Now that the news is out about the RotoGrinders Network becoming acquired by Better Collective, we’d like to add some color and give readers, fans and supporters a sense of what they can expect from our network of sites covering daily fantasy sports (DFS) and legal U.S. sports betting.
In the immediate, the acquisition likely means the purchase of a fully loaded party boat by certain members of the RotoGrinders team. But seriously and more importantly, it means overall that the quality and breadth of coverage at each of the sites, and the development of greater DFS and sports betting tools, will improve and grow through combined resources. Better Collective brings a wealth of experience as a leading developer of digital platforms for bookmaker information, iGaming communities, and betting insights.
The RG Network sites include: RotoGrinders, SharpSide, US Bets, PocketFives, Penn Bets, NJ Online Gambling, obviously Sports Handle and others yet-to-be-launched. The onus will be on all of us behind the RG Network to deliver the goods. Obviously, you all will be the judge of that over time.
More about the RG Network sites, thoughts from founders
As the co-founder of Sports Handle, acquired by the RG Network in November 2018, I’ll go first. Since our launch in July 2017, we have strived to provide high-quality, thoughtful coverage on the myriad developments in the rapidly evolving U.S. sports betting ecosystem.
We’ve closely followed state-level and federal legislative happenings and hearings, often providing original reporting. Our team has opined on industry matters, created resources for sports betting enthusiasts, explored the curious origin of a certain leading sports betting “stock” photo, published features and broken a few stories, too.
Personally, my fascination with this industry continues to grow, and I am driven by the belief that industry, which no doubt is riddled with frauds and crooks, deserves as much earnest, in-depth coverage as every other industry and genre. Better Collective will help further this mission as we strive to provide some of the best ports betting coverage out there.
Said colleague Robert DellaFave, Chief Operating Officer and Content Director for US Bets:
“The first thing I tell anyone interested in working within the sports gambling media industry is, ‘Are you sure?’ Keeping up with the ins-and-outs of the industry is a job in and of itself — one I believe you can’t do in the absence of passion. And that’s just what our staff has. Passion to create the best sports gambling content, whether that be breaking news, commentary, or resources to educate bettors.”
Part of that education: the value of sharp money in the sports wagering ecology.
Around the network
Coverage at US Bets examines developments across the country beyond sports betting. It’s a variety site that explores poker (check out the May 30 podcast with guest Daniel Negreanu), casino gaming, gaming history, the industry and more.
“I feel we’ve brought something new to the US gaming industry,” said US Bets CEO Adam Small. “US Bets is full of fun and original stories, while Sports Handle’s legislative coverage is second to none.”
Small continued:
“Our state sites, such as NJ Online Gambling and Penn Bets, go just as deep if not deeper than anywhere else I’ve found on the specifics of each state’s industry. We’ll continue to build out more content and resources to fill the ever-growing demand for information and entertainment around online gambling and sports betting.”
And check out PocketFives, the RG Network home base for poker, and download the SharpSide app, our home to a community of bettors akin to the one at RotoGrinders.
Of course, the flagship station remains RotoGrinders, the leading DFS resource and community worldwide. Founded in 2010 by Cal Spears, Riley Bryant, and Cameron MacMillan, the trio will continue grinding in this new era.
“Better Collective partnered with us partly because of our knowledge and expertise of American sports, and our healthy business in Daily Fantasy: RotoGrinders,” said MacMillan. “RotoGrinders will continue to grow and thrive as the leading content and tool provider in the industry. Building upon our daily fantasy foundation, we will expand our business rapidly with sports betting tools and content as new states come online across the U.S.”
Longtime RotoGrinders Media Director Dan Back weighed in as well, to address some concerns we’ve seen out there. And by out there, we mean on Twitter.
“Based on other fantasy sports acquisitions, there has been some concerns on social media about the possibility of our DFS content suddenly having wholesale changes in quality. I’m very confident that won’t be the case as the success of the fantasy business is a big reason we were a desirable asset for Better Collective.
“They bring a wealth of experience in the sports betting landscape that is really going to complement what we are doing in DFS, but you can expect the RotoGrinders brand to be front and center as Better Collective continues to grow its presence in the U.S. market.”
And if you haven’t yet scoped the sports betting vertical at RotoGrinders, please hit it here. The team there delivers stories written for the sports bettor: a first-person feature about Texas Tech’s glorious NCAA run and a huge hedge opportunity, a look at widely-available sports betting “odds boosters” and whether they’re good deals or bankroll busters; a sneak peek inside a forthcoming New York state sportsbook, the best Alliance of American Football coverage on the planet (RIP AAF), NFL action reports with top sportsbook directors, analysis of the DraftKings Sports Betting National Championship controversy and more.
Futures bet
After 26 years of sports betting oppression known as the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, the chains are off. It’s a crowded marketplace and media companies new and old across the spectrum are shoving in on the subway platforms.
“Joining the Better Collective group will help us fully realize the potential we’ve created with the RotoGrinders Network,” said RotoGrinders co-founder and CEO Cal Spears. “The experience, resources, and technology they’ve built up over the past 15 years in European sports betting will prove incredibly valuable here. Our combined goal is to be the largest US sports betting affiliate and we’re in a great position to make it happen.”
We’re now all aboard with Better Collective and as ever, sports betting and DFS are our passions, so visit our sites early and often.
