Compliance monitoring: Utilising Sitebee (formerly GiG Comply), a software designed to track marketing compliance across regulated markets.[28]

Gentoo Media’s digital marketing efforts span multiple channels, including search engines, social media platforms, and email marketing.[29]

Key Websites

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Gentoo Media operates several media websites and traffic generating channels engaging the end-user, turning users into leads to operators.[30]

AskGambles.com

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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.[31] 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.[32]

In April 2016, the media company Catena Media acquired AskGamblers for €15 million.[33] In January 2023, AskGamblers was acquired by Gaming Innovation Group for €45 million.[34]

World Sports Network (WSN.com)

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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.[35][36] In June 2020, WSN.com started an online gambling podcast with sports betting personality Bill Krackomberger.[37]

CasinoTopsOnline

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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.[38][39]

Time2play.com

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In December 2023, Time2play.com and the company Time2Play Media was acquired by Gentoo Media.[40] 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.[41]

Casinomeister.com

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In June 2024, Gentoo Media acquired Casinomeister.com, a longstanding online casino advocacy and review platform that has been operating since June 1998.[42] 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.[43]

References

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  1. ^ "Offices". Gentoo Media. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  2. ^ a b Dawson, Kio (2024-06-18). "GiG Media rebrands as Gentoo Media ahead of spin-off". Gaming Intelligence. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  3. ^ Lindenberg, Sonja (2024-04-08). "GiG taps Nylander and Harstad as Platform and Media chairmen". NEXT.io. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  4. ^ Dawson, Kio (2025-02-18). "Strong Q4 takes Gentoo Media full year revenue to €124.5 million". Gaming Intelligence. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  5. ^ a b "Gentoo Media's revenue up 38% in 16th consecutive record quarter". IGB Affiliate. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  6. ^ a b c d "Gentoo Media (G2M) Overview". Nasdaq. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Gentoo Media Profile". Financial Times. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  8. ^ Thomas-Akoo, Zak (2025-02-18). "FY 2024: Gentoo Media posts record results amid strategic shift". NEXT.io. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  9. ^ a b "Gentoo Media: proposal to delist shares from Oslo Børs". Nasdaq Company News. 2025-01-30. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  10. ^ "Gentoo Media". Euronext. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  11. ^ "Announcement". Gaming Innovation Group. 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  12. ^ "Gaming Innovation Group Capital Markets Day". Gaming Innovation Group. 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  13. ^ "Annual Report 2015" (PDF). Gaming Innovation Group. p. 6. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  14. ^ a b Lindenberg, Sonja (2022-12-15). "GiG acquires Catena Media's flagship site AskGamblers for €45m". NEXT.io. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  15. ^ "Gaming Innovation acquires Rebel Penguin for EUR 13 mln". Reuters. 2017-09-11. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  16. ^ O'Hagan, Marese (2024-06-18). "GiG affiliate rebrands to Gentoo Media as spin-off rumbles on". iGB. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  17. ^ "GiG agrees deal to acquire OddsModel". SBC News. 2016-03-24. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  18. ^ "GIG strengthens affiliate portfolio with €11.5 million acquisition of Casinotopsonline.com". SBC News. 2017-03-10. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  19. ^ O'Hagan, Marese (2022-04-01). "GiG closes €51.3m deal to acquire Sportnco". iGaming Business. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  20. ^ Kleiner, Dan (2023-02-15). "GiG launches strategic review with aim to split business". iGaming Business. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  21. ^ Thomas-Akoo, Zak (2023-12-21). "GiG completes KaFe Rocks acquisition ahead of business split". NEXT.io. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  22. ^ "GiG acquires Casinomeister for €3m to improve online gaming transparency". Gambling Insider. 2024-06-03. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  23. ^ "Titan acquisition complete as GiG strengthens market position". SBC News. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  24. ^ "Gentoo Media reports Q4 2024". Nasdaq. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  25. ^ "Gentoo to delist from Oslo Børs and transfer full shareholding to Stockholm Nasdaq". SBC News. 2025-01-31. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  26. ^ "Gentoo Media – proposal to delist shares from Oslo Børs". Cision. 2025-01-30. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  27. ^ "Gentoo Media - Minutes from Special Meeting of Shareholders". Euronext Live Markets. 2025-03-13. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  28. ^ "Gentoo Media announces GiG Comply's rebrand to Sitebee". AffPapa.com. 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  29. ^ "Products". Gentoo Media. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  30. ^ "Prospectus regarding listing of EUR 60,000,000 and SEK 350,000,000" (PDF). Gentoo Media P.L.C. December 18, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  31. ^ "AskGamblers je najlepša priča na srpskoj start-up sceni + 10 saveta za pokretanje start-upa". Samoobrazovanje (in Serbian). March 8, 2018. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  32. ^ Found, Jack (March 18, 2025). "AskGamblers Casino Complaint Service surpasses $70m in recovered funds". Gambling Insider. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  33. ^ "Catena Media acquires AskGamblers.com for €15 million". SBC News. 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  34. ^ O'Hagan, Marese (2023-01-31). "GiG completes acquisition of AskGamblers.com". iGaming Business. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  35. ^ "Gaming Innovation Group approved for Pennsylvania launch". iGaming Business. 2020-02-19. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  36. ^ Murphy, Chris (2020-07-01). "GiG granted Colorado license for WSN.com". SBC Americas. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  37. ^ "World Sports Network Launches Sports Betting Podcast With Bill Krackomberger". Cision. 2020-06-17. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  38. ^ "GIG agrees record affiliate acquisition". iGaming Business. 2017-03-10. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  39. ^ "GIG continues M&A growth strategy with Casinotopsonline.com acquisition". Gambling Insider. March 13, 2017. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  40. ^ Wojciow, Matthew (2023-12-21). "Gaming Innovation Group completes €35m Time2Play Media acquisition". EGR. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  41. ^ Prendergast, Robert (June 27, 2023). "KaFe Rocks rebrands as Time2Play Media". Gambling Insider. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  42. ^ Lindenberg, Sonja (2024-06-03). "Gaming Innovation Group acquires industry pioneer Casinomeister". NEXT.io. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  43. ^ "About Casinomeister, in operation since June 1998". Casinomeister. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
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